Chain Ring Cowboy

Anyone who knows me knows how much of a disciple of Lance Armstrong I am. From all accounts I've seen, it is decided that he will become helping teammate to Alberto Contador. I guess this it true, but something down inside of me thinks that it is not too late for Lance to become the man for Team Astana. I hear one of the NPR reporters this morning describing how Contador ground his way up the steep mountain. From what I saw on Versus TV early Sunday morning Alberto "Danced" up that steep mountain. a smooth waltz in perfect rhythm. He almost looked like he was on flat ground to me for a bit. I have to say, that young man can ride the climbs. If Lance can come back that will be some of the best history to be made. If he can't, well maybe he can come in second. After all he has 7 Victory jerseys at home. the way he is riding this year makes me very proud.

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As I ride around the city each day I am now more in tune to the memorials placed on the side of the road. Mostly in the form of cross, usually adorned with flowers and religious objects, they sit there as a reminder that someone loves them. If they had a dual purpose it would be a reminder that each one of us can be going about our life, then have it come to an end faster than a snap of the fingers. Today is a good time for me to sit around and watch the Tour de France instead of touring El Paso.

I have had some email conversations with some interesting people who live on my side of town, some of which live on the same street Heinz Duerkop did. The Ghost Bike Program may actually happen one of these days. I hear of a young man who has been around Texas, places like San Antonio, Austin, Houston, and maybe more; who has seen ghost bikes. In 2006, 51 cyclists were killed in Texas. Am too lazy to look this up right at this moment, but I think it is a pretty close average as to what we can expect to happen in 2009. Awareness could reduce this number significantly if we all do something about it. A couple of months ago I went to a meeting that the city Streets Department were laying out the approved bicycle path/lane plan. To my surprise, and yes I am naive, there was hardly anyone there. Of those present was and elderly man who watches a lot of CSPAN because he was well practiced on asking questions like a senator would when someone is in the hot seat. He was a naysayer. Another att