You know it’s that time of year again when all you see on television is Lance Armstrong hanging out with one well-known actor or another. The famous 7-time winner is the darling and the adversary of the cycling world and clearly the showman of the sport. He is one among the nearly 200 riders invited to race Le Tour de France. Arguably, the most famous bicycle race in the world (and frankly the only one this writer even knows about), “Le Tour” is one of France’s largest spectacles and sources of national pride.

The century old competition got its start in 1903. What started out as a 5 day race now spans 23 days. The route changes annually, but inevitably racers will be climbing both mountains and spanning valleys alike. This year, Prince Albert offered his support at the commencement of the race in Monaco. The momentous finish line, however, never changes. Of course, the racers cross the finish line in dramatic fashion on the Champs Élysées in Paris crossing the symbolic threshold of Napolean’s Arc de Triomphe.

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