The relentless pace of riding had left the team slightly jaded so on our rest day in Paris what better than to stand around for hours waiting for the Tour de France to arrive?
After a minimalist breakfast we headed west on the Metro to Trocadero where we emerged to join hundreds of other sightseers taking photos of the Tour Eifel. Stopping at a boulangerie in Avenue Kleber (strawberry slice and apricot tart) we headed for the Arc de Triomphe and down the Champs Eleysees taking in the atmosphere as the crowds built for later in the day. We had about 4hrs before the riders arrived but already the best spots were taken and there were hardly any gaps to be seen along the temporary fencing lining the road.
We took on more energy and fluids (if you know what I'm saying) and walked right down one side of the road and then back up the other. By 2.00 we decided we should find a viewing spot and we managed to find one with only one row of people in front of us. After a short wait the "caravan" arrived - all the promotional and logistical vehicles. Eventually the procession ended and after a wait of another 45 mins or so the real action started. A succession of official cars and even more motorbikes was followed by the riders shooting by, right to left up the Champs Eleysees on the opposite side of the road, then after turning by the Arc de Triomphe they came thundering by us left to right - all in a bit of a blur.
Luckily they had to do this 8 times so we eventually got to pick out some of the riders including of course Cadel Evans, the overall winner, and Mark Cavendish, who went on to win this final stage. We made our way down to the finish line after the riders shot past for the final time and saw the final presentations to Mark Cavendish and an emotional Cadel Evans... Let's see them try that with panniers and a tent!
By now we had been standing around for way too long, especially with a long ride tomorrow, so we dragged ourselves along the banks of the Seine to the Louvre and got the Metro back to our hotel.
quite an impressive beard Tom! Yes I agree, see them try with heavy panniers and a tent! lol mum xxx
ReplyDeleteWhy didn't you boys just slide out, surreptitiously, from your vantage point, into the pack and race home first???
ReplyDeleteThey would have had the look of beaten men in the face of Team Probert, gasping in wonder at panniers and tent!
Nick
indeed, i would have favoured a seemless slip in to the peleton and an attack from 7-8 km out remembering to cycle riders efficiently so as to evenly distribute the wind-breaking. were the french going mad for a voelkler win still? gutted france. ps il be buying the leeds tickets tomorrrow.
ReplyDeletedroidal.