1986 Tour de France

[@abdul-kabiralegbe5660]

The soundtrack is OUT OF THIS WORLD! I've lost count of how many times I've watched these video.

[@stevegriffiths605]

This is the first time i have seen this video. I was there on AlpeD'Huez that day. I left Grenoble early in the morning from my hotel room having borrowed my Dad's very over geared bike for the 2 weeks i was over there riding. I had one water bottle, some raisins and a banana for the day. I hung onto a french chain gang all the way up that long drag to Bourg D'oisons (sic) and then started with a slow tempo up the Alpe. What an experience riding up that mountain that day on my Mum's birthday too. i borrowed a roller and paint and wished Mum a Bon Anniversaire. Bend after bend, on a hot July day riding a 42 -25 combination was way to much by todays standards. Stopping for a few breathes at D'Huez and filling my now empty bottle from the natural spring on the side of the road. Then at Etage 3 form the summit a young Dutch lass came and offered pouring water over me. I said yes, and the family invited this young English man in for lunch pre race... But not until i had ridden all the way to the line and back to them. Lunch Dutch style with this lovely Dutch family. My Minolta camera now set ready for that photo as the helicopters loomed closer and closer until they were buzzing over head. The road narrowed and Hinault and Lemond came round that corner. Snap, Wind, snap wind on the camera, i got my shots but not before a photographer in his kharki jacket stepped and took his heap of photos on his motor driven camera. It took me another two weeks to see what i had taken on my celluloid film and compared it to the one from Le Hebdo taken by that photographer that stepped out that magical day 2 weeks earlier. My photo was just 1/4 of a crank turn out from his now world famous photograph of Hinault and Lemond rounding that turn. I know because the writing on the road gives proof of that. The photgrapher was Graham Watson. I had refreshments with the Dutch family before saying Au revoir and the slow but quick decent of the Alpe with many many thousands of others before turning right and heading all the way back to my hotel room in Grenoble. I next returned to the Alpe in 2003 2ith my by now cancer ailing father, by hero on and off the bike. We hired a car, my Dad and brother and we drove up the Alpe the day prior and managed to place our tent on the corner of the back road up to the ski resort, perched at 30 degrees. We rode the 4 kms to the resort, had a Carbonara meal and some beers, a few photos of our evening and off to bed. I remember us waking the next morning the tree of us in a bundle in the bottom corner of the tent. I rode down to Bourg' and turned and rode back up once more, met Dad and rode to the last left hand turn by the big screen with those last 200m to go. What a day. The day my Dad rode the Tour de France. I would like to dedicate this thread to you Dad - Ken Griffiths who fought a long hard battle against Prostate cancer for 16 years before losing to it on 26th August 2019. I miss you Dad and will always miss our chats and watching the Tour from your sofa every year onwards as we have done all these years. Dads funeral was delayed for a month which was sad, however it allowed me to return to the UK from where i call home now in Australia and i rode Dad's bike one last time at the World Championships on a very wet Sunday morning in Yorkshire. You wouldn't have wanted it any other way Dad! in closing i would like to share my dad's favourite saying..... "Cycling. It's like hitting yourself on the head with a hammer............ It's only pleasant when you stop!" Rest in Peace Dad.x Steve Griffiths Gold Coast Australia Now 55 years young and the owner of 9 broken hammers. Also, Paul Swerwen was from a small town near Warrington where i am from called Frodsham. Paul used to train in and around Delamere Forest and would often say hello as a little lad to me in the Hatchmere Cafe. I later met Paul at the 2013 Tour DownUnder and shared my memories. Thanks for the facts and the stories Paul Sherwen in the commentary box. Legend. May you also Rest in Peace.

[@toejamr1]

I feel extremely fortunate to have come by your post. Your writing skills are fantastic. I’m sorry about your father, but it sounds like some of the best parts of him lives on in you. Thanks for sharing your story. It made my day.

[@sadbadmac]

Incredible comment! Sorry about your loss, but you can be glad that your dad and you shared a common interest that'll forever remind you of him!

[@giogio4833]

your dad was right about the hammer....hard game to stop though..

[@gregtaylor6146]

Brought tears to my eyes Steve, thanks for sharing that ............ and yes, aren't Dutch people wonderful.

[@arjanv45]

Thank you for your story.

[@bartleby4957]

This is the Tour that really stands out in my memory. And the bikes were so beautiful and components just stunning. The days of Hinault, Lemond, Fignon, Millar etc really were the great times of cycling. Modern bikes seem to lack character. Steel bikes with polished components look outstanding. I think I'll go for a spin on my Geoffrey Butler when the rain stops.......................I don't want to get it wet!

[@bradford_shaun_murray]

When the goin' gets tough, Hinault gets goin' 21:29 🦡🥊21:49

[@Usersixeightfourninefive]

Hey buddy you forgot Urs Zimmerman, without him this Tour wasn't even a race at all, Zimmerman was the only reason it worked out how it did.... Otherwise it would have been La Vie Claire sweeping the podium and fighting one another the whole tour long😆

[@anthonyg5939]

No, Eddy merckx was the bomb

[@jameslopez958]

I still have my Guerciotti ❤

[@jimmyjakes1823]

I watched the whole thing just to for the sights and sounds. It's as close as you'll get to traveling back to 1986 for an hour. This was the first year carbon won the tour though. Imo, carbon is stupid and we should all just ride steel. Lemond's bike from this race is probably no longer safe to ride due to age related carbon delamination, while anyone can hop on the bike that won the tour 100 years ago (that's maybe 3lbs heavier) and still ride it safely.

[@CraigGoesCycling]

This was the first TdF I ever watched. I had no idea it existed, until 15 year old me was recuperating in hospital after an operation. I was looking through the paper and saw this in the tv section, I thought it sounded sporty, so asked the nurse if she would put it on for me. My love for cycling started that day.

[@ministryoftruth8588]

Happy 50th Craig!

[@Sills71]

I started the year before in 1985...

[@MiataBRG]

Me too.

[@stuartmclean3843]

1990 for me

[@NoreenHoltzen]

Me too. It all began in my life with the 86 tour.

[@TheRealBobSaget]

Everything about this video, from the crackling voice overs, to the edits, to the music (Kraftwerk and Billy Ocean GODDAMN!) oozes 80’s perfection. This is as good as it gets!

[@cyclingwatercolours]

I agree, love it...

[@chocolatetownforever7537]

Dont forget "Would I lie to you?" One of the greatest and most underrated female voices in music history. Damn, could Annie Lennox kick a songs ass...

[@keirfarnum6811]

I would prefer some Sex Pistols and Dead Kennedys myself. But to each their own.

[@huzcer]

Brilliant production

[@oosung]

Alpe D'Huez... When I had the opportunity to visit Paris, that's all i had planned. Then I asked myself, why not take a bullet train to Lyon, rent a car, try to rent a bike in Grenoble, then ride Alpe D'huez. When I approached the valley, road to the first left turn, I knew i had arrived, I felt the clouds part and sun light beaming from the heavens. I had arrived in cycling Mecca. I was bit surprised, i got a little emotional. I took a planes, trains, and automobile to get to this mountain. Much greater and spiritual than visiting any tourist spots in Paris.... invigorating, highlight of my visit to France.

[@MiataBRG]

I remember watching this live the year I took up cycling. The opening credits music still gives me a burst of adrenaline! The current TdF tv coverage really lacks the excitement and sense of drama that the Channel 4 programme had and it was run on a shoestring budget. Thanks for the upload, this is what made me a cyclist.

[@sohowsoon6652]

me 2

[@CitizenShane]

That was fantastic. The tour was much more brutal back then. 6 hrs minimum almost every stage, 24 days. Such a great tour.

[@freewheelman68]

Yeah what's wrong with today's wimps only able to complete 20 stages

[@johntormey8169]

The bicycles and equipment from this era was the best, STEEL is real and CAMPAGNOLO crisp quality!

[@stephensumner1542]

Llus

[@HybridMyst]

Can't believe it took 17 more years for helmets to become mandatory though, after that horrible fractured skull accident for Lammertink.

[@etherealdreams7936]

Agreed...love the geometry to boot compared to today's bikes.

[@ministryoftruth8588]

I PARTIALLY Agree ... Boy those FREEWHEELS were their Achilles Heel tho. SO MANY Different Tooling Standards and the Right Hub Bearings were TOO Inboard so the Axles were Prone to Bending/Breaking. Also the GEARING was WAYYY Too High for Climbing and WAYYY Too Low for Descending! Nothing Wrong with Friction Shifting with DT Shifters though. Actually I PREFER That, Even Today!

[@BuffaloBuffalo-uc6zp]

You siad it !.. They are making junk today bikes and cycling equipment included. You can't make money from stuff that last to long no money in it. !

[@user-uh6lm5wv6n]

Absolutely the most colourful, spectacular and glorious era of cycling...

[@ShadowWizard123]

Phil looks so young. Paul will be sorely missed.

[@phoenixinthetrees1446]

One of the best things on the internet - amazing, thanks for posting it.

[@classiccycling48592]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@trevorastley1727]

Just watched this again with passionate tears listening to Phil legend Liggett commentating. Started watching the tour in the 80s when i started cycling for real. No helmets doing 60mph. But Hinault was my hero. Great video to watch. Chapeau!. Oh! and if I remember right tour was taken off and replaced by F*****G S**T cricket.

[@richardwhitemaphd]

Only just found this video - fantastic nostalgia. The first TdF I ever saw, through these UK Channel 4 highlights - my Dad would have us watching at 6.30pm every day without fail. The theme music takes me back…

[@The_Juan_Percent]

In 86, I had a Benotto frame with Campagnolo Record and Super Record components and Modolo brakes. Funny the things we remember 35 years later.

[@giogio4833]

days when the tour was worth watching

[@westboundbadger]

2022 calling,...Its been an incredible TDF this year !i

[@joebauers3746]

@@westboundbadger Whoever has the best dope masking doctor and the best hidden electric motors wins now!!! lol

[@thesoultwins72]

Channel 4 at 6 o'clock on a Sunday night. Never missed it! The iconic theme, the dulcet tones of 'Mr Cycling' Phil Ligget. Those were the days........after the Sunday club ride what could be better to round the weekend off.

[@altafari]

This edit of the 1986 tour has the best 80s music.

[@johntormey8169]

Yeah your right all added to the bit of magic with this program

[@crosnf]

This was the first time Paul and Phil were commentating together. Phil is still with us but we miss Paul. RIP.

[@michaelhiggins6815]

And they did miss the obvious that there was something not quite real.

[@WKN70]

Jos Lammertink, his fall, unbelievable. The 80’s were fantastic, in many ways.

[@ksduathlete]

This has helped my quarantine just a little . Thanks

[@moon000dog]

RIP Paul Sherwen

[@philgez]

This is the greatest video ever of that time. Chapeau my friend x

[@Dibble.officer]

One of the best TDF no question. Sherwen looks sooo young..!

[@robertpearce2244]

I had tears in my eyes watching this. This was the third Tour I’d watched on Channel 4 having been introduced to it via a teacher at At he’d it every year from 1984 to 2004, twenty years of great memories. Awesome 😎❤️

[@sohowsoon6652]

me 2

[@alssupersadgarden]

This is the year a became a huge cycling fan.

[@greggmetal]

Oh man this has always been good, I used to watch this tape every weekend back in my younger days, don’t get me wrong I still ride my bike 👍🏽👍🏽

[@E4RLIES]

Haha not just me then! Loved the 86 tour 😀👍🏼

[@VWDoug1]

That was great to watch! Thanks for posting!

[@classiccycling48592]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@davidellis5312]

Oh that intro and theme tune gives me goose bumps then makes me want to go out on my bike. This was the first full tour I followed as a teenager. I also have the whole 89 tour channel 4 episodes on VHS and that was a good one too but 86 was magic.

[@hartfischer5509]

I was in Paris the day before, watching the women’s TDF arrival. I did not know that I should have stayed one more day to watch fellow American Greg Lemond win the TDF. Instead, I went on to Normandie for a D-Day bicycle ride along all the beaches. Either way, it was incredible.

[@chicagoan81]

Good thing Bauer and Hampsten were on the team to help LeMond. Hinault didn't do a thing to help him after promising he would after his '85 win.

[@Cyclingmasterseller]

Wow, Phil and Paul together, living the dream. During that time I thought all morals had disappeared but compared to today, how wrong could I be. I was 30 years old at the time, and I'm so lucky to have lived during those days -- how pure it all was.

[@ministryoftruth8588]

Happy 65th Sir!

[@yakobcdiego]

What a video! I was born that year! Can't believe they didn't use helmets until the 00's. Greetings from Colombia.

[@michaelmassaro3483]

Phil and Paul are the 🐐s.

[@danieljones3955]

Nostalgia personified loved the tour in the 80s what great riders

[@ageary]

This is one of the best Tours ever no doubt.......you should read the book Slaying the Badger , by Richard Moore. It tells the real story behind LeMonds and Hinaults team tactics.

[@jangelderloos2211]

I found Lemonds remarks about Hinault classless tbh

[@chocolatetownforever7537]

@@jangelderloos2211 Why? He was speaking the truth.

[@Cyclingmasterseller]

I'm a young 63 now, but I remember that year, it was 1986 and I received my Lotus Record (Campy Record C equipped) frame by Cinelli -- I now own a Pinarello Dogma AK 61 magnesium/carbon version, and it really had nothing over my Lotus beast -- but ironically I would never go back to Chromoly. Cheers.

[@jthepickle7]

Started building my current bike in about '84. An international bike, it represents every country that built good bike parts. It's in the living room! - not the garage. One doesn't place art in the garage. I'm 65.

[@williammurray997]

You've got too much money.ha ha. Only joking

[@graememorrison333]

Oh that music! Takes me back

[@studebaker4217]

Great English commentators, superb coverage, real riders. Memories of an annual treat on C4.

[@mikewood9514]

I remember watching this in south africa as a kid. Had to beg parents to stay up late as they would show these highlights at like 11pm at night. They let me as i was a club rider. Not very good but loved every minute on the bike.

[@johns3106]

Funny...this does not seem like ancient history to me! I was 18 years old when this occurred...so many of these riders were heros to me! Current cycling fans in English speaking countries cannot appreciate what a momentous time this was for those of us in non-traditional cycling countries. Kelley, Roche, Millar, Anderson, Lemond, and the 7-Eleven team were not only breaking down the walls, they were competing (and winning) at the highest levels!

[@vanwilder1101]

Nothing is complete without some Billy Ocean

[@ronsmith2464]

Thanks for posting this, really enjoyed. Typicle of an American though, attacking his team leader

[@BIGDO13]

That intro though! SO 80's...lol

[@canitogalicia]

Phil and Paul are like two pair of earrings,,,,always shinning while hanging around the great queen of all queens .....

[@cesarjom]

professional cycling in the 80's... the days of no helmets in the peloton!

[@JB-uv4hm]

And why was that a good thing? So you can see their purty faces? Gtfu.

[@4runningaway]

Grow a set

[@cesarjom]

@@JB-uv4hm where did I say that was a good thing?

[@stevecooper7038]

And no radios, which just nullify any real racing and make for a boring race.

[@funkydisciple]

Awesome quality. Thank you for uploading

[@dooleyrp]

I can not listen to this soundtrack without thinking of Life In The Peleton podcast!

[@mattjazzml]

This is gold.

[@julesvanels6116]

Been 4 times to see the tour 1981 1983, 1985 and 1998. 2 times Alpe d'huez and 2 times Paris

[@stuartcook2464]

The days when Phil would only communicate via a public phone box

[@rg31404]

Slaying the badger brought me here

[@dvoob]

Do yourself a favor and watch 21:29 on if you don't have time to watch the whole thing

[@Odd5558]

Thank you :D

[@willbaren]

The start of Phil and Paul.

[@batipapo]

Some seriously shady tactics from Rinnault

[@Kanonka28]

Pogacar was then made in heaven.

[@TezTezTezTezTez]

Great upload.... thank you 👏

[@TheLemon333]

I love the Kraftwerk theme.

[@stevecooper7038]

Proper bike racing, when the action happened during & throughout the stage proper, not just in the last couple of kilometres.

[@EMC2Scotia]

Jos Lammertink goes to show the advancement of the modern helmet is a very good thing.

[@johns3106]

Interesting contrast in climbing styles between '86 and the '00's. Look at how these guys are grinding up (most likely in a 42x21 or 23) vs. Froome's thrashing, flailing, spinning style (in what?, a 39x26 or 28?).

[@ministryoftruth8588]

I believe Froomey rides a 38/32t on the STEEPEST Mountains! ("That's MTB Gearing!" according to 'LA'). I recall Hinault mentioned he used a 41/25t on the STEEPEST Climbs. I think his Dr. may have advised he gear down a bit to save his Knees after his Surgery. I think 42/24t was the Standard Low Gear in the Mountain Stages for Pros from the Mid 60s thru the early 90s, then it became 39/25 in the Early 90s when Campy switched to 135bcd Cranks to compete with Shimano's 130bcd Cranks, and 8 sp. became Standard. I think it was Tyler Hamilton's Winning an early 2000's TDF Stage with a Broken Collar Bone that wouldn't permit him to Climb out of the Saddle that ushered in the Current 'Compact' Crank Craze (tho Hamilton used I believe a 36/52t Crank [NOT 34/50t] paired with a 25t Cassette). BTW that 41t CR was REALLY Pushing it on the 144bcd Campy Standard, the Chain just BARELY Cleared the CR Bolts! QUITE POSSIBLY Campy CUSTOM MADE that 41t CR JUST FOR HINAULT'S KNEES, then Manufactured VERY Few of them to the Public. And also BTW probably EPO has a HELL of a LOT to do with this "Spinning" Fad. Countless Studies have shown 65-75 rpms is the IDEAL Steep Climbing Cadence and 85-95 rpms is the IDEAL Cruising on Flats Cadence, so in Fact the 39/53t x 11-25t 90s Standard is the PERFECT Gearing for NON-CHEATING Pros!

[@johns3106]

@When It's Safe Means Never I remember a review for a racing bike in the early-80's describing it as having a, "42/52 crankset paired with a 13-21 freewheel...the standard for hilly road races". Being a poor climber, I preferred a 13-24 back then, but most of my compatriots stuck with the "standard", and lots of guys would use a 13-18 "corncob" straight block for crits and flat races. No wonder so many pros suffered from tendinitis during this time period! And yeah...I would agree that the '90's- '00's standard of 39/53 with 12-25 is just about perfect!

[@liberioescriba6158]

& they prob were not as doped as froome

[@MrJepo100]

god, this is cool. brilliant stuff

[@PaulTomblin]

Was Paul Sherwin interviewing people in French? I've never seen that.

[@danielcar5930]

interviewing "Maitre" Jacque Anquetil, 5 time tour winner!

[@alexandra4334]

I refuse to believe microphones in 1986 sounded so thin. Maybe it was the recording medium used for the video / audio?

[@AP-wn8nd]

CHANNEL 4. VHS TAPES. CYCLING WEEKLY FOR THE LATEST PRO KITS. ROLLS SADDLES. SIDI SHOES. No clue about how to fix my bike. Robert millar 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@freewheelman68]

Down tube shifters & not even indexed gears

[@Montrealcycling]

Ride or Die! Cycling is everything🤷🏼‍♂️👌💪🚴🏻

[@danjo1967]

gotta love the 80's editting

[@emmett1ish]

60 KM time trials, 200+km mountain stages, 255km final stage those distances are outrageous by today's standards.

[@lizziegsack]

tHE INTRO MUSIC IS SO COOL

[@gordonrolandpeden3058]

Its by Pete Shelley from Buzzcocks

[@Cyclingmasterseller]

When did the RED jersey go away?

[@delivrance3961]

in 1989...unfortunatly!

[@thomasgilson6206]

Anquetil didn't even mention LeMond as possible winner , although he was 3rd and 2nd in '84 and '85 TDFs. And 2nd because forced to domestique for Hinault.

[@yogbarog100]

Easterly direction?

[@chocolatetownforever7537]

Love these vids. Only one complaint. With the exception of Liggett for a sentence or two im the first minute, theres ZERO mention of eventual winner Greg Lemond until halfway through it. I know he didnt really make his move until later in the race, but come on.

[@simonyj]

Ah yes the famous Leaning Eiffel tower of 1986 I remember it well 3:45

[@SLBARNES]

Jeff Pierce getting taken out by the medic at 46:43. But one of many 7-11 riders to go down in this, their first Tour.

[@angiepaun]

💖💖💖💖💖💖💖

[@randygravel2057]

“I’ve seen 40 tdf” How old is Phil Ligget? WTF

[@asamusicdude]

wow this is a GEM

[@alexanderlawson1649]

Ah the days when cycle racing was free from the tyrany of helmet wearing, the freedom, the pure enjoyment of bike racing with the free flow of air thro the hair, marvellous. Plus the blood doping was in its infancy, purer more sporting times.

[@mrkipling2201]

Helmets are one thing that I would change from back then. Hammertink getting a fractured skull was no joke.

[@PhilBlakey-x5b]

Absolutely brilliant 😂

[@Dunewarrior00]

Is it just me or does the thumbnail dude look a lot like Si Richardson?

[@erichaheidrich4593]

Best times..

[@aitorarrastia]

14:30 Indurain 3rd

[@davianlomboan2397]

11:00 glad we hear helmets today.

[@djrobbo3929]

zzzzzzzz

[@cyc00000]

Classic race that one!

[@TheProtocol48]

Thumbnail could be Tyler Hamilton's dad:)

[@Hardcaslte]

No helmets is so weird to watch now, and also the vehicles only feet away from the riders, crowding the riders, it's just crazy looking. I was more worried about the riders getting run over than anything else.

[@killmodful]

min. ​38:04 Mitico Greg!!

[@johnd1466]

Wtf 14 dossers disliked this upload, F to hell, great upload thanks an hour well spent during lockdown. Better than reconfiguring VHS that I ain’t touched in years & popping the tape in only to rewind first 😂

[@alanparmenter]

20:29 Ivry Gitlis!?

[@johnmullineaux302]

The thumbnail of Millar bears an uncanny resemblance to Si.

[@shane-irish]

Great days

[@bagafatcat]

epic stuff epic music (33:00 min)

[@malibustacy3606]

Kraftwerk

[@marcusmaher-triskellionfil5158]

I loved Laurent Fignon (RIP) but i have to say he was a sore loser, of things did not go his way he would simply quit, he did the same in 88 and 90...he could not handle being 2nd, it is funny Hinault was the last French winner some 38 years ago..staggering.

[@westsidewheelmen]

Riders were different then. Lemond was built like Peter Sagan.

[@sohowsoon6652]

1986 seems like a ike along time ago but it i s not

[@sohowsoon6652]

11 16 2022

[@lozzaheath815]

That theme.....

[@deheckler]

Epik!!!!

[@everythingexplored5233]

Like football ‘started’ with the premier league in 92 cycling started in 1986…

[@JohnRadford-iy7db]

Them where the days

[@dyzoly]

@35:28 the outraged motorcycle driver kicking at the spectators.