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Post by Worthingshrew on Jul 1, 2022 16:05:14 GMT 1
Looking fwd to the annual race, starting today.
I know little about cycling, but the Tour has become a must see for me. I love watching the pics of the race hurtling through villages and the countryside, then the brutal mountain stages at the end of 150 odd miles and 4 hours in 30C+ heat. Amazing endurance. Doesn’t bother me that there’s been question marks over substance misuse in the past, to race in those conditions is phenomenal whichever way you look at it.
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Post by shrewder on Jul 1, 2022 16:30:47 GMT 1
Enjoying the first stage round Copenhagen.
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Post by staffordshrew on Jul 1, 2022 17:16:00 GMT 1
Enjoying the first stage round Copenhagen. I know they do that sort of thing these days, but it's confusing for geography students (and me) when it's reported that the Tour de France is in Copenhagen today...
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Post by GrizzlyShrew on Jul 1, 2022 18:11:22 GMT 1
Enjoying the first stage round Copenhagen. I know they do that sort of thing these days, but it's confusing for geography students (and me) when it's reported that the Tour de France is in Copenhagen today... It's all about money these days, the first 3 days are sold to areas outside of France for a huge amount. It's been in England in 1974, 1994, and 2014. Various countries neighbouring France many times, and even talk about going as far away as Ireland and even the USA at times over the years. I guess it's not too different that the Premier League idea of playing an additional game in the Far East a few years ago. The further away it is to France makes it a logistical nightmare for the teams. The riders will fly obviously but the problem of getting team cars and bikes back to France to start the next day means a long drive for the team helpers.
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Post by Pilch on Jul 1, 2022 21:05:33 GMT 1
I was thinking of boycotting it as France drive on the wrong side of the road
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Post by vladimir on Jul 1, 2022 21:55:51 GMT 1
Remarkable cock up by the ineos machine allowing their captain to take to the time trial in a flapping gilet still on over his thousands of pounds skin suit.
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Post by cheggersdrinkspop on Jul 2, 2022 0:12:59 GMT 1
Putting aside the drugs, controversy, blood transfusions etc etc this is an absolute beast of a sporting event. Anyone who has cycled for pleasure or exercise will look at this with envy, and how these guys can actually physically achieve what they do in 3 weeks is almost beyond belief from a medical point of view. I have been on some of the mountain routes in a car and that was a struggle to say the least, how they cycle up and down them is incredible. There are some great books and documentaries out there regarding "Le Tour" and some of it is just jaw dropping stuff. One book in particular is by an English guy who went out on his mountain bike originally to complete the stages from that year, very good read and it gives an insight to the immense physique of the riders and what they will do just to complete the stage, including defecating as they are riding!!. Its been well documented how some riders have cheated in the past to win, but there are many more who have done it clean and finished well down the field, and they have my utmost respect in what is a brutal 3 weeks, putting it mildly.
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Post by GrizzlyShrew on Jul 2, 2022 0:41:01 GMT 1
Putting aside the drugs, controversy, blood transfusions etc etc this is an absolute beast of a sporting event. Anyone who has cycled for pleasure or exercise will look at this with envy, and how these guys can actually physically achieve what they do in 3 weeks is almost beyond belief from a medical point of view. I have been on some of the mountain routes in a car and that was a struggle to say the least, how they cycle up and down them is incredible. There are some great books and documentaries out there regarding "Le Tour" and some of it is just jaw dropping stuff. One book in particular is by an English guy who went out on his mountain bike originally to complete the stages from that year, very good read and it gives an insight to the immense physique of the riders and what they will do just to complete the stage, including defecating as they are riding!!. Its been well documented how some riders have cheated in the past to win, but there are many more who have done it clean and finished well down the field, and they have my utmost respect in what is a brutal 3 weeks, putting it mildly. Absolutely. And puts most of todays superstar footballers to shame as athletes. Who was the former Wolves player that completed the Tour stages a few years ago as a charity ride? Think he stated it was harder than anything he had done as a footballer.
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Post by cheggersdrinkspop on Jul 2, 2022 6:59:26 GMT 1
Putting aside the drugs, controversy, blood transfusions etc etc this is an absolute beast of a sporting event. Anyone who has cycled for pleasure or exercise will look at this with envy, and how these guys can actually physically achieve what they do in 3 weeks is almost beyond belief from a medical point of view. I have been on some of the mountain routes in a car and that was a struggle to say the least, how they cycle up and down them is incredible. There are some great books and documentaries out there regarding "Le Tour" and some of it is just jaw dropping stuff. One book in particular is by an English guy who went out on his mountain bike originally to complete the stages from that year, very good read and it gives an insight to the immense physique of the riders and what they will do just to complete the stage, including defecating as they are riding!!. Its been well documented how some riders have cheated in the past to win, but there are many more who have done it clean and finished well down the field, and they have my utmost respect in what is a brutal 3 weeks, putting it mildly. Absolutely. And puts most of todays superstar footballers to shame as athletes. Who was the former Wolves player that completed the Tour stages a few years ago as a charity ride? Think he stated it was harder than anything he had done as a footballer. Geoff Thomas wasn't it? He was recovering or had recovered from cancer I believe, amazing feat in itself.
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Post by jimmelrosesjaw on Jul 2, 2022 9:39:13 GMT 1
I love watching the Tour de France not only for the race itself, but for the art and sculptures created by the supporters. Every year, the organisers allow members of the public to ride a stage of the tour. They close off the roads and include support vehicles. It is usually the toughest stage of the tour and this year’s ‘etape’ includes the minor climbs of Col du Galibier, Col du la Croix de Fer and Alpe d’Huez.
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Post by GrizzlyShrew on Jul 2, 2022 9:46:55 GMT 1
Absolutely. And puts most of todays superstar footballers to shame as athletes. Who was the former Wolves player that completed the Tour stages a few years ago as a charity ride? Think he stated it was harder than anything he had done as a footballer. Geoff Thomas wasn't it? He was recovering or had recovered from cancer I believe, amazing feat in itself. Yes that was him.
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Post by The Black Fingernail on Jul 2, 2022 16:51:50 GMT 1
Just moved down to the Pyrenees from Normandy, where I’ve seen a few stages. I’m really looking forward to stage eighteen this year, Lourdes to Hautacam, and will try to find a good mountainside position to watch. It’s the last mountain stage and will probably be the one to sort out the final GC.
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Post by Worthingshrew on Jul 2, 2022 17:19:16 GMT 1
Just moved down to the Pyrenees from Normandy, where I’ve seen a few stages. I’m really looking forward to stage eighteen this year, Lourdes to Hautacam, and will try to find a good mountainside position to watch. It’s the last mountain stage and will probably be the one to sort out the final GC. Can you wear a Town shirt and we’ll look out for you!
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Post by The Black Fingernail on Jul 2, 2022 18:15:20 GMT 1
Just moved down to the Pyrenees from Normandy, where I’ve seen a few stages. I’m really looking forward to stage eighteen this year, Lourdes to Hautacam, and will try to find a good mountainside position to watch. It’s the last mountain stage and will probably be the one to sort out the final GC. Can you wear a Town shirt and we’ll look out for you! I’m a bit long in the tooth for shirt wearing, although I have a few. I have a Shropshire flag from old anti-Brexit rallies, so may take that up. If I wake early enough, I may cycle up, if allowed, to get a decent vantage point. Whatever I decide, I’m sure it will be exciting.
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Post by shrewder on Jul 14, 2022 8:36:31 GMT 1
Yesterday was a brilliant with Vindegard taking the stage and the lead. Today promises to be even more exciting with a challenging route for Bastille Day.
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Post by shrewder on Jul 14, 2022 8:39:38 GMT 1
Vingegaard
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Post by The Black Fingernail on Jul 14, 2022 18:23:03 GMT 1
Another great day on Alpe d’Huez with a few British riders at the forefront. If you haven’t watched the live coverage, the highlights at 7pm on ITV4 are worth watching.
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