In case you've missed it (and haven't seen the SI or ESPN the Magazine covers, the Tour de France starts this Saturday. Live daily coverage is available on the Outdoor Life Network (or you can tune into expanded coverage during prime time if you're unlike me and have a job). Do yourself a favor and watch this rather than the CBS weekend coverage, which compresses an entire week of racing into part of an afternoon.

Anyone seeking further information can check out Bob Roll's Tour de France Companion. I'd have liked it to be more about this year's race specifically, but it's a good primer for anyone who has no or a basic understanding of how the race works. The historical information is also good for context, especially when talking about how that history continues to impact the race.