Le Tour de France
Will the famous Tour de France eventually become the Tour d’ Europe? For the first time in the race’s 94 year history, this three week competition started off in London with 189 of the best cyclists in the world competing in one of sports most grueling contest! The 2007 Tour de France began amid tight security with close to 5000 police officers from both the London Metropolitan Police and the French gendarmerie. An estimated two million people lined the route as the riders whizzed past London’s famous landmarks.
This year’s course is a 2,120 mile journey starting in England, going through parts of Belgium and France before ending in Paris. Over the years I have watched some of the greats like Eddy Merckx, Bernard Hinault, Greg LeMond, Miguel Indurain, and Lance Armstrong compete! I love this race, but I’ve also learned from experience, if you want to see anything, you better arrive very early in the morning and set up camp so no one takes your place! (Bring folding chairs, food, and plenty of water and turn it into a picnic while waiting!) Or unless you happen to be 7 ft. tall, all you’re going to see are heads six-deep and bike helmets zipping past.
Even if you do find a place in Paris to watch the final showdown, the riders whiz by so fast; if you blink, you’ll miss them! Still it is something to experience at least once, but through the years, I’ve found that the best place to watch the grand finale is right in my living room, on my comfy sofa in front of the TV! That’s where I’ll be!
Good luck to all the cyclists!
Photo Credit: Flickr
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2 opinions for Le Tour de France
Clara
Jul 9, 2007 at 2:55 pm
There was once where the race started from Dublin, Ireland, right? I think it was in the 90s.
Lynn
Jul 12, 2007 at 2:41 pm
You’re right, the 1998 Tour began in Dublin. The Tour of Italy and the Tour of Spain are also very popular, but I think it would be interesting for a Tour of Europe race!
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