And they're off

[pbray]

The Tour de France kicked off this weekend. Six years I could have told you that it was a bicycle race in France, and I think Greg LeMond might have won it once.

Five years ago I knew Lance Armstrong had won it the year before and was going for his second try. For one week of that Tour I was on a cycling trip in Maine, and at each place we stayed the innkeepers were kind enough to keep us posted on how he was doing.

Gradually I started following the news of the tour, and when our cable provider picked up the OLN channel in 2003, I began watching the nightly recaps and was hooked.

I'm not a competitive cyclist, nor will I ever be one. If I have any claim at all to athletic talent, it's the sheer stubborness that lets me keep on riding, regardless of weather, ignoring muscle cramps and aching knees. When things get bad I narrow down my focus to the three feet of road directly in front of my front tire and I conquer that distance again and again until I've reached the end of the day's route.

This is the real reason why I take the annual bike trip-- to prove to myself that I can push past my limits, not just once, but day after day. I'm not the strongest cyclist on the trip, nor the fastest, but I'll match anyone for stubborness.

This year, for the first time since 2000, the annual bike trip coincides with the Tour. I'll miss being able to watch the critical middle week of the Tour this year. But while watching the race is enjoyable, there's also something about being out there on the bike knowing that I'm pushing myself to my limits at the same time the racers are pushing themselves to their limits and beyond.

Comments

[mizkit.livejournal.com]

When things get bad I narrow down my focus to the three feet of road directly in front of my front tire and I conquer that distance again and again until I've reached the end of the day's route.

...which sounds not unlike finishing a book under the same circumstances. :)

[pbray.livejournal.com]

Sometimes when I'm biking I think of writing an article about how much cycling and writing have in common. Both involve putting your butt on the seat. In both cases I use intermediate goals to motivate myself, and stretch goals to prove that I can do more than I think. Both are generally solitary pursuits, but each benefits from occasionally getting together with fellow practitioners to share encouragement and techniques.

Biking has niftier outfits, but then again I've never needed to put on sunscreen before writing.

[mizkit.livejournal.com]

I think you just totally made my day with this response. *laughs out loud*

*goes off to finish her book, happy that she doesn't have to put sunscreen on to do so* :)

[kristine-smith.livejournal.com]

Your bike reports are lighting a bit of a fire. I need to do something to get in better shape, and running is out. I don't like gyms and machines--I like being outside. My knees concern me a little, but dang...

And I do get several catalogs--Active, Title 9, Athleta, Terry--and yes, the clothes are spiff. Don't have the nerve or bod to brave spandex, but the shoes and caps are neat.

[pbray.livejournal.com]

I don't like exercising which is why biking works for me-- I have a specific goal that I need to get in shape for. Just like a deadline motivates for writing, the annual bike trip motivates me to work out.

I can't stand being on a stationary bike in a gym. 10 minutes there drives me nuts, but I can bike on the road for an hour or more and be fine. I also have tricky knees, and running doesn't work for me, but biking is okay.

Love the Title 9 and Terry catalogs and all their cool stuff. Although bike shorts are best worn while surrounded by other cyclists so it's clearly part of a uniform and not a bizarre fashion choice.