Downhill mountain biking is a rush. There is nothing better for me than blasting down technical single track and feeling the freedom of releasing the bikes full potential and this is not singled out to big travel bikes with dual crown forks. Single track around the world can be the source of some of the best downhill runs you can find…there is just no chairlift to get to them…just some climbing.

For many riders, there is a real want to get faster at downhill mountain biking but some nervousness about pushing the edge…and rightfully so. You do not hear many stories about hospital visits while climbing terrain at 5 mph…they normally come from pushing those limits or hitting unexpected trail features that send the rider OTB (over the bars).

7 Tips To Faster Downhill Mountain Biking

There is a way to get faster downhill regardless of your bike or your skill level, you just have to keep a couple of things in mind as you look to increase you skills as gravity starts going for the assist.

1. Roll Before You Drop The Hammer

Just like the phrase “you have to crawl before you can walk”‘ speed in downhill mountain biking is a progressive change. Every rider is getting faster over time…they didn’t just wake up one day and start ripping up tech, drops and jumps. If you are looking to get faster on single track and technical features, start to progressively work up your speed instead of trying to chop off the fastest time out of the gate. When you keep working up from the last ride, you get much faster over time with fewer encounters with the ground.

2. Practice Speed On Sections Of Trail You Know

If you are out on a new trail or one you do not know very well, it is probably not the best time to start finding your limits. Getting better at mountain biking is just like any other sport…practice and repetition will make you better. If you have to (and I really recommend), session certain sections of trail over and over again until you get really comfortable and fast. That practice will translate into faster rides on lessees known or new trails.

3. Look Way Down The Trail

The biggest mistake I see riders make when trying to increase their speed with downhill mountain biking is looking way too close to the front tire while riding. Ideally, you want to be looking as far down the trail as you can while riding. You will be able to keep straighter lines, keep more momentum and make adjustments for large trail obstacles that you will me meeting at speed. When you look right in front of your front tire, you make unnecessary, micro adjustments that can cause wrecks, slow you down and take you offline. Your bike can handle it…you focus on where you are going…because it is coming quickly.
Ride Behind Faster Riders

The absolute best way to get better at mountain biking is riding behind rides that are after and have better technical ability than you do. When you are trying to get faster at downhill mountain biking, this gets multiplied. You will learn faster lines, better technique and crucial momentum lessons (when to pedal, brake, etc.) that are hard to teach. Get behind a faster rider and hold onto that rear wheel.

4. Use Your Best Suspension Component

No…not that brand new fork you just dropped a huge amount of coin on…your arms and legs. Your greatest asset on the bike when you are trying to get faster at downhill mountain biking is also your biggest suspension component. The stiffer you keep your body, the more you are going to bounce around out of control. Keep a loose grip on the bars and use you body to push into the trail and suck up bigger hits.

5. Wear Protective Gear

If you are going to be in an area you do not know well or you are worried about missing the next week of work due to a crash, wear some protective gear like knee pads. Not only will they protect vital limbs in the even of a fall, but they also have a placebo affect that allows you to let loose a little bit more on the trail. The safer you feel, the more confident you will ride. I wear the Kyle Strait 661 knee pads on most technical rides. They are comfortable enough for all day use so why not?

6. Keep Your Weight A Variable

As the terrain gets steeper, you are going to need to have your weight farther back on the bike. Wen it flattens out…you can be more centered to get power to the pedals. When you are downhill mountain biking, there is no “one place” you need to keep your weight centered on the bike. It needs to be constantly changing depending on the conditions.

7. Challenge Yourself

Life is boring as hell without challenges…keep pushing the limits of what you consider normal. Todays mountain bikes are built to handle a lot…our only limiting factor is ourselves. Keep progressively pushing those limits and you will be surprised at what you can accomplish on the trail.

Image by milton1055 from the Bike198 Flickr Pool

Here are some things I would consider while searching out the best mountain bike for your trails and budget.

Do you need the support of a local bike shop?

First off, a good local bike shop should work on any bike that was purchased outside of their shop as well as they do for one that was bought onsite. However, the local bike shop will throw in service and accessory perks when you purchase at their store. In some areas of the country, there are a lot of bike shops and brands to choose from. If you live in an area where there are not many shops, finding your best mountain bike might be narrowed down to just a couple of brands if you want to buy locally.

Your bike shop is going to be your lifeline to keeping your mountain bike running. With offers like free tune-ups for a year or discounts on labor for purchasing within their store, that relationship building part of the buying process can be very beneficial to sanity and the wallet over time.

If you are able to work on your own bikes and the support of your LBS is not as important, you have a wider range of options from buying online to searching out high quality used bikes.

Do you have demo days in your area?

Demo days are a time for local shops to bring out demo fleets and let you ride the new bikes out on your trails. This is a great time to get out and actually try the bikes you see in magazines or think might work well for your riding style.

There is no one best mountain bike for everyone. One of the driving forces behind diversification amongst designs and brands (outside of commercial reasons) is because everyone is different and everyone likes different trails. This allows for a lot of different options that have strengths and weaknesses that either benefit your riding style or hold you back. By getting on these bikes and actually trying them out on trails you know, you are able to find out if that particular bike you had your eye on is actually the best mountain bike for you.

I am a huge fan of riding as many bikes as you can before purchasing to figure out exactly what you like the best. Demo days are a great way to get in this saddle time.

The Ironic Truth In Mountain Bike Purchasing

There is one very important thing you need to understand when purchasing your best mountain bike. Mountain bike manufacturers figured out a long time ago that the rear derailleur was the #1 looked at item in component specs among new buyers. For that reason, they spec out the nicest derailleur they possibly can while cheapening up other components on the bike…specifically wheels.

This is not new and it has been going on for years…for one reason…it works. When potential buyers look in the bike shop for their next new ride, most of them look directly at that rear derailleur to see if it is the latest X.0 or XTR completely forgetting about the rest of the spec. If you even look at the latest Specialized Stumpjumper EVO we have in for review, the rear derailleur is the latest X.0 from SRAM but the front derailleur is X.7 and the rest of the shifting components are X.9.

If you are given the choice between models, X.0 and XTR are not worth it. Yes…they will look a little bit nicer and they might be a tad lighter…but on the trail you will notice zero difference between the two and the replacement cost is drastically different (when you step down to SRAM X.9 and Shimano XT…it is most times less than half the price). These days…you even step down to SRAM X.7 and Shimano SLX and get an great performing package at a fraction of the price.

You can use that savings to upgrade areas of the bike that have a drastic affect on how it rides…specifically wheels and suspension. Do not fall for the blingy rear derailleur trap.

Some Golden Rules In Finding Your Best Mountain Bike

As you look for your best mountain bike, keep some of these golden rules of mountain biking in consideration.

• Money doesn’t buy happiness…but if you try to stay in the $1,000 and up range, you will have a much more trail worthy bike.
• The 5.5″ rear travel 26″ trail bike and 4-4.5″ 29er is the most popular full suspension bike for a reason right now. This is a great place to start and move up and down in travel from there when testing different options.
• There is no one mountain bike that will be perfect for 100% of your riding. Try to find the bike that covers 75% of it really well and make adjustments for the remaining 25%…or have multiple bikes.
• Decreasing weight drastically increases price. It is often easier and cheaper to get into better shape (assuming you are not trying to take a 35+ lbs bike on XC trails). Getting form 28 pounds to 27 pounds could cost you a grand without even being able to feel it on the trail.
• Shorter travel bikes are better climbers and longer travel bikes are better descenders. Chose a travel range that fits the needs of where you ride…not what you wish you were riding.
• Correct fit is very important. Consult a local bike shop that is credible and knowledgeable to make sure your best mountain bike is the right size.
• Just because your friend likes his (or her) shiny new rig, that does not mean it is the best mountain bike for you.
• Take reviews with a grain of salt…especially on online forums. Most of those guys spend more time online than they do riding. Only you know if a specific bike will be your perfect ride.
• Last years brand new blowouts are a great way to get a better bike for a lower price.

and most importantly…

Ride the wheels off of it. Once you get a new mountain bike, it is very easy to get obsessed about the details. You can get yourself into a tailspin of trying to get every single components and color perfect…or you could be out riding. I am as much of a gear junkie as anyone, but it is still all about the ride.

Hot on the heals from an impressive 2010 racing season, Specialized released the new 2011 Specialized Tarmac road bike. The Pro SL3 is in for review and it sits right below the S-Works lineup in the series of Tarmac’s. With two colors depending on build kit, you can get your Tarmac Pro SL3 kitted out with SRAM Red in white, carbon/blue with the Dura Ace kit (on review) or as frame only.

From Specialized.com:

With the word “Pro” in its name, the Tarmac SL3 Pro boldly sets its performance standard with FACT 10r frame, Dura-Ace components, and Specialized Pro FACT carbon cranks.

• New SL3 FACT IS 10r carbon frame is now even stiffer and lighter for pure, unbridled speed and power
• The FACT carbon fork with a tapered steerer is light, stiff and compliant
• Roval Fusee SL wheelset combines our lightest alloy rims with aero features for a durable and compliant ride for everyday training
• Specialized Pro FACT carbon crankset with oversized BB and removable spider has outstanding strength to weight ratio for superior efficiency and power transfer
• Campy-style 1-1/8″ to 1-1/2″ headset with steel bearings ensures precision, low maintenance and lighter weight
• Pro FACT carbon seatpost is super light and stiff for optimal power transfer

Initial Impressions: Specialized Tarmac Pro SL3 DA

The first thing I noticed straight out of the box is that there is a lot more white and blue on the frame than I had anticipated. Up until this point, all of the pictures I had seen online only showed the side view, and this frame has blue and white inlays on the tops and bottoms of every tube. Additionally, the inside of the fork legs and chainstays have the Tarmac logo set in for an extra kick. This graphics treatment creates traffic stopping good looks not normally found on raw carbon road bikes.

The Shimano Dura-Ace kit found on the Tarmac Pro SL3 is mostly Dura-Ace with a couple of Ultegra parts thrown in the mix. You get the Dura-Ace hoods, rear derailleur and front derailleur, but the brakes, chain and cassette (11-28 for the mountain stages) are from the Ultegra line. The crankset is out of Specialized own stable (FACT 53/39) and is an incredibly light, stiff option that works perfectly with the BB30 bottom bracket design. The rest of the components also come from Specialized as the build rounds out and matches the frame perfectly including the Roval Fusee SL wheelset that uses DT Swiss internals and has four white spokes in series to match the frame.

Overall build weight out of the box for this $5,000 road bike came in at 15.36 pounds on the 58 which makes it a very light overall build for that size.

Stay tuned for more on the Specialized Tarmac Pro SL3 DA as we get rubber to road and start putting the miles in on this new rig from the Big S. For more information visit your local Specialized dealer or Specialized.com.

Note: The red accented saddle pictured is a Specialized Toupe Team (130 width) and not the Specialized Romin Expert (143 width) that came with the bike.

However, when it comes down to it…reality sets in. Just as Thomas Vanderham said in a recent interview, “I am just a mountain biker.”

Extreme Mountain Biking: My View

So what is extreme mountain biking? I think there is a common misconception in the industry that all technical downhills are fast with huge drops and stunts. We have been conditioned to think of downhill mountain biking as Whistler’s A-Line or North Shore’s wooden structures through popular films like Follow Me, Seasons and others. With photogenic landscapes and high visibility in the mountain biking community, these areas make for very popular video sites, but that is a very small section of the globe.

Over the years, I have found that sometimes the most extreme mountain biking you can find is actually done at slower speeds in very remote areas as you pick your way though some of the nastiest trails you can put rubber on. These mountain biking trails are not seen on big video productions or posters that kids want to put on their walls. These mountain biking trails are conquered by locals in the area and the trails become true legends in their own right.

A friend of Bike198, Colin Stewart, has posted some incredible pictures to share his stoke from another portion of the globe (check them out by clicking here: Colin Stewart). Now, thanks to the addition of HD video to DSRL’s, Colin has shot some video of riding in his area. The steepness and technicality of these mountain biking trails is insane. With very slow speed, trails-like descents on longer travel mountain bikes, Colin and his group of riding friends prove that not all extreme mountain biking is done at high speed.

These videos further prove the theory that we are all just mountain bikers and not all extreme mountain biking is what you see in videos. The amount of skill it takes to tackle this terrain is mind blowing.

To check out the rest of Colin’s videos, click here for his Vimeo page. You can also check out more of Colin’s photography at AlpinePics.net.

The Specialized Epic Carbon 29er marks a new entry point for Specialized Mountain Bikes…a race worthy 29er that is going to see podium spots. Up until this point, Specialized only had the Stumpjumper HT available in carbon for those that loved the big wheeled platform. If you wanted full suspension carbon, you had to settle for the 26″ version of the Epic. Now, with the introduction of the 2011 Specialized Epic Carbon 29er, we are going to see a full run at the podium and a serious competitor for the new Trek Superfly (Gary Fisher Line).

Specialized Epic Carbon 29er Specs

• Fox Mini Brain rear shock
• New 142×12 thru-axle frame/rear hub
• Full 2×10 drivetrain with SRAM XX
• S-Works carbon 2×10 cranks
• Tapered head tube
• Custom RockShox Reba fork with Brain technology
• All-new Roval carbon fiber wheels (red spokes?!)
• At 21.27 lbs, it’s the lightest full-suspension 29er on the market

This new 2011 S-Works entry from Specialized Mountain Bikes brings another carbon mountain bike to the industry. With the increasing number of black fiber woven bikes hitting the market, it is looking like manufacturers are trusting the material a lot more than in the past.

This new ride from Specialized Mountain Bikes is also previewing some new items out of the Specialized components camp. Forgoing the private branded fork lineup, the largest bike company in the world opted for an all new RockShox Reba with an integrated Brain cartridge and this is a first for Specialized.

Judging by the picture of the new Specialized S-Works, we will also see a redesigned 2 ring S-Works crankset, post, stem and handlebars for 2011. At 21.27 pounds, the Specialized S-Works Epic Carbon 29er is going to be a rocket on the XC circuit.

2011 is shaping up to be a highly competitive mountain bike market with new lineups from all of the major manufactures in the industry. It will be interesting to see how things shake out. Whatever happens…this high amount of competition amongst mountain bike manufacturers is raising the bar currently and that is great for mountain bikers. Now if we could just get them to lower the price some…

Finding the best discount bike parts and mountain bikes is going to become even more crucial as years roll on. It is painfully obvious that the prices of new mountain bike frames and components are not decreasing anytime soon (seems like the price of mountain bikes and components keep going up! Check out the new SRAM and Shimano components), so by keeping an eye out and looking in the right places, you can find the best mountain bike deals and find discount bike parts that will stretch your dollar a lot farther down the trail. Here are some of my best resources for finding discount bike parts.

What Should I Be Upgrading?

When I have some extra cash to spend on mountain bikes and components, I try to look at my budget and where that money will get the most return on the dollar. For many mountain bikers, they take that several hundred bucks or less and jump out to buy the top of the line X.0 or XTR rear derailleur (Related: Is X.0 or XTR Really Worth It?) and that…in my opinion…is the wrong move. In the mountain bike component market, unless you are a racer extremely worried about weight, components from the XT or X9 component group from Shimano and SRAM perform just as well as their flagship lines.

Also, your money might be better spent on wheels or suspension components where you will see a lot better improvement in your mountain bikes ride for the dollar. It is just something to think about as you look for discount bike parts or look to find the best mountain bike deal to replace your entire sled.

Where? Find Discount Bike Parts and Mountain Bike Deals

So now that you know which component, frame or complete bike you want, it is time to go out and find it for the lowest possible price you can.

eBay: New and Used Mountain Bike and Discount Bike Parts

eBay is the typical, “go-to” source to find new and used parts at a lower price. With thousands of mountain bike components, frames and complete bikes, eBay can be your #1 source for finding new and used discount bike parts, but you need to make sure you buy from a reputable seller.

• Only buy parts that have detailed description and pictures.
• Only buy from sellers with a good reputation.
• Always pay with PayPal to insure resolution if the part is not as advertised.
• If it is “too good to be true”, it normally is.

Find Discount Bikes and Parts On eBay

Forum Classifieds: Slightly Used Mountain Bikes and Components

Forum classifieds are a great way to find slightly used mountain bikes and parts. I have found some of my best mountain bike deals and discount bike parts on forum classifieds as many riders try something 3 times, throw it in their garage and then sell it when the latest and greatest hits the market. While there are huge, worldwide forums (like MTBR.com) that have the best selection, sometimes it is better to hit up your local forum so you can see the mountain or part before purchase.

Online Blowout Deals: New Bikes and Parts for the Price of Used

If you watch the trends, when mountain bike and component manufacturers release a new lineup, the online retailers need to blow out the old models to get rid of the inventory quickly. By watching out for these deals, you can get the best mountain bike deals you can find on complete bikes and frames. You can also find discount bike parts at a steal as it costs the retailer more money to keep old parts in stock than it does to sell them to you at near cost.

Just about every month, online retailers like JensonUSA, Huck N Roll and others will run a great sale on inventory they need to get rid of quickly.

Side Note: There is now a specific “deals” site for bikes at Chainlove where you can find some extremely good deals. Everything is one part at a time until it runs out, so you have to be on your toes and checking back regularly for discount bike parts and apparel.

Your Local Bike Shop: The Home Away From Home

The reality of local bike shop ownership is that it can be difficult to have discount bike parts, bikes and frames. Your best bike deals are not usually found at your LBS, but there are distinct advantages from buying from a LBS including service, atmosphere and supporting local businesses. Just like online retailers, local bike shops need to watch their inventory and make sure that bikes and components do not sit on the floor for too long.

If you already have a relationship with a local bike shop, sometimes the simple question, “hey…what do you guys really need to get rid of? I could use a new wheelset.” will get you a long way in finding discount bike parts locally. You might not get exactly the brand and model you want, but you will get the service and experience of a LBS to back it up.

Discount Bike Parts: The Search That Requires Patience

Discount bike parts are an easy thing to find if you do not have to have it today. With a little patience and the willingness to check out multiple sources online and off, you can get higher quality mountain bikes and components for a cheaper price. After all, don’t we all want to find the best mountain bike deals so we can continue to upgrade our rigs?

Why Should You Ride A Charity Bike Ride?

If you are new to the sport of road biking or are looking to increase your mileage limit for your road rides, charity bike rides are a perfect way to increase your fitness and test the limits of your riding with very little risk. Typically, if you are going to try your first century (100 miles or 160 km) or metric century (100 km or 62 miles), you are going to want to try to test your legs ability to go the distance on charity bike rides for several reasons (that you end up paying for with the entry fee):

Charity Bike Rides Are Well Supported

When you ride in an organized charity bike ride, about every 25 miles (if you are doing the century or metric) has a sag stop where you can refill bottles with water or other electrolyte drink, eat a snake (fruit, bananas, cookies), get a goo or two, use the restroom and get ready for the next leg of the ride. Unless you plan store stops into your long un-supported rides, you are never going to have pit stops as good as they are on organized road rides.

Charity Bike Rides Have Medical Support

While you are riding a charity bike ride, (I did the Hospitality Highway Century 2 years running) there are automobiles that sweep the course to make sure everyone is ok. If you get into redzone trouble, help is just a phone call or wave of the hand away, so you can get help or get picked up for a mechanical easily and quickly.

Charity Bike Rides Give Back To A Great Cause

By participating in a charity bike ride, you are giving your money and effort into raising awareness and funds for a good cause. With 1,000′s of road bikers showing up to some of these events, every rider counts in the push to make our sport and the cause better in the long run. Even when most events are now ranging around $45.00 to enter, at least you have a good idea of where that money is going and you end up getting a t-shirt out of the deal.

Where Can I Find Charity Bike Rides In My Area?

The #1 best place to find a charity bike ride in your area is your local bike shop. If they do not already have fliers available, just ask the guy behind the counter and he can point you in the right direction. If there are any local, organized cycling groups in your area, one of the board members will know and you can also check their forum site to see when the next organized charity ride is going on in your area.

Everything gets into a cycle. Your breathing…your pedal strokes…how you get out of the saddle to hammer. Your only competition is yourself as you continue to push harder…finding you limits without the aid of the draft. Gripping the bars…listening to the chain shift down the gears as you rip through a twisty downhill. You can actually hear the tires as you push the limits. There is no conversation…just a challenge. You and the road…teeing off to see who blows up first.

It is out on the road on my own where my thoughts and stresses get left behind. It is my therapy…I don’t need a fancy chair and some stranger to spill my guts onto…I use the road for that.

Image by LATriBri

With as much controversy that has surrounded the Tour during Lance Armstrong’s absence from the sport of cycling, it is refreshing to watch an exciting start as we get ready to jump into the first summit finish of the Tour.

As the question plagued my mind yesterday afternoon so I just had to ask my friends on Facebook and Twitter.

Do you think the Tour is more exciting this year because Armstrong is back in the saddle?

Before we get into what I think about the beginning stages of the 2009 Tour de France, lets take a look at the responses that I received yesterday!

Facebook and Twitter Responses: 2009 Tour de France

Facebook Responses

Brandon Woods

Yes, and because there haven’t been any doping issues yet.

Melissa Powers

duh!! Actually, I think that it has been really good so far anyway, but you know I love him. I watched for all the years that he wasn’t in it and it just wasn’t as exciting to me, but I think that was because there wasn’t a really strong leader…someone who was consistent year after year, kwim?

Matt Kicklighter

Yes, Nuff said

James Lee

Absolutely.

Melissa Powers

the doping is always in the middle or end of the race..or at least that is when they get caught….just saying, don’t get too pumped yet about no doping. I hope it stays away but the past few years haven’t been so good.

Brandon Woods

thus the “yet”. Last year, and maybe the year before, there was a big cloud of doping controversy at the very beginning of the race, and / or leading up to it.

Greg Schisla

I think its been one of the best starts to the Tour in a long time. Lots of favorites with good hard racing and the confirmation of Cavendish as the king of sprinters. Lance’s presence has certainly been part of that drama but even if one wasn’t Lance, a difference of .22 seconds at this stage is pretty amazing.

Sonya Hamilton Dreiske

Absolutely. For me it has been more exciting than the last couple years. I was on the edge of my seat when Astana was racing to the line for the TTT win. He’s a smart, confident racer and can deliver a blow to his competition when he needs to and I like watching that happen. Not sure if he will win this year but it will be fun to see what happens.

Ony Anglade

This is my first year actually paying attention to it, so I guess so.

Gavin Holmes

hellz, yes.

Brad Wender

Very competitive race, but Lance has set the table for a major comeback.

Anglea Miller

For sure!

Jeff Gandy

Yeah, and I’ve seen a lot of roadie crashes too!!

Alan Jakob Paulo Saiz

I can only say yes as I kiss my yellow wrist band.

Martina Spiess

My heart of course beats for Fäbu! I want the present standing to stay like that until the end! And I just hope sooooooooo bad that both Armstrong and Cancellara are clean…. Not sure if I actually believe it but I desperately want to believe in it!

Ellis Alexander

Absolutely! He’s impressing the hell out of me after four years away from the TDF. Astana is insanely strong with four guys who could win it. I love the TDF!

Twitter Responses

@ESPNCommunityEd Yes … RT @MTBby198 Do you think the Tour is more exciting this year because Armstrong is back in the saddle?

@Turner @MTBby198 Not Armstrong specifically, but Astana as a team looks awesome (5 in top 10!). It doesn’t hurt that he’s 2nd after 5 stages tho.

@GustavoAGV @MTBby198 Yep, that’s the only reason I’m watching it

@mtnbke @MTBby198 You mean they had the Tour after Lance retired? Learn something new everyday! #tdf

@lowcadence @MTBby198 It seems to me that with him or without him this year has gotten off to a fun start… can they keep up this intensity to the end?

198′s Thoughts on Lance Armstrong and the 09 Tour

So what are my thoughts on the start of the 2009 Tour de France? This is one of the most exciting starts that I can remember, but I think there is more to it than just Lance Armstrong. While Lance Armstrong does bring back a lot of viewers that fell off the ratings with his break from the sport of competitive cycling, the strength of the Astana team has brought the competition up across the board. With 5 of their riders placing in the top 10 overall (Armstrong, Contador, Kloden, Leipheimer, Zubeldia) after stage 5, they are poised to keep all of the remaining teams fighting for 2nd.

If the teams continue to pull this hard in these beginning stages, it will be interesting to see who actually has any legs left towards the end of the Tour. Team Columbia/HTC has been defending the green jersey worn by Cavendish through every stage up until this point by pulling the pelaton. In an interview with one of the coaches for team Columbia/HTC, the coach stated that they are going to be burned out before the end if this keeps up.

I think it really boils down to the increased exposure for the Tour due to Lance Armstrong’s return, Team Astana’s beginning dominance and the exciting stage finishes due to what seems like heightened competition for 2009. Who is going to break away as we start testing leg strength and endurance during the beginning mountain stages? We will find out shortly, but it will be interesting to see if Lance still has the legs to break away from the pack when things start to turn skyward…

What do you think?

Over the years, the Tour de France has grown into its own animal as people all over the world take a chance to get involved with cycling. The Tour de France is arguably the largest sporting event on the planet due to the large spread of countries represented that can only be topped by the Olympics. I do not think there is one household that does not know the name Lance Armstrong.

1903 – Premier Tour de France

After having completed the event circuit at an average speed of 25 km/h, Maurice Garin was rewarded with prize money of 6,075 francs, a handsome purse for the era. But most importantly, he was the first in a long line of champions.

1903 started the madness that is now one of the largest sports events in the world. The drama, excitement and news coverage of the event affectionately referred to as “The Tour” captures cyclist and no-pedal obsessed, normal people alike as we watch the pure machines of the sport hammer it out on some of the most difficult stages in the world.

Will Carlos Sastre make it two in a row? Will the same doping controversy that has plagued recent tours rear its ugly head in 2009? It is time to sit back, relax (yeah right) and swallow up all that is the Tour…