For the 92nd time, the Tour de France has started. This three week cycling race is one of the biggest sporting events in the world and undoubtedly the toughest on the individual participants. No professional cyclist wants to finish his career without having "made it to the Champs Elysées". And every single one of them has had dreams of winning the Tour. Very few will. In the current edition of La Grande Boucle two participants have tasted victory before and hope to do so again. Favorite, and record holding six times champion Lance Armstrong from Austin, Texas will be facing Germany's Jan Ullrich and 187 other riders from 28 different countries. On July 24 the winner of the Yellow Jersey will be known. When asked who would win Ullrich answered: "The Best".
The Tour de France wouldn't be as big as it is without it's millions of fans around the world. Most watch the Tour on TV and of course one can see all the spectators by the side of the road cheering on their favorites, especially in the climbing stages, where one wonders why not many more accidents happen. Fans crowding the road, not wanting to miss any of the riders and often not stepping back until the very last moment have on some occasions influenced the outcome of a stage.
Not seen on television are the thousands of active cycling enthousiasts who follow in de Tour's wake. From all over the world people come to France and on their bicycle they ride the same stages the professionals have traversed only days, sometimes hours before. Some of them come back every year. The entire year they spend training, not unlike the professionals, in order to ride the more than 2200 miles of the Tour. And for them there are no flowers or Yellow Jersey in the end, but there is the recognition of their peers and their sense of accomplishment. And of course they have gotten to enjoy the gorgeous scenery, the terrific French cuisine and wines and an active vacation. A side note for newbies, the small Inn's and restaurants in out of the way places often give the best bang for the buck.
Most of the active Tour followers don't have the time or desire to cycle around France for three weeks. They select certain parts of the race to hook up with it, depending on their interest in surroundings or strengths in what terrain suits them best. Not everyone can ride uphill and still enjoy him- or herself. The rest of their holiday is spent finding their own routes, camping out, enjoying lots of what France and the rest of Europe have to offer to biking lovers.
One of the main reasons Lance Armstrong has won six times is the almost obsessive perfection in his preparation. Armstrong said in his press conference on Thursday prior to the Tour de France 2005: "For me ít's not a promenade around France". If you take a cycling holiday, be it in France or anywhere else in Europe or the world, and to you it is a promenade, a little but serious and well-informed preparation goes a long way.
Rob Bout is a long time Tour de France and cycling enthousiast. For more information on cycling vacations and the Tour de France visit http://biketravelinfo.com/
If you're looking to spot a whale, the first few... Read More
Organized river rafting trips are a good idea for novices... Read More
Boondocking is fun! Boondockers go anywhere they want, at any... Read More
In a previous article, I wrote primarily about box ovens.... Read More
Have you taken up hiking as a new form of... Read More
The Northern Circuit is probably Africa's most dramatic wildlife area.... Read More
There are two types of used inflatable boats for sale... Read More
Visitors to Hawaii frequently see dolphins from shore or on... Read More
Phillip Island is a small island and nature reserve off... Read More
If your aim is not good, or is not quite... Read More
Okay, it wasn't quite a sleeping bag. However, it was... Read More
Solo backpacking means peace and quiet. No one to talk... Read More
A rigid inflatable boat is defined as a hard-hulled boat... Read More
WHAT TO SEE, TO DO AND WHERE: Mount McKinley is... Read More
Mt. Washington Valley Trails & Mt Washington - NHThe highest... Read More
Croatia has quickly become Europe's hottest destination, and for good... Read More
Maybe your favorite backpacking food is a freeze-dried turkey dinner.... Read More
When you're on the Internet looking for discount camping gear,... Read More
Ultralight backpackers want to give up weight, not comfort. Sleeping... Read More
Zambia is Africa's best kept secret as far as safaris... Read More
Perhaps you have wondered about taking an RV vacation. It... Read More
Knowing a few edible wild plants can make your next... Read More
Yuma, Arizona. In the winter, it's the best town in... Read More
Bryce Whitmore designed the modern whitewater inflatable pontoon boat, and... Read More
If you've been dreaming of traveling the highways in your... Read More
Have you ever gone solo backpacking? If you have, you'll... Read More
Have you ever seen an authentic Japanese garden? Well, I... Read More
Some people have fought many years of their lives to... Read More
Isn't it time you stepped out of the concrete jungle... Read More
This truly beautiful country at the southern tip of dark... Read More
A Hawaii volcano tour can be a most memorable experience,... Read More
Thousands of golfers flock to the Carolinas each spring and... Read More
The great state of Washington offers some of the best... Read More
Prevention is your best protection against lightning. Be sure to... Read More
Backpacking is a great way to escape the rat race... Read More
Having traveled from state to state and every city in... Read More
With so many different designs, packing a backpack will vary... Read More
If you're a birder, you want to keep a list... Read More
San Diego offers a bevy of interesting hikes. With the... Read More
Boston is a great destination city for a vacation. There's... Read More
White-water rafting can be one of the most exhilarating experiences... Read More
As the warmer weather approaches, we look forward to another... Read More
Directly south of Louisville, just off Interstate 65 and not... Read More
I stood at the observation point on the balcony at... Read More
For the 92nd time, the Tour de France has started.... Read More
Costa Rica is a small country - just 75 mi/120... Read More
Last week in Australia, one man's day at beach could... Read More
For the fortunate few, life isn't complete without a backpacking... Read More
The climb up the glaciers to the summit of Mount... Read More
Malaria is endemic to most of the areas in Africa... Read More
The islands of Samoa are emerging as an exciting new... Read More
There are many manufacturers of inflatable boats on the market... Read More
I've been traveling and writing about places I believe others... Read More
The owner can attempt small inflatable boat repair if factory-gluing... Read More
When you think of "adventure travel," what crosses your mind?... Read More
How to get the most out of your trekking poles... Read More
Everyone has a travel dream. For many it is hitting... Read More
"The good news is that there is no reason to... Read More
Bird Watching is a great way to escape the rat... Read More
On Lake Michigan, at the end of the Stonington Peninsula,... Read More
Base camp sits at 12,000 feet - stark, windy, unshaded... Read More
Spring:Essential items when preparing for a walk-Compass-First aid kit -... Read More
The sport of river rafting was practically invented in Colorado.... Read More
Romancing History ? A Holiday in RajasthanRajasthan, the name evokes... Read More
Hello Again,Today we will be talking about meal planning. Meals... Read More
The last thing you want on an African safari is... Read More
Outdoors |