Spectators - TdF

07-05-2004, 07:09 AM

Watching some historical newsreels of previous races, I'm always amazed at
the stupidity, or whatever you call it, among the spectators in the race.
Several spectacular crashes were caused by camera hounds standing in the
course, jumping out in front of the leader, and juking back into the crowd
- in some cases, the rider would have avoided them had they just stayed
put, but them jump right in front of the evasion attempt.

In addition you have all the motorcycles, passing and barely missing
riders, support cars coming dangerously close. Not only that, but all the
exhaust fumes and noise. You'd think the riders would be telling the
organizers to keep the buggers in line and out of the way of the riders.

Don't know if the riders like it but you see people dashing out and
throwing something liquid (hopefully water) on riders.

(Yesterday I'm riding in the park and a guy with a hiking stick sees me
enter the parking lot. He stands around for at least 20 seconds, dwaddling
near his car, and as I turn around, walks over to the narrow entrance. Then
he stops and appears to be looking at a nearby bulletin board as I head for
the entrance. Then -just- as I'm about to go through the 2-3 ft wide gate,
he _leaps_ to the side like a deranged jackrabbit bit by a snake and goes
right in front of me. Fortunately, he's not -quite- fast enough to cause a
collision as I say 'look out!'. The guy had to be 60 y.o., and has probably
never moved that fast in his life. Sheesh - it's always something. Amazing
how the peds will see you coming and just stand there like paralyzed deer,
or do something stupid.)

Wonder who in the tour this year will succumb to some grandma swinging a
purse around? ;-p

-Badger