The Tour was oddly draining, this year. I found myself out of steam in a way that I was unfamiliar with. I couldn't tell if it was emotional, physical, or just plain burnt on reading different viewpoints. 'Trust But Verify' is a blog that leads in many directions, some very enlightening. In the end, we were given a fitting culmination to the journey. No matter what sporting event it is, I like a duel to the bitter end. That's what we got. Maybe that's what left me feeling blown out. If the scoreboard shows a blowout, I'm not watching. It's better that the scoreboard is tight and I feel blown out.

From a results standpoint, this Tour was hugely successful for DeFeet. I haven't even been able to tally all the wins and podium finishes that occurred in DeFeet product. I don't think we will, either. Honestly, it doesn't even matter that much. It's a really hard sporting event, and we're there to provide the best products to the riders that know it. Trek and Specialized have a massive presence at the Tour. I don't think I'd be off base by saying that DeFeet rounds out the Tour podium by American companies. We're proud to say that we have earned our position 'by request'.

Although we did give Tom Boonen green socks before the race even began, he liked his World Champion Aireator High Tops more. Wear them around your house, Tom. Maybe when you're gardening. Boonen, I thought, had some good things to say during the race. This, for example: "I was sad in the beginning. It's not right to be sad, it's better to be happy. The guys who cheat have to get out, that's easy. The controls are getting better and that's why they get caught. Now they [Tour organisers and UCI] know where and what to look for. It would be more worrying if they have no positive cases."

Damn straight. That's the stance we need to see from racers. It's more important for us at DeFeet to see that from an athlete than winning a jersey. Jerseys and titles are great.. but show us your firm beliefs, before any positive, during any scrutiny, in good times and bad, and we'll toast you. With full glasses. Show us wishy-washy answers, placid suggestions and wrap it all up in a 'blame the French' package? That's burnt toast. Tastes bad, smells bad, not even the dog wants it.

As I write, news of Mayo being positive for EPO is breaking. He finished in 15th or so on the GC. If I were riding clean, I would be extremely outspoken against riders proven to use. Just like a boxer has to endure the blows that are exacted on him, the other riders in the field are forced to ride at speeds dictated by the strongest riders. If I had to struggle at the speeds layed out by riders that were found to be enhancing, I would be beyond livid. These riders should express themselves now, while they are in the profession. So, why is everyone so quiet, still? We lost #1 and #16, plus one more when he was somewhere in between there. Seems there should be some riders in there calling BS. Loudly. Hello?

If there were any money left in the Tour coffers, yesterday, it would have been great to have a plane take to the sky, fly a lap around the country, and drop shards of yellow jerseys out of it's payload. One thing is certain. The Tour will live on no matter what happens. If we had to go back to the time when there was no caravan, no team cars, and no television, it would still be a spectacle that people would not be able to resist.