Professional Cycling For the Fans - Where do these cyclists use the restroom

I was watching a highlight yesterday and one of the commentator's was remarking on the lax pace of one stage and he went so far as to say "[Insert name here (I don't remember who)] even got to answer the call of nature" like it was some rare occurence. Thanks for feeding my endless curiosity!

the side of the road. not rare at all

I'm really surprised that with all the advances in technology and knowledge of physiology that someone hasn't come up with a system that the riders can't "answer nature's call" while continuing to ride. I guess if the peloton agrees that it's time to stop and take a pee break, then no rider is at a disadvantage by losing time. But guys on the breakaway or mountain stages where the peloton splinters, every second counts.

Didn't LeMond have a bad case of loose bowels one year and just let it go while continuing to ride? I thought I remembered that, but maybe it wasn't in the TdF.

I can't believe they can't hold it for a few hours sheesh.

There have been some very long shots during the live coverage of natural breaks. Not sure why French TV likes to linger on these camera shots.

I'm really surprised that with all the advances in technology and knowledge of physiology that someone hasn't come up with a system that the riders can't "answer nature's call" while continuing to ride. ...

They should have separate shrubs for Team Leaders and Domestiques. :p

Cue the Tom Boonen Number 2 photo!

yah, I think it was 89 tour, Lemond had a case of "stomach problems" and just cut loose.
There have been reports of riders needing to be hosed off after a stage (ulle?).
I believe the unwritten rule is you don't attack (especially the yellow jersey, no pun intended)
during a nature break.

Marty

http://blogs.smh.com.au/sport/archives/nature-break.450jpg.jpg


WTF is #101 looking at?

WTF is #101 looking at?
91 peeing all over his top tube

WTF is #101 looking at?

maybe he hasn't figured out how to get it out from his bibs

I'm really surprised that with all the advances in technology and knowledge of physiology that someone hasn't come up with a system that the riders can't "answer nature's call" while continuing to ride. I guess if the peloton agrees that it's time to stop and take a pee break, then no rider is at a disadvantage by losing time. But guys on the breakaway or mountain stages where the peloton splinters, every second counts.



There are plenty who don't stop, trust me. My dad and I almost got peed on by Laurent Brochard at the 2003 worlds. It was like a freakin pressure washer.

Its just far more comfortable to stop than trying to pull your wiener through the bottom or top of your shorts.

I was watching a highlight yesterday and one of the commentator's was remarking on the lax pace of one stage and he went so far as to say "[Insert name here (I don't remember who)] even got to answer the call of nature" like it was some rare occurence. Thanks for feeding my endless curiosity!

It appears Moreau was fined for taking a nature break at an improper location during stage 4.

I haven't heard anything about any time penalties.

"Moreau (Ag2r), 100SF - compertemont incorrect for "stopping between the depart fictive and the depart reel to satisfy his call for nature""

WTF is #101 looking at?

:roflmao: :roflmao: :roflmao:

Yeah, and what about female cyclists, how would we pee? We also need "nature-breaks" you know....:D

Bibs not recommended, DMC.

I'm really surprised that with all the advances in technology and knowledge of physiology that someone hasn't come up with a system that the riders can't "answer nature's call" while continuing to ride. I guess if the peloton agrees that it's time to stop and take a pee break, then no rider is at a disadvantage by losing time. But guys on the breakaway or mountain stages where the peloton splinters, every second counts.

Didn't LeMond have a bad case of loose bowels one year and just let it go while continuing to ride? I thought I remembered that, but maybe it wasn't in the TdF.

Bob Roll gave a nice explanation of such a device in 2004:

See post #12
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=57313&highlight=roll+nature+break#12

I think it a crock , on an all day ride ; there can't be time out every 90 minutes or so. Don't lots of em just pee in their shorts. Anxious to see the podium girls I guess. And one would think , b.o. to be the bigger problem.

Don't lots of em just pee in their shorts.


They'll piss in their shorts if its raining or if they are really desperate for a slash during the final stages of a race.