Tour de France

[Alicante]

No, can't get ITV4 here.

Used to watch it - and love it - in years gone by. But just like athletics, in the light of recent disclosures ... Did the best man win? Or the one who took the biggest dose of smack? The magic is gone ...

I know what you mean! I still enjoy watching but do question some of the performances. However I don't think that it any less clean than other professional sports and at least the cycling authorities admit there is a problem and are trying to do something about it.
Tennis on the other hand just buries it head in the sand!

[mrbadexample]

I love the tour but am not sure how the allotment will cope- it has become used to my every waking hour! I have hardly seen any cycling since the spring classics!

Cycling is the main reason all my stuff was late this year.

[PyreneesPlot]

We have a treat this year, with 2 departs close by - Tarbes on the 14th which will be some party and then Lannemezan, our nearest town on the 16th.
I'll be standing somewhere at the top of the Cote de Mauvezin (Cat 3) on the 15th as that is but a stroll from home. That is Tourmalet/Aspin day but you need to get in place so early we'll watch them live at Mauvezin and then walk home for a BBQ and watch the serious climbing on the box.
My money is on Quintana for this year

[Bonsai Si]

I know what you mean! I still enjoy watching but do question some of the performances. However I don't think that it any less clean than other professional sports and at least the cycling authorities admit there is a problem and are trying to do something about it.
Tennis on the other hand just buries it head in the sand!

I agree, Cycling is often seen as the dirtiest sport because yes it has been the one sensationalised and demonised the most; but also because it has publicly tried to do something about this cancer in the sport.

I'll be utterly honest, the Armstrong issue still has me screwed up in my head as I am anti doping, but the man was such a legend and doing what he did so he could compete and yes beat, others doing the same as he was.

Cycling has it's clean streak now though, Cav, Wiggo and certain others who do fly the flag for clean cycling and sports. Is it tinged with the dread they test positive one day, sadly yes, but for now I'll enjoy them riding high and beating the world because that is what you do with heroes.

It does annoy me when other sports have a drug scandal and a day later it is done and dusted in the public, more so how little the sporting bodies do about it, as you point out Tennis just call for new balls and act like nothing happened.

There should be a call for 2 versions of all major sporting events, one for clean athletes and one for the dopers. Sadly though I am sure the one with the dopers would get more viewers. Mostly as people would want to see the extreme performances, but a good chunk watching to see someone die...

[Bonsai Si]

We have a treat this year, with 2 departs close by - Tarbes on the 14th which will be some party and then Lannemezan, our nearest town on the 16th.
I'll be standing somewhere at the top of the Cote de Mauvezin (Cat 3) on the 15th as that is but a stroll from home. That is Tourmalet/Aspin day but you need to get in place so early we'll watch them live at Mauvezin and then walk home for a BBQ and watch the serious climbing on the box.
My money is on Quintana for this year

So lucky! Enjoy.

[Alicante]

We have a treat this year, with 2 departs close by - Tarbes on the 14th which will be some party and then Lannemezan, our nearest town on the 16th.
I'll be standing somewhere at the top of the Cote de Mauvezin (Cat 3) on the 15th as that is but a stroll from home. That is Tourmalet/Aspin day but you need to get in place so early we'll watch them live at Mauvezin and then walk home for a BBQ and watch the serious climbing on the box.
My money is on Quintana for this year

I am so envious! Hope you have a great time.

[Greenleaves]

Not so much into the cycling but love the scenery and what people have created to catch the eye of the helicopters.

[Bonsai Si]

I agree, part of the charm of watching each day is for the little moments away from the riders as they go riding by of the work, effort and artistry of Farmers, locals and fans expressing their love of what is going through their little part of the world.

[Scarlet]

We have a treat this year, with 2 departs close by - Tarbes on the 14th which will be some party and then Lannemezan, our nearest town on the 16th.
I'll be standing somewhere at the top of the Cote de Mauvezin (Cat 3) on the 15th as that is but a stroll from home. That is Tourmalet/Aspin day but you need to get in place so early we'll watch them live at Mauvezin and then walk home for a BBQ and watch the serious climbing on the box.
My money is on Quintana for this year

My OH wants to know if he can come and stay with you! He's feeling green with envy

[kris1960]

As an Australian am pleased for Dennis-it was a fantastic time, though I will probably be supporting Sky. BMC might struggle to handle the leadership.

[Alicante]

As an Australian am pleased for Dennis-it was a fantastic time, though I will probably be supporting Sky. BMC might struggle to handle the leadership.

He was great wasn"t he?
Just got back from the allotment and am going to sit down and watch stage two. Hopefully it has recorded properly, something that is not always guaranteed with Eurosport

[kris1960]

Couldn't have worked out better for Contador and Froome. Not sure what I think about the end, felt sorry for Tony Martin, though nice seeing Cancellara in yellow.

[Bonsai Si]

Poor Fabian. =/

[PyreneesPlot]

Poor Fabian. =/

Not looking good for William Bonnet, either. So much for an easy day 3 - and the cobbles are going to be even worse for those bruised bodies today.

[kris1960]

Chuffed for Tony Martin! Fab Four all looked good on the cobbles.
Does anyone else listen to the cycling podcast? Richard Moore, Lionel Birnie and Daniel Friebe- I think that they do a great job, it is idiosyncratic,atmospheric and informative.
The main website does not update quickly but I find if I get to it via audioboom, episodes are available sooner.