[Baynative]

I almost missed this because of outside interests, but thanks to PeteB570 I'm awake and ready to go.

I have been periodically following velo sports articles but, not the calendar and I thought I had another week.

Anyway, this year's Tour looks to be something special and how about that final mountain stage finish on Alp du Huez the day before Paris? So saddle up, clip in and enjoy the ride with the FR Peloton - Oooo-WEEEE!

[Baynative]

Bicycle ping:
Bike Ping

[gorush]

As a kid, we never wore helmets. I know of nobody ever receiving a head injury by falling off their bikes. I had plenty of road rash from over-exuberance, but never a head injury. Or maybe I just don’t remember it due to a head injury...never mind. It is a good time in American history to be old.

[Lexington Green]

Must be a security nightmare.

[sargon]

I've lost all interest in the Tour. They can't even use video highlights from the previous 20 years, because of all the doping which EVERYBODY has been caught doing.

I just can't make myself care anymore, because I feel like whoever wins will be found to have been doping 1 day, 1 month, 1 year, or 1 decade after the fact.

[Ready4Freddy]

So who’s favored this year?

Is Ditka driving?

[Hot Tabasco]

My only interest in the TDF was when Armstrong was racing, the same with the PGA tour when Woods was at the top of his game.

Say what you want about both of them but the fact remains they were the premier draws in viewership from the American public who either supported those sports or just viewed them for entertainment.

As a non cyclist, it's hard to get into a sport such as the TDF when there is no major US contender to hold our attention..........

[nutmeg]

Thank you for your TdF and cycling pings, FRiend!

Wild day today at Le Tour... sorry to see 4 riders (?) abandon the race today. Hope Cancellara is OK and continues tomorrow.

[golux]

Le Tour d'France? Whet the heck is this?
I checked with Jenny Sais Qwaa and she's possed.
Freepers who don't love the sport and never did love to pause once a year to say
I just don't follow cycling anymore. Cats, tour riders used to "dope" with beer and champagne. Then it was cocaine and amphetamines... Does it make any difference?
You ride over a hundred miles a day for a freakin' month and have some frecke-faced kid tell you you can't have a pain-killer!
Few understand the Tour. Win? To complete the Tour is a lifelong accomplishment.
How many start vs. finish?
Now - THREE CAN KEEP A SECRET AS LONG AS TWO ARE DEAD.
In the Tour everyone knows everyone's secrets.
Howe many people know Serena is a man?

[nutmeg]

Thank you so much, FRiend, for this fantastic Tour de France 2015 thread, and for hosting the TDF threads year after year. Great job, as always!

Looking forward to TDF 2016...

[SouthParkRepublican]

Oh and Bay, as Nutmeg points out, thanks for all you do each year. Love the ping list.

Cheers.