I am officially having a really good time .
Just tuned in for a few minutes of Le Tour de France .
If you have a working television , check to see if you can receive OLN The Outdoor Life Network . The Tour de France is , of course , the greatest cycling race ever . And The Tour de France is one of the two most-watched sporting events , ever .
Each day OLN broadcasts their coverage of that days stage , several times . So , even if you don't have any way to record it , you can watch it later in the day , or at night . But , first thing in the morning , you can watch it happen , LIVE ( amazes me every time I think about it - watch it live ! ) . The live broadcast starts 9:00 AM Eastern time .
But , here's what I needed to say :
One of the helicopter cameras just showed a farmer's field , recently harvested , now covered in golden stubble . Out in the field , standing proudly on its "kick-stand" was an old tarnished 3-speed bicycle . Next to the peasant's transportation was a very large sign stating , " MERCI LE TOUR " . Just a thank you note , from someone who appreciates the T. d. F. ( and appreciates the business it brings in for the local community ! ) .
Merci Le Tour . And the next shot showed the peloton ( the big group of cyclists ) slowing down to wind through a small village . One rider reached out to put his hand in the middle of another riders back , and say a word or two as they passed in the tight pack of riders . They were not even on the same team . Just friendly competitors from different teams . Another rider reached out and hooked his finger through his team-mate's saddle rail . It was just the sort of stunt we used to pull on each other , out on long rides with friends ! He got a free tow from his team-mate , for a moment or two , while having a brief conversation , and then moved on through the pack . Except for the large crowd of racers , it was something I can remember doing so many times myself . Talk about "putting you right into the action" ! And I was watching it happen live , from across the great Atlantic Ocean !
Merci Le Tour !
Cheers ,
Raoul Delmare
Marysville Kansas