Lessons from Le Tour

Tim Bechervaise looks at how the rules of competitive cycling can be turned into life lessons

Which sport or sporting rule confuses you the most? Perhaps it’s the offside rule in football or the points scoring in rugby.

For me, it’s frequently cycling. If only it was as simple as people riding their bikes towards the finish to see who is fastest. But often it’s not. This is epitomised by the Keirin race where, for most of it, participants follow someone who looks like they’re on their way to the shops.

Then there is the Tour de France, with the ‘yellow jersey’ the focal point of my bewilderment. But as I’ve delved more into the event — which this year celebrates its 120th race — confusion has given way to fascination.

For the uninitiated, the competition is held annually in France (and sometimes includes stages in neighbouring countries), covering 21 stages and approximately 3,500km. It’s a team sport, with 198 riders split into 22 teams of nine.

As well as providing gripping entertainment (for some, at least!), the event can also be instructive for our own wellbeing – all while helping us to brush up on our French! Here are four reflections that might be useful for us today…

Domestique

Being a team sport, each team has leaders who, at various times, require the support of a domestique (aptly taken from the French word for ‘servant’). These are team members who selflessly take on the role of helping their teammate to win a particular stage or the overall race (and so get the fabled yellow jersey).

This often involves drafting, or slipstreaming, where the domestique will ride at a high speed just ahead of the leader, who will benefit from reduced wind resistance and so conserve energy for the final sprint to the finish.

There is a lovely illustration here. Firstly, of the selfless sacrifice of the domestique working hard for the benefit of others, and secondly of the need to sometimes slip back and let others take some of the heat. In your own life, are there people around you in need of a domestique – a helping hand to get through a difficult season? Or are you taking on too much and need to offload some tasks to others?

Directeur sportif

This is essentially the head coach, who is responsible for duties such as team strategy and PR. Less glamorously, it can also involve making sure everyone has water and organising bike repairs.

Put differently, this is a leader who provides direction and nourishment. Think about who you follow – be it a boss, church leader, sports coach or celebrity on Instagram. Are you looking up to people who are willing to do whatever it takes to see the people who follow them flourish?

It’s important to surround ourselves with people (be it leaders, friends or family members) who can provide the direction and nourishment we need to keep on track and be in the best position to grow in the things that are important to us.

Flamme rouge

At each stage, a banner will eventually appear, stating there is just 1km until the finish. It’s a welcome reminder that the race is nearly done, but also a signal to begin a final sprint to the end.

To an extent, I can imagine what this must feel like. Last October, I did the Oxford half-marathon, which has markers at each mile. Towards the end, I used the 12-mile sign to raise my pace for a strong finish. I was on my last legs (literally!) but knowing the end was close kept me going, and it meant that when the finish line arrived, the satisfaction was all the more sweeter.

It’s a feeling that can apply to other areas of life. Whether coming to the end of a day, week or task, or more broadly a season or chapter in life, finishing well can give us impetus in the moment and a sweet sense of achievement when the end finally arrives.

Rest days

The 21 stages of the Tour de France comprise nine flat stages, three hilly stages, seven mountain stages and two individual time trials. Nestled among these are two rest days, which can involve sleep, a relaxing workout, massages, team-bonding and time with loved ones. The key is mental and physical rest, meaning the riders are refreshed and refuelled for the gruelling days ahead.

Did you know the Bible calls on Christians to take a weekly day of rest? Just as God rested on the seventh day after creating the world, the Bible asks Christians to take one day off work too. That’s because rest is important. But, in today’s world, it is often neglected.

Perhaps Le Tour can help some of us reclaim it? Clearly a key factor in the success of a race are those rest days, where the biggest effort required is to stay mentally and physically rested. Rest requires intention. What does this look like for us?