Tour de France *** 2011 *** [LIVE THREAD]

Various ^ | July 2, 2011 | Various

[leilani]

I've been enjoying all the kinetic displays this year too. Are there more of those than there used to be or were they always out there in the fields & they're only now choosing to show more of them to TV viewers?

And so many gorgeous shots of all the Loire châteaux aujourd'hui! Showcasing the scenery is how you can get more female eyeballs to your coverage, Versus.

[Speaking of which, j'espère que vous avez eu la chance de voir tous ces belles images du paysage fantastique, dearly departed RighteousMomma (AKA JusteMaman?), wherever you are out there in Zotland!]

[leilani]

What an interesting tale of cycling from one who knows! Please share more of your racing experience!

I'll second that, luv2ski. You really do have a knack for storytelling, baynative. I was just looking for that cool story you told us about meeting Phil Leggett one year (that was you, right?) but couldn't track it down in a search just now to give a link to it.

Seems like the best sports writing IMO is the kind that does tell a good story. You ought to consider covering races as a freelance when you retire. Then you could travel to TdF and maybe as a sideline take over for Didi when he retires!

He is getting up there in years. Somebody's gonna have to do something soon about appointing a successor. ;-)

[PeteB570]

I enjoy the mix of race shots and the various shots of spectators, countryside, kinetic displays and churchs/buildings.

Something I look forward to each year.

RoadID - good for biking - plus I wear mine while hiking the back country.

[leilani]

Absolutely agree. It’s that dynamic combination of all the rich visuals which makes it so compelling -and so wonderfully festive- to look at.

[luv2ski]

Was it from today’s coverage that Phil said that? I confess on these very long stages and FF ahead through some of it b/c it’s just the peloton motoring down the road...and down the road...etc. If you can recall something that was going on at the time, I still have it on my DVR.
One thing I have noticed this year is that they have shown a lot of “natural breaks” as Paul puts it. It’s pretty comical seeing twenty or so of them standing on the side of the road.

[Vision]

So far it’s Cavendish’s Tour.

[SouthTexas]

Didn’t know if I could find that one, saw it during the race.
The chain ring was four wheelers.

[Baynative]

"If you can recall something that was going on at the time..."

Judging from what I was doing, I think it was with about 45 miles left and was (maybe) not too far from an intermediate sprint.

[Baynative]

"So far it’s Cavendish’s Tour."

True. But I'd remind you of something that can be summed up in two words:
Moun - Tains! ;-}

[Vision]

I keep hearing about these mountains, but where are they??? Seem to be coming in late this year. Then it should be Andy’s turn.

[Baynative]

I think you are right. The Schleck brothers are waiting to turn it on in what may be one of the toughest mountain stage series we have seen in a while. p> I am hoping Levi hasn't been taken out by his crashes and I am hoping for at least one strong ride from Chris Horner.

[Vision]

I don't see Levi being able to make up significant time. Horner seems to be struggling through it.

[beebuster2000]

I notice they never mention Lance Armstrong this year. It’s like the guy never existed.

[luv2ski]

I’m in Vail tonight but going back to Denver tomorrow night. My husband and one of my sons are riding the Triple Bypass tomorrow. I’ll check when I get home. I always make notes of the highlights of the stage and show them to him at night so I’ll be going through it again anyway.

[luv2ski]

I ran the DVR back and took a video of it with my phone, then sent it to my husband and kids. The local tributes to the TdF have been terrific this year.
If anyone is interested in seeing it, tell me how to post it from IPhoto and I will put it up.

[Vision]

I notice they never mention Lance Armstrong this year. It’s like the guy never existed.

Have you been paying attention to the news?

[beebuster2000]

Have you been paying attention to the news?

You mean like the debt ceiling, gunwalker, NFL lockout, stuff like that? Yeah i been keeping an eye on things.

Why, did i miss something?

[Baynative]

I was worried early on that they might spoil to good side of the tour and stain the riders who try to play fair by talking a lot about Lance and the statements from Tyler Hamilton. But, I'm glad that is being left to the courts to sort out.

[Vision]

Apparently. The Feds are putting together a good case that Armstrong is a doper.

[beebuster2000]

oops