This is the best time of the year or worst time of the year.

July is Tour de France season. If you’re someone like me, that means waking up super early for three weeks to catch live coverage from your already sleep deprived life to avoid any spoiler alerts you may come across during the day.

The other option is to just go there! Just hop across the pond for a weekend and pop back.

Okay, it’s not that simple. One thing I do know is every cyclist knows somebody that makes this trip. All we can do is to live vicarious through them. I’m here to help.

I mean they.

This is most likely not Las Vegas

If you don’t move for the Tour de France, your car gets tossed in La Seine

Party atmosphere before the pros take to the cobbles

Trust me. Chris Froome does not like doing this.

The most dangerous job on the Tour. Someone may jack this guy for the wheels.

The parade of sponsors is exactly like the Rose Parade

Getting to conquer the Alp d’Huez. Something Tejay didn’t get to do.

Peloton rolling down the Champ d’Elysses

Potential for disaster

The way every evening should end

(Photos courtesy of Doug John & Matt Fabiano)