Tour de France Supporters & Enthusiasts Thread

[Bof]

This thread is for people who enjoy the magnificent spectacle that is the Tour de France cycle race, currently being held.
If anyone wants to bag the event would they please do so elsewhere. Thank you.

I look forward to the race every year. I used to race in my youth and find it invigorating to watch, both the athletes and the scenery.
In yesterday's coverage, for example the helicopter filmed a long, lingering tracking shot of a Pyrenean condor.

The sheer courage and determination of the riders is amazing. Alexander Vinokourov, with something like 60 stitches in his knees and elbow, winning the stage yesterday is something I'll remember for a very long time.

It's a shame that so many Aussies have been injured in crashes, the worst being Stuart O'Grady, who suffered fractures on five of his front ribs, three fractures in his back lower ribs, a punctured lung and a shoulder fracture. X-rays and the scan ruled out any spinal damage. He said that it only hurt when he laughed and expects to be back racing within weeks!

I think that someone said they were going to watch the time trial last Saturday and it would be good to hear a report from them.

[Honeysuckle]

I hope it's fine weather on Saturday ... the last time trail was awful ... taking those descents in that driving rain.... they are either really brave or really crazee. Weather reports are looking good so far.

When this year's tour started, I saw Vino as just a machine .... wow.... what respect I have for him now. He just never gives up does he. I almost cried when he won the time trial.

We're driving down on Friday to set up camp and catch some of that day's stage and will then be there for the whole of the time trial. I can't wait ... I'll let you know all about it. I'll even send you a gift if any of the riders throw drinks bottles, etc, near me (I'll fight any small children nearby off!)

I'll have to time it well so that when my favourites are due to come by, it's hubbie's turn to take the dogs of and throw a frisbee so they don't get bored.

It's nice to have a positive thread set up for supporters - thanks for setting it up Bof.

[Bof]

When this year's tour started, I saw Vino as just a machine .... wow.... what respect I have for him now. He just never gives up does he. I almost cried when he won the time trial.



I'll have to time it well so that when my favourites are due to come by, it's hubbie's turn to take the dogs of and throw a frisbee so they don't get bored.

It's nice to have a positive thread set up for supporters - thanks for setting it up Bof.

For some strange reason, I find it funny that Vinokourov and the other Astana riders have 'Kazakhstan Railways' on the back of their knicks!

Hint for hubby: Don't throw the frisbee across the road. :no: One dog being skittled was quite enough!

Give Cadel Evans an 'Allez! Allez!' for me please.

[harper]

I wish I had acess to more coverage of the tour. I love watching it.

When I'm at work I read the updates live on eurosport.

I love riding my bike and I think it's just amazing what these athletes can do!

[Honeysuckle]

Hint for hubby: Don't throw the frisbee across the road. :no: One dog being skittled was quite enough!

Give Cadel Evans an 'Allez! Allez!' for me please.


Dogs will be kept well and firmly under control and entertained - there are enough idiot people running alongside the riders - they don't need two scatty dogs 'helping' them on their way!

I'll certianly give Cadel an allez allez for you.


All I need to do now is get out on my own bike and get a bit fitter!

[Honeysuckle]

Bad news!

Astana have withdrawn the entire team after Vinokourov tested positive.

I'm really gutted. Especially for Kloeden. His second sample hasn't been tested yet, so let's not make assumptions, but how sad.

It's just not going to be the same for the rest of le Tour.

[harper]

Bad news!

Astana have withdrawn the entire team after Vinokourov tested positive.

I'm really gutted. Especially for Kloeden. His second sample hasn't been tested yet, so let's not make assumptions, but how sad.

It's just not going to be the same for the rest of le Tour.
That sucks.... What a let down :-/

[harper]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/cycling/6914924.stm

[Honeysuckle]

OH this is going from bad to worse!

Poor Bradley Wiggins (and rest of team of course).

I must say, I never like Rasputin (!) ... he always looked like he had something to hide. And when she shaved all his hair off, I was convinced. Hubbie thought it was go keep his head cool in the Pyrenees .... but noooo! He's shadie!

I'm so gutted .... there's little enough in the world to give you a great big lift, that you can share will millions around the world. Shuch a friggin shame.

Allez Allez Cadel.

[Bof]

Watching yesterday's stage, I felt no interest at all in Rasmussen when he was leading up the last climb, but I was willing Cadel on, which was pretty silly as I was watching a recording! I just had a funny feeling about Rasmussen. Maybe I'm psychic.
There was a lovely moment when Vicente Garcia Acosta (No 13) took the time to wave to a little kid at the roadside. For some reason, it really appealed to me. :)

[Bof]

You can vote on what you think of the tour. The 'Go Cadel' option is leading in a big way:
http://tdf.sbs.com.au/index.php#yoursay

[Honeysuckle]

Bof - you get more and more handsomener every day. Can I have a signed atavar pic. It's for me, not for selling on Ebay.

[Bof]

Bof - you get more and more handsomener every day. Can I have a signed atavar pic. It's for me, not for selling on Ebay.

I hate to admit that the handsome fellow in my avatar is not me, but Sir Les Patterson, late Australian Cultural Attaché to the Court of St James and ex Minister for the Yarts.
Would that I looked that good.
See also: http://www.sirlespatterson.com/

[Bof]

It's getting so exciting! Only seconds between the top 3 riders and one of them, Levi Leipheimer, is a PETA supporter (See the PETA thread). :)

The last stage (Sunday) is usually a social ride, with riders drinking champagne en route, but I think it might be a bit different this year!

Go the Aussie!

[Bof]

'The Saunier-Duval professional cycling team will plant a tree in Mali for every kilometre raced by the team in 2007. The goal is to race 1,000,000 team miles over the course of the season, with time in breakaways counting double.

I wonder what the actual dollar value of the action is. How much does it cost to plant a tree in Mali? It might be under $1, though it is hard to imagine it being much less. Let’s assume for the sake of discussion the per-tree value is $1 and the total distance is 1,000,000 season kilometres. I am guessing that the team costs $8M to run annually, so the tree planting would represent around 12% of the team budget. That is a lot! Good for Saunier-Duval.' :)

[Honeysuckle]

I was at the time trial on Saturday and it was an amazing day.

Anybody who thinks the sport is on it's last legs should have seen the thousands of people who got up before 6am in order to nab a place on the road before it was closed at 7.30am ... and the riders didn't even start coming through until gone 1pm.

The road was jammed with supporters out with their families - there were so many children there who had a blast.

I was at the 25k to the finish mark and had a fantastic view, a really long sweeping incline. The riders went by in a blur - especially Levi, I've never seen a bike move so fast!

I screamed myself hoarse for Cadel Evans for you Bof. (Isaw him earlier in the day when he rode out in the morning to check out the route along with some of the other big names.)

The French junior team rode out just after the caravan, and also some guys with one leg - all of them got a massive cheer.

It was a really great day and I'm looking forward to next year. I really hope the new president gets to grips with the doping issue, which was a big marr this year. I can't wait for October for the route to be announced - hope it comes close to me again.

PS - Saw smiling French police for the first time ever!!

[Bof]

You didn't cheer quite loudly enough though! :no:

The SBS commentators (both very experienced ex TDF riders) made the point that cycling is dealing with the drugs issue out in the open, while other sports, like athletics, are 'sweeping it under the carpet'
They also noted that the riders getting caught using drugs are the older ones and we have a new strain of 'clean' riders coming through, like Cadel.

Thanks for being my proxy Honeysuckle. :D
Let's do it again next year. :yes:

[Honeysuckle]

Yeah, definately on again for next year Bof!

David Millar said that, even though it mayn't seem like it to us supporters, that this tour has actually been one of the cleanest. While it's a shock (kind of) for such big riders to be caught - at least the tour are dealing with it.

Same can't be said for a lot of other sports.

I'm feeling a sense of loss now that it's all over!

[Bof]

David Millar said that, even though it mayn't seem like it to us supporters, that this tour has actually been one of the cleanest. While it's a shock (kind of) for such big riders to be caught - at least the tour are dealing with it.

Same can't be said for a lot of other sports.



David Millar was interviewed by SBS a few days ago about Rasmussen and Vinokourov and they had to bleep out most of his answers, but I could work out what he was saying! And I totally f*****g agree with him! :D

Cadel is hardly getting a mention in the Oz media. You'd think he'd get huge accolades and congratulations from the PM, which he would if he were a cricketer. Now I know how the Australian netball team feel!

[Honeysuckle]

Now I know how the Australian netball team feel!

Did they do well at something then??



What's a possum? Is it like a small roo? Or is it like the big rat things? (but sweeter)

A couple of miles down the road after seeing my first roos, we stopped to ask directions and I was really excited and told the farmer-bloke-fella what I'd just seen and that it was just down the road and if he hurried he might see it himself. He looked at me like an English person would if someone told them they'd seen a cat down the street. I got really close to it before I realised that it was really quite a big, powerful, wild animal and I might like to get back in the car!

[Bof]

Did they do well at something then??

Probably. Who cares - it's only women's sport.



What's a possum? Is it like a small roo? Or is it like the big rat things? (but sweeter)
Ringtail possums are a bit like big furry rats. Brushtails are even bigger and cuter.

A couple of miles down the road after seeing my first roos, we stopped to ask directions and I was really excited and told the farmer-bloke-fella what I'd just seen and that it was just down the road and if he hurried he might see it himself. He looked at me like an English person would if someone told them they'd seen a cat down the street. I got really close to it before I realised that it was really quite a big, powerful, wild animal and I might like to get back in the car!

I didn't know, until one of the commentators mentioned it that there's a mob of about 30 roos in that area of France. A big male roo can be up to 1.8m tall and could easily kill someone.

[Bof]

Andrew Denton is interviewing Cadel Evans on Monday evening. The programme will be available for download (http://www.abc.net.au/tv/enoughrope/) on Tuesday. Denton is an excellent interviewer so it should be worth watching.