French Revolutions:Cycling the Tour de France
Tim Moore
‘..clearly, here was an event that gripped the nation like no other and didn’t relax its grasp for twenty one whole days.’
Tour de Yorkshire fever is about to grip Yorkshire this Friday. In preparation for the race, I have placed a topical book, about cycling, in my handbag. Nowadays, I can’t wait to go and capture the atmosphere of this cycling event but I haven’t always been a fan! 
However, my husband has always been obsessed with the Tour de France and is glued to the television for three weeks during the tournament. I could never understand the appeal; to me it seemed like endless scenery whizzing past. I was not impressed when my husband decided to buy me a book about the event. He assured me that I didn’t need to be an enthusiast to read French Revolutions by Tim Moore.
Annoyingly, I did love the book, and didn’t stop laughing; it was something to read whilst my husband watched the race. It is an hilarious book about an amateur cyclist, aged 35, who decided to complete the Tour de France route six weeks before the big race. Admittedly, you do learn about the event, but the book is crammed full of entertaining anecdotes. Moore’s style of writing just breezes along, punctuated with witty observations.
The book entertained me and managed to begin a revolution in my heart! I was nudged again when Bradley Wiggins won the Tour de France, and then when the Tour de France visited Yorkshire. It really was like a fever had swept through God’s own county.
Read the full article in My Reading .
I’ll leave you with the words of that great French cycling legend:
“It was like having a Tour de France stage in my home region, it was so amazing. I am not saying that because I am here, I really feel it. To see my name written on the road or on banners held by children really touches me. I have been a rider for 16 years and I have never seen anything like that.”
Thomas Voekler, France, Tour de Yorkshire Winner 2016