Seriously, I’m so excited! This is one of the few things I turn the TV on for.
I live for the Tour. I am doing a race in three weeks and use the Tour as inspiration for training. I won a race in 2010 but now I am 37, I can feel father time sneaking up on me. I just don’t have it anymore. I love to watch the older riders and route for them. Me at 37 is like a pro rider at 87. LOL! I am in awe of these guys, they are super human.
I really hope I’m not the only guy here with no clue what 2012 TDF is. :~ 
Tour De France!
Just my guess 
I always thought it woukd be cool to go to France and see it in person. I have been to other bike races and they are not spectator sports. You can only see them for a second and then they are gone. Seems like it would not be worth it. Would still like to go to France and see the Places the Tour goes through. It is a beautiful country.
Speedsix - I think you are correct on stage races or any point to point race for that matter. I remember waiting on the side of the road in Northeast Georgia back in 1994 to see the Tour duPont come through. 3 hours we sat there in the sun and when the peloton appeared, it lasted all of 45 seconds. TDF would be fun if you could move and see different parts over a week or so. Witnessing a Time Trial would be fun as well.
I'm a course marshal for a local criterium in our town each year - that is a blast. The course is a multi-lap event over a .8 mile loop. The peloton rushes by multiple times for each race; the noise and blast of wind is awesome.
I will be glued to the set every day for the next 3 weeks. For really good stages, I will watch it more than once.
France is great, but for the French….
Yep, we’re neighbours, its like they trimmed our bush and we didn’t return the lawn mower….
It actually came through my town a couple of years ago!
Sorry, JohnnyMac. I take it for granted that everyone knows what that is. I’ll fix it in the title.
As for seeing it live, the only benefit of doing it is the constant party. If you like to eat and drink 24/7, then renting an RV (that would be a *R*ecreational *V*ehicle, JohnnyMac) and stalking the Tour isn’t a bad way to waste three weeks. Otherwise, it is much better to watch it on TV (that would be a *T*el…… never mind. I’m sure it wasn’t that funny the first time).
Generally speaking, bicycling is best viewed from the saddle. This, I think, is why it isn’t very popular. I don’t think the majority of folks want to work that hard to have fun.
That’s a pretty neat bicycle, but it has one major flaw~~ it’s bar isn’t full of bike lights and flashlights! :Р
Power out, can't watch Tour.... 
I”m with ya Cone! I have watched it since I can remember.
Keith
Watching it on TV is much better than being on the road for me, I haven’t seen the tour, but I did a few times “la vuelta”, and unless you are close to an important mountain where it is crowed, it is not too nice to watch, as it lasts no more than 1 minute to se the whole peloton.
Tonight was an exciting stage. Sagan is something, isn't he? Not to offend the Brits but it's nice to see someone else getting attention besides the Manx Midget. 
The Manx Midget… that’s funny. Ya, if that kid isn’t on PEDs then he is going to have some future. All I know is my sons are happy one of their team’s guys still have yellow. Personally, I’m just glad Evans been staying out of trouble; and I wish that ballsy move by Chavanel had worked… I love to see main field get it wrong.