LOS ANGELES – It was 40 years ago today that Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin landed and first set foot on the moon. Michael Collins remained in the Command Module in orbit above the moon. Today I am feeling a little like Michael Collins. I will remain here in the US as Le Tour de France makes its way up the moon-like landscape of Mont Ventoux in the Alps next Saturday, July 25. It is considered a beyond category climb, and it comes at the finish of the stage, which happens to be the day before the usually ceremonial finish in Paris. Never in the history of the tour has there been such a stage at such a late point in the race. I had planned to go, but work schedules and deadlines have conspired against me once again.
Besides the spectacular scenery, both the moon landing and Ventoux have something else in common. They both feature key players named Armstrong. Although after yesterday’s stage finish in the Alps, Alberto Contador appears to have cemented his leadership role on team Astana. They have their answer: Contador is by far the strongest rider on the team. Lance and the other team members will ride in support of him, and perhaps even go for all three podium positions (Lance and Andreas Kloden would vie for spots two and three). But it would be a great thing to witness Armstrong perform strongly on Ventoux, and perhaps even win the stage. This could happen if it doesn’t threaten Contador’s lead especially. It will be exciting to watch live on TV, and at least I’ll be able to see the entire stage.
The space program has made many contributions to society for the benefit of all mankind. Besides carbon fiber (and other benefits to cycling), there are cordless appliances, improved safety equipment, and specialized manufacturing methods, among many others. And, if the graphic above is to be trusted, the idea for today’s flat panel TV monitors.
The definition of sport has been watered down recently: hot dog eating contests, spelling bees, golf. Watch real men in lycra battle it out in the world’s toughest athletic competition, continuing tomorrow (today is a rest day) through this Sunday. You will shoot yourself if you don’t watch at least the mountain stages, especially Saturday’s Ventoux finish. Check your local listings for the Versus TV channel (formerly Outdoor Life Network).
Credits: The title Magnificent Desolation comes from words used by Buzz Aldrin to describe the moonscape. It is also the title of his new book. (Top) The original astronaut picture is a NASA photo of Buzz Aldrin, taken by Neil Armstrong. The original Mont Ventoux background image is from this Dutch cycling team site. (Middle) Former President Lyndon B. Johnson, Vice President Spiro Agnew, and special guest view the liftoff of Apollo 11 from pad 39A at Kennedy Space Center at 9:32 am EDT on July 16, 1969. (Bottom) President Richard M. Nixon was in the central Pacific recovery area to welcome the Apollo 11 astronauts aboard the U.S.S. Hornet, prime recovery ship for the historic Apollo 11 lunar landing mission. Already confined to the Mobile Quarantine Facility (MQF) are (left to right) Neil A. Armstrong, commander; Michael Collins, command module pilot; and Edwin E. Aldrin Jr., lunar module pilot.
