Is this your first year of watching the Tour de France? Even if it isn't, you might have a few burning questions about some aspects of the race. If you're not clear about the history of the Tour and how and why it first started, what an echelon is, what the different classification jerseys mean, and many of the other peculiar details of the the world's greatest bike race, this lovely animation explains all.
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Tour de France explained in animated video

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David worked on the road.cc tech team from 2012-2020. Previously he was editor of Bikemagic.com and before that staff writer at RCUK. He’s a seasoned cyclist of all disciplines, from road to mountain biking, touring to cyclo-cross, he only wishes he had time to ride them all. He’s mildly competitive, though he’ll never admit it, and is a frequent road racer but is too lazy to do really well. He currently resides in the Cotswolds, and you can now find him over on his own YouTube channel David Arthur – Just Ride Bikes.
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Latest Comments
@Dodonline "better off adding capacity to roads" is a well-documented means to increase the volume of traffic overall. If they are built, people drive on them. Take a look at Los Angeles or the US highway system.
@Jitensha Oni I see no misogyny in that abstract. Many communities around the world, particularly those focused on religious faith, demand that women act and dress in what others might see as outdated, unnecessary and restrictive ways. E-bikes might have benefits for such women.
@cooji The attempts I made in infant school at drawing a house were more realistic and convincing than the above image.
@quiff Women in intensely faith-based communities perhaps still have to fulfil "traditional domestic responsibilities" and to dress in more traditionally feminine ways, so cycling is not seen as good for them.
@MaxiMinimalist Ah, the Reform commenter arrives.
This is all welcome but to manage expectations: The road budget will always be bigger, but to a first approximation that's where all the money goes (never mind all the auto advertising and lobbying). Spend per person per year: i think the new money would take England to about £15.8 I think NL spends around 30 euros. That's now, having already transformed their transport (they've recategorised their streets and roads to be monofunctional, they've a nationwide *network* of cycle routes not just a notional one, public transport is very good and integrated with cycling etc.) So what about here previously? Scotland I believe was at £40. London (and Wales now) mid twenties. UK average: was about £10 Most UK places excluding London / Wales: £1
@GravelIsNothingNew So it's a waste of breath to discuss politics unless we know the Prime Minister reads our comments? Pointless to chat about football unless it's certain the England manager is reading? Are you sure road.cc management will read your comment? Otherwise you're just wasting your breath.
I think the Santander / Knowledge hook up is great. Hopefully a lot of potential cabbies will use it and thereby get some empathy with their ‘knowledge’. Cabbies think they own the roads in London. They are not the worst, but they do like to pass very close, manoeuvre without signalling and just stop wherever it suits them. A year on a cycle might help them to understand what it’s like when a line of waiting cabs is idling on a cycle route blocking the lane as they wait for a fare.
The 1960g weight in the top of the article is incorrect, although it is correctly quoted at the bottom of the article at 1124g. This seems excessive for a front rack though where any extra weight will not only make the bike harder to pedal but also affect the handling. Many low rider racks weigh around half a kilo and titanium front racks weigh less than 350g. A competitor's equivalent similarly priced rack offering storage above the wheel is nearly 350g lighter.
@mitsky I can't reply to your reply so I'm trying this. Thank you for the info. I was under the impression that driving on a pavement is an offence in it's own right so I assume it would have a different code. In Gloucestershire the police seem to be very reluctant to take action on video evidence of pavement driving so may be it's a national thing. It's a real pain trying to second guess what the police will take action on.
8 thoughts on “Tour de France explained in animated video”
I love stuff like this – I’ve
I love stuff like this – I’ve sent it to my friends so they’ll maybe understand my strange July obsession 🙂
Enjoyed that. Thank you.
Enjoyed that. Thank you.
that deserves a wider
that deserves a wider audience….
This is superb
This is superb
Terrific video. And my
Terrific video. And my assembly for Monday planned. Thanks.
Loved hearing that accent
Loved hearing that accent saying words like ‘mountain’ and ‘donkey work’
Is it possible to tell if
Is it possible to tell if someone has an underbite from the way they sound?
great vid especially as it
great vid especially as it sounds just like a stella cidre advert