2026 Tour de France

Did Hotter than Hell once. Was a bit chaotic at the start. Plus the first few miles were full of carnage. Yes, it was hot, but the headwind was brutal. On the return the tailwind was nice but I sweated my balls off!

Norwegian in yellow. That’s a surprise. But the GC contenders used Stage 4 as a recovery. 

Really curious to see how the battle for 3rd plays out once they get into some sustained climbs. Feels like JV and Tadej are simply unmatched if they can stay healthy. Tourmalet on Thursday will be a fun one while they all still have "fresh" legs.

I don't really follow it, even being a 'Cyclist' - well, DHer and BMXer.

But, SBS here in OZ covers a Lot of Cycling, so, I'll have it on in the background in my workshop, as I use a TV like people use a Radio.

So, I'll look over every now and then, and see the Suffering.

The 3 person commentary team SBS have  are good - one I know personally from my years in the industry.

Besides the racing, it's a pretty good ' travelogue ' thing, with the scenery, and the history - the commentary team are always putting a bit of colour / history to various Sights /Sites  / Towns / Castles / Chateau's etc etc.

With the 32" ' revolution' ( supposedly) going on in MTB  - I've already made 2 32 / 29" DHers : they were for Monsters  of 6' 10" and 6' 11.5" - I really think they would be appropriate for the Roadies.

But, the UCI would never allow that - cripes, how many years did it take them to deem Disc Brakes were allowable? 

I'm in Hospital at the moment, so, watching ( too much of ) it, and I just noticed in an Ice Pack exchange between a Vehicle and a Domestique, they seemed to really  push the rules on assistance, - the Dom was holding onto the Ice Pack, while the arm hanging out the car held it, for a Loooong time..... 😁

It's a valid concern.

BUT - for the reasons the bigger wheels with their size altering the 'angle of attack' to produce a smoother ride, that also reduces the ' Slam ' factor with regards to dings, etc.

The growth in wheels , years ago, was also  - sort of - commensurate with the widening of hubs. 100 to 110s, then the 'Boost' that brought ( the potential for ) wider flange distances, and, with rears, from 135s, to 142s, 148s ,150s, 157s ( Boost again as well) . Hey, I've a couple of 26" wheels hanging up, with the very brief 'std' of 165mm for the rear.

I run now standard DH set up of 29 / 27.5, though, one of my favourite old bikes, is a 27.5 / 26, with White Bros forks  And / Or Fox 40s,  both of which  I've I brought out to 9", with a 10.25"  travel rear. It's fun,  maneuverable, and, the big , well working travel makes it almost as 'straight lineable' as my bigger wheeled bikes - Even though it's got a hated ( by me) rear derailleur . I pretty much Only make Pinion GB frames now. I've a few Very Wide flange rear wheels, 27.5 and 29, because I don't have a cluster, just the single sprocket, and those refuse to fail. 

I tend to make a new frame / bike for myself once a year now, around Xmas time, when I stop work on others bikes  / other companies projects. Not that I ever need a new bike, nowadays.  Maybe by then, there will be more 32" compatible DH forks, ( the 2 32 /29s bikes I mentioned, the riders have access to 2 companies prototype 32" forks , Right Now) that I can try. I don't think the bigger wheels are necessary, especially for Me, well, the Majority of riders, and I wish that the push for ever  'new standards' would stop, but, things go the way of fashion / the market. And Not the way of a Grumpy, Cynical Old Man . 😁

Here's a nice calendar breakdown for stage profiles/watch-ability.

Sprint stages are typically meh. Jonas was quite disgruntled when he flatted in the middle of the race. He’s feeling the pressure. 

So cool for Uno X. Norway’s having a great July 

A lot of people watch just for the scenery.

UAE turning the screws on today’s stage. Destroying all other teams. Jonas down to one domestique

I like Jonas. He’s cold and calculating but a true sportsman.  When Tadej fell on a fast downhill a few years back and Jonas waited, even though it was the TdF, I was an instant fan. 

Jonas and Wout are the reason I'm a Visma fan. They're the epitome of grit and determination. Wout's Rubaix win this spring make days like today sting a little less 😂

And Sepp…

The way Sepp and the Yates brothers climb is a joy to watch. Kinda like Jett on a rough track, they just make it look so effortless. 

Yeah, he went into that corner hot. Was a gnarly get-off but he gutted out the stage.  He leaves with two days in yellow, which takes the sting out of the DNF. 

The most incredible human athletic event ever.

It is a great moment in life when you realize and figure out what the hell is happening on the road and inside the races and jerseys. Makes you a fan for life. Truly amazing addition to the physical feats involved.

The race(s) within the race. Lance Armstrong’s “The Move” podcast has good insight. He remains a divisive figure but entertaining nonetheless.  

Have you tried to get her into the TDF Femmes yet? Those girls are badasses, and usually have some really entertaining GTs. The d'Huez stage from 2024 was one of the best I've seen in recent years by either tour.

Is anyone is the states watching the race on the euro broadcast with ant and roach (unless it’s changed, but I miss them so much )?  

Ever since peacock ditched that option and only offer the US feed, I’ve watched 1/10 of the tour, if that.  The commercials piss me off like no other sport.  It’s made sprint stages unwatchable for me. 

Is there still an option to watch this commercial free??