coolblueskies's blog

Doping is an unfair advantage whether it’s Jan Ullrick or Barry Bonds, the Tour de France or The Baseball Hall of Fame. From my point of view, the evil is not in the banned performance-enhancing substances or techniques but rather the sly, underhanded shroud of advantage the doping athlete has over those that pursue sports cleanly. The line between cheating and gaining a competitive advantage in pursuit of that all-important goal, victory, is at best blurry.

The Tour begins this weekend in of all places London. Three cheers for the Brits for putting this together. I wish I were there to see it first hand. It will be the first time the Tour de France has set off from England, but the third it has passed through in its 104-year history.

VeloNews has a great profile of the Prologue

Does anyone have a list of locations outside of France where the tour has been run?

I have been a Sport Rider for 36 years. This means to me that I enjoy riding roads, trails, paths as a means of entertainment and fitness. It means I really don't enjoy riding in groups, although the conversation can be great but that as a Sports Rider I compete with myself.

I have infrequently been at a point where I might be competitive and in a physical or mental stage that I might be willing to race. I have always accepted that my motivation is the ride. I very seldom have been in a position to serious race so I haven't.

Who's favored from America in the upcoming Tour?