Tour de Lounge

The Tour de Lounge was founded by Grozzi in 2010 when his girlfriend at the time (now wife) was undergoing chemo treatment for Hodgkin's Lymphoma. Grozzi was so bored hanging around the unit being the caretaker that he thought riding his exercise bike while watching the Tour de France would help him kill some time. It wasn’t long before the bike had pole position in front of the TV and Grozzi felt he was riding in the peloton itself. Grozzi sent weekly updates to friends and family about the health of his girlfriend, which gradually morphed into updates about his performance in the Tour de Lounge Room. The caretaker ended up turning into the Tour de Lounge athlete and appointed the chemo patient as his Tour Manager – though Grozzi often complained about lack of commitment from his Tour Manager.

In 2011 the Tour Manager (now in remission) was called up for duty again. This year saw a massive increase in members as the peloton grew to five. The challenge was set: Each member had to ride 1,000km over the duration of the Tour de France (23 nights) and to get their family and friends to sponsor them in achieving this goal. All money raised went to the Leukaemia Foundation. The commitment from the team was exceptional as it became evident that riding every night for 23 days was going to be quite a task. Wives and girlfriends (aka Tour Managers) reluctantly provided supplies, hydration and support during many long nights of riding.

Showing true dedication to the Tour de Lounge, team members could be found riding on holidays in hotel gyms, riding with children hoisted on shoulders to keep them entertained before bed time and putting in extra pre-work sessions to keep up with the pros.  Captain Grozzi was even found by his Tour Manager riding in a suit while eating a kebab at 2a.m - putting in a few extra kms after a late night at the pub watching the Origin. Needless to say with commitment like this the goal of $5,000 was smashed with over $10,000 raised.

In 2012, as our very own Cuddles Evans looks for back-to-back Tour De France victories, the Tour de Lounge is raising the proverbial bike seat.

WE WANT YOU!! WHEREVER YOU AND YOUR EXERCISE BIKE MAY BE AROUND THE WORLD.

The Tour de Lounge peloton rider’s complete 1,000kms over the same period as the Tour de France, however there is also the 500km Roleur’s Dream or the 250km Sprinter’s Cup. Riding will usually be carried out “Lounge style” (riding in front of the TV whilst the Tour de France is on) but regular road miles and gym miles are also acceptable. Hell, anything is acceptable – you don't try and pin down a lounge room athlete with rules and regulations.

For more information go to www.tourdelounge.com