Tour de France *** 2011 *** [LIVE THREAD]

Various ^ | July 2, 2011 | Various

[PeteB570]

As WTC said. The TdF is a bike race and RAGBRAI is a touring event/party.

When it came through my hometown years ago my dad had three vacant lots worth of mowed grass next to his garage. Offered it to the event and the area was covered in small tents for the night.

He ran a hose out the garage window and attached it to a post. Many there used it as a makeshift shower.

[nutmeg]

Ragbrai is a big party, the TdF is not really a “touring” event, it is a misery fest.

OK, I gotcha. The key phrase is "touring event". Thanks, guys! ;-)

[patriotspride]

Agree with the other replies on difference.

Knowing he’s more than likely wanting to still win the discussion.

TDF started in 1903.

[deport]

Touring events I don't know but the longest race if not the longest is the "Race Across America" which begins on one coast and ends on the other. It will be somewhere around 3,000 miles depending upon the route for that year. Once the race begins the clock doesn't stop until the finish line is crossed. Individual winners will take 8 days or so, teams will be somewhat quicker.

Touring events and races are two diffent things altogether.

[Baynative]

I think the “touring “ event part separates it from the professional Tours or the RAAM because if is just another recreational ride; one where people wear funny feathers and glue fox tails to their helmets.

[Bubba Ho-Tep]

And whatever happened to Michael Rassmussen?

Doping suspension. It ended in 2009, but he hasn't gotten back onto a pro team. He's racing, but basically in the semi-pro minor leagues of cycling.

[SouthTexas]

If he thinks he's tough, let him sign up for this one: Hotter'n Hell 100 .

[luv2ski]

The Tour de France is a professional bike race. All of the participants are full-time professional cyclists. Anyone can sign up for the Ride across Iowa. It’s not a race. There are no awards or categories, etc.
Completely different animal. LIke saying “How is my intramural softball team compared to the Boston Red Sox?”

BTW, Lance tweeted that he’s riding it.

[luv2ski]

Yeah, and how about Ride the Rockies (which I have done twice)= 500 miles in a week over mountain passes. Last time I checked, Iowa is flat...

[luv2ski]

Check out this adorable picture of Voeckler with his little son from the versus facebook site:

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=189028774490498&set=pu.165455726847803&type=1&theater

[golux]

The RAAM has always been (unless things have changed) a very dangerous and deadly nonstop TT. That is why it is nothing in comparison to DuPont etc. It is not a fair or fun race, planned by slick amateur asses, and even crazy Desgrange would agree. The goal must never be to kill the competitors through exhaustion, dehydration, or disorientation.

[Baynative]

A friend in California rode RAAM in the 90’s - pure torture. Fatigue, lack of sleep, hallucinations, insufficient recovery time and lack of nutrition. 8 day ride (I think) took him weeks to recover from.

[Todd Kinsey]

My guess is that it’s the oldest “FUN” ride in the world. The Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, etc are races even tough the titles say “Tour”. It is definitely one of the biggest in the U.S.

The MS150 from Houston to Austin boasts being the top charity ride in the country. The MS has other events but this one is by far the largest. For the most part I stay away from these charity rides because there are too many novices and accidents abound.

[luv2ski]

My husband and I went up to Vail Wednesday night and drove up to the summit of Vail pass yesterday morning. We rode to the finish of the Pro Cycling Challenge ITT on Vail pass on our bikes. We were able to get spots right on the barriers at the very end. We could see each rider as he came around the last corner and up to the finish including his time and current place.

It was just incredible! Andy Schleck, Frank Schleck, George Hincapie, Cadel Evans, Levi Leipheimer, Christian Vandevelde, Tee Jay Vangarderen, Tom Danielson, Ivan Basso and more rode by us about 10 feet away! It was especially fun to see each of them individually rather than the swoosh of the peloton blowing by in a few seconds.

There are still 3 more stages on Versus if you haven't had a chance to see it. Being from Colorado, it is fabulous to have these guys in our state and to see the photos on TV at night!