Introduction
There's only one name that comes to mind when one talks of the Tour D France, and that's Lance Armstrong… all the friggin' way! And after his fight with testicular cancer which gave him only a 40% chance of survival, it's amazing how Lance turned things around to win the Tour D France seven (no, not just five time like the all time greats)… but seven times, despite the debilitating condition that the cancer had put him.
And the weirdest part is that one would not even remotely relate Lance with any form of disease, let alone cancer, as one has to go through hell and high water to finish this race, let alone finish it at the "top of the heap".
Cycling
While a bicycle is used in some parts of the world for transportation, the Tour D France revolutionized the way the world looked at cycling as a sporting competition.
The first ever Tour D France was held as far back as 1903 with five stages while its modern version lasts three weeks and covers almost 2200 miles. (And one can only imagine the effort that Lance put in to make a comeback that has etched him a place in the record books!)
Just that figure of 2200 miles with only three rest days tells you how grueling this sporting event is, and while the French are really passionate about it, there is no greater insult than an American sportsperson not only winning it just once but seven times.
And by now most of us would know that cycling is an excellent form of exercise for our health. Just looking at these cyclists who compete at the Tour D France should tell you a lot at first glance but for those who are not necessarily perceptive in that sense, here's a list of benefits if you take up cycling as a form of transport or recreation…
Benefits of Biking
Apart from the scores of reasons as to why biking is a very good idea, here are the top few reasons:
1) Cycling helps in weight management
2) One of the best forms of cardiovascular exercise
3) Cycling helps maintain strength and coordination apart from better muscle tone, bone mass improvement and clearer skin.
4) Cycling is known to be therapeutic for the mind and spirit – it improves your moods
5) Using a bicycle ensures that you aren't responsible for leaving carbon footprint, thereby indirectly contributing to your health.
6) Bicycling reduces stress.
7) If more and more people use bicycles, nearly all forms of pollution will be reduced, also impacting our health positively.
8) Bicycling makes commuting an easier task, thereby improving your mood as well, while you make your way to work.
9) Bicycling helps the rider to appreciate the greenery around him rather than rushing all the time, as commuting time is predictable, and hence, stress free.
10) Apart from all these benefits, it saves money in every way, while also improving your health, and that really qualifies as a health benefit, as money gives people security and peace of mind.
In Closing
And if you aren't convinced of its practicality yet, ask Lance!
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