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!

"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.

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?