Tour de France -- Stage 8

Tour de France Website ^ | 7/9/2005

[Aeronaut]

Live thread for your comments.

[SALChamps03]

Just for the record, I have nothing against the sport. I also didn't mean to criticize anyone who likes the sport. To each his own you know. I just saw the thread and commented. I understand the complexities of racing. A rider's success is determined by many things. Skill is one. The resources with which to buy top notch equipment and take advantage of proper training facilities is another. Physical fitness and stamina also play into it. Having a head for the competition would seem to be very important, i.e. knowing how to pace yourself so that you don't run out of steam, and knowing which stages are most important, and therefore focusing your efforts. Working with your team is also important, because each rider wishes to win. If there are any inter-team rivalries, that would play into the outcome. Also, knowing which events to select for competition would seem to be important. It is a great sport for those who like it.

That being said, I enjoy riding bicycles, and do it frequently. I also like to play golf and tennis, though I haven't done either in a while. I don't enjoy watching any of these events on television. I consider them (only from my personal standpoint) to be more enjoyable as a participant, rather than a spectator. So, please excuse the tone that might have come across as a knock of the sport. Watching is just not for me personally. However, all of you are free to enjoy watching, if you find interest in the sport. Coincidentally, Lance Armstrong has participated in the Tour de Georgia (which I find to be an amusing name since we are not French here), and the route for one of the stages came right through my neighborhood, about a block from my house. I probably should have gone to see it, but it happened during the day when I was at work. In any event, please enjoy your sport, as I do the ones in which I'm interested..

[SALChamps03]

You are correct. By the way, look at post 81. I think it will clear up some of my views without offending anyone.

[SALChamps03]

You're welcome. See post 81.

[SALChamps03]

Yes, I am with you on hockey, and I don't like basketball as much as I did in my youth. however, I am a big baseball fan. I also enjoy football and auto racing. Look at post 81. I think it will clarify my views.

[SALChamps03]

Sure. I enjoy baseball, football, and auto racing. I am a new fan to auto racing, coming on in the past four years. See post 81. I think it will explain some things.

[joonbug]

Piss off the French, call it the "Tour de Lance"

[Melas]

I'm not big on autoracing either, but I do kind of like motogp. Different strokes for different folks. What's annoying is the occasional yahoo who insists that everyone like the sames things that he likes, and takes offense at others who don't.

[Pusterfuss]

I think it will clear up some of my views without offending anyone.

I don't think you offended anyone. You were civil, and I think most if not all respondants were civil to you. I hope you were not offended by my responses.

[upier]

I think the judges thought it was a good opportunity to give a young rider who took a big chance a win.

[SALChamps03]

Not at all, my friend.

[SALChamps03]

Motogp...is that motorcycle racing?

[Melas]

Yep. It's one of those sports that keeps you on edge the whole time.

[SALChamps03]

Yes, I've seen it on Speed. It's interesting, though I have never watched an entire race.

[grey_whiskers]

probably should have gone to see it, but it happened during the day when I was at work.

I'm sorry, I just can't resist saying...

"the day when I was at work..."

Geez, you must get paid a lot, to afford to work so seldom!

Cheers!

[SALChamps03]

Ha ha ha ha...my brother does that to me all the time.