Tour De France

[paulllambert]

Chris Froome fell off his bike yesterday, and had to have x-rays to determine whether or not he could continue. I've been watching the highlights, and apparently the peloton slowed down "to let him catch up". What's that all about? Also, he had running repairs to his injuries, whilst being towed along by a moving car. I don't understand it........is it just me?

[Lie-in King]

This is a genuine question & I mean no ill-will to anyone, nor am I being rude about their interests!

Do you all genuinely find it interesting to watch people riding bikes?

Sorry, but the appeal is beyond me - last bike I was on was a blue Chopper - now that was fun!

[Frank97]

Yes, I do, once you have a good understanding of what is going on, it's fascinating.

[Frank97]

Admittedly, I'm usually doing something at the same time though, I'm not sat exclusively glued to it!

[Lie-in King]

I understand some of it (I think!?), but have never been able to pay enough attention to the rules & rank it with F1, tennis, boxing & horse racing as boring & unwatchable - apologies to Frank & all the other fans!

[Frank97]

We're all different LiK, personally I can't stand watching football, although I gather It's rather popular. ;-)

[ChillDoubt]

Do you all genuinely find it interesting to watch people riding bikes?
------------------------
Absolutely. Courage, fortitude, application and determination in some of the most testing and contrasting conditions that can be thrown at a sportsman.
What's not to like, admire and encourage?

[Lie-in King]

Frank - lol :-)

Chill - all fair points! As I said, I didn't mean to denigrate the sport, the riders or the fans - I know it's hugely popular but not for me :-)

[zakajhan]

new judge campers turned viewing cycle race as part of holiday on moors which were superb

[jomifl]

NJ, watching le tour is actually great fun. It passed through a nearby village recently and the preceeding caravan with it's wacky vehicles and piles of free handouts, then the race followed by what amounts to a street party is something worth experiencing. Preferably I must admit better in the south of France.

[ChillDoubt]

Preferably I must admit better in the south of France.
-------------------
Sure is jomifl, I'll be in Nimes for it 2 weeks today! Can't wait.

[penelope2]

I have friends who live minutes from the Champs Elyses, I go every year to watch the last stage, truly incredible. Has to be experienced to be believed.

[jomifl]

Chill, I envy you , it isn't coming anywhere near us this year. I do like to suss out my viewing point in advance so as to get a view unobstructed by (the other) idiots, so don't want to do a recce. too far away.

[ichkeria]

"Do you all genuinely find it interesting to watch people riding bikes? "

Yes, oddly enough: it isn't just the cyclists but the scenery. Contrast with Formula One, which someone mentioned. The 47th shot of the hospitality tent next to the pits just in front of the umpteenth Shell logo, is absolutely fascinating :-)

[New Judge]

My answer was deliberately flippant, ChillDoubt as I cannot take take push bike riding too seriously, as arduous as it obviously is, but each to their own. But since you take issue with my deliberately tongue-in-cheek analogy, it may surprise you to learn that in Formula One the remaining competitors do not kindly wait for a driver who has suffered a "mechanical" (i.e. visited the pits for a compulsory tyre change) to catch up !!!!!

[ChillDoubt]

But since you take issue with my deliberately tongue-in-cheek analogy, it may surprise you to learn that in Formula One the remaining competitors do not kindly wait for a driver who has suffered a "mechanical" (i.e. visited the pits for a compulsory tyre change) to catch up !!!!!
------------------------
Probably because a mechanical in cycling lasts a matter of seconds and they are rarely(if ever) terminal in relation to a riders ability in finishing the race.
In F1, they more than often are.
And yet, when there's an accident in F1 they often deploy a safety car, thereby giving everyone else a chance to at the very least catch up, so isn't that similar?

[Peter Pedant]

If I had fallen off a bike three times I think I would call it a day.

Some of the road burns are terribly painful, and the idea of jumping on a bike after a sleepless night - oo - ee

[Svejk]

///And yet, when there's an accident in F1 they often deploy a safety car, thereby giving everyone else a chance to at the very least catch up, so isn't that similar? ///

Are you having a laugh? How would you like to come upon cars parked in the fast lane (the 180mph fast lane) on your drive to the bike race.
Or 'Chilli, Chilli, grab that brush and give that track a quick sweep before the next car comes around the corner'

[ChillDoubt]

Not sure what you mean Svejk.
I don't see nor get passed by too many F1 cars on my way to watch a stage of the TdF, ToB etc....!

[Svejk]

don't you?

[ChillDoubt]

Nope, never seen an F1 car on the public highway.
Maybe it's different on Planet Svejk. LOL