From Outside Magazine’s “Creation Story” about the events leading up to Lance Armstrong’s first Tour de France victory:
ARMSTRONG: I said, “Is it in USA Today, for example?” And Bill’s like “Um…It’s on the cover every day.”
Imagine a Lance Armstrong unaware that his leading the TdF is a big story in the US. Hard to picture now, isn’t it?
I started following some professional auto racers on Twitter recently and noticed that every single one of them was following Armstrong. It led to me picking up this magazine at REI awhile later. I have much respect for anyone who utterly dominates a sport be it Armstrong in cycling, Schumacher in F1 or Tiger in golf but the interesting storytelling of Armstrong’s first run for the victory was enlightening.
People like to think (and TV certainly condones the idea) that success arrives on a horse in the night to the chosen ones. Bullshit. If you aren’t out riding 120 miles on your bike in the rain every day of the week for 10 years, you don’t get to beat Lance Armstrong.
Just remember when you’re struggling to be check if it’s a dip or a dead end.
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Joe Rinehart said:
on September 10, 2009 at 2:09 am
Nice post! Armstrong’s been chummy with F1 racers for a while – apparently some of them use cycling to train. I didn’t realize how much of a physical beating they had to withstand until I heard about it.
brian said:
on September 10, 2009 at 8:50 am
I have a shifter kart which is where most F1 racers get their starts as kids. They also run them in the off season to stay sharp. Basically a 125cc motorcycle engine with six speed transmission 2″ off the ground with slick tires. The first time I drove it, I could barely turn my head the next day and my body was bruised and sore everywhere. Cycling sounds like a nice ride in the park so to speak comparatively…
F1 drivers see up to about 4.5g under heavy corners and braking.