here come the ladies!

As I sit here watching the olympic mens road race, it is acutally tomorrow morning that I am most excited about....WOMEN'S CYCLING!!!  ON NBC!!!  Praise athena-I can't believe it.  I have never actually seen a women's profesional race on television!  Yes - technically this isn't a "professional" race, but it's good enough for me. I adore women's cycling.  I eat up the footage I can find on the web.  I follow the riders on STRAVA (yes - I am stalking you Clara and Ina).  And now I am just so excited to see them ride through the English countryside.  They inspire me.  They make me want to be a better rider.  And that's saying a lot.

My favorite story on the American side is Evelyn Stevens.  An investment banker in NYC - she took to cycling after riding an old beater bike in central park.  Fellow riders started noticing how fast this girl was and encouraged her to pursue her God-given talents.  She eventually quit her "real" job in order to become a professional cyclist.  And that was only 4 years ago.  No cycling background, no professional coaching and BAM she was on HTC highroad.  I can't wait to cheer her on.

So please - watch the women's road race tomorrow and then encourage your daughters to get on their bikes.  Help the junior programs at their local bike shop.  Give your old bike to a young lady you think has talent.  You never know - you might just get a thank you from an olympic podium one day.