Finish the race

By Tim Eberhart, executive director
Rainsville Chamber of Commerce
Newspaper column for July 16, 2010 edition

If you walked all the way from Boulder to Birmingham, and back again, you would cover about the same distance as the epic bicycle race known as Le Tour de France. Next week, at the conclusion of the three-week long race, about 175 elite cyclists will have covered an astounding 2,263 miles.

About half of the Tour  is down hill. There are mountainous sections where the bikers soar to 65 to 70 MPH without having to pedal. But, it is only those racers who can repeatedly break away from the pack while enduring difficult climbs to the mountain tops who have a chance of being the Tour champion.

By Monday of this week, 16 men had dropped out of the race due to injury or sickness, the man who led all racers pressed on with a broken elbow, and seven time winner Lance Armstrong lost all hope of another Tour crown due to a badly-timed flat tire and a couple of dangerous crashes.

The Tour de France reminds me of our economy. After riding to the top of many mountains, the economy has reached a valley floor that is wider and deeper than most have been. It presses on despite some nasty falls and some pretty grisly wounds. It seems to be gaining a little strength now and then.

We just started up another mountain. We do not know how long and steep the climb will be, but we must climb. The economy can soar again.

On Monday, Lance Armstrong got back up after both crashes. He raced ahead and still beat 125 other men to the finish line. He knows he will not be the 2010 Tour de France champ but he will support his highest ranked teammate who still has a chance for victory.

Let us follow Armstrong’s example, and support our teammate—the local economy. How about considering back-to-school shopping, the upcoming tax holiday, and the looming holiday shopping season as opportunities to get reacquainted with our local merchants.

We can finish the race. Please support local businesses.

The tax holiday will be August 6th to 8th. It is not just for back-to-school essentials. Jeans and pants, skirts and dresses, shoes and boots for everybody priced up to $100 each will be tax free. Computers up to $750, and school supplies priced up to $50 will be tax free.


Contact info

Rainsville Chamber of Commerce
PO Box 396; Rainsville, AL 35986

115 Main Street West
PHONE: 256-638-7800