Tour de France with NBC and some of the backstory...

Parenting... where minutes, hours and days can slow to a snail's pace, but the weeks, months and years fly by like never before. And this week is a milestone that triggers a bit of reflection: It is hard to believe that it has been two years since I announced I would retire from my pro cycling career.  

The time since has been a continued time of transition where I have been confronted with challenges and bumps (sometimes massive potholes) in the road, but I have also relished new freedoms and joys of the wide-ranging world that exists outside the bubble of pro cycling.  

I am excited and honored to be joining the team at NBC as a studio analyst as we cover, share and provide one-of-a-kind insight into this year’s Tour de France.  

Watching the USA Tour de France coverage as a kid played an influential role in inspiring me and opening my mind to dream big.  After competing and experiencing success at the Tour as a competitor, it feels like a perfect step and continuation of that path to be able to contribute my Tour experience to a new, yet equally amazing team at NBC to bring one of the world’s greatest sporting spectacles to fans in the USA.

The past two years have been a time of exciting change for our family.  I am grateful I could deliver on my intention to be present and support Jamie’s execution and defense of her PhD, which took place last winter in Spain.  Witnessing Jamie explain five years of scientific research was a proud moment and reflection on the brilliant scientist that she has always been, but also the capable academic professional that she has become.  In true Jamie fashion, at the same time she was offered a position with the state of North Carolina that recognizes her expertise.  

For me, the bonus year in Girona without the constraints and travel of professional-level constant training allowed me to appreciate the place in a new way, and at the same time was also confirmation that I was ready for the next step. 

With Jamie’s job offer in hand and a start date fast approaching, we packed up years of experiences and stuff, and fully transitioned back to Asheville, NC about 3 months ago  (an adventurous story in itself).  

Another radical change for all three of us, but we have been comforted to realize and re-connect with the lovely community here as well as the pristine colors, smells and sites of spring in the mountains.  It is a relief to know that our weekends are not numbered in single digits and to move on from the franticness of quick “in and out” stints that were normal during all those years racing.  

I am enjoying a continued “homecoming tour” focussing on the fun, as well as the community role that bikes play in my life. I love riding as much as ever and have been invigorated by the chance to challenge and push myself in new ways whether it be at local Pisgah events, another trip to Kansas or a family-inspired visit back to Michigan where it all began for me. 

Looking further ahead, I am proud to share that I have been accepted into a graduate degree program which will begin this Fall.  I continue to find myself intrigued and inspired by the combination of sport and performance psychology.  

This is an avenue I have been considering pursuing for years, even before I retired from racing, and an area where I am confident I can make a contribution and impact. I can’t wait to learn more, and apply my experience in a new way.

There will be more exciting news to share as we get into the second half of the year, but for now it is back to chasing Waylon on his bike. At 3 years old he has mastered hand braking, “skids” and berms. Soon he’ll be ready for shifting and gears. 

I hope you’ll join me and the team at NBC for this year’s Tour!