{"id":174515,"date":"2019-07-05T06:59:12","date_gmt":"2019-07-05T06:59:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.welovecycling.com\/wide\/?p=174515"},"modified":"2019-07-05T06:59:12","modified_gmt":"2019-07-05T06:59:12","slug":"why-the-tour-is-like-a-family-celebration-of-the-year","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.welovecycling.com\/wide\/2019\/07\/05\/why-the-tour-is-like-a-family-celebration-of-the-year\/","title":{"rendered":"Why the Tour Is Like a Family Celebration of the Year"},"content":{"rendered":"

It\u2019s a bit tongue-in-cheek matter to introduce the Tour de France, The Rolling Stones of cycling races even cycling deniers have heard of, on the virtual pages of an e-zine literally called We Love Cycling for the hundredth time. So we won\u2019t. For all the well-known history, stats, numbers, rosters, stages, and more, Google and Wikipedia are here to come to your rescue and cover your bases. The aspect of the Tour we would like to talk about is something elusive and intangible but none the less real.<\/strong><\/p>\n

While a lot has been (and will be) said and written about the riders, their teams, trainers, nutritionists, sleep routines, masseuses, team fleet cars and every other aspect of the race\u2019s pro scene, there pops out an occasional article, praise or interview with the fans. The presence of people on \u201cthe outside\u201d might seem like a no-brainer \u2013 every other great spectacle is destined to bring in the crowd \u2013 but if you\u2019ve ever witnessed Le Tour first hand, you know well there\u2019s something different in the air. A sense of instant camaraderie, a feeling of belonging with absolute strangers, a heartfelt chaotic unity. Call it what you will but the description of spectators gathering along individual stages or in front of live-streaming TV or computer screens each year boils down to a single word: family.<\/p>\n

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The on-site spectators, ranging from toddlers to enthusiastic grandmas, gather each year with a sense of anticipation, eyeballing and singling out their heroes in the colourful LYCRA-littered crowd buzzing behind the stage starting line, almost as if they were cheering on a cousin in a local race. Whether your sympathies belong to Peter Sagan, Vincenzo Nibali, Geraint Thomas, Jakob Fuglsang or Nairo Quintana, no-one\u2019s going to dispute your preference choices and if, only jokingly. Because everyone\u2019s rooting for the thrill<\/a> of the race itself the same way they root for \u201ctheir\u201d riders. The showcase of pure determination, excellence and performance is mesmerizing to behold and that\u2019s what ties all fans together, creating an eccentric family of about 12 million members \u2013 and that\u2019s just the average number lining that race\u2019s route. According to the organizers, a staggering 3.5 billion viewers across 190 countries tune in to watch La Grande Boucle (French for \u201cThe Big Loop\u201d) annually.<\/p>\n

You don\u2019t have to be a road cycling enthusiast \u2013 if you love the spectacle and hoopla that surrounds the greatest bike race in the world, then planning to view the Tour de France makes for an exciting family holiday adventure. You might notice a small \u201csettlements\u201d to pop up along the stages. Grills are being fired up and campsites are being pitched and it\u2019s no wonder; a world-class event and a unique way to take in the breath-taking French nature? Count us in!<\/p>\n