Cycling Shorts: Descending the Eiffel Tower
Pierre Labric’s descent by bicycle from the first level of the Eiffel Tower took place in 1923. Despite statements to the contrary Monsieur Labric is not the same Pierre Labric … Continue reading
Le Tour de France: Epilogue – A Few Thoughts On 2015
And so with yesterday’s retelling of the dramatic events of the final stage of the 1989 Tour we came to the end of this historical look at Le Tour de France. … Continue reading
Le Tour de France: Stage 21 – Paris ITT, 1989
And so after three weeks we finally reach Paris. When I decided to write this series back in February I had several ideas for the stages I wanted to include … Continue reading
Le Tour de France: Stage 20 – Brive-Puy de Dôme, 1964
It’s one of the Le Tour’s most iconic images. Jacques Anquetil and Raymond Poulidor fighting it out shoulder to shoulder on the slopes of the Puy de Dôme during the 1964 … Continue reading
Le Tour de France: Stage 19A, 19B, and 19C – La Rochelle – La Roche-sur-Yon : La Roche-sur-Yon – Cholet : Cholet – Angers, 1936
Months before the riders face their personal challenge of negotiating Le Tour the organizers have their own challenge to face, planning the route with the aim of creating an exciting … Continue reading
Le Tour de France: Stage 18 – Blagnac-Brive-la-Gaillarde, 2012
Cue peals of thunder, bolts of lightning, ominous sounds on the wind, for it’s time to talk about … The Curse of The Rainbow Jersey! … cycling’s very own urban legend … Continue reading
Le Tour de France: Stage 17 – Luchon-Mourenx, 1969
Anyone who is interested in the history of professional bike racing knows the name of Eddy Merckx, Belgium’s most famous son and undoubtedly the greatest racing cyclist ever. In 1969 … Continue reading
Le Tour de France: Rest Day 2
Today is the second rest day of this year’s Tour which seems like a good opportunity to take a break from writing and share some Tour photos with you instead. … Continue reading
Le Tour de France: Stage 15 – Bagnères-de-Bigorre-Luz Ardiden, 2003
Somewhat to my surprise the official Race Regulations of Le Tour, in English at least, only run to thirteen pages in total which is remarkably concise for an event that … Continue reading
Le Tour de France: Stage 14 – Saint-Étienne-Aurillac, 1985
Anyone who rides a bicycle will know that crashing is an occupational hazard. A slick of oil on the road, a wet manhole cover, an unforeseen pothole, a wayward dog, … Continue reading