TDF: a shiny new thread for 2012

[pll]

I so agree with the TTs being boring to watch (maybe the last 5 riders can be watched, but over 50km or more... that's boring, too). The TTTs are fun.

A resounding yes to NBCs coverage being terrible. The last stage, in particular, I made the mistake of tuning to the noon coverage in the regular NBC channel. It was complete nonsense, a 2 hour "teaser" for people that do not follow the tour. And they did not show the sprint or podium! What...?

[malkin]

I was really disappointed with NBC Sports network's coverage...They also did not have the name of the castle or town, which Versus always had....

Agree with all the comments about the coverage (even the ones I didn't quote). I also HATED the spinning maps which were disorienting and left me with hardly any idea where the race was taking place.

Just because a graphic exists does not mean it should be used!

[lovelygamer]

A funny post about social networking for cyclists from TDF's facebook.

[Eden]

I was among those who used the NBC sports TDF app - it was great.

$15 =
no commercials - seriously none what so ever, and the commentating continues even during what would be breaks.

live and recorded streaming coverage

start to finish coverage (seriously... they started and ended with some Aussie guy, Matt, but he knew his stuff pretty well, and would switch to Phil and Paul about an hour in or so, but generally started with the rollout!)

Only the French feed graphics - not sure what you meant by the spinning maps- do you mean the fly in at the very beginning? That's part of the French feed, as are the km's to go, and rider positions so NBC doesn't have control over that, but if they added stuff, it didn't show up on the web stream.

[ny biker]

From twitter this morning:

@RoadID 2 flats on my AM ride. Sitting on the side of the road right now. #TubesMan

[tulip]

I was among those who used the NBC sports TDF app - it was great.

$15 =
no commercials - seriously none what so ever, and the commentating continues even during what would be breaks.

live and recorded streaming coverage

start to finish coverage (seriously... they started and ended with some Aussie guy, Matt, but he knew his stuff pretty well, and would switch to Phil and Paul about an hour in or so, but generally started with the rollout!)

Only the French feed graphics - not sure what you meant by the spinning maps- do you mean the fly in at the very beginning? That's part of the French feed, as are the km's to go, and rider positions so NBC doesn't have control over that, but if they added stuff, it didn't show up on the web stream.

Good to know. I was very happy with the app last year. I was on a bike tour for much of the TDF so I didn't watch it until the very last two stages. My phone did not work where I was touring, so there's not much an app would do. But I was riding my bike, so that was better anyways.

Next year, assuming I'm not watching it from some cafe in rural France, I'll get the app again. Thanks for the review.

[Crankin]

We also used the TDF app from NBC sports and then watched it through our Apple TV device on our TV. It was fine; seemed like business as usual. I did actually miss some of the ads, but the 2 days it was on the regular NBC station, I did get to see some of the ads.
I would not have wanted to watch it on an IPad or computer... too small to really appreciate all of the scenery.