As the London leg of the 2014 Tour de France has wrapped, a participating cyclist's problem is no longer well-wishers who obstruct the rider pathway, but people who take selfies along the pathway as riders arrive. Cyclist Geraint Thomas had branded the selfie-takers as the tour's "new pain in the arse," Buzzfeed said.
He added, "The worst thing is when people have got their backs to the peloton taking selfies. I had a few of those and they don't see us coming and are stood in the road and it is very dodgy."
American professional cyclist Tejay van Garderen also did not mince words about people who boldly take selfies on the road. He wrote on his July 7 tweet, "A dangerous mix of vanity and stupidity... Standing I the middle of the road with you back turned while 200 cyclists come at you, just to take a selfie. That being said, I love the crowds and thank you for your support. But please give us room. Gonna ice my knee now."
British rider Simon Yates had also voiced his frustration.
If there's one fan who had learned his lesson, it would be a spectator who was knocked on the ground near east London's Olympic Park. According to the Telegraph, the fan was very close to the cyclists and appeared to be holding his phone. Although the extent of the fan's injuries are unknown, it would definitely serve as a reminder to not venture far into the riders' road.
Marcel Kittel of the Giant-Shimano team has so far managed to overcome this additional hurdle, as he won the LOndon leg of Tour de France on Monday. Kittle also did not avoid taking the opportunity to issue a word of caution to fans.
Mashable said cyclists travel at high speeds along the Tour de France route, and people who pose in the road could not only harm themselves, but also could cause a chain reaction crash on the unsuspecting riders.
