All Over

And I’m sad.

The Tour de France ended yesterday. The overall winner, Alberto Contador, though to me, that isn’t really important. Oh sure, I enjoy the competitive aspects of the race. And there are plenty of categories to compete for as well as tiny victories along the way throughout most stages. Yes, it amazes me that after 21 days of racing and over 82 hours of riding, the top ten finishers are separated by less than 15 minutes.

But again, that’s not the part I pay the most attention to. To me, it’s the race itself. The sheer distance and challenges it presents. The tradition. The unwritten rules. The strategy. Contador won. His teammate, Lance Armstrong was third, coming back from a few years’ break. But don’t think, just because of that, Armstrong’s former health issues and the age difference that it was easy for Contador. He has issues of his own. He suffered an aneurysm during a race five years ago. His surgery was successful and, after eight months, he was up and racing again. This year’s Tour victory was his second. He won his first in 2007. Along with plenty of other events as well.

Many of the riders have stories too, if you bother to check. That’s one of the things that fascinates me. And that this race is just one in many that most of them compete in during the season. It’s just the rest aren’t as popular so you never hear about the other grueling miles they cover.

Something else that ended a few days ago is Torchwood. Yes, believe it or not, I do actually watch something current. Last week there was a five night mini series in which the remaining members of Torchwood saved the world yet again, though destroyed themselves. Well, perhaps they left an opening for the show to come back but it’s doubtful and even if it does it will take a long time. By then, I probably will have gotten rid of my TV and won’t know about it anyway. If you hear about it beginning again, please let me know.

Tour de France Update

For those of you who don’t pay attention but surely must know the most famous name in cycling, Lance Armstrong is indeed back this year. Back and ready to take the Tour by storm. After 6 stages, he’s in second place by less than a quarter of a second. Pretty damn good for an old guy, as he calls himself.

If you haven’t been watching you’ve missed some incredible scenery. The first stage took place in the streets of Monaco. Stage two took them from Monaco to Brignoles. Stage three, from Marseille to La Grande-Motte. I particularly enjoyed the scenic shots that day because that’s the region where the Middle Child had her big adventure. So cool to see some of the places she explored.

Stage four was the team time trial and wound around Montpellier. This was the day that closed the 40 second gap between Cancellara, the race leader, the one who is currently wearing the infamous yellow jersey and Armstrong. The strength his team combined is amazing but then it should be. He’s not the only former Tour winner on it, nor the only one with a chance of winning this year. Alberto Contador is also on the same team. He’s in third place at the moment by a whopping 19 seconds. Can you imagine? They’ve already pedaled hundreds of miles and they’re separated by seconds.

Stage five skirted the coast. For some reason seeing the palm trees surprised me. Yes, I do know they’re there. I just don’t associate palms with France. Hot beyond belief and, being so near the shoreline, tremendous crosswinds to contend with.

Stage six saw a day of torrential rains. The wet roads had bikes slipping out from under riders right and left. No one was immune as some of the big names from years past went down along side Tour rookies. This one ended in Barcelona which, upon leaving there, will now send them up into the Pyrenees Mountains.

Ready to watch with me yet? Sigh. One of these years you will be and then you’ll be addicted to. Have a good weekend.