Author Topic: Are you watching/following the Tour de France this year? (Read 11071 times)

rogerzilla · « **on:** 14 July, 2010, 05:35:41 pm »

Just wondering...

toekneep · « **Reply #1 on:** 14 July, 2010, 05:38:31 pm »

How about: Yes, they're all on drugs.

Oaky · « **Reply #2 on:** 14 July, 2010, 05:56:14 pm »

I like the idea that chief mentioned to me one day. There should be two classes within athletic competitions: "turbocharged" and "normally aspirated".

Noodley · « **Reply #3 on:** 14 July, 2010, 06:29:22 pm »

well that didn't last long before turning to comments about drugs....

a new record?

toekneep · « **Reply #4 on:** 14 July, 2010, 06:37:28 pm »

Quote from: Noodley on 14 July, 2010, 06:29:22 pm

well that didn't last long before turning to comments about drugs....

a new record?

Well strictly speaking it started out with a comment about drugs since that was one of the options.

Aidan · « **Reply #5 on:** 14 July, 2010, 06:38:54 pm »

I follow avidly and enjoy it. I like the scenery .

IanDG · « **Reply #6 on:** 14 July, 2010, 06:55:33 pm »

Avidly (and cynically)

GruB · « **Reply #7 on:** 14 July, 2010, 07:47:05 pm »

Yep, totally loving it. I don't think they are all on drugs this year either. Look at Samuel Sanchez yesterday and Cadel and even Lance. All knackered.

perpetual dan · « **Reply #8 on:** 14 July, 2010, 07:52:58 pm »

I ticked mildly as I've really enjoyed the ones I've watched but having been away I'm still several days behind and that doesn't really qualify for avid.

Adam · « **Reply #9 on:** 14 July, 2010, 08:33:45 pm »

Quote from: Aidan on 14 July, 2010, 06:38:54 pm

I follow avidly and enjoy it. I like the scenery .

Definitely +1.

The TdF rules are stuck on the fridge, and they are being obeyed.

oncemore · « **Reply #10 on:** 14 July, 2010, 09:22:48 pm »

When possible I watch about the last hour each day quite "avidly" - so I ticked the first box!

kevinp · « **Reply #11 on:** 14 July, 2010, 10:00:23 pm »

I am also watching it .. I have no work so I'm even getting paid to watch it

The only thing I don't understand is why we can't watch all of it, from the start. I know that it would be a few hours of tv but they wouldn't start a football match in the last quarter would they.

Rhys W · « **Reply #12 on:** 14 July, 2010, 11:02:13 pm »

I watched it all from km 0 yesterday, apart from about 20km when I had to pop out.

It gives a real idea of how a whole day in the saddle feels like, when you watch the entire stage from the sofa.

Jakob · « **Reply #13 on:** 14 July, 2010, 11:06:10 pm »

Would watch it if I could, but the stages finishes about the time I get up and there's no way to watch it online at work and with the hours I work at the moment, that means I don't get to watch it. I try to keep up with the news, though.

citoyen · « **Reply #14 on:** 14 July, 2010, 11:17:56 pm »

Last Sunday, I was supposed to be doing jobs in the garden but I couldn't tear myself away from the screen until it was all over. Fortunately, by that time it was a bit cooler outside, so it worked out quite well. During the week, I watch the live ITV feed at my desk while pretending to work. Sometimes, it's so engrossing, I forget to pretend.

As noted elsewhere, I found certain elements of yesterday's stage a bit depressing, which has spoiled my enjoyment in some respects, but overall, I still love the spectacle of it. Even if it can't quite match this year's Giro for excitement - yeah, the cobbles stage was thrilling but it was trumped by the strade bianchi stage on the Giro.

I didn't watch it live today because I was too busy with actual work, but I'll definitely be tuning in tomorrow to see Cav take his third stage of this year's Tour.

d.

Torslanda · « **Reply #15 on:** 14 July, 2010, 11:32:44 pm »

Not since Floyd suddenly performed a volte face and went 'Actually, Guys! Its OK! I was on drugs all the frikkin' time!'

FWIW I believe in Lance and Johann but the Landis thing is just the one that tips it over the edge.

Bolleaux to 'em, I say. I get no pleasure from watching fit young men putting themselves through hell and for what? To die in obscurity some time in their mid 40s cos their hearts can't pump Lyles Golden Syrup?

I used to love watching cycle racing, now it just leaves a bad taste . . .

luv'n'stuff

J

TheLurker · « **Reply #16 on:** 15 July, 2010, 08:24:42 am »

Yeah, but without my usual enthusiasm. Pretty much limited to reading the Grauniad reports and checking the standings at the end of each day.

andygates · « **Reply #17 on:** 15 July, 2010, 09:51:47 am »

Hell yes. Cav is great soap opera. The leader tussle is practically a bromance. Crashes! Carbon! Alps!

JT · « **Reply #18 on:** 15 July, 2010, 10:16:19 am »

Absolutely.

Mrs JT and I were in Brussels for Stage 1 and then followed it through Belgium and France right up until after the start of Stage 6 in Montargis.*

Now that we're back home we Sky+ Eurosport HD's live coverage and the ITV highlights programme (for the interviews and VT segments) and do not peek at the results during the afternoon.

*We were lucky on this trip because while we were in Brussels, Dave Brailsford remembered us from the track worlds in Copenhagen earlier in the year. He had a word with press officer, Fran Millar (David Millar's sister), who looked after us very well.

A couple of my best photos from Stage 3:

My Tour de France 2020 photo set on Flickr

pcolbeck · « **Reply #19 on:** 15 July, 2010, 10:27:41 am »

Best first week for years. Usually I find the first few days a bit tedious. I did like last years prologue in Monaco though that was a good idea.

Exit Stage Left · « **Reply #20 on:** 15 July, 2010, 10:37:26 am »

I like spotting branches of Lidl (handy to get a feel for this as the beer is very cheap and good quality) and interpreting the banners. Did anyone else get the significance of a flag with a picture of Homer Simpson's religious neighbour on the cobbled stage?

citoyen · « **Reply #21 on:** 15 July, 2010, 10:40:33 am »

Great pics, JT!

citoyen · « **Reply #22 on:** 15 July, 2010, 10:45:39 am »

JT's pic of Cancellara followed by Schleck followed by Evans followed by Hushovd followed by (can't see but presumably) Thomas illustrates one of the things that's great about the Tour de France (and bike racing in general) - in what other sport can you get up so close to see the world's top pros in action?

d.

Mr Larrington · « **Reply #23 on:** 15 July, 2010, 10:52:42 am »

Quote from: citizen smudge on 15 July, 2010, 10:45:39 am

JT's pic of Cancellara followed by Schleck followed by Evans followed by Hushovd followed by (can't see but presumably) Thomas illustrates one of the things that's great about the Tour de France (and bike racing in general) - in what other sport can you get up so close to see the world's top pros in action?

Rallying?

JT · « **Reply #24 on:** 15 July, 2010, 10:56:33 am »

Quote from: citizen smudge on 15 July, 2010, 10:40:33 am

Great pics, JT!

Thanks.

Quote from: citizen smudge on 15 July, 2010, 10:45:39 am

JT's pic of Cancellara followed by Schleck followed by Evans followed by Hushovd followed by (can't see but presumably) Thomas illustrates one of the things that's great about the Tour de France (and bike racing in general) - in what other sport can you get up so close to see the world's top pros in action?

d.

Yes it's Thomas after Evans.

Spot on about how close you can get and it's even better on the big mountains because they are that much slower.

To take the above photos I was crouched down so even closer to the riders if you like. This chasing group (with Hesjedal in front of them) really came thundering through and with the noise and dust being generated by the fans, riders, motos and cars - it was incredible. Really, tremendously exciting to be in amongst the action.

Poll

Are you watching/following the Tour de France this year?

Author Topic: Are you watching/following the Tour de France this year? (Read 11071 times)

kevinp

Jakob