Tour de France 2022

 

In 2022, the Tour de France began on July 1st and ends on July 24th. This year's Tour de France begins in Copenhague, Denmark and will include parts of Belgium and Switzerland in addition to France. The end of the race takes place along the Champs-Elysees, one of the famous streets in France. It's considered the world's biggest and most exciting bicycling race.  Athletes competing in the race will travel approximately 3328 km ( 2057.9miles) during the 23 day race. Each day(called stages), a leader  will be awarded a yellow jersey(or Maillot Jaune in French). In addition to the yellow jersey, there is a polka dot jersey awarded to the best climber(king of the mountains), a white jersey( the best youngest rider) and a green jersey(best sprinter).The Tour de France began in 1903.This year, there are 176 riders.

 

See a map with the 2022 route.

 

 

 

 

As of 2017, Copenhagen, Denmark, is the bike friendly capital of the world. Amsterdam, Netherlands, came in second, with Utrecht, Netherlands, third. Some sources say Utrecht is more bike friendly than Amsterdam.

 

Some sources say the  invention of the first “bicycle” is credited to Comte Medi De Sivrac, of France. His bike didn’t have any pedals! The year was 1792 and it was called a hobby horse(or celerifere). To move you needed your feet!

 

Other sources credit Baron Karl von Drais, of Germany, with the Draisine meaning “running machine”.The 1917 human-propelled vehicle didn’t have any pedals.

 

A bike similar to today’s bike was created by Kirkpatrick Macmillan, from Scotland. The year was 1839. His bicycle had pedals!

 

The word “bicycle” comes from the French word “bicyclette”. The term became popular in 1868. Previous to this, bicycles were called “velocipedes” meaning “fast foot”.

 

The Penny-Farthing was a British bicycle that had a large front wheel and a much smaller wheel in the back. The name represented two British coins, the Farthing and the British Penny.

 

Early bicycles (velocipede) were known as bone shakers by their riders. With wooden wheels inside an iron rim and an iron frame, it was a very bumpy ride!

 

In 1887, Thomas Stevens became the first person to ride a Penny Farthing around the world!

 

In 1867, father and son, Pierre and Ernest Michaux, invented the modern bicycle.

 

Did you know that suffragette, Susan B.Anthony made a comment on the bicycle? She said that the mode of transportation “has done more to emancipate women than anything else in the world.” She called the bicycle the “freedom machine.”

 

In 1896, Margaret Valentine Le Long rode a bicycle from Chicago to San Francisco!

 

Did you know that before Orville and Wilbur Wright became famous for their flying machine, they owned a bicycle repair shop? It was in their shop, in 1903, that they made their first airplane! It was called the Wright Flyer!

 

2. Do you think women should be allowed to compete with the men's Tour de France? Why or why not?

 

3. What are 2 character traits of a person that would participate in the Tour de France? 

 

4. After reading the History of Bicycle facts, why do you think Susan B. Anthony called the bicycle, the “freedom machine”?

 

5. What are two positive things about riding a bicycle?

 

6. Learn more about the country of France:

 

7. How the bicycle changed the world:

 

8. How bicycles changed the world for women(for teachers):

 

Ask students if they have heard of the Tour de France and share any information they may have on the famous race.  Have students locate the country of France on a world map.  

Give the students the handout pages. Have students do one or more of the following activities.

Extension Activities:

 

1. Try this FREE crossword puzzle on France:

 

2. Draw/color a picture of a bicycle. Write a fact learned about the Tour de France on your drawing.

 

3. Read about the Eiffel Tower, one of France's most famous landmarks:

 

4. Learn some fun facts about France:

5.Timeline on the history of the bicycle:

 

Illustration from:Wpclipart