An Introduction to the Tour De France: Review of the 2014 Official Guide

Photo by Tim De Waele

The Tour De France begins this Saturday and lasts for three weeks (July 5th--27th). The 2014 Official Guide is on shelves now, and gives an overview of cycling's most anticipated annual event. Reading the guide will give anyone an appreciation for how grueling an event Le Tour De France really is.

I was surprised to learn that the Tour actually begins its first three stages in England. And while most stages stop and start from the same cities, there are two flights: one from England to France and another to the final stage in Paris, as well as, two rest days.

Most of the daily rides are a minimum of 100 miles, and of the 21 stages overall, 9 are considered flat, 5 hilly, and 6 mountain stages that include 5 summit finishes. There is only one time-trial stage near the end of the race. 

The degree of difficulty in addition to the 100 miles of distance each day comes from climbs, or elevation gain. Being a novice cyclist for only two years, myself, and even having completed an IRONMAN, the endurance needed to complete, much less compete in, the Tour is quite impressive.

There are four jerseys of distinction to watch for as the stages progress each day: the yellow jersey is for the rider who maintains the lowest overall cumulative time. The green jersey is worn by the points leader. The polka dot jersey is donned by the leader of the mountain stages and the white jersey will be worn by the rider aged 25 years or younger with the lowest cumulative time.

A three week event that occupies nearly all of the month of July can be enjoyable to follow with only a few hours investment. Pronouncing the names of the cities is the most difficult part for English speakers, but since it starts in England-that helps!

The most detailed maps in the Guide show each of the 21 stages length in kilometers (just multiply by .62 to determine miles) and the grade of hills and mountain climbs. This is where even a little knowledge and experience climbing hills on a bike reveals just how difficult the Tour is and the respect that it demands.

The length of hills is the most influential, but the grade when added to some of the lengths, shows the strength and endurance needed and what separates these riders from the rest of the world.

The elite in any sport are enjoyable to watch and with Wimbeldon, the World Cup and Western States Endurance Run all being within the last week or so, this is truly exciting time for endurance athletes and those who appreciate lengthy events and the discipline it takes to make it look easy!

There are a handful of cyclists that were mostly unknown to me who are considered favorites to win overall and at the various stages, but with the few hours invested reading the guide and watching the Tour daily, the contenders will become familiar rather quickly for anyone. 

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This particular stage looks like a 100 mile roller coaster, but there are no magnets and electricity for power. The rider is the engine, and while the descents are fast and furious, the ascents spend leg-fuel and the end of the stage reveals the rider's economy and muscle. When this map is coupled with a map of the grade and length, it really details how difficult just one stage can be, much less 3 weeks of riding with only two days rest.

So, dust off the cruiser, or the old ten-speed, and take it for a spin around the neighborhood, or haul it to the local green way. Maybe, I'll see you out there this month. Whether we wear yellow, green, white or polka-dot, we, too, can enjoy our beautiful world on a bicycle. It's a great way to exercise and easier on the joints than running. It can even make us better runners!