I'm a big fan of TDF and watch it avidly. I watch the entire race on UK's ITV catch-up. I love all the races within races and the complexity and dynamics of it. It's like watching a fast and colourful moving game of chess!
Hi Jay. "A fast and colorful moving game of chess: is a GREAT analogy! I have friends who just don't understand how I can watch it all and I try to get them to give it a chance. I suppose being a cyclist is going to make watching the Tour more interesting.
I’ve been watching it every day. Intriguing stuff. The guys are supermen. The strategy is incredibly interesting . Stay healthy and good luck with your ongoing care. Best wishes. Mark.
Hi Mark. they really are supermen. I forget who it was but last week one of the riders dislocated his elbow and put it back himself and continued to ride. A pro baseball player strains a thumb and is out 2 months!
The cyclists who ride in the Tour de France are such impressive athletes. Although I enjoy watching the stages, it is so hard for me to relate to their abilities. Thank you for the explanation of the stages... Very enlightening. Hang tough, David! 🙏🙏🙏
Hi Tom. I think the fact that their abilities are so unrelate\able is part of what makes it so intriguing to me.There's a velodrome close to my home and back when I rode a DF I'd go over there and ride around and see how fast I could go. Fastest I ever made it was 27 mph and I held it for about 5 seconds. These guys go 27 mph and look like they're doing a leisurely spin.
I've loved following Le Tour since Greg Lemond raced in the mid eighties. The riders are nothing short of phenominal! I am always intrigued each day's race and the races within the race! So much fun to watch, not to mention seeing the beauty of France and parts of the surrounding continent. One can learn much about the technique of cycling watching these pros course through the country. Good to see you out and enjoying your ride too! Prayers that the maintenance treatment will keep your cancer controlled and you feeling well.
Hi Phyllis. I agree with everything you say above. I really do look forward to it every year. I also got hooked when the "LeMond" era began. In the late 90s I met him an he was a really nice guy and quite humble. Other pro athletes (baseball, football, etc.) could take a few lessons from the pro cyclists.
@@DavidRidesaTrike I'm jealous you met Greg! I always loved-and still do-his attitude toward racing and life balance. I agree that other athletes could learn some lessons from him. He's a class act. I'm glad you had the opportunity to meet him! A bit of an aside, during my nursing studies for a Pathophysiology class I did a paper on mitochondrial myopathy, the cause of some of the physical problems that led to his retirement from racing.
Like some others in the comments, I first really started watching the Tour in 80s, particularly in1989, when Lemond beat Fignon by 8 seconds for the yellow. I was hooked after that, continuing to watch all through the reign of Indurain and the ascendancy of Armstrong in the late 90s. I was devastated by the drug scandals of the mid-2000's and quit watching for a few years, picking it up again with the wins by Froome. With the latest generation, I'm hooked again. I hope doping doesn't gain another hold. Living in Austin, Lance was absolutely idolized here while he was winning - especially after cancer recovery. Cycling here boomed while LA was at the top, and took a nose dive after the doping came to light. During the Lance years, popular beer pubs all over town had TdF showings. Now I'm not even sure they show it at Mellow Johnny's, Armstrong's bike shop (I think - he may have sold it). The "team leader" is generally the person most likely to win either stages or the overall (yellow). For some teams, it might be a sprinter, a climbing specialist, or a time trialist. For others, a GC (general classification -yellow) contender is the leader, generally an "all rounder" who does pretty well in all specialist categories. Lemond actually won the yellow in 1990 without winning a single stage. Anyway, thanks for this topic! I wish I'd been old enough to follow the race back in the Eddy Merckx days, but Tour coverage was spotty back then anyway.
Hi Curt. Yes, I also got hooked when LeMond Beat Fignon and I too wish I could have seen Eddie Merckx race but I don't know if there as any coverage of the Tour in the US back then. I think if Armstrong wold have admitted to doping early on things could have gone a lot differently for him. But he was so damned adamant that he was clean when it was obvious that he wasn't. Now whenever I see him he just seems bitter and still doesn't seem to accept responsibility. And the thing is, I get why he was doing. Most cyclists were at the time but most of them came clean about it pretty quickly.
I’ve always been amazed how they climb in the mountains at the speeds they do! The Armstrong embarrassments killed the Tour for me for some time but I’m back enjoying it now again.
I am always amazed by your wonderful bike paths David ... and also envious that you can ride so far without the annoyance of automobiles! Never take those peaceful path for granted. I would be pleased as can be if there were even a fraction of that type of riding potential here where I live. The Tour de France makes for great viewing, always a joy and exciting to watch. The negativity of the Tour over performance enhancing drug usage is quite common in professional sports ... sadly (in my opinion at least) PED usage is here to stay, and has been around since the 1950s, at least in the bodybuilding arena. It has spread, through cycling, baseball, football, you name it. But even with this shadow hanging over sports, watching is still enjoyable. Even though the pro bodybuilders use the drugs, I still watch the competitions for the inspiration they provide, same with the Tour de France. The events just make me feel great. On another front, the original settlers of this area we now call the United States (to which you referred) first entered the northwestern-most reaches from Asia over what many believe was a land bridge more than ten thousand years ago, so if there are any remaining structures (likely not) they would far predate the castles of Europe. But true enough, the European settlers (who are seen by many as the first settlers of what is now called America) came much later chronologically, and nothing built by them would date back nearly as far as those castles. Thanks for the great review and lesson on the Tour David! See ya' ... steve
Hi Steve and I hope you're doing well! Yes, I think the performance enhancing drugs are here to stay and they're probably always going to be one step ahead of those doing th checking. A few years ago they started checking the cyclist's bikes for motors hidden within the frames. Another way to cheat! But still, these guys are truly amazing athletes and I'm always a bit sad when the Tour comes to.a close each year. It really is too bad that we have so little left from what we now consider the indigenous people who lived here. Probably some future race will wipe out everything we've done in recent centuries and act as if there was nothing here when they first "discovered" North America.
@@DavidRidesaTrike I first saw the world of performance enhancing drugs (PED) in my bodybuilding circles in the 1970s. The thing with PED is that the people who win with the drugs are the same people who would win in a "perfect" world where drugs did not exist. Same in the Tour. The top cyclists are the top cyclists in either scenario. I had never heard of electric motors hidden in the frame ... wow, who would have thought?
@@EZSteve I COMPLETELY agree with you regarding those who won with drugs would have won without them. It's too bad they thought they needed "an edge" in order to win. Lance Armstrong would have had such a legacy. Although he does seem to be an ass, generally speaking. 🤣
It would be awesome too see what your seeing David, dang,,, the first part of your clip had a very interesting view and the song was so relaxing. It Would be spectacular too see your view ahead and one of your many favorite tunes... of course We would love too hear your take on things. PS: I need to find a Cowboy hat like yours. That's friggin awesome David. Be Well my friend. I'd post a photo of mine from the top of the World,,, but the text wont allow it. God its beautiful on the tops of a mountain with a pedal machine. Pal Don at the 49th 🇨🇦
Hi again Don! I have done a couple of videos where most of the video is seeing the ride from my point of view. Unfortunately, I can't remember which ones they are!
This is Sunday I like your videos I can't to get anyone even watch my videos and it is harder for me to do something interesting or different on my ride anyway have fun out and long life.
Ah my friend. I once watched the Tour religiously, but no longer. I think you know where this is going. I was a big, big fan for years--until the revelations about Lance Armstrong and many other key riders came out. A big part of it was the sheer arrogance Armstrong displayed in his denials, and his efforts to destroy those who were telling the truth about what he and his team were doing. Even today suspicions about drugs and doping in big time cycling are rife. Sadly Greg Lemond was right, and he was clean. Today I still watch UA-cam highlights now and then, but the old enthusiasm just isn't there. I don't begrudge anyone who remains devoted to the event, but it would be a bad act for me to pretend it's the same as it was in the 1990s through the 2000s. However, I remain a BIG FAN of you and my fellow trikers! Now to get Bluebird back in motorized riding condition again...
I completely understand. I know a lot of people who are in the same camp as you. And while I do think today's riders are clean, I wouldn't be surprised if something came out disproving this. Actually, right now besides checking for drugs they check for motors on the bikes. There are some tiny ones that can fit into a frame tube. Crazy. And not to defend Lance or any of those guys, but I think in that era of cycling if you wanted to be on a team and have cycling be your career, you had to dope. Every team was doing it and it was known throughout the pro cycling world. So you're a 21-year old kid and you get an offer to be on a pro cycling team. The only caveat is you have to take the drugs they tell you to take. All you know is bike racing. What do you do? On the other hand, Lance was an ass for the counter offensive he threw. That and his denial is really what I fault him for. And of course, his sheer arrogance.
Wow David there’s way more about the “Tour” than I ever knew. You might enjoy following Rich and Joe on Bikes, Trikes and Razors. They put out some really good stuff. My favorite bike race is the Sun Trip. It’s a solar bike/trike race covering thousands of kilometers. The UA-cam videos are dubbed in English and share much of the elements you highlighted about the Tour.
Hi Debbie. I didn't watch it all back when the doping was really bad. But now I'm hooked again and I'm always bummed wen it ends and I don[t have those hours of video to watch.
@@DavidRidesaTrike Yes I was a big supporter of Lance until the truth came out. I know a few people locally that knew him back then. Extremely arrogant. Maybe ill watch it next year
I'm a big fan of TDF and watch it avidly. I watch the entire race on UK's ITV catch-up. I love all the races within races and the complexity and dynamics of it. It's like watching a fast and colourful moving game of chess!
Hi Jay. "A fast and colorful moving game of chess: is a GREAT analogy! I have friends who just don't understand how I can watch it all and I try to get them to give it a chance. I suppose being a cyclist is going to make watching the Tour more interesting.
I’ve been watching it every day. Intriguing stuff. The guys are supermen. The strategy is incredibly interesting . Stay healthy and good luck with your ongoing care. Best wishes. Mark.
Hi Mark. they really are supermen. I forget who it was but last week one of the riders dislocated his elbow and put it back himself and continued to ride. A pro baseball player strains a thumb and is out 2 months!
The cyclists who ride in the Tour de France are such impressive athletes. Although I enjoy watching the stages, it is so hard for me to relate to their abilities.
Thank you for the explanation of the stages... Very enlightening.
Hang tough, David! 🙏🙏🙏
Hi Tom. I think the fact that their abilities are so unrelate\able is part of what makes it so intriguing to me.There's a velodrome close to my home and back when I rode a DF I'd go over there and ride around and see how fast I could go. Fastest I ever made it was 27 mph and I held it for about 5 seconds. These guys go 27 mph and look like they're doing a leisurely spin.
I've loved following Le Tour since Greg Lemond raced in the mid eighties. The riders are nothing short of phenominal! I am always intrigued each day's race and the races within the race! So much fun to watch, not to mention seeing the beauty of France and parts of the surrounding continent. One can learn much about the technique of cycling watching these pros course through the country. Good to see you out and enjoying your ride too! Prayers that the maintenance treatment will keep your cancer controlled and you feeling well.
Hi Phyllis. I agree with everything you say above. I really do look forward to it every year. I also got hooked when the "LeMond" era began. In the late 90s I met him an he was a really nice guy and quite humble. Other pro athletes (baseball, football, etc.) could take a few lessons from the pro cyclists.
@@DavidRidesaTrike I'm jealous you met Greg! I always loved-and still do-his attitude toward racing and life balance. I agree that other athletes could learn some lessons from him. He's a class act. I'm glad you had the opportunity to meet him!
A bit of an aside, during my nursing studies for a Pathophysiology class I did a paper on mitochondrial myopathy, the cause of some of the physical problems that led to his retirement from racing.
@@phyllisboone8957 This was about 25 years ago but I still have an autographed cover of SportsIllustrated with his picture.
Belgium and Fran are great scenery
They are. Denmark this year was also beautiful.
That was very interesting about the tour de France.z those guys are super athletes
They really are. It's incredible the mileage they put in and they make it look so easy.
Like some others in the comments, I first really started watching the Tour in 80s, particularly in1989, when Lemond beat Fignon by 8 seconds for the yellow. I was hooked after that, continuing to watch all through the reign of Indurain and the ascendancy of Armstrong in the late 90s. I was devastated by the drug scandals of the mid-2000's and quit watching for a few years, picking it up again with the wins by Froome. With the latest generation, I'm hooked again. I hope doping doesn't gain another hold. Living in Austin, Lance was absolutely idolized here while he was winning - especially after cancer recovery. Cycling here boomed while LA was at the top, and took a nose dive after the doping came to light. During the Lance years, popular beer pubs all over town had TdF showings. Now I'm not even sure they show it at Mellow Johnny's, Armstrong's bike shop (I think - he may have sold it). The "team leader" is generally the person most likely to win either stages or the overall (yellow). For some teams, it might be a sprinter, a climbing specialist, or a time trialist. For others, a GC (general classification -yellow) contender is the leader, generally an "all rounder" who does pretty well in all specialist categories. Lemond actually won the yellow in 1990 without winning a single stage. Anyway, thanks for this topic! I wish I'd been old enough to follow the race back in the Eddy Merckx days, but Tour coverage was spotty back then anyway.
Hi Curt. Yes, I also got hooked when LeMond Beat Fignon and I too wish I could have seen Eddie Merckx race but I don't know if there as any coverage of the Tour in the US back then.
I think if Armstrong wold have admitted to doping early on things could have gone a lot differently for him. But he was so damned adamant that he was clean when it was obvious that he wasn't. Now whenever I see him he just seems bitter and still doesn't seem to accept responsibility. And the thing is, I get why he was doing. Most cyclists were at the time but most of them came clean about it pretty quickly.
I’ve always been amazed how they climb in the mountains at the speeds they do! The Armstrong embarrassments killed the Tour for me for some time but I’m back enjoying it now again.
So what you're saying is these guys remind you of you and me riding the trail?
I am always amazed by your wonderful bike paths David ... and also envious that you can ride so far without the annoyance of automobiles! Never take those peaceful path for granted. I would be pleased as can be if there were even a fraction of that type of riding potential here where I live. The Tour de France makes for great viewing, always a joy and exciting to watch. The negativity of the Tour over performance enhancing drug usage is quite common in professional sports ... sadly (in my opinion at least) PED usage is here to stay, and has been around since the 1950s, at least in the bodybuilding arena. It has spread, through cycling, baseball, football, you name it. But even with this shadow hanging over sports, watching is still enjoyable. Even though the pro bodybuilders use the drugs, I still watch the competitions for the inspiration they provide, same with the Tour de France. The events just make me feel great. On another front, the original settlers of this area we now call the United States (to which you referred) first entered the northwestern-most reaches from Asia over what many believe was a land bridge more than ten thousand years ago, so if there are any remaining structures (likely not) they would far predate the castles of Europe. But true enough, the European settlers (who are seen by many as the first settlers of what is now called America) came much later chronologically, and nothing built by them would date back nearly as far as those castles. Thanks for the great review and lesson on the Tour David! See ya' ...
steve
Hi Steve and I hope you're doing well! Yes, I think the performance enhancing drugs are here to stay and they're probably always going to be one step ahead of those doing th checking. A few years ago they started checking the cyclist's bikes for motors hidden within the frames. Another way to cheat! But still, these guys are truly amazing athletes and I'm always a bit sad when the Tour comes to.a close each year.
It really is too bad that we have so little left from what we now consider the indigenous people who lived here. Probably some future race will wipe out everything we've done in recent centuries and act as if there was nothing here when they first "discovered" North America.
@@DavidRidesaTrike I first saw the world of performance enhancing drugs (PED) in my bodybuilding circles in the 1970s. The thing with PED is that the people who win with the drugs are the same people who would win in a "perfect" world where drugs did not exist. Same in the Tour. The top cyclists are the top cyclists in either scenario. I had never heard of electric motors hidden in the frame ... wow, who would have thought?
@@EZSteve I COMPLETELY agree with you regarding those who won with drugs would have won without them. It's too bad they thought they needed "an edge" in order to win. Lance Armstrong would have had such a legacy. Although he does seem to be an ass, generally speaking. 🤣
It would be awesome too see what your seeing David, dang,,, the first part of your clip had a very interesting view and the song was so relaxing. It Would be spectacular too see your view ahead and one of your many favorite tunes... of course We would love too hear your take on things.
PS: I need to find a Cowboy hat like yours. That's friggin awesome David. Be Well my friend. I'd post a photo of mine from the top of the World,,, but the text wont allow it. God its beautiful on the tops of a mountain with a pedal machine. Pal Don at the 49th 🇨🇦
Hi again Don! I have done a couple of videos where most of the video is seeing the ride from my point of view. Unfortunately, I can't remember which ones they are!
This is Sunday I like your videos I can't to get anyone even watch my videos and it is harder for me to do something interesting or different on my ride anyway have fun out and long life.
It takes time to build up an audience. I'll check out your channel a little later.
20 mostly
Bump wheels and wreck
20 10 5
Ah my friend. I once watched the Tour religiously, but no longer. I think you know where this is going. I was a big, big fan for years--until the revelations about Lance Armstrong and many other key riders came out. A big part of it was the sheer arrogance Armstrong displayed in his denials, and his efforts to destroy those who were telling the truth about what he and his team were doing. Even today suspicions about drugs and doping in big time cycling are rife. Sadly Greg Lemond was right, and he was clean.
Today I still watch UA-cam highlights now and then, but the old enthusiasm just isn't there. I don't begrudge anyone who remains devoted to the event, but it would be a bad act for me to pretend it's the same as it was in the 1990s through the 2000s.
However, I remain a BIG FAN of you and my fellow trikers! Now to get Bluebird back in motorized riding condition again...
I completely understand. I know a lot of people who are in the same camp as you. And while I do think today's riders are clean, I wouldn't be surprised if something came out disproving this. Actually, right now besides checking for drugs they check for motors on the bikes. There are some tiny ones that can fit into a frame tube. Crazy.
And not to defend Lance or any of those guys, but I think in that era of cycling if you wanted to be on a team and have cycling be your career, you had to dope. Every team was doing it and it was known throughout the pro cycling world. So you're a 21-year old kid and you get an offer to be on a pro cycling team. The only caveat is you have to take the drugs they tell you to take. All you know is bike racing. What do you do?
On the other hand, Lance was an ass for the counter offensive he threw. That and his denial is really what I fault him for. And of course, his sheer arrogance.
Wow David there’s way more about the “Tour” than I ever knew. You might enjoy following Rich and Joe on Bikes, Trikes and Razors. They put out some really good stuff.
My favorite bike race is the Sun Trip. It’s a solar bike/trike race covering thousands of kilometers. The UA-cam videos are dubbed in English and share much of the elements you highlighted about the Tour.
Hi Dan. I do watch their channel and enjoy most of their videos. I'll check out the Sun Trip on UA-cam too. Thanks!
Are you wetting, chilling, or freezing that blue neck wrap?
If it gets really h9t I'll pour some ice water on it but it's mainly there to protect my neck from the sun.
I used to watch Le Tour religiously. I have fallen out of the habit of watching.
Hi Debbie. I didn't watch it all back when the doping was really bad. But now I'm hooked again and I'm always bummed wen it ends and I don[t have those hours of video to watch.
@@DavidRidesaTrike Yes I was a big supporter of Lance until the truth came out. I know a few people locally that knew him back then. Extremely arrogant. Maybe ill watch it next year
@@debbieschwartz3132 I think Arrogant was his middle name.
@@DavidRidesaTrike 100%
@@debbieschwartz3132 Once again. Great minds …
Meant France
KOM SPINTERS
Cobblestone
Yes, riding those cobblestones looks crazy!
40 miles an hour if someone farts wrong they bump they wreck
They do fly.
Me too I still think recumbent trikes should be there because we're way way safer another few of the biggest riders wrecked and broke bones
They actually banned recumbent bikes many years ago because they were faster than the DF bikes.
@@DavidRidesaTrike that was done almost 100 years ago
@@bentcrazy39 Yes, and they're very slow to change. 🤣