In much haste and with an endless list of things to do at home and work. It is time to stop reading about the exploits of others and head to France to go ride a bicycle through Les Alps myself. While it is day four of the Tour de France ‘06 for some, day one starts for me late this week. None too soon! Ready or not, the next three weeks will test my passion for cycling… and my ability to keep up with laundry on the road.
As people take their perches around screens in various watering holes to cheer on their favourite riders I will be fortunate enough to view them in the peloton for fleeting moments from some hillside vantage point… after having labored to that point with nary a pint of IPA within easy reach. I can almost hear Bob Roll abusing the simple de into day. I wonder if the air is really scented with Gauloise and are the bicycle handlebars of the locals really adorned with onions and do their riders wear berets?
To actually ascend Alp d’Huez this year just ahead of race day will be a magical day. Will it feel like Rocky Point or an endless McNamee or Logie Trail as it winds its way to its ski resort summit, as they in turn find their way to Skyline? No matter the stories heard and read I have no real idea. It does seem however, that every man and his dog seem to have accomplished it at some point. So here goes and for the dog part of the equation I will take the wishes from all of you sitting at the Lucky Lab. Save a beer for my eventual return.