You might find yourself saying; “That’s Easy; It is a Bicycle Race.” And for the most part you would be correct, that it is. But it is much more than that really. The Tour de France is a test of strength of character, mind over body; the ultimate challenge of endurance. The Tour de France tests for human will, intent and perseverance. Like the Olympic Games, the Tour de France invites peoples from all the world to compete to see who has the will, inner strength, athletic ability and desire to perform at super human levels.

The Tour de France reminds of us of our own strengths, challenges and will. It is quite fitting that Lance Armstrong has won this event seven times. Surely it puts him at the top of the list of the greatest athlete of our present period, but it does more than that. It shows us that anything is possible; that is if you are willing to sacrifice and press on thru any hardship. It is emotionally moving to watch Lance Armstrong, much like how American audiences fell in love with Rocky. A story any athlete can relate, a story that anyone who has ever made it thru the rain, understands. A Superman, who has over come his kryptonite, not because he wanted fame, but because it was there; the mountains, the competition, the Tour de France and even cancer stood in his way. He beat the odds, by shear will and strength and now he has shown us why; “We should Live Strong.”

The Tour de France is a race indeed one, which tries men’s souls. That is what the Tour de France is. Although Lance Armstrong makes it look easy, if you are to watch closely you can see that it is far from easy. And he did it with a little help from his friends; he got by with a little help from his Team Discovery Channel. Still in the end a man who rides the talk, competed and did the seemingly impossible. One has to ask themselves, if Lance Armstrong can do that, then certainly we can raise a good family, surely we can succeed in our own live and we all definitely can improve ourselves.

The Lance Armstrong story is a rags to riches story. He came from behind, rose up, was knocked down and refused to surrender to adversity. Today he stands right were he belongs, at the top of the podium in the Jersey, which is the color of the Sun. This adversity he has over come has built a “strength of character’ unmatched by average men. Now he has given of himself by example to show us that anything can be done, if you work hard, play fair and Never, ever, ever, ever give up. We have so few examples like Lance Armstrong; modern day heroes, which truly inspire a nation. In Lance Armstrong’s case he has inspired the World.

May I now ask you a question: “What are you waiting for and where would you like to go today?”