Tour de France - My Dream Bike

As a very keen amateur cyclist (amateur being the key word), I often find myself daydreaming about what it would be like to ride in the Tour de France. Though the reality is that I’d probably struggle to finish even one stage, let alone 21, I’ve put a lot of thought into which bikes from Pearson Cycles I’d choose for the final week. Spoiler alert: it’s all about picking the right tool for the job, and a heap of wishful thinking on my part.

Forge: My Climbing Ally

The Forge would be my top pick for the brutal mountain stages. Why? Because when the road tilts upwards, this bike is like a mountain goat on caffeine.

• Lightweight Carbon Frame: At my imaginary race weight, every gram saved counts. The Forge’s super light frame would help me dance on the pedals like Froome in his prime.
• Aerodynamic Design: Because let’s face it, even in my fantasies, I need all the help I can get to slice through the air and descend like a pro.
• Stiffness and Power Transfer: This bike doesn’t waste an ounce of my wattage. Every pedal stroke translates directly into forward momentum.

Stages Suited for the Forge:

1. Stage 17: Saint-Paul-Trois-Châteaux to Superdévoluy
   This stage is packed with climbs. The Forge’s lightweight frame would make those ascents feel just a tad bit more manageable.

1. Stage 19: Embrun to Isola
   Climbing to one of the highest points in the race? No problem. The Forge is built for this, and I'd imagine myself effortlessly gliding up the Cime de la Bonette dropping both Podj and Jonas as I did.

1. Stage 20: Nice to Col de la Couillole
   A short but gruelling stage with four major climbs. The Forge would be my secret weapon to tackle this final mountainous challenge and of course securing the yellow jersey at the same time. 

Shift: The Sprinting Speedster

For the flatter, more rolling stages, the Shift would be my go-to. It’s designed for speed and sprinting.

• Aero Frame Design: This bike cuts through the wind like a hot knife through butter, perfect for those high-speed chases and sprints.
• Stiff and Responsive Handling: Quick accelerations? Check. The Shift responds to every input and gives the platform needed to lay down all the power in my tiny legs.

Stages Suited for the Shift:

1. Stage 16: Gruissan to Nîmes
   Flat with potential crosswinds. The Shift’s aerodynamic efficiency would keep me at the front of the peloton, dreaming of a sprint finish.

1. Stage 18: Gap to Barcelonnette
   Rolling terrain that could favour a breakaway or a sprint finish. The Shift’s versatility would make sure I’m ready for anything.

1. Stage 21: Monaco to Nice Individual Time Trial
   The final 33.7km time trial includes climbs, but it’s the flat sections where the Shift’s aero design would really shine, helping me maintain speed and power.

While I’m fantasising about my Tour de France triumphs, I can't help but think about the earlier stages of the race. With all the gravel and rough roads, the On and On might have been the real MVP. It's almost like they threw in some Paris-Roubaix vibes just to keep things interesting. If only I had the On and On to keep my (imaginary) wheels from bouncing all over the place!

So, there you have it, my dream bike set-up for Tour de France 2024. Whether the mountain-climbing prowess of the Forge or sprinting speed of the Shift, Pearson Cycles has a bike for every fantasy stage. Now, if only I could get a spot on the actual event….