Schleck Withdrawal

I am realizing that when it comes to being a sports spectator, I am an island.  At least when it comes to all my friends.  My favorite sports to watch, I'm realizing are probably the least popular amongst Americans.

They are in no particular order, Wimbledon, the World Cup, and last but not least, the Tour de France.

All three events are complete this summer and I am going through withdrawal.  Particularly with the Tour de France.  It is a 21 stage race that last for 3-5 hours a day.  It is usually on around 8:00 AM-1:00PM on the east coast. Being the loyal, self-sacrificing wife I am, I painstakingly wait until the kids are in bed and Ben gets home to turn it on.  We are like kids on Christmas morning every night to see what the tour held for us that day.

image via www.reuters.com

Since it is now finished and the man I have wanted to win for about three years didn't win, I can't stop thinking about it.  I just want to talk about it, so I did.  Uh, remember I know NO ONE who watches this.  Not even my neighbor and good girlfriend "Frenchie" (my nickname for my gal pal that is from France) watches it.

So I am sitting in the car with another girlfriend.  Before she knows it, she is being held hostage in the passenger seat, by this boring conversation brought up by me.

Me:  I am going crazy that the tour is over and the guy (Andy Schleck) I wanted to win didn't.

Her: Hmmm (Translation- Is she really bringing this up? She knows I don't watch.)

Me: You see it is this 21 stage race and is it grueling and this guy Andy should have won last year, but this evil racer named Contador cheated him of the title.

She hears "Blah, blah, blah, blah blah."

Her: Uh-huh (Translation-Oh my gosh, she really thinks I care.)

Me: Yeah it is referred to as Chaingate and this year Andy was supposed to come back and win the tour, but he didn't he came in second.  I am so sad about it. At least he beat Contador who didn't even place.

She hears "Blah, blah, blah, blahditty, ditty BLAHHHHHH."

Her: Huh. (Translation-MAKE. IT. STOP.)

ME:  The redeeming part is that Andy and his brother Frank were #2 and #3 on the podium.  Plus Frank brought his baby up on the podium with him.  It was so sweet! I love it when athletes are family men.

Frank with adorable baby in matching Leopard Trek outfit.

image via www.sports.yahoo.com

She hears-nothing, now having tuned the torture out and dazing out the window.

Her:  Oh...(Translation-Who cares? Do you think this car is going too fast to jump out of?)

I, sensing that three minutes of Tour talk is the max our relationship can handle I change the subject.

Me: Did you watch the Bachelorette yet? Who do you like better, Ben or JP? (Translation-Thanks for being a friend and listening to my Tour drama.  On to common ground.)

Her: (She slowly removes her hand from the door handle, relieved not to have to jump.)  Can you believe that picture of JP at his Bar Mitzvah? (Translation-You're welcome, don't ever put me through that again.)

Lesson learned.  I really need to try to like American football  (never going to happen) or maybe I can convince Frenchie to be more French.

The goofy Schleck brothers

Maybe I like these two brothers because they remind me of two goofy brothers of my own.

Cute Collin & Kevin-I couldn't miss them more.

As for the Tour, I will miss you until next July. Vive le Tour de France.  See you next year Andy, Frank, Tyler, Thor, Christian, George and all my other favorites.  Alberto, I hope your chain falls off.