FInal Thoughts- Prologue

Another year, but not just another Tour. Lance's Last Stand. It's going to make for a memorable three weeks. Stay tuned...just like last year, i'm going to do my best to give you a 'review/preview' of each day...hope you enjoy...here are some thoughts after yesterday's quick, but clearly meaningful, first five miles of the 2010 "Grand Boucle"...

In the start house today, the time for talk was over. It was up to each man's legs to provide the answers, and Fabian Cancellara's sent a statement! For the 4th time in his career, Cancellara wins on the 1st day of the Tour de France. Now, the question becomes...how long will he wear YELLOW?

As for the duel between Armstrong and Contador, the prologue lived up to the hype...and if today's any indication, we're in for a "Battle Royale" over the next three weeks.

First Blood has been drawn by Lance. The greatest Tour rider of all time has sent a message to the peloton- his farewell will not be a leisurely stroll through the countryside, he is ready to fight every inch of the way.

Hi-Ho, Hi-Ho, It's off to the TOUR I go...

All the waiting, the planning, the anticipation, and the preparation is about to pay off. It's TOUR TIME!!

For cycling fans, this is when holidays, birthdays, and 'sports spectaculars' are all rolled into one. BAM!

For the cyclists themselves, "Judgement Day" rapidly approaches. All the training, all the talk, and all the conjecture is about to take a back seat to what they can produce with their legs and their minds over the next 3 weeks.

For those of us 'behind the scenes', it's a frantic (albeit 'controlled') scramble to make sure all elements are in place to PRESENT the spectacle as it deserves to be experienced. TV producers putting last minute touches and tweeks on show elements in order to 'dazzle' the viewer...announcers garnering every bit of information before the prologue in order to 'wow' with their knowledge...event organizers overseeing the infrastructure to contain and showcase the 'stars'...

It is a circus worth experiencing at some point. We are all lucky to be a part of it. I'll do my best to impart what i feel is 'worth' knowing at times, as passionately and professionally as i can. It has the chance, and all the elements, to be one of the most INTERESTING races in years...

The obvious "Alberto vs. Lance" drama, the Green Jersey battle between Cavendish and Farrar, the 1st week's pivotal role in terms of the COBBLES on Stage 3, the 100th anniversary of the Pyrenees, and the critical role they'll play in determining the champion.

It's a jigsaw puzzle of epic proportions. We all have to wait for the final piece to be placed when the inevitable glory will be bestowed on only a select few in Paris on the 25th.

Gentlemen, start your 'engines'...

Fruitless Search

Those of you that know me KNOW that i rarely go on a 'rant'...at least in public. But, i've got to admit, i've 'cracked' over this APPLE iPhone 4 farce. For the moment, the Cupertino company should change their name to "Lemon".

Yes, i know, in the grand scheme of things...the BP fiasco, the Van der Sloot sadness, and the overwhelming myriad of more important issues...a 'phone' (or the inability to get one) should not weigh so heavily on my mind. What irks me the most as an Apple devotee is that THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO BE BETTER THAN THE OTHER GUYS when it comes to glitches and gaffs. How could you not know that your whole phone/internet ordering system would collapse? And if you thought there was even a CHANCE it would, why not advertise that you HAD TO go to a store to place an order. It's tantamount to 'false advertising'. Again, APPLE, you're supposed to let us read about this happening to those other computer companies.

Shipping dates have now been modified, and who knows why they advertised a WHITE VERSION...you can't order it, reserve it, or as far as i know, verify it exists, unless you believe the picture on the website. It's enough to leave a VERY SOUR TASTE in your mouth.

APPLE's lame attempt at an apology seems even less sincere when their press release states how 'happy' they are with 600,000 'pre-orders'...well, guess what, had you not shut your systems down, and made it IMPOSSIBLE for most of the day to place an order, you would have had a lot more, Mr. Jobs. And in today's bottom line, wouldn't that have made your press release even 'tastier'??

OK, you're thinking it, so I'll say it...

Hello, World! It's me. Did you miss me? Something tells me some of you did, some of you didn't, and some could care less. I guess in the grand scheme of things, that's just like life. So i'm moving on, and hopefully you'll come along.

Where have i been? AROUND.

:-)

But really, just taking a break from the 'overload' of our digital world. i have to say, for the most part, i am 'over' the need to be Tweeting, Blogging, Poking, and constantly telling the universe what i am up to...in the midst of traveling every week for work, it's become an almost inescapable and unbearable weight to try to keep up with it all. And i don't think i'm alone in this perception.

That said, i do think i'll have some insight and some interesting things to say in the coming weeks...so stay tuned...I was in Des Moines yesterday to cover the Hy-Vee Triathlon Elite Cup, I'm in Edmonton this coming week for some WEC action, and then it's off to Rotterdam for the start of the 2010 Tour de France.

SO, PACK YOUR BAGS AND COME ALONG FOR THE RIDE.

I can't wait to see the events unfold, and i'll do my best to convey the excitement and importance to those of you who chose to tune in. All the best.

A Late Start on 2010

Sorry for the lackadaisical attitude toward 'blogging' to start off the year...the bottom line is i have not felt like i had anything useful to add to all the 'useless' bytes and megabytes floating around cyberspace.

So, for the two of you who read this (yes, Mom, that includes you!), here are my 2010 thoughts as we greet February head-on...

First off, my 13-yr old daughter loves to call me "old" and "behind the times". She is usually right. Case and point- i watched 'Modern Family' for the first time last night (it was the pilot episode) and fell out of my chair. I am not kidding, if you have not watched this show, drop EVERYTHING that you are doing right now, and go to hulu.com and check it out. Worth dedicating 21 minutes of your life to- seriously.

Second, while on HULU, i decided to check out an SNL clip a friend had recommended. The 'MacGruber' skit with Charles Barkeley. Another instant classic. Sir Charles gets the Emmy for not cracking up the whole time...

There must be some NBC/Universal pixie dust in the air today- so i'm going to stay with that theme...

i'll be starting my Vancouver Olympics assignment in 10 days...manning the 'desk' as the news anchor for NBC's Universal Sports throughout the Games. Should be fun. BEST part is that i get to cover all the winter action without being in WINTER.

The studio is based in Westlake Village, CA, which means i'll be sleeping in my own bed every night. BAM! Hopefully getting some quality riding in before or after work each day.

Speaking of winter...it was tough to watch Daron Rhalves go down at Winter X the other day. He was one of the main reasons i was going to tune in to watch Skier X at the upcoming Winter Olympics. Both he and Casey Puckett, in perfect health, would give the U.S. an incredible 1-2 punch. TOUGH is the word i'd use to describe Shaun White after seeing him 'take it on the chin' in the halfpipe during training, then come back and NAIL the jump to win another X Games Gold.

The kid is a freak. If you've never been at the top of one of the sides of the halfpipe, you have no conception of how high, or fast, these guys go. Like any great athlete, they make it look so easy.

If he doesn't win GOLD, again, in Vancouver, there are going to be a lot of people 'eating their hats' and 'losing their lunches'. L-O-C-K.

Hopefully the year has started off well wherever you are. I can't say i'm a big fan of the cooler temps, but out here in Cali, we rarely have to deal, so it's only my travel time, and weekends where i'm affected. And each weekend in JAN, the PBR lived up to its usual hype of bumps, bruises, and big time bulls. FEB looks for more of the same.

If you're a fan of the cowboys, get down to Dallas on Feb 20th. Cowboy Stadium. $260,000 to the winner. One night only. Going to be HUGE. I won't be in attendance due to my Olympic commitments, but i wish i was there, and i'll be paying attention to who claims the prize.

Enjoy your days, weeks, and months ahead. And enjoy every moment along the way.

Au revoir '09!

The Grateful Dead sang "What a Long, Strange Trip it's Been"...and 2009 could apply on multiple levels. A year that started out with a full-frontal assault of PBR Bull Riding action ended with a surprise trip to England and a 'reunion' with swimming stars i had not seen in a couple of years.

Wrapped up in a big 'holiday bow', as a whole, the year was a perfect example of the axiom to ALWAYS be prepared for anything, and WILLING to work for EVERYTHING you believe in.

I'm not sure where 2010 will lead- aside from the framework of work, family, and working out- but i'm excited for the opportunities that will come. As the clock ticks down on a successful year, i can't help but plan on the next 12 months being even more exciting and fulfilling, both personally and professionally.

So, with that in mind, i pose the question to you...what's your 'story' going to be? Here's to finding out. Happy New Year everybody.

Manchester "United"

Apply the 'key' word on multiple levels...

This city is UNITED in it's celebration of Christmas...

The U.S.A. Swimming Team was UNITED in it's quest to win the 4th 'Duel in the Pool'...

I flew UNITED to get here...

And of course, this town in SOOOO UNITED in it's soccer MADNESS, it's ridiculous...

It was a great trip- a very 'spur-of-the-moment' opportunity- and i'm incredibly glad i got to come here for multiple reasons...first, in my quest for 'world domination', i had never experienced this town, so to be exposed to everything Manchester has to offer was more than worth it.

Second, i'd be lying if i said i didn't love covering swimming. It's my first sport, and one of my life's passions. So, even though it does not happen very much anymore, whenever i get a chance to talk to the US, and world's best, it's a great treat.

Finally, growing up in the Midwest, i know all about 'weather', and more specifically, "White Christmas'". To go from 70+ degrees in SoCal, to freezing temps here, and all that that entails, has been a blast from the past, and brought back some amazing memories.

I spent my final night here doing my own version of a lifeguarding tradition known as the "Bicycle Bar Hop". Of course i did not have a bike, and they are called 'pubs' here, but you get the drift. If you're a connoiseur of the libations, you have to love the names of some of the pubs in this area...

'The Roasted Pig and Bar"- complete with stretched out 'Wilbur'

"The Slug and Lettuce"- my personal favorite

"Ape and Apple"- a subliminal critique on our 'fall from grace'???

"The Tiger Lounge" (timely- hmmm, what do you think goes on there?!)

"Grinch"- perfect for the Holidays (especially for those that can't handle the DRINK)

"Cloud 23"- do you think it's 2.55 x better than "Cloud 9"???

"Panacea"- the drinks MUST be strong

"The Moon Under Water"- with all the 2012 hype...maybe they are on to something!

If you are a fan of swimming, make sure to check out Michael Phelps, Aaron Peirsol, Dana Vollmer, and the rest of the US team in action, and in dominating fashion, on Dec 27th, 2-4Pm EST. It will be well worth it.

Happy Holidays everybody.

Morning "Expresso"

If you travel a lot, you know finding the TIME to work out is often less difficult then finding a PLACE to work out. Having lived my life on the road for the good part of two decades, i'm always excited to come across something that actually makes working out FUN.

If you're looking for a way to give yourself an energy boost and 'jolt' your competitive juices at the same time, look no further than the "Expresso" machine in your local gym. Interactive Fitness Holdings is the name of the parent company, and the Expresso Interactive Bikes are the BOMB!

You can pick your course (close to 30 to choose from); you can pick your skill level; you control your place on the road/trail (via moveable handlebars), and well as your PACE through the myriad of courses. The shifting mechanism gives you over 20 'gears' to choose from, and the best part??? You can race people all around the world via the internet connection.

I used one of these bikes for the first time close to 2 years ago at a YMCA in Kansas City, and have been lucky enough to come across them a few more times since then. And every time it's been a blast.

My 'target' for the day was the course, "Savage Revenge"...plenty of climbing, shifting, and distance. The snowy scenery did nothing to cool down my intensity, and it certainly didn't alleviate the skyrocketing temperatures in my body as i pushed the pace. (I have to thank the woman next to me on the Stepper for not fleeing at the site of so much sweat pooling at the base of the machine!)

As i said before, the machine is designed to MAKE you follow the course, and avoid the fellow cyclists that are on the road. If you are like me, it's much more fun to PASS, than to BE PASSED, so you are in a constant state of what i like to call "Junkyard Dog-mode" (where you CHASE everything in front of you).

It makes for one heck of a great way to spend an hour...just make sure you've got a few more to recover!!

Kudos to the Tacoma YMCA for investing in these machines. I hope your 'regulars' appreciate what they have as much as this intrepid traveler did.