Le Tour de France

History

Le Tour de France is an annual cycling event that occurs in France.  The tour was first staged in 1903.  Riders typically ride around 2,200 miles over the span of three weeks and 19 stages. According to Time Magazine, the race was a result of Henri Desgrange, a French Magazine editor.  He launched the race  is 1903 using 60 racers in an effort to boost circulation of his magazine.  His magazine became popular due to coverage of the Tour and the popularity of the tour increased. 

Jersey Wearers

Throughout the tour, several different jerseys are worn by the riders.  The jerseys include a yellow jersey, a green jersey, a polka dot jersey, and a white jersey.  The rider with the lowest overall time of the whole race wears the yellow jersey.  The winner of the points classification wears the green jersey.  Points are added up by points collected in a stage and subtracting penalty points.  Placing high in a finishing stage or winning a sprint earn points for the riders.  My personal favorite jersey is the red and white polka dotted jersey, or the king of the mountain jersey.  This jersey is worn by riders who are first to reach the top of specific hills and mountains.  The white jersey is awarded to the best young rider in the tour.

The Winner

The winner of the race is the rider who has the lowest cumulative time.  The overall winner receives the prestigious yellow jersey at the end of the race.  However, riders can win an individual stage and it comes with great honor.  Riders can also win the various jersey's discussed above during the race. 

Stages and Teams

Throughout le Tour de France there are usually around 20 stages.  There are three different types of stages within the twenty stages.  These stages include time trials, flat, and mountain stages.  Different riders excel in different stages.  A cyclist does not begin the race alone but usually goes with nine other riders.  These teammates use strategy to help their strongest cyclist win.  Teams come from all over the world and represent several different countries. 

The 2012 Tour de France began on June 30 and will continue until July 22.  Tune in and see if you can spot the different colored jerseys!  You can also learn a little about strategy and how teams plan to win the coveted yellow jersey.  The fans are also fun to watch, as the race is a very big event in France. 

Cycling and Your Feet

If watching and learning about the tour has inspired you to get on a bike, here are some tips for cycling and foot care. 

• The type of biking you do can impact your choice of shoes. For road cycling and racing, shoes that have stiff soles, a narrow heel, and snug fit are best. For mountain biking, the shoes also need a decent tread for better grip and a more rugged sole.

• For the casual or recreational cyclist, a typical athletic shoe used for running, walking, or cross-training is perfectly fine for biking. Just be sure that the sole is firm and not worn down so that it grips the pedal to avoid slipping

• Check out this book pictured at below, available through our product store, to learn everything you need to know about cycling.

• Be sure to contact a doctor before beginning any exercise routine.  Do not hesitate to contact our office if you are experiencing any problems with your feet. Call us at 419-423-1888 to schedule your appointment.