Few breaks on long, long ride

FOR the past week and a half, tens of thousands of Australians have been sitting up late watching a large group of men riding bikes along roadways.
Yes, it really is as boring as it sounds. Yes, I am one of those night owls.
The Tour de France has been winding its way through the picturesque and relatively flat countryside of Normandy and Brittany, before heading to more difficult terrain.
On most nights so far, a small group of break-away riders has left the main bunch, attempting to get to the day’s finish line first. The main bunch (the peloton) rides after them like a giant lycra-clad organism.
During the day, the peloton slowly reels in the breakaway before they all rush to the finish in the final few minutes.
To illustrate just how dull this can be, SBS doesn’t even move straight to the race when it starts its broadcast at 10pm. Instead it shows some highlights, has a chat about the state of the race and, almost bizarrely, cuts to a cooking segment by French chef Gabriel Gate.
Imagine if a Test match was underway and Channel Nine missed part of the first session to show Matthew Hayden’s barbecue tips. It just wouldn’t happen.
What if Channel Seven delayed its footy broadcast to show gardening and cooking segments. Well, that would happen.
Odd as it seems, SBS actually hits the right note with its coverage. The reason so many people tune in, is as much about the visual splendour of the race and the culture of France as it is about the competition.
The castles, chateaus, cathedrals and villages make the Tour de France the most attractive sport in the world.
For frozen Victorians suffering through the depths of winter, it’s like watching a nightly fantasy of a beautiful land toasting under a summer sun.
As the race moves into the Pyrenees this week and onto the Alps next week, the tension will rise as the cycling wheat is sorted from the chaff.
Like the riders themselves, the armchair peloton back at home will be forced to dig deep into its dwindling reserves of energy to keep going. Each stage will become more fascinating; each night later; each following day more of a blur.
Pedalling the Tour’s 3430 kilometres is a mighty challenge, but so is a three-week marathon of late night cycling coverage. Only the strong will survive.
– Danny Buttler