Getting into serious cycling could cost you as much as a good second-hand car. For cyclists competing in the Tour, the total cost of equipment is around £6,500.
The frame of the standard racing bike used for time trial stages costs £850. For the short time trials - like the Prologue stage around Dublin city centre today - riders use a custom-made so-called low-profile bike valued upwards of £3,000. Gears, pedals, chain and brakes may cost £1,500.
That's £5,350 already and your bike doesn't yet have wheels. Lightweight Spinergy wheels made of carbon fibre for extra rigidity are £700 a pair. Vittoria tyres come to around £35 each.
Getting kitted out isn't cheap either. Riders are likely to spend around £300 per outfit.
Racing shoes may look weird but their rigid soles disperse the rider's weight and cost him £130. And if we have rain this weekend he will need overshoes that cost £15 a pair.
A pair of bib cycling shorts (with special shoulder straps to keep them up) costs £40 and an undervest which draws the sweat away from the rider's body and on to his jersey costs £15.
The three-pocket jersey can be short sleeved (£40) or long sleeved (£50). If it is cold cyclists use armwarmers and legwarmers that cost £15 and £20 apiece.
A helmet completes the ensemble. One of the most popular is Giro, made by an Irish company in Newcastle West, Limerick.
Gloves (£15) are essential, as are glasses which serve to protect the riders' eyes from bugs and flies. The more expensive Oakley type cost around £90.
According to Philip Cassidy of Cycleways in Parnell Street, Dublin, the huge amounts spent by professional riders shouldn't discourage young enthusiasts.
"All you really need to start off is a good bike and we do a range of second-hand ones between £200 and £400," he says. New models cost between £500 and £700.
Once they have the bike, Cassidy says, would-be Stephen Roches need only a helmet, cycling shorts and shoes.