2 Wheeled Inspiration

2 Wheeled Inspiration

If we say 'Bicycle Race' do you think Tour De France or late 70s glam rock classic?

As The Tour De France moves into its 3rd week and its final 1000k, all the talk is of Contador's brilliant hill climbing, Cavendish's sprinting prowess, Wiggins' podium prospects and Armstrong's revenge return in 2010. For my part as I get on my bike and head out for a session I'm not actually thinking of these determined souls, but instead, I'm thinking music. Not what to play on my ipod but what music might have been inspired by the race itself in the same way that life in general inspires art...

The Tour has of course given rise to a host of popular tracks - none of any distinction until Kraftwerk had a hit with 'Tour de France' in 1983 – described as a minimalistic "melding of man and machine". You make your own mind up. However, the one I should have guessed I didn't ; Queen's bicycle race as inspired by the Tour passing under the window of one Freddie Mercury in 1978. On that basis alone I can't wait to find out who or what provoked the creation of Fat Bottomed Girls, the next track on that genius Greatest Hits album...