2013 TdF talk - spoilers allowed!!!

[Bike Writer]

Happens all the time and it makes me so nervous. A fan got what he deserved (tripped while running behind van Garderen): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ls3NxXSb1K0

Good video PLL

[pll]

Good video PLL

And I found a picture of the moment - not so cool (I did not get the reason of the altercation in the video, but after this pic, I see clearly why). Still, why do people run after the riders, yelling at them? I don't get that.

[ny biker]

And I found a picture of the moment - not so cool (I did not get the reason of the altercation in the video, but after this pic, I see clearly why). Still, why do people run after the riders, yelling at them? I don't get that.

I don't understand it either. I think most of the riders appreciate verbal support from the spectators, but the crazy outfits and the running alongside them just seems like a desperate cry for attention to me. Of course many of the spectators are drunk, so that might explain a lot.

[malkin]

I'd love to see a sort of running of the bulls style cycling event where moronic fans can run with cyclists who carry some kind of little weapon (like darts or a tazer) to zap the annoying runners.

Seriously, I am puzzled by the fans who run, but the ones who touch the riders or throw water on them or light smoke flares really bother me. If they stay out of the way, running is harmless, but the rest really could be a serious problem for everyone.

[salsabike]

Me too. I have horrible fantasies about going there and whacking those crazed, interfering fans with something that doesn't hurt them badly but does irritate the hell out of them. I can't understand why they allow this. It drives me nuts to see it.

I'd love to see a sort of running of the bulls style cycling event where moronic fans can run with cyclists who carry some kind of little weapon (like darts or a tazer) to zap the annoying runners.

Seriously, I am puzzled by the fans who run, but the ones who touch the riders or throw water on them or light smoke flares really bother me. If they stay out of the way, running is harmless, but the rest really could be a serious problem for everyone.

[Skippyak]

One assumes that this is just part of the spectacle, overpolice the enthusiasm and maybe there won't be any. It fills me with anxiety just watching, but the fans are what really supports the cost of the event. I really wonder what other country would allow such disruption of infrastructure. I went to watch a little of the Tour of Utah and even for a short well publicized semi rural road closure the driving public was apoplectic. Two cars actually just drove through the closure of an intersection past the police who could not do a thing about it. I was more entertained by the car drivers and police that I was really distracted from the speedy descent I had come to watch.
Is the USA pro challenge really only in Colorado? Is that as national as it gets?

[katluvr]

I've enjoyed this years Tour immensely. Yes, it was obvious that Froome would win and he stayed in yellow. But all the different stage wins and attacks. I think it was most interesting this year. I will miss sitting on my trainer pedaling along! I am glad Quintana (sp?) won today and will be on the podium. Looking forward to Pro Cycling Challenge (Colorado).

[Bike Writer]

I don't get it either or why it's allowed. It makes me very nervous watching people wave flags over their heads and faces, the yelling and crowding. I'd be tempted to carry a baton, but as ny biker pointed out most of the real crazies are probably drunk. Oh yeah, and even though I am a touchy-feely-huggy kind of person, those strangers touching the riders while they are undergoing those laborious climbs? That's way out of bounds!

[pll]

I don't get the crazies along the route, but I don't get the comments about it "not being allowed" either. Just imagine the amount of personnel or the cost of putting up fencing along ~120 miles of the route each day. What should the organizers and towns do?