The Devil at the Tour de France – from Loving Photography
They say cyclists are a strange breed, and who can blame them – shaving legs, tight fitting lycra, masochistic training and racing schedules. But, that’s nothing compared to the strange breed of people who go to watch the Tour de France.
I’ve never made it to the Tour de France, though I remember sitting for quite a few hours in our car whilst on holiday in France. We were shocked to learn roads could be closed all day for the benefit of a small cycle race called the Tour de France. (As a youngster on holiday, I remember thinking – this was a strange country – not only did they speak a foreign language and serve steak dripping with blood, they also gave priority to cyclists over motorists.
Anyway, I have been to see a few professional cycle races. The hours of eager anticipation, admiring the empty roads, eagerly awaiting the arrival of the cyclists. Then the flotilla of cars, and then the breakaway – wow, they are going so fast. A few more minutes, then the peleton comes, the riders look pretty relaxed as they gently pedal along at 27mph. Before you can say ‘that’s very impressive, the’re gone. Only the flotilla of following cars and service cars.
It can get pretty intense on the mountain climbs. Photo by Bryan 88
Here’s a few of the Spectator Types at the Tour.
The Runners – usually drunk and wearing a silly outfit like a ‘I love Texas T-shirt’ replete with bull horns. If they don’t have a silly T-Shirt they usually will have a sunburnt beer belly which they proudly display. Perhaps they just want to show – look at me – I’m fat, ugly and drunk, but I can still run up an Apline pass for two minutes. These over-enthusiastic supporters have the ability to irritate everyone – the cyclists, other spectators, the race officials. It’s a marvellous example of egoistic exhibition. When watching I always get distracted from the actual cycling and start wishing and hoping that someone will just rugby tackle them into an Alpine ravine. Can you imagine travelling to watch the tour with all the time and money it entails; then, after waiting for days with sunburn and dehydration, and just as Contador and Schleck are duelling with each other in mountains, the only thing you see is the back of a “I love Texas T-shirt worn by a guy with fists flying up and down? Yes, thanks a lot guys.
The Devil. What more can I say. Perhaps how appropriate the devil supports the Tour De France
Good old English Spectators at Houses of Parliament
Photo by Tristam Sparks
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