If you haven't been to France or weren't one of the millions who were lucky enough to see the tour up close and personal, then here's your chance.  Google has mapped much of the 2008 Tour de France using their Street View mapping technology.  You can zoom your little biker dude around the Google map and check out captured images at the street level.  These are panoramic (360 degree) images, which allow you to zoom in and navigate all around.  Check it out here: TAKE THE TOUR

The science just isn't there but the humor, practicality and vanity stand true.  I personally find the avoidance of ticks to be invaluable.

Read more
http://coachlevi.com/cycling/reasons-why-cyclists-shave-legs/

An excellent video blog article by Dr. Alan Lim of the Garmin/Chipotle team.  In it, he discusses the use of power/watts and its approach within a a TT.  Granted, you need a power meter to really calibrate to this methodology but it certain offers insight that may be of value nonetheless.

View <HERE>

Starting to get that impending feeling of Tour withdrawal?  Want to recreate a stage victory for your favorite chap, or help Christian Vandavelde avoid crashing on a descent?  Get ready to push your inner cyclists to maximum geekdom.  Plug in, turn on and tune out the ambient light because we have the product for you! 

Pro Cycling Manager 2008 works with PSP, PC and XBox.  With 3D Graphics and 180 races to choose from, you have ample opportunity to put your riders, teams and tactics to the test on the worlds most famous Grand Tours.  So if you think you have what it takes to be the next Johan Bruyneel, Bjarne Riis or Matt White, then what are you waiting for!

Note: I do not know if there are UCI doping controls built into this.

It is midpoint of the 2008 Tour de France and we have just witnessed the 3rd expulsion from this years race.  This comes in the form of another EPO offender, Riccardo Ricco who joins the notorious list including: Manuel Beltran and Duenas Nevado.

Honorably, Saunier Duval-Scott (Ricco's team) has pulled the remainder of their team out of the race.  But is it really honorable?  Couldn't we just as easily assume that those riders who did not get caught took the bait on Ricco's behalf and lobbied to back out and save their own arse from not only a suspension but possibly a career ending move? 

The simple fact is, war has many casualties and many times its the innocent who take the hits of shrapnel.  The self aggrandizing acts by a washed up late 30 something rider (Beltran) to the brash outspoken egotists (Ricco), lay dust in the faces of not only their fellow teammates, but to all other races, riders, organizers, families, careers, sponsors...do we go on?

Is anyone really going to believe that the person standing up on that podium next Sunday is truly the best rider in the field or just lucky enough not to get caught amongst his peers.  Deep down do you think that person will be asking themselves that same question too.  Whether guilty or not, its sure to weigh on its contenders as if its a scarlet letter worn, if nothing else than by mere association.

So I continue to ask myself, why do I watch this Tour de Horribles?  What seductive powers does this seemingly hopeless festival of freaks offer the every day observer.  In the end, I guess the bigger questions is, who's the bigger dope?