1989 Tour de France + 30

[91Bear]

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."

[gasman]

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

A wonderful read.

[91Bear]

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.

[tv_vt]

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.

[54ny77]

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.

[bikinchris]

Originally Posted by 54ny77

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.

[54ny77]

Pardon I meant TDF winner.

That aside, Lance. Rapha. Chain lube.

Let the debate rage on.

Originally Posted by bikinchris

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