The Ride Through the Flags.

The Tour de France gets really interesting when the riders reach the Alps. It is a delirious experience for both the riders and the fans. Some of the best athletes of Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Russia and the United States have battled their way through the meadows and hills of France (and on occasion of neighboring areas) and now face the ultimate test the sport has to offer: the Alps. It is on these slopes that the race is usually won. On the plains the riders can stay in the peloton (that sausage of riders) and energy expenditure is reduced. But on the climbs in the Alps, it is the few riders who have that extra energy to break away that have the advantage.

Astana, Armstrong's team has the leading riders. Today, Contador gained the yellow jersey and Armstrong is behind him. I hope you had watched today's race, especially the last climb. The road was lined with fans, sporting the flag of their countries, running with the rider or just waving the flag. It is the ultimate support of the fans to boost the morale of the rider to reach for the extra bit of energy he needs to make it. Champions of Spain, Italy, France, Luxembourg, Holland, Belgium, Germany, Russia were there facing the challenge of the slope and each other. It is the ride of their lives that they will remember, this ride through the flags.

The little boy in me rejoices and remembers his bike rides in the hills near Miskolc, Hungary. The man in me broods that these may be the last days of the Europe that I love, before Socialism and Islam reduce it to abject barbarism. Enjoy the Tour while it lasts. Enjoy the Tour while it is allowed.