Musings @ The End...

The 2010 Tour De France is in the history books and I am sure the wheels are turning already in preparation for next years epic race. I think this year will be known for 2 things. 1. The final bookend on the cycling career of one Lance Armstrong. 2. The argument over Alberto Contador's reaction to Andy Schleck's chain mishap.



Lance Armstrong came to prominance during a time when we here in North America needed a solid sports figure who could recapture our imagination much like Michael Jordan did. (Jordan won his last title in 1998. Armstrong won his first Tour in 1999.) For seven straight years there after Armstrong would wear yellow in Paris and we had new hero.

Now as his professional career fades into the setting sun the questioning has become more intense. Did he win those races legitmately? Were they a product of the many innovations that he and his support staff brought to the sport of cycling? (A team designed to give all for one single effort. Trek rising to dominance in the industry.) Were they a product of simply putting in the time, effort, and sacrifice? Did surviving cancer give him that 3 percent edge over his rivals?

I believe the next few month will reveal much and I am prepared either way. 8 Tours is a long time. I've grown up in the 10 years between his first and last tour. I have learned much about the flaws of human nature and should one of my heroes fall, I'm prepared to digest the lessons one can learn from that transition.

And as far as the chain incident...

Very interesting how a single reaction can taint a rider's reputation but in this case I think the negative opinions Contador has garnered are somewhat deserved. He could have waited or had he honestly not noticed Schleck's chain problems when they occured, he could have taken his pace back a few notches.

I've seen a lot of commentary asking what the big deal was. After all, In other forms of racing taking advantage of a fellow racers misfortune is how races are won. Not so in cycling especially in the race that defines cycling: the Tour de France. There is etiquette that demands in this race respect of fellow racers in these situations especially when it comes to the Yellow Jersey rider. It is when Lance, known for being brash and disrespectful for most of his early career, began to demonstrate that he respected this code, that he began to win over people in the European cycling community. Alberto, brilliant over the past 3 years, may have lost admirers in both fans and the peleton. You need friends in the latter to survive in a race!

I dare say the stage has been set for next year's Tour. I hope both these guys go home and bring their A game the next time around. I hope a fire has been lit in Andy's heart by his performance this year and makes it his goal to beat Alberto. I hope Alberto realizes that he needs to be on top of his game to maintain his throne in the coming year.

At any rate there are 2 solid winners of this year's Tour: 1. The Fans. 2. Specialized bikes!

In All Honesty...

I've been told time and time again that I live in one of the most beautiful places on earth. And there are times when I wake up on a clear and sunny day here in Banff, and I look outside our living room window at Cascade Mountain and my breath is taken away. For the most part what has been said is true.

But even here, amidst the beauty of the Canadian Rockies, I can feel that things are temporary. There is a sense of restlessness that I feel from everyone I come into contact with including members of my family and friends. I guess we're all struggling for things... I just hope they are the right ones.

I know what I want and in a sense it is simple. I want stability. I dream of a day when my wife and I can sit in our living room and simply secure and content that things are good. I don't limit this dream to myself because I wish it for each member of my family. My sisters. My parents. I really wish that we all could be in a good place. In fact I wish that we could all be close together and truly be able to be there for each other while respecting that we all have our own lives.

I am busy these days simply maintaining the status quo. (Who knew it would feel like a battle every day!) But behind the routine and grind, my mind has been working over time thinking of what I can do to help take us there. As a believer that we live in the final stages of this journey, I know that there is a big possiblity that it is our lot to struggle for the rest of our sojourn here. But what if we're just told to work a little harder, love a little truer, and just put in more time so things get better?

I get it now. I really wish I did back then so I could have made wiser decisions, focused on the things that mattered, and fought a little harder. I realized now that I had all the proper tools. You don't have to be a genius to make it, you just needed to understand the fundamentals, and simply go out there and put in the effort. You need to work when most people call it a day and wake up a little earlier than the rest.

I've discovered that doesn't mean you'll always get the credit for your effort. At times it may seem that people that half ass it and just know how to talk a good game - make it. But this is about living with myself at the end of day and laying my head down on my pillow knowing that I did all I could to move myself and my family closer to our dream. And the good Lord does have some profound words to say in the Good Book about being diligent in all things...

Not a guru or anything like that... Not anything new or profound... Just putting out some personal truth.

So I have the tools. I have the motivation. I just need some insight into my vision. I believe you need to have a vision. A vision of where to go and how to get there. On this I am still unclear. I still stand at the crossroads and yet I know that I have to make a decision soon. The worst thing that can happen is to let your life run away from you when you could have clearly taken some precise steps in handling it. If you've found your vision... ACT UPON IT!

This is not to say that the past few years have been wasted. I would have to say that the last 5 years have been my greatest education. Without them I would not possess the insight I now have. But insight not acted upon rots.

I've rambled a bit with this one. But if you've stuck with me I hope you gain something from it. Anyway this is my mind right now. In all honesty...