<p>The WNP2 family are die-hard watchers of the Tour. I cannot, cannot believe this year’s race. The number of crashes is insane. I watched the clip that Hops posted with the interview with Chris Horner and I was stunned by how disoriented he was. I can’t believe he wasn’t pulled from the race by his team manager. </p>
<p>I have heard lots of theories as to why there have been so many crashes, but it is just so sad. It is amazing no one has been killed.</p>
<p>We watch it! I am missing Lance and I am upset about all the crashes. It’s insane! What amazing scenery, too.</p>
<p>My H is an avid cyclist and watches every minute of the Tour. Therefore, by default, so do I. WNP2, please share your theory on the crashes.</p>
<p>I agree the scenery is spectacular. My biggest beef with the commentary is Bob Roll. He may be knowledgeable, but I get just wish he’d keep his hands still when he’s talking. I find it very distracting.</p>
<p>I had never even heard of the Tour De France before I was actually in France driving around and wondered what was up with all the cars with bicycles on them and discovered when we got to Lyon, where we were going to try to find a hotel for the night, that the whole city was booked up because it was the stop for the night for them (we had to go wuite a ways to another city to find a hotel that night). After that I noticed all of Europe seems pretty much into the TDF. This was before Lance was racing in it back when hardly anyone in the USA had even heard of it. </p>
<p>I can’t imagine riding a bike up the Alps.</p>
<p>Unacceptable for a car to hit the cyclists like that, wow.</p>
<p>uscd<em>ucla</em>dad - they have tour packages where you can ride the stage ahead of the riders and try your luck on a big mountain climb… heh.</p>
<p>A colleague of mine has done something like that a couple of times - kind of like a TDF groupie except he also brought his bike and rode some of the stages before or after the tour went through.</p>
<p>I LOVE the Tour! Such a beautiful way to pass the month of July!</p>
<p>As to why all the carnage, especially on Day 5, one of the analysts said that in the first week, everyone is nervous and jockeying for position going into the mountain stages. That, plus the narrow roads on that particular day, added up to lots of accidents. I remember a similar day last year.</p>
<p>The first year that the Tour of California came through Sacramento, I took the afternoon off work and positioned myself at the last corner going into the finish. It was amazing. As the peloton turned onto the street coming toward me, it looked so big and scary, heading right for me like a freight train. Then when they reached my corner, they were going so fast that I felt a breeze on the other side of the street. So thrilling!</p>
<p>I get e-mail and phone updates from my French friend. The crashes are insane, I agree.</p>
<p>I have watched it for years and years and years but for some reason am not interested this year. We usually spend part or all of July in France and could watch it live on TV every day. First followed Greg Lemond, then Miguel Indurain, then Lance Armstrong. Even watched a couple of times live when it when right in front of in-laws house. Agree that crashes are crazy this year.</p>
<p>My husband and daughter are both cyclist and we watch all televised bike races, not just the Tour de France. This year has been unreal with all the crashes! I cannot watch the clip of that car hitting the cyclist. On a positive note, we were happy to see the team time trial back!</p>
<p>LasMa… they jockey all the time though.</p>
<p>Earlier this year, someone died in a crash. And the cyclists should never be hit by a car.</p>
<p>H & I really enjoy watching the Tour. Granted, it’s more fun when the US has a real contender for the title, but nonetheless, we’re hooked. I cannot recall a Tour I’ve watched since Lance completed his amazing run that was so marred by awful crashes.
Perhaps those of you more knowledgeable can set me straight on that.</p>
<p>Love the scenery and the absolutely phenomenal video coverage by the helicopters.
Unbelievable. I also really appreciate the two main announcers, and Bob Roll. One in particular seems to provide most of the historic context of sights we are seeing and I always feel like I’m learning something.</p>
<p>I even mentioned to H that it would be fun to go to France some time and be there for the final ride into Paris after spending time in one/two of the smaller towns the riders pass by. Anybody ever done anything like that who might have some tips?</p>
<p>Anyway, I LOVE watching the Tour. I do favor watching the mountain stages as I get a little bored with the flat sections. The sprinters are incredible though.</p>
<p>I enjoy watching it on tv.</p>
<p>I’m not sure how interesting it would be to watch in person. The peleton zips by and in 30 seconds it’s over. Unless you are at the finish of a stage that ends with a mountain climb, maybe.</p>
<p>One of the big crashes was caused by a spectator, who seem to get more obnoxious and intrusive every year. And I hope the driver of that car is in jail, assault with a deadly weapon and leaving the scene of an accident.</p>
<p>Actually, if you’re going to watch any stages, I would advise watching a mountainous or semi-mountainous stage toward the end where the riders are all spread out. The roads are closed off that morning except for a few crossings. The publicity caravan passes first for at least an hour the riders. They throw out lots of candy, flyers, caps, all kinds of stuff that kids love. </p>
<p>One year when Lemond was riding it went right by the house. However, it was only about 25 km from the start in a relatively flat area. They all went through so fast, I was trying to take a couple of pictures and didn’t see anything.</p>
<p>Being stationed in Europe in the late '80s/early 90s, we were lucky to see the Tour first hand several times. Besides the thrill of the actual bicycle racing (such speeds!), we were always enthralled by the advertising caravan that precedes the Tour. Vehicles of all descriptions (think “Oscar Meyer Weiner Mobile” x 10 in garishness!), advertising everything from kid’s pajamas to ice cream to motor oil, in a parade several miles in length, keeps the roadside crowd entertained in the several hours before the cyclists actually appear. Wonderful experience!</p>
<p>Oh, and should you attend the Tour in person, and park your car well-off the side of the road, on a flat section that you assume will allow a good view of the race, ensure you haven’t stopped where 180+ riders decide to take a “natural break” 100km into the stage. We made that mistake: once!</p>
<p>Thrilling time trial today, and it was great to see Cadel Evans win. Advance Australia Fair!</p>
<p>My husband was pretty sure Cadel would win all along. I didn’t agree. Glad he did, though.</p>
<p>I was rooting for Andy Schleck but was really happy with Cadel Evans’ win. What a deserving guy and it was wonderful for this win to be “pure”. With the time trial he rode yesterday, it was clear he had earned it. A fantastic champion…Go Cadel!</p>
<p>Cadel Evans deserves this… excellent high point to a good cycling career. I think he is the oldest winner of the tour now?</p>
<p>
Not the oldest, but close. His performance in the time trial was amazing. I’m glad to see an untainted win at the Tour.</p>