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On the Fly - Promo

 "Each of us is, at this moment, is standing in the middle of his or her Acres of Diamonds."

Welcome to On the Fly, a weekly podcast about whatever comes to mind. I'm your host Patrick Ball.

People ask me all the time, "So, what's your podcast about?" My response, A smidgen of history, a dash of culture - a minute dedicated to making you smile. "It's whatever comes to mind - really!"

But it's much more than that. You see, most people undervalue the power of goals and building a life one success at a time. Each episode is an informative five to seven-minute story that enlightens your day.

You see, when you're learning, you're growing. However, learning is wasted until you put that learning into action. And the best way to do that is to share your newly found discoveries with others.

When you do - you'll soon realize that you're digging in the richest diamond mine in the world; your creative imagination.

We're on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeart Radio, wherever you get your podcasts. Don't forget to subscribe.

Or - ask your smart device, "Play On the Fly Podcast by Patrick Ball."

On the Fly is entirely free of advertising. Such heartfelt positive encouragement when you buy me a coffee, knowing my listeners appreciate our weekly visits. Thank you!

I'm Patrick Ball; thanks for listening; I'll see you in the next episode.

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Sunflowers, French Steel, and the Yellow Jersey

Watching Le Tour de France this year, I found myself transported back to August 1983 as the Peloton in Stage 10, Bastille Day, flowed through the French countryside like a brightly colored ribbon. I was in my twenties, visiting family in the Charente-Maritime region of France, completely obsessed with bicycle racing—and convinced I was much stronger than I was. My connection to cycling—and to France—runs deep. I was born in France, and my very first real road bike, at age fifteen, was a Mercier . To me, it wasn’t just a bicycle; it was a work of art made from beautiful French steel. I rode that bike for miles, through high school, into college, and until the day someone decided they needed it more than I did. I hope they at least appreciated the craftsmanship. Its untimely disappearance led me to a Schwinn Voyageur, and later, when I started racing around Illinois, to a Raleigh Competition . But during that summer of ’83, while staying with my Uncle Jean Paul in Lagord, just north of L...

The Big Rip and the First Tee

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The Places You'll Go . . .

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