1989 Tour de France + 30
 

I got my first "ten speed" bike in a trade with my college roommate in 1988 at age 20. The first Tour de France that I ever watched was in 1989 - Greg Lemond vs. Laurent Fignon. I had vaguely heard of Greg being the first American winner of the Tour but, three years later, I thought he was all washed up.

Boy, was I wrong. That Tour was amazing. I never raced but just watching Greg motivated me to keep riding my bike. There hasn't been a Tour since that was that gripping.

I can't tell you how many rides started in my head with "Greg came back from being shot to win the Tour de France. A little rain isn't going to hurt you. Go ride your bike."

I assume you have read “ The Comeback” by Daniel De Vise.

A wonderful read.

I am reading it right now. I just finished "Three Weeks, Eight Seconds" by Nige Tassell. The book goes stage by stage through that tour. Anytime it detailed a breakaway in a stage, I could name the winner from that group just because I have watched that tour so many times.

Erik Breukink, Acacio da Silva, Jelle Nijdam, Gert Jan Theunisse, even Indurain got his first stage win in that tour.

One thing I remember from the '89 Tour: after it was over I was riding my bike down a hill somewhere, really cruising along with the gravity assist, and noticing my speedometer reading 34mph, and then thinking, '****, Lemond rode that fast for 15 miles on flat roads?! No way!'

Seriously, it blew my mind. That final day TT average speed is mind-boggling.

Probably the last honest TDF. A win by mere seconds, the deficit prior to last stage a little less than a minute, right? Neck and neck all the way.

That's also the day tt bars & aero gear went big time.

Last honest Tour? Fignon, like everyone else Lemond beat was doped to the gills.

Pardon I meant TDF winner.

That aside, Lance. Rapha. Chain lube.

Let the debate rage on. :hello: :p