poll: TdF viewing habits

[profàvélo]

Are you any less addicted to the Tour because of Lance's absence? Are you even more into it because it's more exciting? Are you watching it for the first time this year?

[mimitabby]

After Lance and his team dominating the TdF for years, it is a relief to me that
others are now making the news.

[Nanci]

I don't have cable, so I don't ever get to "watch." But I read the paper and get it on the web. I was more invested in the Lance Years, especially toward the end. I really cared that he broke the record, and then broke it again. It's always amazing when a record is broken in any sport.

I became _more_ interested this year after a lot of the favorites were dropped. It was like Post Lance, but even better- with even better chances for the underdogs.

[Geonz]

Like Nanci, except that I can pull up ongoing stuff on my 'puter at work. If no students are here, I'll sneak in some audio.
Next couple days will be interesting! It's a whole new race ... again ...

[Cassandra_Cain]

IMO - it is definitely more interesting and exciting now. For one, it is actually a race and there's a lot of intrigue, changes, and challenges. The previous 7 years it too often became a formality to Paris and a fight for 2nd or 3rd.

The race coverage on OLN is generally good, but oftentimes obsessed with Lance and co. Lance this, Lance that - even a bit of objectivity would be nice!

I'm not a Lance fan, but to be fair, any competition, no matter if it is Lance or someone else winning it - gets more than a bit stale when the same person wins 7 years in a row!

[caligurl]

i answered same amount.... i've been watching for 10 years now.... started watching when i met hubby.... at the end of the indurain era! (so i'm not a 99er!)

i don't think it's as interesting this year as other years... i'm seriously thinking we're seeing the first CLEAN tour in a long time... cuz SO MANY just aren't doing well!

[dobielover1]

We record it in the morning and then watch it at night so that we can fly through the commercials. I'm on vacation this week, so I've been watching live in the morning.
I've always been a big Lance fan...but I find the tour a little more exciting this year because it's so unpredictable.

[chickwhorips]

i find it interesting to watch with all the tactics everyone has. i'm watching it the same as i had previous two years. though i do like it better this year because at the end of the day you never know who's going to be in yellow. and the ones you expect, or at least i expect, never are in yellow. thought i am learning.

[Tri Girl]

I LOVE Lance, but I really like the tour this year, because it's so up in the air. Perhaps this is the first really clean tour yet, and it's making things very interesting. I like not "knowing" who's going to come to Paris at the end of the tour. I like all the unknowns and twists and turns. I DVR it in the mornings, then watch it in the evening (better to fast forward thru commercials).
This is my favorite tour so far, but I do miss that amazing cyclist (Lance, of course).

[Eden]

I'm in the recording camp too - that way I can have my ride and watch it too. The hardest part is not hearing or seeing what happened before I can watch it. NPR isn't even safe!
As far as this year goes I think its more exciting than ever. There has been no clear dominant rider. I don't think I've ever watched a tour that has been this crazy and I've been watching on and off for nigh on 20 years now Admittedly the only coverage I could ever get in the past - pre OLN was the several hour on the weekend recaps on the network channels, so it was not until recently that I really understood and began to enjoy the incredible teamwork and dedication it takes to win a race like Le Tour.

[HappyAnika]

I'm watching it for the first time this year, although I kept track of it online the last 2 years. Our normal dish package doesn't come with OLN. They gave us a free preview the first week and DH and I got hooked. We upgraded our package just so we can watch it, then we'll downgrade afer its over. Its sucking my life away every evening watching it, but then its too hot to do much else!

[veloputt]

I'm watching the same amount this year--which is about as much as I can--prefer the live coverage (sans Al & Bob), but have to leave for work before it ends (PST), and read on-line updates & the reruns at night. I've been hooked since the Indurain era (before Lance learned how to climb!). I think this year is one of the GC best competitions in years.

I don't like reading comments about how "bad" the guys are this year. We're seeing a real race of equals. Goes to show just how strong Lance and Ullrich & their teams were to dominate the past decade!

[bcipam]

I always watched (and the Giro and Vuelta as well) as long as they have been on OLN. Doesn't matter to me who's winning or doing what. Frankly I really like looking at the scenary and dreaming of someday travelling overseas to ride. I did like watching Lance - what an athlete!!!! I thought he made the Tour exciting. This year has had its ups and downs but it's ups are awesome - like today!!!!

[tulip]

I started watching in the mid-1980s at the end of the Bernard Hinault era and the beginning of the Greg Lemond era. I think my favorite racer is Laurent Fignon. I was in Paris for the finish the first time Indurain won. Crazy Spaniards in the streets!

I don't have cable, so I can't watch the Tour, but I do follow it on Eurosport.com and cycling.tv.

[Diggles]

I never watched...and now I don't own a television so...even less.