The year 2003 marked the 100th anniversary of the greatest cycling competition in the world - the Tour de France. This cache is to commemorate this anniversary of the Tour, which started on July 5, 2003 and ran almost throughout the entire month of July.
The actual cache is not at the listed coordinates, but is within 2.5 miles of there. To find the real coordinates, you must answer some Tour de France trivia questions and perform some easy math. The actual cache is located at N 3A° BC.DGF ' W 12J ° EA.CGH'. Checksum: N = 26, W = 27
The smallest winning margin in Tour de France history occurred in 1989 when Greg Lemond upset Laurent Fignon's 50 second lead going into the last stage.
A = The overall winning margin in seconds - 1.
B = Fourth digit of the first year Lance Armstrong rode in the Tour de France - 2.
C = Highest number of Tour de France victories made by an individual (as of 2003).
D = Number of stages in the 1903 Tour de France.
E = First digit + second digit of the length (in km) is the longest stage is the 2003 Tour de France (Nevers to Lyon).
One does not win the Tour de France alone. Winning is a team effort, with lots of hard work and sacrifices made to help the team's star rider win.
F = Number of members are on each team - 5.
G = Second digit of the number of stages (not including the prologue) are in the 2003 Tour de France.
H = Fourth digit of the first year an American won the Tour de France.
J = First digit of the number of Tour de France stages Belgium's Eddy Merckx has won - 2. This is the most Tour de France stage wins of any other rider.
The cache is in a 6" x 6" x 2" clear Rubbermaid container with a blue rim. Initial contents included:
- Tour de France trading cards
- Bicycle headband
- Bicycle pin
- Sewing kit
- Razz blower
- Medal
- Bicycle chain keyring
- Geocache note
- Logbook and pens
4/16/05 - A swarm of bees are at the cache location. Please be careful. I plan to move the cache to another location in the near future if the bees remain at the present location.
5/5/05 - Bees still at original cache location. Cache has been moved a few feet away from the bees. Hint has been updated. Thanks thebigdp!
