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.