 Sometimes living in France has its perks... this year I shall have the unusual pleasure of being able to watch the end of a Tour de France stage from the building where I park my car; and watch the beginning of the next stage from my living room window! And it's this weekend so I don't need to pull a sickie to watch it  I should have charged for access to our apartment... Go David Millar!
|
| Edited: 09/07/08 09:12 |
 Sounds good, we were on the Champs Elysees standing right on the barriers watching Lance Armstrong win his 6th TDF in 2004, brilliant atmosphere and nice and sunny as well.
|
 |
 "Sometimes LIVING in France has its perks..." How very true John... but just PASSING THROUGH France and getting caught up in the Tour de France is quite another matter. That happened to me last year when I turned up late in an Alpine town to find the place swamped with Tour de France camp followers. With all but three beds taken in town, even the cheapest option had doubled in price. Not only that, but once the event was underway next morning, I wasn't even allowed to cross the road, but lost an hour just trying to fight my way out of town. Still... I had to admire the energy and enthusiasm of the whole thing!
|
|
Indeed Paddy, it's lucky that it's a weekend as I'd have great difficulty getting to work otherwise by any means! I am not even sure I'll be able to get out of my front door until after the riders are long gone on Sunday... One of my friends is a pediatrician and he'll be on-call during this weekend. Woe betide any poor infant that needs his care on Sunday. I have offered to lend him my bike to get into the hospital if necessary - but he might get swept along the next 224km to Bagnères-de-Bigorre
|
|
John, the 2 hours or so before the race are better than the actual race , i saw it pass through Woolwich last year and the riders pass by in seconds.
|
|
 Been watching it on ITV4 each night. Don't know much in depth about the teams/riders but I'm always impressed with the whole event. Let's hope it stays 'clean' this year!
|
|
 I'm pleased to say I'll be there again this year, John. Myself and my trusty Look are flying to Toulouse on Tuesday next week then it's off to Provence for 3 days then up to Grenoble for a week. Can't wait! 
|
|
Craig, I assume you aren't coming to Toulouse to see the race? It will be long gone by Tuesday... unless you are using TLS as a gateway to the Pyrenees section?
|
|
 Craig, you gonna try and get up Alpe Duez? you lucky bugger.
|
|
Craig, just reread your post above regarding your trusty Look. Not sure how old this bike is but there appears to be a pedal recall on various Look pedals made after Jan04 to Dec05. If yours come in that period beware they may snap. How were the Alps by the way?
|
|
John, Sorry I missed your post somehow. I didn't see the race in Toulouse. I had to wait until I got to the Alps. I flew in to Toulouse but only stayed 1 night and was picked up early the next morning by a friend to go to Provence for 2 days followed by Grenoble. We had a great time, covered almost 1100km in the 8 days I was there. Weather was perfect apart from 1 day where we experienced rain of biblical proportions on the decent from Chamrousse (just east of Grenoble).
|
|
Hi Alan. Yep, we conquered Alpe d'Huez again - my third time up I think. I still can't match Pantani's time though! We also managed to get up Mont Ventoux and Col de la Croix de Fer. The Alps were great, just about my favourite part of France. I don't have Look pedals (they're Shimano) - just a Look frame, which is getting long in the tooth now (about 2002 vintage I think). Thanks for the warning though.
|
|
BTW Alan, are you a member or De Laune by any chance? I've seen your name around (I'm an ex member).
|
|
Craig, No , ex Becontree Wheelers thats me,I packed up racing about 15 years back then got into triathlon for a few years but now just train for the fun of it. Glad to hear you did AdH again,I wouldnt go up it now against a stop watch,perhaps against a calender though.
|
|
