Yesterday TC and I joined a friend and rode out to see Le Tour go past. Yes, you do know which tour I mean!
One of the things I love about it is that it goes all around the country, giving so many local people the opportunity to go our & see it in their area and cheer the riders on. It came within 20km of our home on this stage and we decided to go to a spot between Montagnac and Villeveyrac where there are some small hills, so we could get a good view of them coming up a rise. The map in that link gives you a good idea of our region.
Once we arrived, we stopped in front of a pretty vineyard (and some of the locals came up to chat, telling us what good wines they sell there) and before we knew it the caravan was coming up the road. For the uninitiated, the caravan is the parade of sponsor promotion vehicles which are like small floats, equipped with loudspeakers, music and people throwing out free goodies to the crowds.
After the caravan, we sat in the shade and enjoyed our picnic of freshly made baguette sandwiches (filled with leftover chicken from coq au vin, fresh ham, fromage & salad) and of course good red wines. Thanks to the caravan, we enjoyed some madeleines as a little treat after our baguettes. A relaxing hour was spent in the perfect summer weather until the sight and sound of 4 helicoptors coming over the hill announced the imminent arrival of the riders. Two had gone out in a breakaway lead early in the stage, I don’t think they lasted very long.
Then it was time for the peloton.
Of course I was out in my Aussie gear to support our riders – in fact TC was waving the flag while I was calling out “Go Aussies” and one of the Orica Greenedge riders threw him his empty bottle. I also got one from the Movistar team, Score!!
Then it was all over so quickly… but what a good day out. We made our way home, past many cars & a few small traffic jams and accompanied by the occasional call of “allez allez allez!!!” from other tour fans driving past us. The views on the way there and back were just gorgeous, so enjoy our pictures!
What a great experience, and some lovely photos there too. I’m hoping to see the final stage in Paris, although the crowds may be a bit of a deterrent!
After braving the avenue des champs elyssee last year, my advice is get there early snd claim a spot that you’re prepared to stay in!! Its good fun 🙂
a wonderful pile of good pictures in that lot i enjoyed the post
Thank you, glad you enjoyed it 🙂
cycling brings good health
Hey there! I’ve really enjoyed your blog, so I’ve nominated you for the Very Inspiring Blogger award! http://afkotecki.wordpress.com/2013/07/14/lifes-rewards-and-awards/
Thank you very much, that is very nice of you! 🙂
Great post! Sounds like you had a great day. What a wonderful memory you made.
It was a great day, definitely a good memory 🙂 Its a fantastic thing to see at least once if your lifetime if you are a keen cyclist 🙂