For 20 days this month there has been 3-6 hours of cycling coverage each day. I dvr all the action so I can watch it at my own leisure. Even though I skip through a lot of it, I put in a lot of hours. I am always glad when it is over. It is totally enjoyable, but some days I feel like it is my duty to sit through it as a fan. That sounds stupid when I think of it, but it is almost an obligation. As those guys have to pedal their bikes for 2,000 miles over the roads of France... I have to sit on my couch and watch them do it. Another reason why I love watching the end of the tour is seeing the riders come into Paris. These athletes have made it through an extremely tough three weeks and it is always nice to see the joy on their faces as they roll into town. Even the dude who finishes dead last must have an overwhelming sense of accomplishment. That is rare to see, and I like it.
There is a definite sense of drama and excitement over the last few days as you wonder which rider is going to push through the pain to come out on top. This year, just like last year, it went down to the final day and the some guy found himself in second. I was rooting for Andy Schleck to get the win this year, but I am not upset to see Cadel Evans wear the yellow jersey into Paris. For two years in a row Andy will stand on the second place step of the podium, but at least this year he will have his brother alongside him. There is a lot of strategery and tactical moves to be made in cycling; especially over a three week race. However, it always seems like the winner is the guy who is consistently strong. You don't have to be amazing on any day, but you have to be great every day. When you think about how many hours each rider spends in his saddle, it is pretty crazy to think that it comes down to a few seconds.
