Uploaded February 2021 | Updated September 2026, 25 minutes ago
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116 years ago in the southeast of Paris, there was an idea. Fast forward to present day, and that idea has become the biggest cycling event in the world. But the modern Tour de France is a very different beast from the race undertaken by its first competitors. On bicycles over 100 years old, at the height of summer, Mark Beaumont and James Lowsley-Williams are attempting to cycle the 467km from Paris to Lyon in homage to the pioneers of this great race.
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On the 19th of July 1903 60 cyclists left Paris for the maiden stage of the very first Tour de France, racing 467km through the night to the line in Lyon. 116 years later, two modern-day riders attempted to recreate the feat of endurance using bikes and equipment from the early 20th century to fully experience the highs and lows of the early Tour pioneers. Endurance cyclist Mark Beaumont and GCN presenter James Lowsley-Williams are pushed to the limits of their physical and mental ability, struggling with the midsummer heat, bikes borrowed from museums and a lack of sleep. How did they compare to the Tour’s first heroes?
GCN+ is the home of the world’s most thrilling live bike races, highlights, exclusive shows and epic cycling documentaries that you can enjoy live + ad-free + on-demand + interactive + all-year round.
GCN+ is more of everything you’ve come to love from GCN but taken to the next level: more entertainment, more races, more inspiration, more access, more analysis, more science and more to watch with exclusive and original long-form films, documentaries and shows.
GCN+ is cycling like you’ve never seen it before.
Sign up to GCN+ for the best cycling documentaries, shows, and adventure films from the 15th February. Plus live racing, highlights and analysis, all ad-free and get 50% off in February: https://gcn.eu/plus
116 years ago in the southeast of Paris, there was an idea. Fast forward to present day, and that idea has become the biggest cycling event in the world. But the modern Tour de France is a very different beast from the race undertaken by its first competitors. On bicycles over 100 years old, at the height of summer, Mark Beaumont and James Lowsley-Williams are attempting to cycle the 467km from Paris to Lyon in homage to the pioneers of this great race.
Sign up now: https://gcn.eu/plus
On the 19th of July 1903 60 cyclists left Paris for the maiden stage of the very first Tour de France, racing 467km through the night to the line in Lyon. 116 years later, two modern-day riders attempted to recreate the feat of endurance using bikes and equipment from the early 20th century to fully experience the highs and lows of the early Tour pioneers. Endurance cyclist Mark Beaumont and GCN presenter James Lowsley-Williams are pushed to the limits of their physical and mental ability, struggling with the midsummer heat, bikes borrowed from museums and a lack of sleep. How did they compare to the Tour’s first heroes?
GCN+ is the home of the world’s most thrilling live bike races, highlights, exclusive shows and epic cycling documentaries that you can enjoy live + ad-free + on-demand + interactive + all-year round.
GCN+ is more of everything you’ve come to love from GCN but taken to the next level: more entertainment, more races, more inspiration, more access, more analysis, more science and more to watch with exclusive and original long-form films, documentaries and shows.
GCN+ is cycling like you’ve never seen it before.
