Are we cyclists feline?

No, not \”feline\” as in the three little kittens of the old song. But look at this. Tour de France riders live longer, they say.

Those cyclist put in years of strenuous training before they even line up for the Grand Depart; and that gives them strong hearts. Exercise helps keep blood pressure and weight under control, whether you\’re a pro athlete or not; and pro tour riders probably have a much more healthful diet than many of us.

Pro tour riders need to be lean, with a high power-to-weight ratio. After all, they must face some stiff climbs over the course of Le Tour; and they need to be lithe and agile, like cats.

Cats have a reputation for always landing on their feet. Pro riders typically get up and ride on after a crash, although how they manage it is a puzzle to me. If I go down, even at a very modest 10 mph, it knocks the wind out of me; and leaves me feeling lightheaded, weak, and shaky. It can take days to wear off. Imagine climbing right back onto the bike after you\’ve gone down at 25 mph (or much more!); and your Lycra® is in shreds; and your skin looks like raw meat.

Pro cyclists are a hardy lot for sure; or maybe they have the nine lives of a cat?