2019 Le Tour de France

Ah, Summer! Bicycling magic is renewed for millions when the familiar voices of Phil Liggett, Bob Roll, and Jens Voight grace the television airwaves broadcasting Le Tour de France (Le Tour).

The 106th edition of the Tour de France celebrates 100 years of the maillot jaune (yellow jersey), and this year's race honors Eddy Merckx with its Grand Departure from Brussels.

Le Tour 2019 kicked off on Saturday, July 6, with three weeks of racing, including five mountain top finishes and a total of 3,460 kilometers. That’s the distance from our house in Vista, CA. to Elkhart, Indiana - 2,150 miles!

When you have the audacity to believe you’re an accomplished bicyclist, tune into NBCSN Sports broadcast of Le Tour in July (July 6 - July 28, 2019). Quickly humility sets in. This year marks the 106th Anniversary - 21 stages and only two, yes two, rest days - of this classic race that tours the French countryside with the finale in Paris on the Champs-Elysées.

Race favorite, Mark Cavendish, will not be competing in this year's Le Tour. It is the first time Cavendish will miss Le Tour de France since his debut in 2007. He has won 30 stage races in his professional career. Eddy Merckx holds the record with 34.

Dare I say it – Le Tour can inspire even casual riders, take their bicycles from the garage, dust them off, inflate their tires, and hit the streets. It’s amusing to see people pretend, they are in Le Tour, competing for the coveted yellow jersey.

After watching the exciting conclusion of Le Tour’s stage two, we were inspired to hit the roads early and log a few kilometers, a mere 42.8 (26.6 miles). I had to laugh, it's the one day in July that we will ride more miles than the Le Tour participants. Stage two was the Team Time Trial of 28 kilometers.

So, get inspired, tune into NBCSN Sports, hit the roads this summer, and log a few Kilometers. You’ll be glad you did.

Comments

A Heart Full of Thanks

Oh, the thanks I could think, and the thanks I could say! For the wonderful people who brightened my day. The first one is Lori, my wife, sweet and true, Who knows just the thing and knows just what to do. She whipped up a feast with a smile and a sigh, With corn on the cob and a steak cooked “On the Fly!” My neighbor, Steve, with a mischievous gleam, Said, “No fence work today! No work, it would seem! You’ll paint with some water, some colors so bright, And sign your new painting with all of your might!" I laughed and I said, “But I don’t know that skill! I’ll slap on some paint and see what sticks still!” Then there’s my friends on the Facebook machine, The best group of readers that ever was seen! They read all my blogs and they hear my podcasts, They send all their cheer that's built to last! And Billy and Linda. A Snoopy card in the mail. A wonderful surprise that was sure to prevail! From very good friends, a delightful new tale ! But the thanks didn't stop, no, not...

History Isn’t a Museum

✨ In this episode, History Isn't a Museum—It's a River . . . History isn't a museum—it's a river, and like it or not, we're already swimming in it. Its waters carry timeless lessons forward, flowing through each generation, waiting to be rediscovered . This profound realization struck me while reading Marcus Aurelius's Meditations . Imagine: a Roman emperor and philosopher two thousand years ago, writing notes that sound like advice from a modern mindfulness coach. When he says, "You have power over your mind—not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength," it feels like he's speaking directly to us. The water may change, but the river is the same. Examining this writing with a fresh, childlike perspective and a wealth of experience, I realize how consistent human nature remains over time. Every generation faces familiar challenges, marked by frustration, peace, courage, faith, baseball, and the search for meaning across the ages...

Lessons from 1872

In this episode, Lessons from 1872: Travel in the Age of No-WiFi . . . Imagine having 80 days to explore the world, with no smartphones, no jet planes, and no money concerns. A thrilling thought, right? That’s the fantasy Jules Verne implies in his classic adventure, Around the World in 80 Days , and it's a question I've been pondering from my easy chair in Vista, California. This week’s On the Fly , we're traveling back in time with one of the most thrilling literary adventures ever written. Early on, it’s clear this is Phileas Fogg’s story—a man of clocks and calculations, whose every move is measured. His journey isn’t about discovery, but a bet—a mathematical challenge involving money, schedules, and perfect timing. But when you think he’s the engine of the story, someone else quietly steals the show. Meet Passepartout: The Heart of the Journey. Jean Passepartout, Fogg’s new valet, is Fogg’s complete opposite. A former circus acrobat seeking a quiet life, he joins Fo...

You're Not Stuck

✨ In this episode, You’re not Stuck—you’re in a habit you forgot you built. One bad moment can ruin your day, but one habit can change your life. In this episode of On the Fly , discover how small, daily actions can rewire your mindset, replace negativity with possibilities, and even lift the people around you. Your 7-day challenge starts now. You’re Not Stuck—You’re Just in a Habit. Yes, a single bad moment, a rough headline, or a tense conversation can throw off your entire day. Before you know it, your thoughts are spinning in a hamster wheel of frustration and negativity. Here’s the reality: you don’t have to stay on that wheel. The secret isn’t a lightning bolt of motivation—it’s something quieter but far more powerful: habit. “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act but a habit.” – Aristotle. Mindset doesn’t change through grand gestures—it changes through small, repeatable actions . Your brain is constantly building pathways—tiny roads tha...

On The Fly

Search This Blog