A Few Random Facts About the Tour de France: Did you know?

  • The Tour de France was started as a publicity stunt for a newspaper wanting to grow circulation.
  • Only 21 of 60 riders finished the first race.
  • Riders rode single speed (fixed gear) bikes in the early days.
  • Private citizens could ride in the early races.
  • Riders rode through the night during the first two Tours.
  • The closest race ever was 8 seconds between 1st and 2nd place.
  • Only 10 riders finished the 1909 Tour.
  • 3.5 billion people watch the Tour de France annualy
Share your Tour de France experiences or cycling tours to France.
I love this article about cycling being the new golf!   
From The Economist, August 26, 2014

TRADITIONALLY, business associates would get to know each other over a round of golf. But road cycling is fast catching up as the preferred way of networking for the modern professional. A growing number of corporate-sponsored charity bike rides and city cycle clubs are providing an ideal opportunity to talk shop with like-minded colleagues and clients while discussing different bike frames and tricky headwinds. Many believe cycling is better than golf for building lasting working relationships, or landing a new job, because it is less competitive. 

Enjoy!
The Bike Blogger