Matt Crane at Sunny King Criterium, April 2010

More Stories from the Outdoors 26 Aug Reflections on Aging and the Outdoor Lifestyle 26 Aug National Park Stories 22 Jun Stories from Southern Africa 7 Jun A Life Outside 3: Stories from Wild Places 14 Jun Like a Bushman 21 Jun Road Trip Stories 22 Jun Kayaking Stories 7 Jun Back to the Bundu 4 May For this, I was regularly teased by teammates throughout the years.

When I would ecstatically comment on Tour action they would only gape at me, incredulous — how could I idolize our competition? The Tour de France is what Casablanca is to film; myth and adoration have brewed to bestow a veneer of singular splendor upon the event. To win a stage is a massive feat and an instant career highlight for any rider.

The legendary Eddy Merckx of Belgium holds the record with 34 total stage wins.

Product details

This year's event will depart from the Netherlands with a short time trial, and will enter France on the fourth day of racing. To commence outside France is not unusual; it has long been rumored that the organizers have their eye on a U.

Look to the steep climbs of Stage 3, and the wicked cobblestones of Stage 4, to cause time gaps between groups of riders, crashes and surprises right from the onset. In the second and third week, there will be spectacular action on the high mountain roads of the Alps and Pyrenees. American dark-horse contender Andrew Talansky will shine on these climbs, and Virginia's own Ben King may be instrumental in aiding his challenge. The Tour de France sits on a lofty pedestal among the Tours of Spain and Italy as one of the three grand tours of cycling.

To ride in one of these events is a career goal for just about any racing cyclist, and was certainly one of mine. Although I never lined up for one of the big three, I certainly raced a large swath of smaller stage races across the globe. A single day of bicycle racing, in very conservative numbers, might look something like this: In order to repeat this feat over multiple days, I learned to actively wrap myself in proverbial cotton wool to maximize my body's ability to recuperate.

From my first season with the U. National Cycling Team, I can recall an eight-day race in Normandy, France, during which I was very nearly sent home for daring to walk one mile to a gas station I needed a bar of chocolate. My coach was incredulous that I dared waste my precious energy on such a frivolity! Listen Steve and Tommy have a little hate. Listen It's Friday The 13th. Listen Big Dog is back.

Confession: I Think About Cancelling Every Trip I Book | Never Ending Footsteps

Listen Trump and the wall. Listen Tiger Woods has all eyes on him. Listen Steve and the Crew continue to talk about Stormy Daniels, Jussie Smollett stops by, Beyonce has been bitten, and The Closing Remarks goes in about the importance of accountability and more! Listen Stephon Clark's Autopsy reveal. Listen It's the Monday after Easter and the crew is back.

Confessions of the Very First Zombie Slayer (That I Know Of)

Listen Donald Trump Jr. Listen Oprah on Negativity, Chris Brown vs. Listen Trump, Oprah and Gun Control. Listen Happy President's Day. Blige and Netflix Boycott Listen Steve Birthday Celebration Continued - Listen Martin Luther King Day - Listen New Year Endless Possiblities - Listen Oprah and The Golden Globes - Listen Happy Monday Favorite Moments - Listen Alabama Senate Race - Listen Happy Monday Seasons Greetings - Listen Libya Needs Our Help - Listen Bruno Mars Baby!!!

Listen Happy Turkey Day! Listen Happy Holiday's It's Humpday - Listen Thanksgiving Vacay Begins Enjoy - Listen Who Likes Who on the Show - Listen What is Your Number - Listen Rock The Vote! Listen Happy Birthday Mississippi Monica! Listen The World Series is Tied - Listen Crisis in Niger - Listen President Trump, Enough Said - Listen Co-ed Cub Scouts - Listen Happy Birthday Carla Ferrell - Listen Ladies Love Idris - Listen Sand and Soul Festival - Listen Reunited in the East and Sister Odell - Listen Dream Big Y'all - Listen Sister Odell, Hello!

Confession: I Think About Cancelling Every Trip I Book

Listen Rebuilding and Praying for Hurricane Victims - Listen Steve Talks Def Jam reunion - Listen Remembering and Hurricane Irma - Listen Preparedness for Irma - Listen Great Labor Day Weekend - Listen Hurricane Harvey Talk - Listen Pray for Houston - Listen Health is Wealth - Listen Hundreds of Millions are in the Jackpot - Listen Junior's Limrycs Hit Home - Listen The World Lost 2 Greats - Listen Trump, Charlottesville, and Facebook - Listen It's Humpday Pruning the Tree - Listen Welcome Back its Monday Y'all - Listen Usher's Songs Murdered Again - Listen We extended our Paris Stay!

Listen Side piece's and Married Couples: Listen Happy Friday in France - Listen Live from Paris France - Listen Steve is Back from Vacation - Listen Monday Sidepieces - Listen Will Packer talks to the crew about "Girls Trip" - Listen July 7 Favorite Moments Show - Listen July 6 Favorite Moments Show - Listen 4th of July Stories and Bad Grammar - Listen A Millenial "Back in the Day" - Listen Father's Day Edition - Listen It's the First of the Month!

Listen The Last Day of May - Listen Memorial Day Best of -