A Different Perspective

I have a book of photographs that covers Lance Armstrong's career. I was looking through that book earlier when I realized that this year, watching the Tour de France will be different for me. And not for the reasons you may think.

I'm excited that Lance Armstrong is back. I was sad when he retired and have tremendous respect for him coming back. Which is odd because most of the time when a professional athlete comes out of retirement I scoff. It's usually a disaster. With Lance, it hasn't been. He's in phenomenal shape and should do well. He is on a strong team. But that is not why watching the tour will be different for me.

On July 4th, while most of the people I know will be having a bbq or going to a baseball game or watching fireworks, a small group of my friends and I will be at my house watching the prologue - the first stage of the Tour. As Patrick says, "The bicycles are back." I have been watching it with him and he's excited to see it as well.

But the fact that I'll be watching with friends is not what makes this year different. What makes this year different is I now ride a bike. Granted, it's no where near what these guys do in the Tour. But the fact that I have ridden competitively means that I will see this race through new eyes.

I will watch every hill with a new found respect, for I now know how hard climbing a hill is. I will watch every descent knowing how fast they are going and how scary and thrilling is all at the same time. I will drool and lust after the bikes. Those guys ride beautiful, state-of-the-art bikes that probably cost about what my car did. I will have a better understanding of the race strategy and will marvel at how these guys ride so fast for so long. Not that I didn't do any of that before. But with doing comes understanding. It would be the same as if I was ever able to play hockey. I would love and respect the game even more knowing exactly how hard it is.

I know how hard it is to ride a hill. But the hills I ride are much shorter and smaller than the Alps or Pyrenees. The same principles apply and I realize how much work and training goes into what every rider in the Tour does. While my level of physical fitness is not nearly what the riders' is, I still know how hard this race is. They ride 100 or so miles a day for 21 days. With only two or three rest days. It's unfathomable to me.

So now I will watch the Tour this year with a new perspective. And a new understanding. And I'm sure I will love it even more than I do now. Go Lance!

Comments

[Kevin]

I must say, this is my favorite time of the year for television! It's a hundred bazillion degrees outside and the Tour is on. No better reason to be out of the heat!

And yeah...Go Lance!!!

[Becky]

Amen sister. I feel the same way. See you Saturday! And yes... Go Lance Go! Allez!