The Tour de France

The first Tour de France was in 1903.  60 riders started the 2,500 kilometer race and only 21 riders finished.  There were a total of 6 stages and the average speed was around 25 kilometers per hour.

Today there are 21 stages with almost 200 riders.  The combination of flat and mountain stages are at least 100 miles per day.  The race ends in Paris and riders can generate speed up to 50 or 60 kilometers per hour and average around 40 kilometers per hour.  Up until last year, the race was dominated by Lance Armstrong.  In 2006, an American- Floyd Landis won, but may have his title stripped for taking performance enhancing drugs.  Now the tour is under a cloud of suspension as many riders have been suspended for blood doping and for taking performance enhancing drugs.

The tour is a staged race which means riders can win a stage and/or based upon their cumulative times vie for the yellow jersey which signifies the overall winner. 

Within each stage are mini races where riders can accumulate points and/or time bonuses.  Sprinters compete for points and the rider with the most points at the end of each stage dons the green jersey.

There is also special recognition awarded for climbers. Climbers are typically thin and wiry cyclists who excel in the high altitude Alps and steep Pyrenees mountains.  This jersey is called the polka dot jersey and the rider who wears this is named "King of the Mountains".  Pure climbers can take chunks of time out of their competitors who may be heavier, stronger fast twitch cyclists.  The overall winner of the Tour must be a strong climber and able to suffer the many grueling ascents within one stage and for many days in a row.

The white jersey is awarded to the best young rider less than 25 years of age.  Finally the Mayo-Jorn or the yellow jersey is the most coveted jersey in the Tour.  And the rider who wears it is awarded money and prizes each day it is worn.  This individual is generally a strong climber, excellent at time trialing and surrounded by a unified team.  The cyclist who wears yellow in Paris is handsomely rewarded.  It is customary for the tour winner to give his winnings to the team members to share because he will certainly be a rich man for life with sponsors and endorsements.

Most think cycling is an individual sport, but the Tour de France can not be won by one man alone.  Each team is comprised of 9 riders, generally a mix between climbers to pace the team leader up mountains; sprinter or two to vie for points and domestics, strong on time trialing and willing to shield the leader from the wind and other riders in the pelleton.  These domestics will also drop back to the team car that trails the pelleton so he can collect water and food for other members of the team.

It is generally understood that there is one team leader for which the others will sacrifice their own chances for glory. 

Cycling is as much about strength and speed on the bike as it is about strategy.  Teams may have a plan for each stage, but that plan will be abandoned if other riders are attacking and the yellow jersey is in jeopardy.

The Tour de France is once a year in July and is considered to be the toughest of all competitive cycling events.  While bicycling in recreational, commuter and competitive form is much more popular in Europe, it is quickly catching on in the United States.

On a personal note, I find watching the Tour motivates me to ride my own bicycle.  Having raced in a few time trials which is an individual race against the clock as well as having participated in charity rides, I have enjoyed both the competitive as well as the camaraderie cycling has to offer.

For the most part, cycling is not too terribly hard on the joints yet is an effective form of exercise and is a great way to see a city or region.  The nice thing is you don't have to be like Lance Armstrong to ride fast, you just need a bike, desire to push yourself and if you're lucky- a headwind.