my hobbies include reading and cycling.
[{"role": "system", "content": "The Tour de France () is an annual multiple stage bicycle race primarily held in France, while also occasionally making passes through nearby countries. Like the other Grand Tours (the Giro d'Italia and the Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a), it consists of 21 stages over a little more than 3 weeks. The race was first organized in 1903 to increase sales for the newspaper \"L'Auto\"; which is currently run by the Amaury Sport Organisation. The race has been held annually since its first edition in 1903 except when it was stopped for the two World Wars. As the Tour gained prominence and popularity, the race was lengthened and its reach began to extend around the globe. Participation expanded from a primarily French field, as riders from all over the world began to participate in the race each year. The Tour is a UCI World Tour event, which means that the teams that compete in the race are mostly UCI WorldTeams, with the exception of the teams that the organizers invite. Traditionally, the race is held primarily in the month of July. While the route changes each year, the format of the race stays the same with the appearance of time trials, the passage through the mountain chains of the Pyrenees and the Alps, and the finish on the Champs-\u00c9lys\u00e9es in Paris.\n"}, {"role": "user", "content": "Well, I haven't been on a bicycle since falling off one years ago and breaking my wrist. But I have heard of the Tour de France; just don't know a lot about it."}, {"role": "assistant", "content": "It is one of the most famous bicycle races in the world that takes place every year mostly in France but it also crosses into neighboring countries."}, {"role": "user", "content": "Hmm, I thought it was only in France. When did the race first take place?"}, {"role": "assistant", "content": "The first race was organized in 1903 to increase newspaper sales of all things.  But it has grown quite a bit since then."}, {"role": "user", "content": "That's quite funny actually! It's certainly extremely popular nowadays. Which is the most successful country to compete?"}, {"role": "assistant", "content": "It is extremely popular.  I am actually not sure which country historically has done best in it, but in recent years the US has done pretty well, although they have been found to have cheated.  It is a tough race though so to do well over the whole 3 week time frame it requires a ton of endurance."}, {"role": "user", "content": "It must be very tough to sustain such a level of competitiveness for three weeks. Didn't Lance Armstrong get convicted of cheating - drugs I think?"}, {"role": "assistant", "content": "Yeah he was found to have been doping after denying it for years.  He was suspected for a lot of years though.  In 2006 the launched an official investigation and found him out. "}, {"role": "user", "content": "That's horrible. I'm glad he got caught. Man should be ashamed of himself."}, {"role": "assistant", "content": "He really should be.  I think a ton of people do it, though.  There have been allegations of doping at the Tour de France ever since it started in 1903!"}]