le tour de awesome

sometimes when I lie in bed at night there is running commentary in my head. I am very good at writing blog posts in my head and only wish they were half as good when I try to recreate them the next day.

I realized last night as I tensed up under my blanket on the couch while watching le tour that I hadn't included it in the things I like post. I quickly forgave myself rationalizing that it deserved a post all its own.


I mean, come on. lance's catch-up ride in stage 16 and then yesterday?? my dvr can hardly contain itself holding such fantastic material. towards the end of the stage yesterday, a commercial break came on and denten started to fast-forward. I exhaled. he looked at me and asked if I'd been holding my breath. well, yes. and I am also mentally telling my muscles to relax. it's like a great suspense movie, I said. I can't help it. The climb they had to make yesterday was unbelievable to me, and they were pushing it the entire time. I could just feel their thighs burning.

and then there are the wrecks. man, is it awful that I rewind to watch each one? jens smacking his face on the pavement, fracturing his cheekbone... that was something. the rain has made the steep course even more treacherous. I hold my breath for lance, I really do.

speaking of the cycling god himself... well, actually, I don't know what to say. except that every time he explodes and takes off, I find myself cheering out loud. I'll give contador his props, he's one fast little spaniard, and andy schleck has had some impressive moments (not such a fan of frank, not sure why), but when my man lance rides, it's simply thrilling. I think I'm impressed as much with his mental strength as his physical, seeing as I can not fathom what he tells himself sometimes when plowing up some of those climbs. I think I can, I think I can, I think I can. I simply haven't developed that kind of mental stamina and yet, if the thought of not giving 100% all the time has ever crossed his mind, you'd never know it.

the scenery is breathtaking. it's completely gorgeous. I told denten if he ever wanted to ride in the tour, I'd probably be happy to go support him. I mean, we could hang out with lance and johann and I could breathe in those mountains. maybe wade would ride too. It would be great. I would even write messages on the road for them (dent and wade and lance). although I would not stand in the middle of the road waving a flag. those people are hazards. I know it's part of the race, but I'd consider barriers, I mean really. They are riding for their lives and have to dodge idiots trying to grab at them. dangerous, I say. one little slip and down the cliff you go. that would be a bummer.

alright, there it is. my love le tour, documented in all its glory. time trial today. that means super fast and cool bikes. let's have a watch, shall we?