First, I need to just get this out of the way: I don’t like the version of reality we all seemed to be trapped in, the one where the world is boiling over and the supreme court is off the rails and the presidential race is let’s just say it, cuckoo nuts.
My husband got me into watching the Tour de France several years ago, and you describe perfectly the experience of a new viewer! Learning what terms like "domestique" and "breakaway" and "flamme rouge" and "peloton" mean, and why certain riders are allowed to go ahead of the pack, and how teams strategize, and what the different jerseys mean, and so on. It slowly started to make sense, but until then I just enjoyed the stunning views of France (and the other countries they veer into), and the dry wit of the commentators, and the goofy fun outfits of the spectators. There are so many bizarre, unique features that make it fun. Who would believe there is a coveted polka-dotted jersey awarded to someone they call "King of the Mountains?" And that they give a stuffed animal, a lion, to the race leader every day?
My favorite days to watch are the mountain stages. Beautiful scenery, and that's when the race leaders tend to make their most dramatic moves.
I love learning the backstories of all of the bikers (I was going to say "the characters"!) To make things more interesting (or maybe more complicated) we were flipping back and forth between the live race and a race from two years ago. There's a documentary on Netflix about the 2022 tour, a ten-part series. Many of the same racers and all of the highlights and drama. Highly recommend!
My husband got me into watching the Tour de France several years ago, and you describe perfectly the experience of a new viewer! Learning what terms like "domestique" and "breakaway" and "flamme rouge" and "peloton" mean, and why certain riders are allowed to go ahead of the pack, and how teams strategize, and what the different jerseys mean, and so on. It slowly started to make sense, but until then I just enjoyed the stunning views of France (and the other countries they veer into), and the dry wit of the commentators, and the goofy fun outfits of the spectators. There are so many bizarre, unique features that make it fun. Who would believe there is a coveted polka-dotted jersey awarded to someone they call "King of the Mountains?" And that they give a stuffed animal, a lion, to the race leader every day?
My favorite days to watch are the mountain stages. Beautiful scenery, and that's when the race leaders tend to make their most dramatic moves.
I love learning the backstories of all of the bikers (I was going to say "the characters"!) To make things more interesting (or maybe more complicated) we were flipping back and forth between the live race and a race from two years ago. There's a documentary on Netflix about the 2022 tour, a ten-part series. Many of the same racers and all of the highlights and drama. Highly recommend!