PalQ

Last year Fodors was abuzz with Tour de France news - no doubt spurred by Lance. Last year i watched every stage - loving to see the lovely French countryside. This year i've rarely thought about watching even though i'd see the same scintillating scenery. I mean to start watching.
But is it just because Lance is retired or the recent blood doping scandal that disqualified many top riders or what
Are you watching the Tour this year?

monpetit

As this year there are only "normal"
non doped cyclists, I don't look at the tour de France...
Erik

Underhill

You just bet we're watching--those sprint finishes are absolutely breathtaking. Robbie McEwen can appear out of nowhere--hard to see how he does it.

Also, there are a number of good American contenders...again.

namtrag

My son is so into French.He is a rising HS senior, and just got his AP French score of 5, and a score of 800 on his SAT II test. Because of his great interest and as a reward for doing so well, I am taking him to France later this month. I am also taking French myself, and going to Alliance Francaise monthly gatherings. I find myself actually growing fond of France and French things (I never thought I would say that!). I also am watching the Tour. It's just cool.

historytraveler

Cycling fans care. The tactics involved are certainly interesting and as anyone one who has watched knows, a racer (even the top performers) can find themselves out of the race in flash through their own or anothers lack of focus.

The scenery itself is well worth watching.

Underhill

Yes, but I do wish that more of an effort to identify the more spectacular sights could be made. It used to be that highlights were mentioned by name. For example, what was that huge castle with the five or six round towers just before the Tour entered Brittany? I've love to know! Someone could make a mint by issuing a DVD with Tour scenery.

amyb

I'm watching just as religiously and am enjoying it more so because it's so unpredictable. I'm also quite proud of the US riders.

I'm not sure what channel some are watching this on to be dissatisfied with the regional coverage, but OLN has done a wonderful job of sharing info on the regions and sites. They seem to really research and uncover interesting tidbits for everywhere they go...it's a bonus for travelphiles who are cycling fans as well.

BabsB

We were at the "finish" of the Tour last year. It was rainy, cold and miserable. My son is 6ft2in so he could see what was going on over the crowd. I am much shorter and could only see what was going on on the big screen. I decided that in the future I would sit in a sports bar and enjoy watching with a beer. Well, I guess I am not a big fan because this post just made me realize that it was going on. lol

Jean

Yes, my summer addiction has returned. Although I was anticipating a great matchup between Basso and Ullrich and wondering if Ivan could possibly pull off the twofer, I am happily rooting for Georgie and the Disco Boys, Levi, Floyd and many others. So good to see Eki back. I love the sprint finishes, but it's so tough to watch the first week crashes. Looking forward to the climbing days and screaming descents. Scenery? What scenery?

Barbara_in_FL

We are still watching, although my familiarity with the riders has plummeted as the big "names" have disappeared. My husband is a cyclist and appreciates the post-Lance strategies more than I do. And the scenery is always incredible! I think the chateau might be the Chateau de Vitre, in the last stop of today's stage: http://www.ot-vitre.fr/
I can't find an overhead picture on line that looks exactly like the shot I saw a few minutes ago, but the descriptions I've found seem similar (search for it on the Fodor's site). Babs, I am with you, though, I do not have a desire to try to watch it in person. : )

historytraveler

What scenery? The route as it winds through the countryside is scenic enough, but the wonderful aerial views of the cathedrals, churches, castle ruins and chateaux of Germany, Belgium and,of course, France are superb! I would think anyone interested in travel would be impressed.

I agree with Underhill, I wish they'd mention the names of the castles, churches etc. I try to follow the route, but it's still difficult to identify the sights.

I especially enjoy the efforts made by the locals( farmers) with their artistic impressions made from haystacks etc.

Underhill

We've seen the Château de Vitré up close and personal, and I don't think it's the one with the six huge round towers. That one came, I think, while the Tour was still in Normandy. Must get out a map and guide and go hunting.

Underhill

How about today's time trial?! This continues to be a strange Tour.

Gretchen

It really is wide open. And Julich's crash made my stomach turn over--awful. It was so much fun with Lance--but now it is suspenseful. Dummy Tour for taking out the team time trial though.

Underhill

Indeed, Gretchen--I wonder why. And also why the organization made Landis change his handlebars at the last minute when he's been using them all year. Hmmm.

historytraveler

I've also wondered why there will be no team time trial this year. Strange. The decision to ban Landis' handlebars at the last moment...strange. I doubt if we'll ever know the why's.

Does anyoe know what happened to Levi? Was it nerves? Doubtful from such a pro. Was he ill? Or, did he just have a bad bike day?

I was devastated when Bobby fell. He's been a longtime favorite of mine. He couldn't have won the tour, but it's possible he could've made the top ten.

This year's tour is certainly interesting.

Underhill

Leipheimer said that he just couldn't seem to get going. Sad.

Jean

The Tour mandates all bike specs months before the opening prologue.

Landis has been tweaking his riding position all year and may have hoped his non-approved handlebars wouldn't be noticed. Right. Sometimes riders/teams purposely show up with equipment configurations and materials they know will be banned but want to create a confrontation with Tour hierarchy to make a point. Or to get some attention for their equipment suppliers.

Strategies are not only played out on the roads.

historytraveler

Good point. I would still like to know all the details.

hester

The tour is still exciting to me. I miss watching Lance, but I have always enjoyed watching the other riders too. I was lucky in 2002 to be in Paris for the finish and see Lance ride in. We stayed around after the race was finished and watched the other riders being interviewed by various tv and radio crews. I guess if you love cycling the tour is great to watch no matter if Lance is there or not.