Origins of the Tour de France - Historum

**Jake10** · December 5th, 2012, 02:43 PM

So, this comes from apprentices and migrants working their way though the country? How did this originate? What did they have to do along the way? It took them years to complete, how did others know they had really done it?

funakison · December 5th, 2012, 03:00 PM

The first tour de france was sponsored by a newspaper and was the brainchild of Henri leGrand. First run in 1903, it took place at night and just about everyone and their brother was accused of cheating. One person was disqualified for putting his bike on the train. Others were suspected of being towed by their team cars. It was all a bit of a shambles.

**Rongo** · December 5th, 2012, 03:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by funakison

The first tour de france was sponsored by a newspaper and was the brainchild of Henri leGrand. First run in 1903, it took place at night and just about everyone and their brother was accused of cheating. One person was disqualified for putting his bike on the train. Others were suspected of being towed by their team cars. It was all a bit of a shambles.

Some things never change, I guess.

I love cycling. I used to love le Tour de France. Well, one out of two ain't bad.

**Jake10** · December 5th, 2012, 03:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by funakison

The first tour de france was sponsored by a newspaper and was the brainchild of Henri leGrand. First run in 1903, it took place at night and just about everyone and their brother was accused of cheating. One person was disqualified for putting his bike on the train. Others were suspected of being towed by their team cars. It was all a bit of a shambles.

Interesting, although I was thinking about the cultural practice more than the bicycle race.

funakison · December 5th, 2012, 03:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rongo

Some things never change, I guess.

I love cycling. I used to love le Tour de France. Well, one out of two ain't bad.

You used to love le Tour, what back in the good old days of Lance Armstrong.

Now now, you cant win every year, besides Tejay Van Garderan is the real deal.

**Rongo** · December 5th, 2012, 03:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by funakison

You used to love le Tour, what back in the good old days of Lance Armstrong.

Now now, you cant win every year, besides Tejay Van Garderan is the real deal.

Lance Armstrong is the biggest spoiler of them all. I don't believe in any of them anymore. I do believe in myself though.

**Jake10** · December 5th, 2012, 03:56 PM

Guys, please don't turn this thread into a discussion about cycling.

Let's focus on the migrants before the 1850s who treked across France for various other reasons.

**Rongo** · December 5th, 2012, 04:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jake10

Guys, please don't turn this thread into a discussion about cycling.

Let's focus on the migrants before the 1850s who treked across France for various other reasons.

It had to be a horribly grueling journey, with the technology of the time, and without the drugs of our time.

**Jake10** · December 6th, 2012, 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rongo

It had to be a horribly grueling journey, with the technology of the time, and without the drugs of our time.

Well, a lot of inn keepers along the way used to put clean bed sheets on in November, and they would replace them in March. Sleeping fully clothed kept some of the fleas from biting.

**Rongo** · December 6th, 2012, 03:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jake10

Well, a lot of inn keepers along the way used to put clean bed sheets on in November, and they would replace them in March. Sleeping fully clothed kept some of the fleas from biting.

I'm pretty sure I stayed in that hotel once.