An interesting video from Mark Beaumont, the current record holder for a solo bike trip around the world and a record holder for the fastest ride the length of Africa.
He and a friend decided to try and ride the original 1903 TDF route on old fashioned bikes and wearing old clothing. Stage 1 of the Tour was 467 km. It’s an interesting take on what the race used to look like.
I love the old tdf stories. Brutal stages on fixed wheel bikes. The only downside is the roads now are much better.
I wonder if for authenticity Marc used cocaine and strychnine in brandy to make it through the night.