The Tour de France is the world’s toughest cycling race. In 1984, 36 pioneering women rode in the first-ever Tour de France Féminin. Though their experiences on and off the bike were a far cry from the men’s, their heroic efforts set the stage for the 2022 debut of the Tour de Femmes Avec Zwift. Through conversations with these women and others, this series shines a light on how these women from the 1980s led the way in shaping women’s professional cycling.

(04:41 ) Winning the National championship on bean burritos and no sleep

(08:05) Forced to make her own jersey because the team couldn't afford them

(14:11) 14 people stuffed into a car and other hardships at the Tour de France Féminin

(18:13) Eating wild board with its quills as your post-race meal

(02:37) Getting recognized as a pro rider in public

(06:52) Inequities between women and men in pro cycling

(14:58) Highlights from the Tour de Femmes Avec Zwift

(17:41) Rider's perspective of the Tour de Femmes Avec Zwift

(02:59) How Marianne Martin first found out about the Tour de France Féminin

(05:21) The surreal feeling of being the first women to race in the Tour de France

(10:47) Best memories from the Tour de France

(12:43) Life lessons from the Tour de France

(20:21) Marianne Martin on the Tour de Femmes Avec Zwift

(04:30) How Title IX boosted women's sports--but not cycling

(07:07) The 1980's were a "golden era" for cycling in the US

(11:30) Coping with the pressure of racing and being #1

(16:53) The Carpenter-Phinney family legacy continues