Most of the year I pay no attention to bicycle racing, but in July I sit glued to my television watching the Tour de France.  There is something about the combination of extraordinary athleticism, cunning strategy, powerful tradition, and beautiful scenery that is mesmerizing.

I have been trying to find a spiritual message in all of that .. and what I keep returning to is the remarkable focus that is displayed.  Most obvious is the intense concentration of the leading riders, but behind each of those leaders is a team of supporting riders, and they are as intensely focused as the leaders are.  Behind each of the teams of riders is another team of support persons — mechanics, trainers, coaches, exercise physiologists, whoever.

I find myself somewhat ambivalent about all of this.  On the one hand, I deeply admire the enthusiasm, discipline, and persistence that are displayed.  On the other hand, this is, after all, a bicycle race, and it is not difficult to think of more weighty needs in the world that might be served by all of that enthusiasm, discipline,and persistence.  Plus the Tour is plagued by all of the hazards of professional sports: too much money, too much press attention, too many drugs.

Still, I have chosen to love the Tour.  There is enough human energy to have a great bicycle race and address the problems of our times; there are enough people who love racing to outnumber those who are exploiting the sport.  And there are few enough events in the world that are beautiful, challenging, exciting, and fun.  Vive le Tour.