The Missile, Mark Cavendish
The Tour ended its 6th stage today. Mark Cavendish took the finish yesterday and today, proving once again that being called the Missile is well deserved. It is truly amazing that after a 200 kilometers that these guys can still do an all out sprint for the 200 or so meters.
Let’s all agree that the pros, the young ones, can do this sort of thing, and we of the more mature persuasion, the Boomers, generally don’t. Can’t, actually if one is to be honest. So, what to do? Here’s something you can do to get a small taste of what it’s like.
First, use a road bike. If you don’t already have one, go to your local bike shop and rent one. Put your cushie tushies on, take at least two water bottles with you, slather on some sunscreen, and head either to your local bike trail, or ride out to a local route. Ride for two hours. If it’s an out and back, go out for an hour, turn around and head back. If you’re on a loop, do two hours on it. If it is generally a flat course, you’ll be riding on something similar to the first 3 stages of this years Tour. Ride by yourself and you’ll get a bit of a taste for what the boys in the breakaways get.
Ride with a group of friends, with everyone taking turns in the lead, and you’ll experience some drafting. You do have to stay close to the wheel in front, and be very alert while doing so. This gives you a small idea of what the peloton is all about. If you take your eyes off the wheel in front, or don’t pay attention, you’ll also experience what happens in those crashes in the tour. The first three days this year were a crash fest. Keep in mind that you don’t have either a team doctor, race doctor or team car to help you out. Pay attention, stay alert if you are behind the leader.
Now, this won’t turn you into a pro by any means, but it does give everyone a chance to get a small bit of experience of what the pros do, at 40+ mph, for 2+ hours. Not only that, but after you watch the tour, you’ll be out riding. Riding is better than watching, but doing both is just simply great. Ride on.