Le Tour de France

When we lived in the UK we always followed the fortunes of the Tour de France. Now we live here we are able to see it live. The first two years is was close to home, yesterday we had to travel a little further. We arrived at Thézan-des Corbières, 26 kilometers from the finish in Narbonne, three hours before the caravane and four and a half hours before the cyclists would come through. It wasn’t too early. Spectators had already parked their cars and campervans in strategic spots. We found a great place on the edge of a vineyard. We were armed with books, a newspaper and picnic. Time seemed to fly by. The caravane arrived first and was amazing. There were a whole range of lorries, vans and cars decorated to advertise their products. We collected loads of cadeaux this year, such as key rings, newspapers, hats, sweets and even fabric conditioner, which were thrown by the people from the vehicles. It was great fun.

About an hour later we were told that the cyclists were on their way. The first clue was the hoard of helicopters circling in the sky. Next came the cars and motorbikes ahead of the riders and finally the cyclists. Although it only took about a minute for all the riders to pass us, it was an incredible event. They flashed by so quickly it was difficult to identify anyone.

Arnaud Gérard, Juan-José Oroz, Samuel Dumoulin


The peleton with Cadel Evans in the Yellow Jersey

It amazes me how some people follow the Tour throughout July. Unless you are living in a campervan equipped with a TV, it impossible to know what is going on. There is also a limit to how many key rings etc one wants to collect.
We had recorded the Tour and when we got home watched the race. We just spotted ourselves on TV, waving as the peloton went past.

Well done Mark Cavendish. Can you do as well in Nîmes today?