the idiots running alongside are just that, idiots, after a pic or clip for their FB account, half of them nowadays aren’t looking at the rider (or where theyre going) but at their camera phone held in front of them.
I think its only people who haven’t been before who say this. Its one of the most exciting feelings in the world
Looking a p1llock in front of hundreds of millions of people is no doubt exciting, people streak at sporting events after all. I’ve been roadside in the Alps a few times and never felt the need to run alongside them, might have screamed my lungs out in encouragement but why would you want to risk interfering with the race you’ve gone to see? They dont take the hint when riders punch them, which is pretty bloody dense.
Seriously? I’d have a moto at the front of each group (easy enough to manage gap and limit drafting which is less significant on steeps) actively policing the crowd and forcing the gap. TJ Van Gardening is not going to expend as much energy lashing out as a gendarme, or his extra-wide wing mirrors.
A couple of stages back there was a toddler running alongside who had to be shepherded by a motorbike
froomey nearly ran over a kid today.