How riders pee on the bike, the age of the youngest winner, whatever the heck ASO is—no matter what your questions are about the Tour, we’ve got your back. – By Molly Hurford
Photograph by Pete Kavanagh via flickr
Let’s be honest: Pro cycling is difficult to watch and enjoy without some basic knowledge. But once you’ve figured out the essential logistics – What’s up with the jersey colors? What’s a breakaway? Which channel is this race even on? – a few more nuanced questions still linger. Here are answers to 13 things you’ve likely wondered about the Tour de France, which we hope get you thinking about even more questions!
Photograph by Tim de Waele/Getty
How do Tour de France Riders pee?
Long, hot, July days mean the pros are hydrating a lot on the bike, which means bathroom breaks are inevitable.
In the first five to 10 minutes of a race, when the pace is more leisurely, “riders pull to the side of the road, pull their shorts down just like you would underwear – you know, pull front down, do your business,” says retired pro cyclist Ted King, who’s ridden the Tour de France several times. During this neutral roll out, King says, there’s plenty of time to catch back on to the peloton before the race starts in earnest.
Once the pace picks up, riders still use this tactic to pee while racing. “It’s a lot easier to wait for a lull in the race when a big fraction of the peloton pulls to the side of the road rather than doing it solo, because that solo chase is tough!” King says.
But nature calling doesn’t mean riders even have to slow down: You can also pee off the bike while riding. (Too much information? Maybe, but now you’ll know why riders sometimes look awkward when they’re coasting.) “If peeing to the right, your right leg is in a 6 o’clock position, left at 12. Left hand on the handlebars, right hand holds the shorts down, and coast while relieving yourself,” King advises.
via Bicycling » Tour de France http://ift.tt/29m1EIh
No comments:
Post a Comment