Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with TourdeFrance

When do the riders take bathroom breaks during the Tour de France?

Napoleonic Terrier — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 09:52:34 -0800

Watching the coverage here in the States, I have yet to see mention of any riders taking a bathroom break during the long stages. I recall hearing that TdF rules allow riders to stop at the side of the road only in the countryside, but even so, I haven't seen any mention of this, like a quick comment or quip. (Please note my viewing has been limited to the Versus network and I haven't watched every stage.) Does television coverage in other countries make mention of this? Do the riders just hold it in?

No, really, I'm not resting -- we're just talking...

Ogre Lawless — Fri, 24 Aug 2007 09:38:16 -0800

Tour de France: what was the deal with the guys hanging on the support vehicles while interacting with them? I mean, I can see the advantages and by and large these vehicles were at the back of the pack, but it seems like you'd be getting -some- advantage...

Watching the Tour de France in London

grouse — Sun, 17 Jun 2007 18:53:50 -0800

Watch the Tour de France in London for the prologue or stage 1? I'm not really an experienced Tour viewer, but I thought I'd take a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see it in London. I just want to make the trip once, so which day looks more interesting? The prologue is an individual time trial in Westminster, and the first stage is a plain stage with a rolling start through a large swath of London. The actual start is in Greenwich, and it probably gets increasingly difficult to reach the bits beyond by public transport.

I'd also love any suggestions on when and where to view, which you can send via e-mail if you want.

Is Landis a dope?

konolia — Thu, 27 Jul 2006 16:49:05 -0800

Floyd Landis' positive test-are there ANY other scenarios that would cause this test to be positive other than him doping? I'm not ready to have all my illusions shattered just yet...

What kind of flag is this?

scazza — Tue, 26 Jul 2005 09:15:31 -0800

What flag is a black and white American flag, with black triangles instead of stars? Sorry that I can't find any pictures. I saw this flag flown many, many times by the ecstatic, insane fans during the Tour de France. I'm inclined to believe that it is an anti-american flag, but I can't find anything about it. Anyone have any information on this flag, its meaning, its origins?

Tour de France 2005

flummox — Sun, 03 Jul 2005 13:46:29 -0800

Tour de France. I do not have access to OLN through my cable provider. I want to be able to hear, (in english), live commentary of the Tour. I figured I would be able to find this on the web but have not been able to so far. I would like also find out what resources others are using to follow the grande boucle, any good blogs I should know about?

How does the breakaway pack / peloton work? What is the story about the Lance Armstrong / Simeoni feud?

josh — Fri, 23 Jul 2004 17:17:01 -0800

Can someone who knows something about cycling or the Tour de France explain this article? How does the breakaway pack / peloton work? And what would be the "real story" behind this big Lance Armstrong / Simeoni feud?

Can someone please explain why the Tour de France begins in Liege, Belgium?

graventy — Thu, 22 Jul 2004 07:48:38 -0800

Can someone please explain why the Tour de France begins in Liege, Belgium?

Deconstructing the Tour de France

xmutex — Sat, 03 Jul 2004 13:50:06 -0800

Tour de France: How does it really work? It's a team sport, clearly, but you see Lance Armstrong getting all the credit for his victories. How do the teams factor in?