Tour de France Trivia

Before closing out the 106th edition of the Tour de France, wanted to share some of the trivia learned in listening to coverage:
*  The Tour is the world's only major sporting event free to spectators.
​*  Another nickname for the Tour is La Grande Boucle, the big loop.
*  Each rider is assigned a number, with last year's winner having number one.  We can easily see the numbers they pin to their jerseys, still with safety pins.  But each rider has a number plate on their seat post which includes a small number representing the number of Tour career stage wins

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*    Besides wearing the yellow jersey, the team mechanic will add  touches of yellow to the bike, like handlebar tape, or he may even ride a yellow bike.
*  All bikes have a transponder on the chain stay to relay rider location, start and finish times.
*  There is spare clothing in the ride directors' car--including a pair of spare shoes that was called for by one rider this year.  
*  Riders do not usually have time to pre-ride every stage, but they send out scouts.
*  Drinking alcohol is now banned during the race because it is considered a stimulant.  
*  On the 2 rest days, most do not rest, riding at least 2 hours or more.  Also a lot of business is conducted to solidify team contracts for next year.  
​*  The 100th anniversary of the yellow jersey was celebrated this year.  It was first awarded 6 years after the event started.  The oldest living recipient is 93 year old Jacques Marinelli who wore it for 6 days in 1948.
*  On July 23 women raced La Course, a stage separated from the men.  A women's race has been on and off again for the last 30 years.  To bring awareness to women cycling, 13 women unofficially rode each stage ahead of the men.  ​