improving the tour

The other day at a summer associate lunch, I mentioned I'd been recording the Tour. It's my annual foray into OLN television, otherwise known as the home of Rut & Strut. (I'm serious. It's a hunting show.)

The other summer associates, all men, regarded me blankly.

"Um. I'm a huge sports fan," said P. tenatively, "but isn't that just a bunch of guys bicyling for hours? How do you watch it? Isn't it boring?"

I tried to explain. "It's complex. It's the balance between a team and a single individual. It's exciting."

The others remained politely dubious.

I explained how I liked the announcers, laconic British bicycling fans. "Of course, when there is a crash, or when there is a fierce competition for a stage win, they go nuts."

P. perked up. "There are crashes?"

"Oh yes," I said, "the Tour is dangerous." I explained how nerve-wracking it was watching the riders fight through the crowd during the Alpe d'Huez time trial.

R. was interested. "You mean the spectators attack the riders?"

"Yes, it's happened. Sometimes it's an accident, sometimes not."

P. and R. grinned. "Well, why didn't you say so?" P. asked. "I'd totally watch that."

"Yeah," R. chimed in. "Especially if they could arm the riders against the spectators. That would be so cool. The total annihilation stage win!"

"Yeah!" P. emphatically agreed. "That would be so much better!"