Published!

So, my article about some of our Tour experiences is now online at the Daily Peloton. I wanted to capture more of the atmosphere and the cultural significance of the event, as at this point a simple accounting of who won which stage is a bit irrelevant because I'm sure all cycling fans have already read many accounts of the actual racing.

"This was when I really realized that the Tour de France is bigger than just the cycling race itself, bigger than any doping scandals can destroy, and bigger than any battles between the ASO and the UCI can compromise. I got the sense that the majority of those French families would have been there regardless of who exactly was racing. And in the end, while the race itself was exciting and it was spectacular to see it live, particularly in some amazingly scenic places, I think the majority of my memories are more about the atmosphere surrounding the Tour de France and the people I encountered along the way.

These are things that aren’t dependent on race details such as start lists, who won, or how many positive doping tests occurred. But still, I hope that current anti-doping efforts will help to clean up the sport and that the ASO and UCI can sort out their differences for the betterment of cycling world-wide, so that the Tour de France can remain a prominent sporting event as well as a social and cultural one."

I also thought it was important to point out to friends and family in North America that the many media accounts suggesting the imminent demise of the Tour because of doping scandals are a little bit exaggerated... this was a point also made by Alex Stieda in talking to a columnist at the Edmonton Journal recently.

Stieda, whose cycling career began with a paper route, says North Americans often don't realize European cycling stars, who cover about 4,000 kilometres on the 22-day, 20-stage tour, are as well- known as hockey stars are here.

So, one could say that the Tour de France ending because of doping scandals is just as likely to happen as the NHL folding because of a season-long lockout ... and obviously the NHL is still alive and well.