As we enter into the starting days of the Beijing Olympics, I want to note one athlete I am supporting and tracking.

“Big George” is the first five-time Olympic cyclist for the United States.
Hometown: Greenville, South Carolina
Birthday: 6-29-73

Career Highlights
Two-time USA Cycling Professional Road Race National Champion (1998, 2006)
Yellow Jersey – 2006 Tour de France, Stage 1
1st place – 2005 Tour de France, Stage 15
1st place – 2006 Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne
1st place – 2001 Gent-Wevelgem
1st place – 2007 Tour of Missouri
1st place – 2005 Grand Prix Ouest France
1st place – 2001 San Francisco Grand Prix
1st place – 1999 First Union Classic
2nd place – 2005 Paris-Roubaix
2nd place – 2006 Tour de France, Prologue
3rd place – 2006 Tour of Flanders

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During my morning bike ride, I encountered an unusual set of circumstances that gave rise to some thoughts about the current relationship of wild animals and humans. First I noticed a large number of birds in the road that refused to move when I was approaching. I had to swerve to miss some of them. This went for 2-3 miles.

Then I came across a deer who jetted out in front of me between miles 3-5. Although I wasn’t close to hitting him, he startled me and made me slow down as I was approaching a hill. Next, I encountered a bunny between miles 5-7 that lunged out in front of me without a care in the world about my well being. If these animals and I are going to share the road, perhaps we could do something similar to what they have at the gym for treadmills:

4AM-4:15AM - Bunny Road Access
4:15AM-4:30AM - Deer Run Access
4:30AM-5:00AM - Bird Access
5:00AM-6:30AM - Human Cyclist Access

If you are a representative of one of these groups and would like to negotiate the terms of sharing the road (which my species built by the way), please do register and comment on this post. Thanks for your consideration.

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