How To Watch The Tour

Are you ready for three weeks in the saddle?

A lot is written about how the Tour de France is so tough for the riders. But what about us, the fans? It’s hard on us too! What other sporting event makes you spend an entire three weeks sitting up all night in front of the telly? To do something like that takes stamina. It takes dedication and a lot of training. Your legs will be like jelly from climbing up the stairs each night. Your bum will be raw from the sofa cushions. You’ll have frozen feet, stinging eyes and an aching thumb from working the remote. By the time the roads go up, you’ll feel like you can’t take any more. Somehow, you just have to go on. But like any discipline, you need the best equipment. That’s why we’ve compiled the things every true fan needs if they’re going to make it to Paris. Get set for three weeks of Le Tour de France.
 
Those flat stages can be pretty dull.
You’ll need an alarm clock to wake you up before the sprint finish.
Alarm Clock
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Caffeine comes in a tablet form and suppositories for those wishing to be authentic.
We don't recommend prolonged use. In fact, stick with the coffee, it tastes better.
Caffeine Tablets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Why not take the opportunity to get some training in?
If you did this every night you could tell people you’ve ridden the Tour.
Just don’t lean too much on the corners.
Training Axel
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Pizza and Coffee are the mainstays of any Tour de France viewing.
Do not attempt to view this race without them.
Pizza & coffee
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
These books contain everything you need to know about the Tour. Mountains, past riders and historic stages. You can bet Phil Liggett and Paul Sherwen have a pile of these next to their microphones.
Bags of books
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
A French road atlas will allow you to plot each stage and follow the race as if you were there.
You can pretend you’re in the team car calling the shots over the radio.
“Breaker one-nine, this here’s the Rubber Duck…”
A France road atlas 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
As any good rider knows, hydrating is of the utmost importance. If you don’t drink enough water, you’ll bonk and have to wait another twelve months for your chance to roll into Paris.
Stay Hydrated
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
It’s good to be a courteous person.
Why not get some of these clappers and let your neighbors know when the stage is finishing so they can get up too?
Clappers
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
If you want to support your team you’ll need a jersey and cap.
Having different teams helps you keep a foot in both camps in case of stage losses or crashes.
Cycling hat is a must
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Not a fan of Gabrielle Gate? That’s OK.
Why not head to www.bagear.com.au and choose something to watch while you wait for the action to start. If you’ve never seen ‘Hell on Wheels’ you have yet to live the Tour.
DVD Set