How do you celebrate TDF time?

[nolemom]

Watch it off and on at home, and the bike club has a night out to watch a mountain phase at a local sports bar. Probably the only time that their back room is dominated by cycling fans and the big screen is tuned to Versus.

[Eden]

Being on the west coast of the US, our coverage usually starts *early* - sometimes 4 or 5am. We usually pick the "queen stage" - the one with the biggest climbs, the most excitement and the biggest potential to turn the race on its ear, invite some friends over, get up nice and early and make a big breakfast.

[annielynn]

We will record every stage of the race and hubby and I will sit down and watch each night. I am kinda sad that I will be in Daytona at the Coke Zero 400 race on Saturday so I will miss watching the prologue live. Thank goodness for the DVR.

I am so excited for the TdF!

[GLC1968]

We've been watching the last 5 years. Not long after last years race, we dropped our cable down to the very basic subscription that only includes 8 channels because we rarely watch TV.

My husband just upgraded our subscription today. I'm picking up the DVR tomorrow. All so that we can watch the TdF. We'll dump it again after it's over.

[Veronica]

Like CC I get annoyed by all the Lance coverage. How much press did Frank Schleck get for winning the Tour de Suisse? He rode the time trial of his life! Or how about Tony Martin defeating Cancellara that same day? Nope the majority of the coverage was Lance 7th to 2nd - at nearly 39 years of age.

But as my riding buddy reminded me yesterday, Lance is the embodiment of cycling for non-biking Americans. Versus needs to make advertisers happy, and get lots of viewers. The perception is main stream America wants to hear about other Americans. He is amazing, but so is Dara Torres and she didn't get all the Olympic press.

I did watch the very lame Contador vs Armstrong special - basically a rehash of last year's Tour. I wish they would show Contador the respect he deserves.

Veronica

[katluvr]

I, like others, DVR the live broadcast and we watch after work, while eating dinner!

I work this weekend...but otherwise I would love to have beer/wine or food from the area that the are riding in that day...but alas, I have yet to get a menu or plans together. But I get excited to have 3 days of BIKING to watch!

I suspect Lance won't live up to some of the expectations his fan's, versus and "non-biking" americans think of him. But even if not doing well early on they will "talk" and "think" he will show form on mountain stages. Not holding my breath on it!

But still enjoying watching it!

K

[Crankin]

There is a restaurant in Boston that has a dinner for each night of the tour, based on the region in France the tour is going through. It's a pricey place, so we go once during the 3 weeks. They also have great beer, and keep Versus on in the bar during the Tour. A few times, they have raffled off a Trek bike, too.

[jobob]

I did watch the very lame Contador vs Armstrong special - basically a rehash of last year's Tour. I wish they would show Contador the respect he deserves.

Veronica

Oh, lordamercy, that was the lamest thing to hit the airways e-ver. I give it five eyerolls.

But were it not for Lance we in the USofA would not have anywhere near as much cycling coverage. So, thank you Lance. gag retch.

That said, I'll be rooting for the Schlecks, Christian Vande Velde, and, oh yeah, Contador!! for GC.

I would root for Levi, and I probably will, but naturally he'll be Working for The Man so Levi's chances for GC are pretty much nonexistent, unless Lance winds up in traction or something.

And I'll be sending out a cheer for Jens every chance I get. And Fabian and Stuey.

Vive Le Tour!

[loopybunny]

I'm a teacher so I have the month of July off. I'll definitely be watching. I'm also taking part in a Tour de France themed knit-a-long on Ravelry. We join teams and knit Tour de France or cycling related projects then generally make silly comments and share our progress with the group.

This year I'm looking forward to watching on my new LED-LCD HDTV that I've had for two weeks. It's going to be a different experience.

Most of my friends pretty much don't understand my interest in the race. However, I've gotten my mom hooked. We don't live near each other so we usually send several e-mails during the stages making comments on the action. I was surprised last year by some of her insight.