We are in the middle of the Tour De France. Despite all the doping controversies, this bike race is just amazing. When you do the numbers from last year's tour it is stunning: 2,131 miles over 3 weeks; 21 days with 2 rest days; 198 riders started the race; 31 did not finish; Average speed 40 km/h (25 mph); and the steepest climb over 14%. The average age for this years tour is 32 years of age. It is one of the few sports that does not benefit youth. It takes years to build up the endurance and the mental capacity to conquer this race. The first winner in 1903 was 32. The age of the last years winner 34.
The reason I enjoy this race is watching the human body do some amazing things. After riding over 100 miles a person, who has trained for it, can still make a sprint up a 3 mile incline averaging 14% gradient! Now I was an athlete in my youth, running middle distance and cross country for Eastern Washington University, and even at my peak fitness there is no way I could match what these men do.
No theological connection here other than God made some pretty cool stuff.
Le Tour De France 2012
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