5 Surprising Things I Learned at the Tour de France

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It was an amazing experience and privilege to visit the Tour de France as a guest of Visma Lease a Bike and Ketone IQ-an experience I'll never forget. Here are a few things that surprised me the most when visiting the tour in person.
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[@TaylorGonz]

I think we need to acknowledge Mitch is out here making some of the best cycling content around right now.

[@airliftpilot]

Agreed! I might actually get back into road riding 😂

[@Dustydayzz]

right...his nonchalant way of vlogging helps a ton too

[@chadfarry7260]

Mitch is the GOAT

[@we1rd92]

I bet the mattresses are clutch af. Sleeping in a new, often shitty hotel bed every day would kill recovery for me.

[@MitchBoyer]

If only we all had a mattress van to follow is on vacation 😂

[@thereference2337]

It probably has something to with something as simple as "familiarity". Taking from e.g. sports like pistol shooting, you will often see the contestants wear the same clothes and have the same routines and stance at every event, and also how the pistol is as customized to them as the bicycle is to a cyclist. It all seems very A4, but in this case it's very important to not have any unnecessary disturbances throwing you off balance.

[@nonamedpleb]

I first heard of the mattress thing on Sky/Ineos with all their marginal gains stuff. Getting a good nights sleep would be heaven for these riders. No wonder the other teams started doing the same. Probably not all of them though.

[@martinwood5544]

Tadej dropping his shoulder @11:07 just to bump that guy and tell him off is perfect 😂

[@biboucet5985]

and the guy said sorry in French too

[@daveygee434]

I was at the finish line of Stage 5. Got to see Cav break the record. Best day ever ❤️👍

[@MitchBoyer]

Wow what a place to be 🔥🔥

[@koos987654]

Now Cav just needs to win 6 Tours de France as well to truly smash Eddy's record 😋

[@roadcyclist1]

No. He already cemented his legacy for the ages. ​@koos987654

[@gamecat1923]

That bottle handoff was smooth, it's harder than it looks!

[@MitchBoyer]

Thank you! I was unreasonably proud about it 😂

[@DancingMachine1]

Thats what she said

[@MitchBoyer]

@@DancingMachine1 😂

[@Bluecat564]

I'd say you held the wheel pretty damn well for going 30mph uphill! That was really cool, definitely gives a better sense of the speed that these guys can go when he's just blowing past some regular joes vs racing their peers. Very entertaining video, I thought it was... Nice.

[@MitchBoyer]

😉

[@suew2144]

Thanx for this! Great to see Nathan is still part of the VLAB team, as the guys really like him and his wisdom. 🇨🇦🇨🇦

[@MitchBoyer]

He’s a legend

[@gc641]

Hope it never change, it’s the only sport where athletes are so accessible.

[@dawnc5797]

Nathan van Hooydonck is freaking awesome. I loved watching him do his thing in the peloton and was sad when he had to medically retire last year. I knew he was still working with Visma and I'm so glad he can be such an asset for the team. I know he misses racing but still working with his teammates has to be really cool.

[@fb1880]

French here. I ve seen 35 tour de france on tv at least, ( since i was 5) and around 10 times in real life ( Tour de France is always in the corner you know, specialy when you live in Auvergne Rhone Alpes ). And your vlog is so accurate 😮❤. When the Tour come in your town, YOU KNOW IT 😂. The city puts some deco like flags or false bigs. Some streets are closed from 10 am to 18 pm but even if the Tour just pass it s always a great day, specialy for kids. Some cities organise little animations, then come the Caravane (best moment ever 😅) and after 2 hours and many many véhicules you barely see the riders. So That's was great to give us access on the inside . Thanks 🎉

[@pihi42]

The climb leadout scene was fantastic!

[@sidiastor9091]

I envy you for the chance of visiting the tour so inimitely. however, you shared your impressions and did so very entertaining(ly?) ^^ Thx

[@MitchBoyer]

It felt like a dream--I was pinching myself all day. Thanks for watching!

[@scottperine8027]

The attention to details is highly underrated and is vital to the success of the team.

[@Dana-gj5hr]

Great Video. So glad to see Van Hooydonck able to participate with a great knowledge base to help the team.

[@SpockCycles]

Mitch Man You Have Come So Far 🖖🇬🇧 We Now Need a Mitch Boyer WaterBoy Film When TDF 2024 Finishes.

[@mike56714]

Just joined the midlife crisis cycling wagon and your videos are so inspiring and high quality. Bravo Mitch.

[@CanyonWanderer]

Thanks for a pretty unique behind the scenes video, cool to watch! Good job on the bidons and great to see Nathan again!

[@-P-Z-]

Great content Mitch. Thanks heaps mate.

[@andrewzach1921]

Learned a few things today about the tour, thanks for the video

[@badflyer6]

Great video,you’re so lucky to have that experience!❤

[@marcbryant8482]

Thanks Mitch, lots of fun watching this update especially in your unique style. Cool spotting Cam in the b roll footage too. Tell him the Sunny Coast has been rubbish for a week now with cold wind and rain

[@infovidasupps8640]

Congratulations on being able to do what you did So much interesting info! Thank you

[@CanWeBike]

Pretty cool experience! Happy for you, Mitch. Thanks for sharing your insights.

[@cartwro]

casually in the car with Van Hooydonck

[@shadowiwi]

It's cool that Nathan is still part of Visma! Great behind the scenes look on what happens during the Tour.

[@_cpdchua]

What an experience! Thanks for sharing this video Mitch!!!

[@davidwaddy2]

Wonderful video. Informative as usual!

[@Sunnivah13]

Thanks for this amazing reportage!!!

[@HasanIbrahim147]

Absolutely amazing video Mitch! Found out so much about the Tour! By far the best cycling content on KZbin...

[@benjhaisch]

Badass dude. So wild where this crazy KZbin journey can bring you.

[@MitchBoyer]

It’s been a crazy ride, and I’m glad to be on it!

[@ahrenek]

Great video! I love seeing behind the scenes! As a rider, I struggle with bottle handoffs. It's a serious skill - for rider and bottle-giver (?!).

[@pwoods00]

This is a truly unique video you've done. thank you for this!

[@lauratimmins2177]

Enjoy your videos. My partner watches the tour religiously. This video will give him some good insight into what goes on in the background throughout the three weeks. Wow maybe I should have someone transport our mattress while on a bike touring trip. 😊

[@Coolmark123]

Very cool video, thanks Mitch!

[@solarmilonga3170]

What a fun experience that must've been, Mitch! Thanks for the behind-the-scene as well. It's very nice to see Hooydonk seems well since he retired.

[@quiet451]

So cool that Van Hooydonck was your driver. Would not have expected that.

[@MrGrant440]

What an AMAZING opportunity!!! So cool.

[@MoreMiles2Go]

Amazing video! Thanks as always Mitch! Still dealing with a puncture on my bike, so I’m super envious of riders!

[@MitchellSains]

Loved this video! Such a cool experience

[@jed6594]

Crazy the setup and the pieces involved in every single day of the tour thanks for the insight

[@liamknuji]

Mitch, you are hilarious & I love how you delivered this content. So enjoyable & informative. I’m a big fan! Maybe one day I could hand you a water bottle 😂

[@rideSYV246]

Wow great video! With all the support going on and still time for a side-ride! The best! Also we have hosted Danish students for years in CA and share the excitement for Team Visma…

[@mitchlabrador]

Your narration and video overall is on point. Great content!!

[@kevingregoire1042]

thank you, Humble but so cool inside stuff. Crazy in detail stuff too !

[@southjerseymountain]

Your video was supper cool. We learned a lot about the tour from this. We love Wout but we are fans of Tadej. Thank you so much for your commentary. 68 year old from NJ USA.

[@MitchBoyer]

Thanks for watching!

[@billyhammm]

Great behind-the-scene stuff!! More please.

[@GNH-1812]

Great work. Amazing. Thanks 😊😊

[@hepcatliz]

14:30 oooooh this bit of video, with the marshalls all following that lovely flowing line ❤❤

[@ChryskylodonInstitute]

what a fantastic experience Mitch! incredibly glad for you. keep it up!

[@MitchBoyer]

Thank you!

[@dmang0]

What a gem of a video!

[@warwickpoole]

Great video. Also great to see Nathan back on a bike and climbing at a 1,000 watts/kg again

[@JBmadera]

Fantastic video.....and you're rocking the Ritte hat!

[@ADVRaiderKTM]

Can't wait to see the rest of the Europe trip!!

[@simonverrill]

Nice video 😏 Really insightful content 🎉 Thanks Mitch

[@wimdeclercq7144]

Number 5 is for sure a crazy experience. Our ex-pro kept saying how you just look at the outside of the corner to decide if you have to brake or not. We all surely had a different view to him on when to brake and how much :) The Visma LAB hospitality team is amazing and it's one of the best experiences I've ever done ( did stage 1 this year )

[@gustavofreitas3822]

Love your videos keep going

[@buleevonde]

van Aert and Van Hooydonck friends. Nice to see them together again! 💛🖤

[@amandalofts131]

Very informative and funny. Thank you interesting stuff, keep it up

[@eccojammed]

Amazing video man!

[@TheEvidenceBoard]

LOVE THIS My Brotha in law is da bomb! love the voice over. my fave!

[@MitchBoyer]

Thanks Carol! 🙏

[@belbrighton6479]

Loved this.

[@MariusBert]

Awesome stuff 🤟

[@HugoMeyers]

Great vid mate

[@johnnycab8986]

I wish they showed the Caravan on TV, it seems like all TV stations purposely don't show it so they don't give free advertising. Which is a shame because it's such a huge part of the history and entirety of the TdF. It's cool to look at the Caravan through the decades and the amazing vehicles that have been purpose built for the Tour.

[@Owwee_immaB]

I appreciate this!

[@aldrinborja6799]

thanks for this man. glad that nathan is there and not at the studio..hahaha

[@jascollinscork]

OMG a mind blowing experience…… the departure than than the finishing area I’d say!! You lucky sucker 👌🏻😍 great video overall!! And in the EU that team car style is called an estate!! Also the furthest the Tour has been is way up in Denmark 😁

[@high1458]

Dream experience. This is something too look back on when ur old!

[@davidtran9410]

van Hooydonck: Let me lead you out. Boyer: ok A whisper of time that you got to be a pro rider! Congrats on that!

[@subliminalfreedom]

Congrats!

[@bartjeej]

Very cool video. Question: wouldn't a bottle handoff be easier when you hold it in your other hand with the open side of your grip in the direction that the riders are going? Or would that knock it out of your hand too easily?

[@jessmeany2462]

the mattress thing is crazy! so cool to learn about

[@harveyfreed6342]

Brilliant Vid!

[@pjonpenner]

All I could think of during your video was Napoleon Dynamite saying "Lucky!" :) What an amazing experience!

[@JamesBoz]

What an experience! 👍

[@sa3key]

Chapeau!!! What a cool experience! Jealously has set in!

[@matskelton9589]

Great insight 👌

[@Deep_stew]

Ineos were the first ones to carry personalised beds. Not so marginal gain - sleep is very important and they will sometimes be staying in not so good hotels!

[@champ1189]

We love you Mitch

[@terrencedeagle4429]

Congratulations on your participation for this historic event.

[@jamesaugustine687]

Wow amazing access!!! Are more videos coming?!

[@MitchBoyer]

Yep! Cam and I did a massive ride up 4 Tour de France climbs in one day, and I have a few other big videos to film while I’m out here

[@benene055]

awesome video!!!!

[@KelvinSuddith]

Mitch is going to end up being a part of bringing road cycling back in the US

[@barrydoescyclingandhiking6416]

OMG, what a treat! Some great tidbits in there! I'll be the bottle hand-off is quite difficult. I've been on the side of the road for Amgen and those guys come screaming by in a blur. And this year a lot of the teams have a lot of blue. What was the cue you were looking for as to when to stick the bottle out?

[@n229dh6]

I was also at stage 4. I rode up on my bike, from Monetier, about 200 meters from summit. It was a lot of fun.

[@foliveira8750]

White jersey isn’t for youngest rider, but for the best placed rider in the general classification under the age of 26.

[@PierreOverhoff]

Hey cool content thanks! Just wanted to say that the TdF does not actually lock down an entire town when it passes through like suggested in the video. The road used by the riders closes a few hours before they arrive and is reopened soon after they pass through. As long as you don't have to cross the dedicated path you are free to go about your business as usual and even leave the town. I saw the arrival of stage 11 in Villeneuve-sur-Lot the other day, it was awesome.

[@L.amanda]

Amazing video!

[@rvboondocker2559]

I don’t know you but you did a great job with this and I subscribed. Thanks!

[@TimmyLUV2]

Mitch, I love that sweatshirt with the lil red and orange bottle?! Any chance it's available online?

[@broncofun5636]

Great video - glad the KZbin algorithm suggested it

[@teinnai4010]

where did you record this video the background looks amazing

[@nidge8703]

Lucky boy. Must have been a thrill

[@jamesaugustine687]

Also- amazing working on your lead out! Just a few ketones short of taking the green jersey right?

[@MitchBoyer]

😂

[@Thereortherabouts]

One thing that we all need to know is how to hand off a bottle. I can’t imagine that they let you do that without teaching you how. It’s so simple yet i have seen very few people at the TDF do it correctly. I can teach a soccer mom in 10 seconds yet the best teams on earth rely on people who don’t do it correctly. Crazy

[@MitchBoyer]

Nathan gave me a tutorial beforehand, definitely paid off!

[@oceanzmat]

Mitch, this was awesome. Been watching your channel for a while now and so thrilled that your adventures have led you here. The whole Visma experience was spine tingling to watch. You deserve every moment and thrill. Cheers.

[@narakdk]

So what is the trick about the bottle handover? Do you have to hold it lose or do you have to hold it with only two fingers? Do you have to move your hand and body in their travel direction?

[@patrickbateman7444]

What a great experience! You're a brave man for riding with Nathan in a car downhill, the reason he had to quit the sport is that he had a heart attack while driving his car...pretty sad story.

[@MitchBoyer]

Yeah it’s a crazy story. I’m glad he and his wife were ultimately okay

[@patrickbateman7444]

@@MitchBoyer I'm happy to see that he's still involved and still loves the sport!

[@ShesARichGirl]

I love you mitch😊

[@bentebent5298]

Well the start in Dublin is the furthest start from France if we just forget about that little, but ohh so important start in Copenhagen 2 years ago. And as Jonas Vingegaard is mentioned quite a lot here I think it's important to include that Grand Départ that set him on his winning ways 😅