We all would like to believe our "picture postcard" world is immune from the various dis-eases that plague our global economic community, but alas, we may find that our unsustainable "life-styles" are about to change dramatically, whether we care to hear this or not.
Economic instability is a subject that is gaining more press coverage in the cycling community, of late, as races are getting canceled, bike shops are shutting down, sponsors are going bankrupt and teams are folding. This of course is disappointing to fans and racers alike, but what gives greater rise for concern is what we might begin to see on the open road where pelotons have little safety from; the insatiable appetites of rabid fans desiring to express their "attitudes" towards specific riders/teams (case in point regarding attitudes: look at some of the verbal exchanges we see here on the various threads, even posters on this thread); protesters striking for loss of jobs or low wages; political/social factions desiring revolt through potential sabotaging of events; massive security laws being implemented creating an Orwellian atmosphere; the soaring social unrest growing on a global scale that can influence a "continental" race, the list goes on and on. Our world is quickly becoming a war zone and finding a safe haven to "ride" out the potential storm is not an easy task, whether it be in ones own community or while exposed to various "elements" riding a 15 pound vehicle up Mont Ventoux.
Historically the French are not afraid to take to the streets to express their feelings about any form of injustice. The Tour is a very big race having global exposure. The perfect setting for getting one's message out or creating a "false flag?"
The potential for a very volatile summer, in the "land of the Franks" come this July, is very real. Personally, I hope the race goes on without any discomfort for anyone, because there is nothing more beautiful than a Grand Tour, especially the TdF. But with a spiraling downward global economy leading up to July or if Lance is leading in that final week, it's clear, more than ever before in our recent history, anything is possible.
As someone said in another thread, "Watch your back, Lance." The reality, as I see it here, is rather than watching our own backs we need to watch out for each other. Until we make that adjustment in our lives, the potholes will just get bigger and eventually the road we are riding on goes off a cliff.
<http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/mar/19/france-second-wave-strikes>
Economic instability is a subject that is gaining more press coverage in the cycling community, of late, as races are getting canceled, bike shops are shutting down, sponsors are going bankrupt and teams are folding. This of course is disappointing to fans and racers alike, but what gives greater rise for concern is what we might begin to see on the open road where pelotons have little safety from; the insatiable appetites of rabid fans desiring to express their "attitudes" towards specific riders/teams (case in point regarding attitudes: look at some of the verbal exchanges we see here on the various threads, even posters on this thread); protesters striking for loss of jobs or low wages; political/social factions desiring revolt through potential sabotaging of events; massive security laws being implemented creating an Orwellian atmosphere; the soaring social unrest growing on a global scale that can influence a "continental" race, the list goes on and on. Our world is quickly becoming a war zone and finding a safe haven to "ride" out the potential storm is not an easy task, whether it be in ones own community or while exposed to various "elements" riding a 15 pound vehicle up Mont Ventoux.
Historically the French are not afraid to take to the streets to express their feelings about any form of injustice. The Tour is a very big race having global exposure. The perfect setting for getting one's message out or creating a "false flag?"
The potential for a very volatile summer, in the "land of the Franks" come this July, is very real. Personally, I hope the race goes on without any discomfort for anyone, because there is nothing more beautiful than a Grand Tour, especially the TdF. But with a spiraling downward global economy leading up to July or if Lance is leading in that final week, it's clear, more than ever before in our recent history, anything is possible.
As someone said in another thread, "Watch your back, Lance." The reality, as I see it here, is rather than watching our own backs we need to watch out for each other. Until we make that adjustment in our lives, the potholes will just get bigger and eventually the road we are riding on goes off a cliff.
<http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/mar/19/france-second-wave-strikes>
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