Well, PBR fans, it's hard to believe that even though we are only through one third of this year's Tour de France it seems like we've been on the road for a month!
It's a great 'view' from where we sit everyday as television commentators, but we pay for it every evening with how far we drive to the next 'finishing' town. Usually our drives last anywhere from two to four hours as the sun is setting.
That is the only BAD part.
Every day we're treated to some new part of the country as the sun is setting and it's as if we're on a movie set, shooting some final scene as we head off into the sunset. It's pretty amazing.
You know what else is amazing? How crazy these fans are! I've always said nobody is more dedicated than a PBR fan, but cycling fans seem to take that to a new level.
As we head into the mountains, you will start to see HOURDES of them camping on the side of the road...they don't show up that morning or even the day before, most show up 2 or 3 days before the riders race by.
Do the math...most of the peloton will pass them in a matter of seconds and they commit 72 hours of their lives sitting in one spot on a steep incline hoping for a glimpse of their hero. You have to respect that.
One thing the riders have to respect is the proximity to these crazy, screaming, rather intense supporters.
There are no 'rules' per se. It's just a matter of common sense. You SHOULD NOT get too close to a guy on a bike. If you see someone coming at you in a bright neon-colored, skin tight Lycra suit...you should probably get out of the way!
Sometimes they do and sometimes they don't. Over the years, plenty of riders have run into fans or would you call it the other way around? Even the master himself, Lance Armstrong, famously hit the deck after catching his handlebars on a spectator's bag.
Keep that in mind the next time you're at a PBR event – imagine being allowed to stand next to, on top of and right outside the chutes. Then line the dirt inside the arena with a few of your favorite friends!
No, I'm not giving the organizers any ideas!!!
It's been a great week of racing so far and the Americans are doing quite well. The two American teams – Team Columbia and Team Garmin-Chipotle – have riders placed incredibly well.
Team Columbia has a man from Luxembourg, Kim Kirchen (pronounced KEER-KIN), who is leading the whole race, so he is wearing one of the most coveted garments in sports: the 'maillot jeune' (Yellow Jersey). He's also been the most consistent rider so he also holds the 'green' jersey as well.
Since he can not wear both at the same time, and it is more prestigious to wear 'yellow' he passes the green on to the next guy in the standings. Team Columbia has also won a stage with their 'fast man' – a sprinter named Mark Cavendish.
Team Garmin-Chipotle is a great squad, led on the road by a guy named Chistian Vande Velde. He's ridden for many years, at one time he was on Lance Armstrong's team, and was responsible for helping Lance make it around France. Now he has a team to help him and he's doing spectacularly well.
And, personally, I'm a fan because I eat at Chipotle about 3 times a week when I am home!
Well, it's 'off to the races' as they say.
Hopefully a few of you are tuning in to the shows every night at 8PM or even waking up early to catch the live shows where Phil Liggett and Paul Sherwin commentate. They are the gold standard in 'live' cycling commentary, and well worth the effort to watch.
More from the road when time warrants...
All the best, Craig.
And I can imagine the food is pretty good, too!! Let us know what kinds meals you've had, I'd be curious how they stand up to the spread that Cindy offers out of her hotel room at some PBR events. I can belive how much food you can actually fit into a hotel room buffet style! She's a peach...
Anyway, see you at the events when you get back!! Darcy
I watched a bit of the race last night for the first time, and while I know nothing about the rules of the sport, I can see how exciting it must be. The overhead views were amazing! They look so close to each other--I don't know how they go days without some serious wipe-outs. I may just turn it on again from time to time.
Craig, I've now seen you commentate on three sports now (bull riding, cycling and swimming). I was wondering last night how many others you've done? I can't imagine having to be so knowledgeable about so many sports--especially ones that aren't the Big Three. I'm sure it's led you to places you never expected. It must be wonderful.
Enjoy the rest of your time there!