Tour De France, Bike Race

JB4310 · Jul 6, 2011

Anyone else interested?

I by accident turned it on about five years ago and have been enjoying it every year since.

I've never seriously rode road bikes, I do have a mountain bike and ride often, but I really like the Tour. The way it's filmed and produced is part of the attraction even if yo don't like bike races the scenery is amazing.

It's also interesting that youth is not the winning formula, you don't see many 18-20 year olds.

JB

tcartwri · Jul 6, 2011

JB4310 said:
It's also interesting that youth is not the winning formula, you don't see many 18-20 year olds.

JB

Humans hit their peak endurance in their mid thirties.

9973720wb19 · Jul 6, 2011

I'm an avid roadie (one that rides a road bicycle) that rides about 150-200 miles per week (mostly with my local bike club). In my opinion, "the Tour" is the best TV watching ever! If you take the time to learn cycling race tactics and the backgrounds of some of the top riders, it's great to watch.

I often joke that my dream retirement plan is to be one of those BMW support motorcycle riders throughout the tour...just have to figure out how to get some tractor saddle time in as well

looknlearn · Jul 6, 2011

We watch it some when we can. My dad is really into bicycles and likes to keep up on it thought the internet. That kind of exertion will take a few years off your life. I ride a bike as my transportation and just rode a little over 300 miles to visit some friends. I enjoyed it but I am not looking forward to the ride back just yet. Great way to see the country around you as you travel.

sseelhoff · Jul 6, 2011

My July is a lost month. I watch the entire tour, start to finish. Love it. The racing is great, the scenery incredible, and all the side stories are interesting.

Probably my favorite sporting event.

I also ride. Never been to Europe, but have done mountain passes in the Rockies. Just adds to my amazement as to what those guys can do.

stub · Jul 6, 2011

I have Dish Network and used to get Versus but don't see it anymore. Anybody watch TDF on Dish Network? What channel? thanks

alchemysa · Jul 6, 2011

Wife and I have been hooked for the last 3 years. Its live here in Australia from about 10pm to 1 am. Having an Aussie up front adds interest. Chuck a few logs log on the fire, stretch out on the lounge, and relax. I'm semi-retired so 3 weeks of late nights is no problem.

JB4310 · Jul 6, 2011

stub said:
I have Dish Network and used to get Versus but don't see it anymore. Anybody watch TDF on Dish Network? What channel? thanks

I see they have VS channel on Dish but it's an HD channel, so you have to have the HD package.

I'm glad to see others so interested in TDF.

They must have some pretty advanced systems to be able to bring that kind of on the move street level coverage and hardly ever skip a beat.

I've been DVRing it so I can zap the commercials. I'd say the closest thing to it is the Olympics every 2 years.
I especially like the stage in the high mountains where they let the spectators right in the road, the people get pretty crazy but for the most part don't interfere with the riders. it must be hectic for the riders but I guess it's tradition to allow it.

JB.

rvaitor · Jul 6, 2011

It's a great show and one of the things I like is the spectacular scenery they ride through. It is really interesting, what seems to me, to be land use policy that favors agricultural property and encourages more density in the residential areas, even in the small towns, quite the opposite in the U.S. Anyway some spectacular farm properties along the route. My wife and I caught the last day in 1988 (Pedro Delgado won) and I remember driving through miles of sunflower fields.

Well, I pulled out my photo album and a little faded but brought back some great memories.

piller · Jul 6, 2011

I also enjoy watching the tour, the versus commentators are great, and the scenery is fabulous. Now, to tie this in to tractors, a couple of days ago they showed the peloton cruising through some farmland and there was a beautiful display in a large field.

Farmers had arranged large round bales in the shape of a huge bicycle frame, and they had about eight tractors driving in a circle for the bike's front wheel, eight more tractors driving in a circle for the rear wheel, and some smaller vehicles perhaps ATV's driving in a circle for the front chain ring. I think there was a milk container and perhaps champagne on the frame down tube, likely a reference to the farming region. Anyone else see this?