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As this year's Tour de France once again winds down, many of us have had the opportunity to watch one of the most grueling races in history. The race requires endurance, focus, strategy, balance, along with, of course, tremendous athleticism achieved only through thousands of miles and years of training. A bit of luck (both good and bad) is also thrown into the mix, exemplified by the occasional bike crash, equipment malfunction, not to mention wondering sheep, haphazardly crossing the race course. As I watched much of the coverage via Versus, I was struck by the incredible beauty of the French Pyrenees and surrounding countryside. However, I am as limited as any spectator to the real appreciation of the unforgiving toughness of this mountainous course.

Unlike so many sports though, I always come away from watching the "tour" with a desire to get back on my bike. As an occasional cyclist, I rarely ride unless I'm recovering from yet another running injury. Watching this great event, however, always conjures up wonderful memories for me. Perhaps, it's the sense of accomplishment first felt when, as a small child, I had the initial experience of riding without falling, or the freedom realized, thinking that the bike could seemingly take me anywhere, or the memory of my first "real" bike - my blue Peugeot. I used to ride that bike 'til it felt my legs would surely fall off.

So, I'm here to remind us all of how fun cycling can be. With the extended hours of daylight and roads clear of ice and snow, summertime presents an ideal time to get on your bike. Also, the wind resistance created by the speed of cycling provides somewhat of a break and a great alternative to running through those hot summer months. And, as with any time of year, cycling is a great form of transportation, especially in the summer when donning all that cold weather gear is not required. So...if you're wondering how to get in a great workout, have fun and enjoy the summer weather, try getting on your bike and going for a ride.