Mark Taylor

Mark Taylor's Outdoors column and notebook appears regularly in The Roanoke Times.

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As she geared up for a 20-mile bike ride Tuesday evening, Susan Kilmer seemed to have an extra spring in her step, a wider smile on her face.

She had just gotten an update on that morning's stage of the Tour de France, in which American Lance Armstrong had come within a fraction of a second of taking over the lead.

Kilmer said it was impossible to not be inspired by Armstrong's performance, as well as his return from a 3-year retirement.

"It brings back good memories," said Kilmer, a 49-year-old chiropractor who lives in Troutville. "You want to get back and ride and push yourself a little harder."

While several Americans performed well in the Tour de France during Armstrong's absence, it seems clear that Armstrong's return is attracting renewed attention to the race -- from the mainstream media, and from casual cyclists and race fans.

Whether the comeback fuels a cycling boom such as the one that occurred during the peak of Armstrong's career remains to be seen.

American cycling enjoyed a boom during Armstrong's record run of seven consecutive Tour de France wins from 1999 to 2005.

Sales of bikes with wheels 20 inches in diameter and larger climbed from 11.1 million in 1998 to a peak of 14 million in 2005, according the National Bike Dealers Association. Sales dropped to 12.7 million the following year, having since climbed slightly, to 13.4 million in 2008.

Trek, the private company whose bikes Armstrong rides, doesn't publicly discuss its sales figures. But some analysts believe the brand's bike sales doubled during the peak of Lancemania.

While it's difficult to know how much credit the fiery cancer survivor deserves for the sport's growth, many in the cycling community believe what's been called the Lance Factor did have an impact on the number of people who ride.

Now that Armstrong is back, mainstream media attention for the race has boomed to levels not seen since Armstrong was dominating the peloton.

An example?

After Tuesday's stage, National Public Radio's Michele Norris interviewed veteran cycling scribe John Wilcockson for the network's "All Things Considered" show.

At Roanoke-area bike shops, owners can't yet say that Armstrong's comeback is helping their bottom line.

"It's hard to judge," said Wes Best, owner of Roanoke's East Coasters, a Trek dealer. "This year has been gangbusters.

"But at the same time, sales of road bikes have flattened out."

At Just the Right Gear near Hanging Rock, owner Steve Hetherington was also reserved.

"Before, it was very good for the industry," said Hetherington, whose shop near Carvins Cove's mountain bike trails attracts a heavy contingent of off-road riders. "I'm not sure I'm seeing anything this time.

"I don't know if it's going to get people off the couch and onto their cruisers and onto the greenways, which is what I'd like to see."

Both Best and Hetherington said they believe the best way to inspire casual riders to get out is to provide more local events and outlets.

"I think it would be good if we had more events like this past weekend," Hetherington said, referring to the ID3 road bike races in Roanoke last Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Best said he noticed a buzz related to the Mayor's Bike Ride in early May, and again after Gov. Tim Kaine led a ride on the Roanoke River Greenway last week.

Among more serious cyclists, Armstrong's comeback and the attention he is getting draws mixed reviews.

"I have a love/hate relationship with him," said Roanoker Gordie Zeigler as he readied for the Blue Ridge Bicycle Club's "Famous" Tuesday Night Ride. "I'm not convinced of his cleanliness. On the other hand, he's done so much for cancer awareness."

Indeed, Armstrong said when he announced his comeback last year that his focus was to be more on cancer awareness than on simply trying to win races.

Kilmer is a believer.

"It's not about the winning," said Kilmer, whose husband, David, is currently fighting a form of blood cancer. "My husband was ecstatic about his comeback.

"He's a huge inspiration."

But the fact that Armstrong is contending certainly doesn't hurt.

Neither does the potential for drama, with fans wondering what will happen when the riders move into the important mountains stages, which start today.

Will Armstrong be willing work to help teammate Alberto Contador, currently designated as Astana's team leader and best hope for an overall win? Or, if Armstrong proves himself strong in the mountains, will he want to become the team's main focus?

The potential for excitement has one-time Tour de France fanatic Gretchen Weinnig, an avid cyclist and triathlete from Roanoke, reverting to her old habits.

"After Lance retired I just petered out," she said. "What am I doing now?

"I'm watching."

Sunday Hiking: The Roanoke Appalachian Trail Club will host a group hike to Roaring Run. At just 2 miles, the hike is suitable for beginners. Meet at 1 p.m. for the drive to the trailhead. The hike is free and guests are welcome. Call hike leader Kenny Garrett at 293-7967 to find out where to meet.