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This episode of The FredCast Cycling Podcast features a Tour de France and stage racing primer, plus a brief introduction to the Think Cure Bicycle Challenge which will take place in Los Angeles in November. In the news this week the LAPD says it will join Critical Mass, Thule recalls the Domestique rack, results from the Tour de Suisse and the Race Across America (RAAM), Lance Armstrong is upset with Outside Magazine, a California city seeks to break a world record, another cyclist is chased by a bear, and more!
THE FREDCAST CYCLING PODCAST 
Great podcast. I listen every week or whenever you get the time to post multiple podcast… This was by far the most informative one in regards to the TDF that I plan on listening to it a second time on my iPod so I can better understand the terminology of what is being.
Thanks again for doing what you do….
I’m so glad you enjoyed the podcast. I have been thinking of making the Tour de France primer a standalone download. I’m also thinking that perhaps I can make it into a video. Stay tuned . . .
Dave,
The Stage Racing Primer was excellent. It clarified what I had already surmised from listening to the Fredcast for many months. I have one question. When I watch road racing on TV I see the riders tossing their bottles and musettes to the side of the road. Does someone clean up after the race?
Paul
Hi Paul, the tour ranks among the largest spectator sports with the roads lined, often several people deep, with fans and locals for the majority of the course. The bidons and musettes are highly collectable souvenirs and they get snapped up pretty quick. I’ve heard that there are bio-degradable bottles as well.
A group called „The Nature Coalition†is taking four pros on this year’s Fléche Wallonne to court for littering, not sure if the waste was wrappers, gels, or other junk. They wish to impose a 50 euro fine to get their point across. I think it is becoming more common practice to transfer the waste to the team car, sponsors are loath to see their logos associated with littering. Taking out the trash, yet another thankless domestic task for the team’s domestiques!
Robert
Jary Poland via Spokane USA
A bit confused by the bear attack story.
To be specific, you stated (at time marking 33:30) the pharmacist was attacked by a “brown bear.” Then (at time marking 35:50) you stated he was attacked by a “black bear.” Those are different. The Alaskan brown bear, or coastal brown bear, is just another name for a Grizzly bear. Same species. The black bear, on the other hand, is the smaller cousin.
Either way, I’m afraid, if it involved an encounter with a mother and cubs, all bets are off. Black and brown bear mothers are very protective.