Relative Something

I really am enjoying this year’s Tour de France bike race. I am a reluctant Mark Cavendish fan. I like him, and I dislike him. I suspect that the things about him that bother me, are probably what contribute to his success as a sprinter, and produce the aspect of him that I do like. I don’t have any strong opinions about the current yellow jersey holder, Frenchman Thomas Voekler. I like that he appears humble, and he has done well to keep the lead through the Pyrenees Mountain stages. I like the Schleck brothers, Andy and Frank. I wish at least one of them could accomplish a gap from the other contenders on a climb, before the chances to do so pass by. I am not a fan of Alberto Contador, but I stand in awe of his climbing abilities. I look forward to seeing what transpires in the final week, where they will climb in the Alps and then ride an individual time trial. I anticipate a change in the lead, yet, at the same time, I will not be surprised if the order of the General Classification holds as it is, all the way to the end.

Watching the daily stage races on television provides opportunity to witness a select few cycling-related advertisements over and over again. I’m really not the target audience, primarily due to my lack of interest in buying the latest and greatest equipment that they are hawking. However, on a whim, when they ran an ad for a new Cannondale bicycle, said to be lighter, stiffer, stronger, and more aerodynamic than all other bikes, I allowed myself to imagine the possibility.

In all honesty, I do not do any road riding that would justify this level of bicycle. I am the kind of person who likes to carry plenty of things with me on my bicycle. It wouldn’t make sense to buy the lightest bicycle and then load it down with a trunk full of relatively heavy conveniences. Of course, the heaviest thing on my bicycle is me. If I want to peddle a lighter load, I should lose some of the extra weight around my middle.

Regardless, I decided to imagine myself buying one of the latest and greatest new bicycles being offered. I did a search for pricing information:

I won’t be considering the “Ultimate” as a potential new bike for me.

As a matter of fact, I think I’ll go back to pushing the “Mute” button during ads for the rest of the race. Hopefully, that will help me to ignore the commercial for the stationary trainer that allows you to select a route on Google Maps, and then it automatically adjusts the resistance to simulate the terrain of the route you picked. Some of the Tour stages come pre-programmed!

What I really need is Cyndie to come back to town and distract me with games of Scrabble on her iPad.