2016 Tour de France

[Bonus]

Yah 2007 Prologue, was great, I flopped on the bed and ordered up room service, was a little slow but then I understand, this is London after all.  

 

..but Yeah, just kidding, I know what you mean, there is a certain electricity in the air, but as with any event where its moving, too me its just not worth the hassle, in effect you see a few minutes of the event at best, all sorts of things go on in other areas you cant see, and until you go watch the highlights later on TV you dont really know what went on!.

 

I used to be a great Formula 1 fan, I still follow it, but over the years I have been to almost all the race tracks world wide, it was much the same, chaotic and overcrowded and in my opinion best watched on TV.

Actually the track I enjoyed most was the one in Hungary because no one went there, so it was always a pleasure and there was space to move, but again they whizz past and then they are gone,.... then when they whizz past again you note there is a mysterious disappearance of one car.....  

 

Sports like Soccer, Rugby, Cricket, etc which are played in a stadium are great to go visit live because you see the entire event, in moving sports like bike racing, car racing etc you just see the bit where you are, and in my case thats mostly the wrong spot.

 

I would only go for the atmosphere. If you actually want to watch something like this properly I agree, TV is your best option.

[Gen]

I would only go for the atmosphere. If you actually want to watch something like this properly I agree, TV is your best option.

One event I would love to see live is Flanders.. atmosphere great and they put big screens by all the spectators points.. plus as they do some loops you see them more than once.. and the Belgium cycling fans are apparently amazing.

 

Actually I assume it is the same at the TDF.. big screens at the major spectator points.

[Bonus]

Certainly big screens at the stage finishes and big screens on the Champs Elysees on the final day. Not sure about the most famous corners on some of the major climbs? Possibly.

 

I've seen the last stage in Paris several times and the atmosphere is amazing. You have to get there early to get a front row seat though!

[Joe Low]

Yah, somehow I am just not that interested this year, seems very low key to me. 

 

Yah, I hear you but in all honesty if you really want to watch an event, any event really, its always better on your TV (well in my humble opinion  ) 

 

I was in London for the start of the TDF, it was a nightmare, restaurants were overfilled, coffee shops had lines 50 deep, the underground was packed to capacity, you had to line up 6 hours ahead of the start to get within 4 people rows of the barriers, everyone was hot and bothered and irritable, I got as far as the underground, people were almost fighting to force their way in and those squeezed up like sardines inside were fighting to keep them out. I turned around and went back and watched it in my hotel with a cold beer and some nuts in comfort. Not for me I am afraid.

 

Maybe I am just old.    

 

Two years back we perched on a hillock in Yorkshire from 9am til they came past around 4pm. 

 

But the next day in London we were outside Buckingham Palace for the finish, waited 30mins and there they were.

 

Good to do once and if (ok twice) you're in the neighbourhood.

 

Cant understand the feeling against Richie Porte on this thread - I thought he was self-less and a bit heroic on previous tours.  If he was self-promoting as a contender then I that might be different.

 

But then he's Australian so maybe that counts against him, like the ire Cavendish used to get here being a pom.

[Bonus]

Richy was a great support rider, but there's a world of difference between being "good or great" and "the best" during the last 30 seconds of a sprint or the last 3km of a climb.

 

I'd like to see him do well this year but I suspect he might struggle to remain in contention for the full three weeks. As do most of the riders.

[Joe Low]

Richy was a great support rider, but there's a world of difference between being "good or great" and "the best" during the last 30 seconds of a sprint or the last 3km of a climb.

 

I'd like to see him do well this year but I suspect he might struggle to remain in contention for the full three weeks. As do most of the riders.

 

CN profiled 10 riders including RP, so he ought to achieve top-ten whilst producing some exciting moments.

 

Cycling Weekly listed four riders as genuine contenders and he wasn't one of those - nothing wrong.

[Mntboy]

Two years back we perched on a hillock in Yorkshire from 9am til they came past around 4pm.

 

But the next day in London we were outside Buckingham Palace for the finish, waited 30mins and there they were.

 

Good to do once and if (ok twice) you're in the neighbourhood.

 

Cant understand the feeling against Richie Porte on this thread - I thought he was self-less and a bit heroic on previous tours. If he was self-promoting as a contender then I that might be different.

 

But then he's Australian so maybe that counts against him, like the ire Cavendish used to get here being a pom.

It's because RP failed to sign for DiData!

 

I actually rather like Porte, he comes across as a very decent person and is in general a good rider especially in the shorter tours. I think the negative comments stem from a belief that he might be overstretching his racing abilities. As EmptyB pointedly reminded everyone he tends to have one really awful day and in a Grand Tour, more especially the TdF, that can and probably will cost you a podium never mind the win.

 

However as with his teammate TvG, I really hope he does well.

[scotty]

 

Cant understand the feeling against Richie Porte on this thread - I thought he was self-less and a bit heroic on previous tours.  If he was self-promoting as a contender then I that might be different.

 

But then he's Australian so maybe that counts against him, like the ire Cavendish used to get here being a pom.

Any rider that could help Froome gain valuable seconds by pacing him up the climb in the Dauphine is ok in my books. 

[Gen]

Any rider that could help Froome gain valuable seconds by pacing him up the climb in the Dauphine is ok in my books.

[emoji23] [emoji23]

['Dale]

EQS Team

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Tujo1PYJPE

It's getting real now.....????????????????????????

['Dale]

Millar on how to beat Froome Dawg ????

 

http://www.cyclingnews.com/blogs/author/how-to-beat-chris-froome-at-the-tour-de-france/

[ScottCM]

Cant understand the feeling against Richie Porte on this thread - I thought he was self-less and a bit heroic on previous tours.  If he was self-promoting as a contender then I that might be different.

 

But then he's Australian so maybe that counts against him, like the ire Cavendish used to get here being a pom.

 

RP is a very good rider, I like the guy but I don't see him as a true GC contender. He's more in the league of an Uran and Valverde. All extremely good in their own rights and at their own "type" of races but not a Grand Tour GC contender. For me Richie is the GC equivalent of Mark Renshaw. The best lieutenants in the business. Without them their Captains Froome and Cav would not have been able to become such an unstoppable force (when in their prime) but alone they themselves won't be the best of the business either.

 

Still hope Richie beats all things "blue train" this year!!

[Gen]

But first.. this week will see many cyclist compete at their Nationals

 

On the menu today

[Davey_Jones]

Who is doing TDF superbru?

[Pure Savage]

But first.. this week will see many cyclist compete at their Nationals

 

On the menu today

Pity Pete K is injured and cannot defend the hatric

[Gen]

Who is doing TDF superbru?

We have our very own fancy TDF here.. it's too much fun