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[blank]A big day today as the 100th edition of the Tour de France gets underway. This year for the first time the cyclists will start the race on the mediterannean island of Corsica.[blank]
[blank]People all over the world will be staying up late, or even all night to watch the beautiful aerial images as the race covers the hexagon, and finally arrives on the Champs Elysée in Paris.[blank]
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[blank]The first race took place in 1903, and although the equipment and the clothes may have changed over the years, the enthusiasm of the crowds only seems to grow.[blank]
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[blank]How about you? Are you one of the international fans
who’ll be losing sleep over the next couple of weeks?[blank]
34 comments
Yes I think I might be LOL!
Hi Sharon I confess I will be staying up late to watch and wish I could be there. I have to say some of the spectators do scare me I find the cyclists are not protected enough. Last night I watched a documentary dating back from 1903 and the crowds were more aggressive. The saddest part was after WWII looking at Normandy what the people of Europe went through beyond comprehension. I hope it's going to be a great 100th celebration and a great Tour De France with the usual drama, and I pray for the safety and well being of the cyclists. Till next time Regards Esther from Sydney.
I shall be up very very late watching the tour, I'm in New Zealand so its on during the wee hours of the morning. I have been to watch the Tour de France in 2009 and 2011 and loved every minute of it! I hope to come back next year.
Michelle
Watching le tour is one of the highlights of our summer!
I'm not a fan. Mostly because of all the corruption. I'm not sure how many sports are truly clean, but the entire Lance Armstrong fiasco has cast a shadow on the sport of cycling. For me anyway. I can see why people love it. The scenery and the sheer grueling nature of the ride and spectacular.
A couple of years ago we were in Paris visiting family and we set up camp in 2 ways. One, my brother-in-law, the Paris resident, instructed us to bring his small ladder so that our daughter could see better (oddly, not uncommon and fun as strangers were hanging off it with us) and two, we had a table at a near by cafe in order to tag team between watching the final stretch on The Champs Elysee and sip wine! C'est La Vie!
I may not be losing sleep but I'll be checking in daily. Thanks for the old photos. LOved seeing them!
V
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My husband LOVES this time of yr for that.
Oh yes! I always watch it. Not the whole race, just highlights ,due to the time difference here in Australia. I must admit I only watch it for the scenery . I am looking forward to seeing the start in Corsica this year.
My brother has flown over from Australia with his 10 regular cycling mates. They will cycle the exact route as the Tour immediately after the professionals have cleared the way. It's a dream come true for him.
Our vacations began yesterday, and this morning, my husband was already watching the Tour. But he took the time to make coffee ! He is an amateur cyclist for the past 25 years as he trains regularly. I did too for a couple of years 15 years ago. I love watching the Tour. It is raining here in Quebec. By chance, there is the Tour to watch ! It makes me want to ride again around our lake. Do you ride ?
Sharon,
How I love this time of year!! I love biking and used to bike up to 25 miles a day…..not any more. I need to get back into it!! Most of all, I love seeing the beautiful scenery of your gorgeous country!!! Soon, I will see that close up and special, with you!! Can't wait! As always, I adore your blog ~ it's the BEST OUT THERE !! xoxoxoxoxo
Warmest Wishes, BP
Merci beaucoup for these fantastic images of the early race and for the start of the 100! My daughter's boyfriend is an avid cyclist and does get up early for this tour and all of the other European races that lead up to it. I'm thinking I will use these images for a t-shirt to celebrate his September birthday!
I am watching it early over here in Florida just about to the end of stage 1.
Devon
Absolument Sharon!! We watch every year at our house and have for years. My husband used to cycle for fun and fitness, and he's the one who really got me interested in the Tour de France. I watch mainly for the beautiful scenery, but I've learned a little about the sport, as well. Your husband certainly comes from a beautiful area of France!
Enjoy your weekend!
Denise
Certainement! What marvelous pictures, thanks for those. I found a link from the Guardian for coverage in English, and they have maps and post video clips, too.
https://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/interactive/2013/jun/21/tour-de-france-2013-interactive-guide
Always since I first watched as a very young woman in France. Fortunately it comes on early here–just will neglect my garden for the next few weeks. The old pictures are terrific–thank you.
Another Sharon
I love this time of year for sport with Wimbledon and the Tour de France. Lots of late night viewings and sleepy starts to the day……..But so worth it ;]
P.s I love your blog. It's just stunning and one that I read daily. Keep up the good work so they say.
Have it on right now after having recorded it! Happened to be in France one year and saw the racers go by. It was exciting! We're totally into it.
I love those old photos. They will be coming through Aix on the 4th. I've just been informed by my parking garage that I may not leave that day. But who would want to? What fun!
Yes! Have been watching for years from here in Australia – last year got to see it in person during stage 6 – Abbeville to Rouen – amazing! We also have a French chef who now lives in Australia and every year he does a segment "Taste Le Tour" where he explains and cooks the food (and the wine) from the region where the Tour is that day – it's fabulous.
Hi Sharon… we have a house in Boussac in the Limousin – the Tour passed through a couple of years ago and we were beside ourselves with excitement! . Here in Australia, watching is difficult with the time-zone differences. My family are cycling MAD!!….. My son Alex cycles competitively here in Sydney and my husband who is almost 70 is as fit as a flea – he cycles miles and miles. Last year, we were in France during the tour and every afternoon was dedicated to watching. We were all so disheartened when the Lance thing unravelled… such a loss of faith. Cadel Evans is our hero though! Enjoy watching and enjoy your summer in Belle Francais!!! Jenny
I agree; "Razmatz"! (love your name!!)
It is tragic to me that Lance lied through his teeth….over and over and over. (under oath!!) Yikes!
He has "ruined the sport"; in my opinion….and every time he opens his mouth ; i.e.: this week!!
He makes it worse! He is a narcissistic sociopath……(is that redundant?)
His assertions this week (everyone did it; everyone does it………) Now it seems he is trying to "abolish" the sport!! I think this is his goal! ("If I can't be in it; it shall cease to exist; and now I will make sure it will never recover…….by painting everyone with "my cheating brush"!)
Just my opinion!
He may well succeed! He is a revolting person. A complete disgrace to sports of all kind; a disgrace to his "cancer charity"; a disgrace to humankind. He is a disgusting person with no conscience. I am so glad that the lovely singer got away! (he reminds me of a "black widow" spider; ("come into my web")
The lowest of the low!!
For us; the sport is irridemiably over! Lance: shame, shame , shame on you! And you continue to disgrace yourself every time you open your mouth!
BE QUIET!!! Go right down that drain you crawled out of! YUCK!!!
Penelope
ps he won't. He is a sociopath (a person without a conscience) He will never look at himself in the mirror and think he has done anything wrong. (I thought Oprah will brilliant beyond……she "got there"!! No conscience!
Same as OJ Simpson. Same thing. He will never look at himself in the mirror; and think he did anything wrong!
(I went to college with OJ!!
I saw that sociopath first hand! Good thing he is behind bars……another blond girl friend….or wife…..woud be dead.
Lance. You are in the same file as OJ! No conscience.
Hi Sharon!!!!
The Tour de France was introduced to me in 1990 when I married. My husband and his friend where very enthusiastic watchers. As the years past we lost touch with it until Lance came on the scene. We started to be excited watchers, seeing Lance continue wearing the yellow shirt.
When the news broke about him, we were disgusted how he was attacked by the media. So the Tour has lost 2 viewers, but, what I loved about it was the villages they went through. The century old homes and the beautiful countryside.
I love the vintage photos, especially the woman in the fifth photo. Her dress, hat and purse is something that really caught my attention.
Thank you for a great post and I hope you are well and enjoying your holiday!!!
Pam
xox
Ah, la Tour de France; we just had our own cycling event here last week and it was so exciting. ENJOY! Anita
Absolutely. Despite the time difference here in Australia we sit glued to the set. We're retired so it doesn't matter if we're sleep deprived. Deidre.
They are coming through my town this afternoon! Never seen it before live only on t.v .
I am sitting up in bed as I type watching the Tour – it's now 12.17am and I doubt the TV will go off for another hour or so! Late night TV takes over at this time of year with Wimbledon and Le Tour, tonight's UK Grand Prix, and then throw many an AFL game (Aussie Rules football!) in over the weekend and that is our house! All of my boys are in sport heaven….Love it!
My husband and I love the Tour and are excited that it is here once again!! YEAH!
I was in Paris the year before last and we stood in our spot to save it for 4 hours right next to Champs Elysee where they make the turn. The parade was amazing!
I watch the Tour every year and enjoy the scenery as much as the tour. Ajaccio was gorgeous yesterday.
We watch the tour every year on tv, can't wait til next year when it comes to Yorkshire, it will be so exciting!!! Cheers Sharon
I wonder if it is possible to bet on this competition? It seems to me that it would be interesting.
Honestly, it seems to me that now you can bet on anything. But I still prefer the classics. I like betting on horse racing sports. I have found some good bookmakers here https://www.mightytips.com/bookmakers/horse-racing-betting-sites/ as well as various tips that I use to make my bets more successful.