re: 2020 Tour De France, UCI WC, Giro, Vuelta: The Offcial Thread

I am about to write a book... sorry.

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That said, it warms my heart to hear from coworkers almost weekly that they can’t find a bike to purchase for themselves or a child, relative etc bc all local places sell out almost immediately. Not because they can’t get one, that’s ridiculous, but because cycling has gained so much attention and popularity this year. It’s addicting but healthy. Hope the trend continues.

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The number of people biking in our neighborhoods has been amazing. Every year during the summer my wife organizes group rides for the kids and this year we had tons of parents (and non-parents) too. I broke off and lead some rides with the faster adults. We still have quite a few riding. There is one lady in her 60s I am so proud of, she hadn't ridden a bike more than a mile or so in over a decade now she is riding 7 days a week and rides 15 miles each day. She runs along like a metronome at 13.5 mph.

The only negative is I am way behind on our bikes maintenance because my repair stand always has someone else bike in it. I am sure I am preaching to the choir in saying I HATE working on big box store bikes. Two big takeaways is people have no idea how no idea what chain lube is and people love to ride with their saddle 50mm too low. It is nice to see how happy they are to ride a bike that works (kinda) properly and don't hit their knees on their chest.

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I don’t remember what got me hooked on cycling in the first place, probably was the Tour de France, or maybe a French video I was shown in high school about the sport, was kinda weird though. But I actually don’t ride a bike that much or haven’t in years. But these races has encouraged me to at-least get on a spin bike more. I need to exercise a lot more

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I got started in cycling as a result of the Boy Scout's Cycling merit badge when I was 14. It requires multiple rides of up to 50 miles. The merit badge counselor for it was my best friend's father. My bike was a 24" wheeled Schwinn Varsity that probably weighed 35 pounds. After meeting with him and his attempts to tune it up he instead sold (more like gave) me a Raleigh International for $75. It was Reynolds 513 tubing with pierced Nervex lugs with chromed seat/chain stays, fork, and head tube lugs. It was all Campy except for the Weinmann center-pull brakes. I will never forget how fast I felt on that bike, if it weren't for that bike I may never have discovered the joy of cycling.

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I've been doing 2am rides after I get off of work.

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I absolutely love late night rides. There is a two-mile loop in the neighborhood that from 10-4 on weeknights I rarely see more than 1 or 2 cars. I usually never look at the computer and normally don't even wear my HRM strap. Just me the bike and the road.

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I think it's hard to appreciate the TdF or other races if you know no iota of how tough and rigorous they are.

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The thing that gets me is seeing them up on the hoods, loafing along at 28 mph while they are stretching, taking off leg warmers, eating a meal and my favorite is watching them drink a beer. Where else can you see the worlds best athletes enjoying a brew while in the midst of an elite race? While I have never been offered a beer handup in a road race it is the very best part of cyclocross especially when it is from a hot girl who I am just sure is eyeing my blasted quads. Cyclocross is pure dirty suffering but a beer always makes me think I am faster than I am.

I just hope the cycling enthusiasm continues at least long enough for me to actually tell someone where they can actually buy a new bike when they ask. We have several to loan but if you don't ride a 52 or 53cm you are out of luck in our house. Yeah I am 6' and ride a 53cm frame but that 275mm of exposed post and slammed 130mm stem makes me look pro dammit.