The Tour de France must be the most gruelling sporting event in the world. Do you agree?
by 
peterpam
ANSWERS: 9
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It all depends on what type of grueling you are speaking of. I don't think many bicycle riders would last long in a boxing ring, for example. I'd say the tour is quite demanding and the most grueling event for it's respective sport.
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They generally race 6-8 hours per day for three weeks straight along windy hot flats and over mountain peaks - sometimes in snow. They need to finish each stage within a certain percent of the winners time to continue on the next day. They race down hairpin curves at speeds up to 60 mph. At any time anything can cause them to crash and soar over a cliff or along a gravel covered road. It is an accomplishment to even finish the race. Almost every year people crash and leave the race as a result of broken collar bones. Riders like Tyler Hamilton have even continued to ride with a broken collar bone. I say yes, it may be the most gruelling.
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I think most any of the endurance races like the Eco-challenge is much more grueling. And don't count out things like riding a motorcycle through the Dakar Rally. There are several weeks long vehicle races that take place in jungles and mud and across deserts. Ever do an enduro or bicycle motocross course? That's grueling. How about swimming the English channel or to Catalina Island? The Tour is difficult but they are only using one set of muscles all the time. I think that some sports which use all sorts of muscle groups are more difficult, like swimming,m running, kayaking, biking, climbing. Those take everything you have.
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It is a very grueling sport, biking. Especially The Tour de France because it is so long.
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where does the "WEstern states one hundred" fit into you scale of human self abuse..
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It's no doubt grulling, but not as much as climbing K2.
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It has got to be the most grueling team sport.
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I did 156.8 miles in two days once for MS and that was awful (it wouldn't have been quite as bad if it was all flat and my ass didn't hurt so much). I couldn't imagine going longer.
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I'm sure it's grueling. Doing centuries every day for three weeks would make anyone not prepared for prolonged exertion bonk or even pass out. Try biking from San Francisco to New York City. the distance is about the same as the Tour De France. Just don't take I-80.
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