This Pilgrim's Progress

Toor-Dee-Franzz

Lance did it!! Six time Tour Champ! It's been an exciting tour to watch. Last year's was exciting because it wasn't a sure thing for Lance. This year the historical significance made it even more exciting to watch. My son is glad it's over. He thinks watching the Tour is like watching grass grow! What do 13 year old's know anyway?

Toor-Dee-Franzz

Watched stage 17 last night. What an incredible finish. I couldn't believe how fast Lance Armstrong accelerated to catch and beat the leader. The guy must have had 10-15 meters on him, and Lance beat him by half a wheel!!!

Apparently Lance has been getting some abuse from the spectators the last couple of stages. I hope it doesn't get ugly, it would be a shame for someone to disrupt the Tour. Lance has been extremely kind and complementary to the French, even though he's being hounded by some French journalists trying to pin a doping scandal on him (with no success of course).

It should prove to be an exciting finish this weekend. I can't believe it's almost over already. But, when you've got someone like Lance to watch, the time goes quickly!!

Toor-Dee-Franzz

I've been watching the Tour De France on the OLN while waiting for my DV's to capture, encode and burn. The Tour is a great sporting event to watch while doing something like that. You can come back after 30 or 60 minutes and you really don't miss anything. OLN is doing a great job, and they replay any interesting or exciting parts during their broadcast. The OLN commentator team is very good and they keep it interesting and lively.

Lance Armstrong has started to make his move the last couple of stages and it's just amazing to see this human racing machine go!! His tactics and strategy so far is flawless and he has the skills and resources to call upon when he needs them. He's put together an incredible team in US Postal, and I hope they stay together if he decides to retire. Maybe he could be their coach or manager!!

This event is probably the most grueling, challenging, and difficult athletic contest in the world. It is so tough, that it is plagued by drug scandals among the cyclists. Lance has shown what you can do with training and skill, so maybe that will dissuade young cyclists from going that route, but the competition is tough in cycling and so the temptation is great. The closest athletic events to the Tour in difficulty are the adventure-tour races (Raid Galoise, Eco-Challenge, etc.), but they don't have the widespread appeal and popularity of the Tour and the other great European cycling events.

If you haven't been watching the Tour, you are missing quite a contest. We may never see an athlete like Lance Armstrong again, so you are missing out on history in the making!!