unabashed tourist
I may not be a fan of summer but I love the Tour de France. It got underway yesterday and makes July tolerable. I watch every stage, usually finding it impossible not to check the Tour website during the day. I should really wait to be surprised during the prime time TV coverage but I can’t do it.
When I started watching the Tour many years ago I was oblivious to the unsavory side of bike racing. It has become impossible to remain under that particular rock, but to all the people who tell me doping has turned them off cycling I say, “pfffft.” Yeah, it’s important, no doubt about it, but watching these guys flying through a time trial or pedaling in agony on Alpe d’Huez is still amazing. That they do it day after day for three weeks is incredible. After following a few riders on Twitter for the past few months, it seems the drug tests are frequent and relentless. I am confident those who are doping will pay the price, one way or another.
Fantasy fans may enjoy the Versus Fantasy Cycling Challenge. It’s pretty simple. Pretend you are Johan Bruyneel and assemble a team of riders, starters and bench, staying within a “budget” of $500. The first four stages are practice, meaning you can change your roster at will. Beginning with stage 5 it all counts. I missed that important detail last year and still finished in the top 4000 or so, and even beat at least one of the Versus crew. If you decide to give it a try be sure to join the DraftDaySuit league and see just how well you kicked my butt.
If you want another way to participate in the Tour from the comfort of your recliner, check out Chalkbot. In a nutshell, Chalkbot will write your 40 character message on the road during a stage of the Tour. How cool is that?
So you know where I’ll be just about every night this month, glued to the Tour. My inner twelve year old boy loves to hear the commentators say “Liquigas”.
