Anyone been to the Tour de France

GeorgeD · Post by **GeorgeD** » September 7th, 2006, 6:32 pm

Sir P wrote:George
The thing that stands out more than anything from the ride up the Alps was when people at the side of the road would run along side you and pour water over you head to cool you down.
It was so hot climbing up (100+F), the heat melts the snow at the top and it runs down the rocks and down the mountain. People fill water bottles with this ice cold water; it is without doubt the best feeling in the world to have that freezing cold water poured over your head. The sad thing is that the feeling only lasts no more than 30 secs as the heat evaporates the water so quickly.

Sir P

That would be a great experience Phil. What I would find scary is in the races where the crowd leave only a bike width gap for the riders to get through, lots of yelling and waving and pouring of water as you say but the odd punch and spit has been let loose as well over the years. Those guys are just so focused on their front wheels in the pictures I have seen but is still must be a nervous experience.

George

realgone · Post by **realgone** » December 5th, 2006, 1:52 am

I have never been, but would love to. My current bf got me interested in it. He gets up at 4-5 in the morning to watch it when it is on. It is like the ultimate endurance sport.

I think it would be really intense. Perhaps some day I will learn French and plan a trip.

Citroen · Post by **Citroen** » December 5th, 2006, 8:43 pm

realgone wrote: I think it would be really intense. Perhaps some day I will learn French and plan a trip.

No need to learn French. You just have to learn to speak slowly clearly and quietly to our French neighbours.

I speak a lot of French. My wife has about ten words. We both do OK in France.

Both times I've been on the Champs Elysee ('96 and 2000) it's been a simply awesome day.