Random Friday Quiz Question

by Chris Fontecchio on Oct 23, 2009 1:51 PM EDT

I came across this in a book last night, thought it worth testing your trivia knowledge:

What was the first mountain ascent in the Tour de France? Gimme year and pass/summit name.

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Balon d'Alsace

I have no idea what year.
1912?

Flahutes: Harden the F--k Up!

by bobgade on Oct 23, 2009 1:53 PM EDT reply actions

btw - what book?

Flahutes: Harden the F--k Up!

by bobgade on Oct 23, 2009 1:53 PM EDT up reply actions

Sweat of the Gods

"Harder! Better! Faster! Stronger!" Philippe Gilbert

by Chris Fontecchio on Oct 23, 2009 2:11 PM EDT up reply actions

Can I read it next?

I mean uh... hasn't that ever occurred to you, man? Sir?

by Drew Davis on Oct 23, 2009 3:03 PM EDT up reply actions

Very good book :-)

by Jen See on Oct 23, 2009 3:14 PM EDT up reply actions

Yeah the Ballon d'Alsace

On stage 2 of the 1905 Tour. Stage was won by the wonderfully named Hippolyte Aucouturier.

http://www.irishpeloton.com/

by irishpeloton on Oct 23, 2009 2:04 PM EDT reply actions

Nope

"Harder! Better! Faster! Stronger!" Philippe Gilbert

by Chris Fontecchio on Oct 23, 2009 2:11 PM EDT up reply actions

Massif Central

Col de la Republique

was the first climb over 1000 metres. Near St Etienne.

Photo by a friend

Moo

by Willj on Oct 23, 2009 2:28 PM EDT reply actions

Somehow

I knew you’d get it. 1903. First Tour. 17 meters lower than the 1905 Ballon d’Alsace ascent, which merely marked Desgrange’s first use of the hype machine.

"Harder! Better! Faster! Stronger!" Philippe Gilbert

by Chris Fontecchio on Oct 23, 2009 2:37 PM EDT up reply actions

Adding

I was stunned when I read that.

"Harder! Better! Faster! Stronger!" Philippe Gilbert

by Chris Fontecchio on Oct 23, 2009 2:37 PM EDT up reply actions

I cycled Ballon d'Alsace and put in on my blog as the 1st TdF mountain

and my St Etienne friend corrected me ;)

Moo

by Willj on Oct 23, 2009 2:40 PM EDT up reply actions

That's what I'm talkin about

Even Will was briefly mistaken.

"Harder! Better! Faster! Stronger!" Philippe Gilbert

by Chris Fontecchio on Oct 23, 2009 2:48 PM EDT up reply actions

What was the odds

That a) Will knew this and b) he could post a pic from the mountain? Something like 1.05.

Staring at the swim team gets you killed by a gang of dancing ninja men who know how to twirl.

by TheFigurehead on Oct 23, 2009 3:29 PM EDT up reply actions

Better than Gilbert winning Lombardia

I mean uh... hasn't that ever occurred to you, man? Sir?

by Drew Davis on Oct 23, 2009 3:38 PM EDT up reply actions

Yeah

When I was posting I had figured we’d have some fun til Will logged on.

"Harder! Better! Faster! Stronger!" Philippe Gilbert

by Chris Fontecchio on Oct 23, 2009 4:11 PM EDT up reply actions

For some stupid reason

it never even occurred to me that Will, the world’s eminent authority on cycling climbs in Europe, would have the answer and have photographic proof to back it up. Shows you how dumb I am.

by Jimbo... on Oct 23, 2009 5:51 PM EDT up reply actions

What a way to 'be able' to answer that trivia question.

Hate you Will.

No horn, watch for finger.

by sminer on Oct 23, 2009 5:11 PM EDT up reply actions

Col de la Republique interesting fact

at the col is a memorial for Paul de Vivie (known as Vélocio)
the inventor of the derailleur

Traditional cyclists did not appreciate his gears. The organiser of the Tour de France, Henri Desgrange, dismissed them in L’Auto as fit only for invalids and women. De Vivie campaigned for his invention and rode every morning up the col de la République for the joy of passing riders without them.

If anyone is interested in fun cycling history;

More at Wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_de_Vivie

De Vivie imported machines from England. In 1889 he made a bike of his own, called La Gauloise. It had a diamond frame, chain and a single gear. De Vivie was riding the col de la République (10km south east of St Etienne) in 1889 when one of his readers overtook him – smoking a pipe.8 De Vivie felt challenged but also trapped: if he lowered his gear, he would go slower on the flat. But on the gearing that he had, he could not climb hills fast enough either. British thinking favoured epicyclic and planetary gears, concealed in the rear hub. De Vivie created the derailleur.

Moo

by Willj on Oct 23, 2009 2:47 PM EDT reply actions

always a pleasure to pass people on hills

while smoking a pipe.

by yeehoo on Oct 23, 2009 4:33 PM EDT up reply actions

Moo

by Willj on Oct 23, 2009 4:38 PM EDT up reply actions

Oohh

nice pointy-toed pedaling style…

"Harder! Better! Faster! Stronger!" Philippe Gilbert

by Chris Fontecchio on Oct 23, 2009 4:44 PM EDT up reply actions

"If I were World Road Race Champion, I would wear black shorts. That probably has more to do with me being on the wiser side of 30 and understanding better that the decisions I make now never really go away. White shorts would not be something I'd be proud of...." - David Millar, in Rouleur.

by Albertina on Oct 23, 2009 7:04 PM EDT up reply actions

conga-dancing on the pedals?

"well...you live in england so: you love the rain. loves the queen. hates cycling. based on mr bean had a tremendous amount of humour. all ride in a mini cooper. all getting drunk before the age of 12. getting drunk at least 3 times a day."- frinking, 7/9/09

by Ben Shave on Oct 23, 2009 8:25 PM EDT up reply actions

Will...

Why is it that we feel compelled to photograph our bikes (yours pedaled, mine internally combusted) in front of things? There are more photos of my Triumph in front of things than of me.

"Jens! is my favorite rider. I love watching him handing out plates of hot, steaming suffer!" - Mahatma Gandhi

by crashdan on Oct 23, 2009 6:06 PM EDT up reply actions