The Chimney Sweep's High-Speed Shortcut

The World's Most Chaotic Commute. On July 19, 1903, Maurice Garin—a diminutive former chimney sweep—crossed the finish line in Paris to win the very first Tour de France. While modern cycling involves wind tunnels and strict nutrition, the 1903 race was pure anarchy. To cope with the grueling 1,500-mile trek, riders frequently drank wine and beer to 'anesthetize' their legs, and since many stages were ridden through the night on unpaved roads, some even carried lead pipes for self-defense! The fan behavior was equally wild; mobs of spectators would occasionally ambush rivals to throw itching powder at them or beat them with sticks to ensure a hometown victory. Garin won the inaugural race by nearly three hours, but the 'Little Chimney-Sweep' became a legend for more than just his endurance. The very next year, he was disqualified after being caught allegedly taking a train for part of the course. It turns out that in the early days of cycling, the fastest way to the podium was simply to check the local rail schedule! Educational takeaway: If you find yourself in a 2,000-kilometer bike race, remember that wine is a questionable hydration strategy and the 4:15 express to Paris is technically cheating.