Stage 1: A Cantebury Tale

So, we're off.  The Prologue has been run, Stage 1 from London to Canterbury is finished, and I'm just about to sit down to watch Canal Evasion's coverage of Stage 2 (Dunkerque to Gand).

I've worked on some kind of major project during the Tour de France for the last ten years now.  Up until the last three years, it was always a knitting project (because I didn't spin, then) -- the first time, it was one of Gladys Amedro's christening sets for my as yet unborn niece.  For many years, it was a Starmore Fair-Isle.

The last two years, I undertook a big spinning project -- both years I spun a 500 gramme box of roving with an eye to making a shawl afterwards.

This year, though.

This year, I was finally, thoroughly fed up with all the doping scandals.  Usually I watch a number of the spring races, including the Giro d'Italia, but this year, I only managed a few days of the Giro coverage.  I couldn't bear it, because practically all they talked about was doping, doping, doping.

I just could no longer muster any enthusiasm for a sport I'd followed, with all its ups and downs, for such a very long time.  Oh, I know, there have been doping scandals in the past, but I always believed that it would be dealt with.  The last year, I haven't been so sure that anyone is really willing to clean things up, to do more than slap a bandage on it all.

So I wasn't going to watch the Tour de France this year, and I wasn't going to spin.

I can't state for sure what changed my mind, but, obviously, I did.  I sat down Saturday morning to watch Richard Garneau and Louis Bertrand, and although I won't say they lit a fire of enthusiasm under me, I will say that they reminded me of what I do love about the Tour de France (and about cycling in general).  They touched briefly on the doping problems, but said they didn't want to dwell on that in their coverage -- they wanted to focus on the positive things.

I can't say I'm excited about le Tour this year.  But I've managed to watch a couple days coverage, and haven't felt completely discouraged, either, so maybe there's hope.

As for my challenge?  I'm taking it easy this year, for a change.  My goal is to spin 10 to 15 minutes a day.  I've gotten out of the habit of spinning a little bit every morning, and I just want to use this time to get back into the habit.  I also don't want to end up doing myself an injury this year, taking on something very big.

I will confess that I am spinning a little more than my required 10 to 15 minutes, but I'm taking lots of breaks, and alternating spinning and knitting as I watch.  It seems odd not to be going for broke, but I think it's a better attitude for me to develop.

And with that -- I've got to run, as coverage is about to begin!

Comments

[Cindy]

I'm off and spinning. Not only did I get a half bobbin of yarn spun on Saturday, I also rode my bike for 49.8 miles!

[anj]

I haven't put anything on the blog but... I have spun 3 bobbins worth of a box of fleece. I have so many fleeces in my house with no real homes. I figure if I get one box down at least I can say I put forward an effort.

I know what you mean about being tired of it. I have to say I am proud of the commentators letting it lie. I mean yes they admit it.. but they are just going forward with the glory of the race. And my partner has really gotten her teeth into it. We both jumped out of our seats at the crash in Gand.

So I'm glad youa re doing this. Really I am. And I am glad to see you are focusing on something you want for yourself.. 10-15 minutes every morning of peace and spinning. I say that is a beauty of an idea.