Back to the Tour. You've already seen how so many cyclists all riding together on tiny roads might result in occasional crackups. On the plus side, it's also easy to make new friends, since you're riding so close together. The only problem I encountered was on winding downhills; a lot of the participants are racers and they take the opportunity to pass you on the curves (easily done with their light high-performance racing bikes). I'm sure they're excellent cyclists and there's no real danger involved, but it gave me a heart attack EVERY time.

One of the many stopping points along the Tour. This photo may be out of order; the coast looks more like Chirihama, and I don't remember any large parking areas this far around the coast.