As someone who blogs about the Tour de France, simply watching the television isn’t an option, especially since I don’t always have access to a television, or at least the right channel, throughout the month of the July. After all, it is time to travel and ride my own bike!

I firmly believe that a complete Tour de France viewing experience is facilitated by the following:

• coffee;
• television;
• computer (preferably laptop).

Apps are also plentiful for those who wish to expand their Tour viewing pleasure to the smartphone.

In addition to all of the online swank, NBC Sports will actually broadcast the Tour de France on network television, *gasp* . . . but only three times. Check out NBC Sports Group’s Tour de France Schedule for a complete listing.

Tour de France Websites

The Tour de France offers excellent, online Tour coverage. The Tour de France home page is the online hub for information and provides a very obvious link to live Tour de France coverage. This is nice because it provides additional commentary to our favorite NBC Sports Network announcers, commentary which sometimes provides much more detail and fills in the gaps. Speaking of NBC, if you feel like the Tour de France website isn’t enough, you can visit the 2012 Tour de France on NBC Sports.

Tour de France on Social Media

Both Le Tour de France and NBC Sports provide social media coverage:

• Le Tour de France on Facebook
• @letour on Twitter
• NBC Sports Cycling on Facebook
• @NBCSNCycling on Twitter.

Nissan Ultimate Access

How can you not play this? It’s so simple. Visit the Nissan Ultimate Access page, enter the day’s word and your email address, et voila!

To get you started, today’s word is COLO. Simply watch the Tour de France every day for a new word. The coveted awards are one of three trips to meet the Radioshack Nissan Trek riders on the final stages of a tour, Trek bikes, and autographed helmets and jerseys.

NBC Sports Fantasy Cycling Challenge

Who doesn’t like fantasy cycling? It’s free. You get to select so many riders to be on your payroll for each stage, and people win prizes daily. Visit the NBC Sports Fantasy Cycling Challenge page to play.

RoadID 2012 Tour de France Challenge

Win a Trek Madone or a VIP trip with Bob Roll in the RoadID Tour de France Challenge. You can enter by donating $5 to charity, becoming a RoadID Facebook Fan, following RoadID on Twitter, or simply picking the winner of the Tour de France!

Rapha’s Circle of Death Tour de France Contest

Rapha is inviting Strava users to meet the challenge of the Circle of Death” during the Pyrenees stages for their Circle of Death Tour de France Contest from July 15 to 22. A second contest will be held on July 18.

There you have it: a complete Tour de France viewing experience.