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• #3976
Balki
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So we arrived at Castillion la Batallie with around 15 minutes before the presentation of the riders. Parked where a friend suggested just over the bridge and walked into town. Nothing. Walked through the town and then spotted two thin young chaps on carbon bikes with race numbers. They pointed us beyond the station. A small queue and 15 euros each and we were in. What we were in to was a 3km circuit behind the town going through residential areas and vineyards. A hill greeted us and we walked up it before finding space on the side of the road with a view of the climb towards us and as it turned a corner above us.
We waited. A sound system told us repeatedly the Roy was the winner of the most combatative rider award and little else. It started to rain. Big heavy drops. We were soon very wet but as soon as it started, it stopped. The sun came out. We started to dry. After a while a couple of cars came around with young women sitting or standing in them throwing caps or pens into the crowd. None landed near us.
And then the race was off, or so we heard from the announcement. Camilla wanted to go to the loo. I pointed into the vineyard. She trotted down there and as she arrived in situ I noticed that everyone was looking in her direction as did Mrs O who became aggitated. We then realised the object of attention was not our peeing 19 year old but the peleton which was emerging. Soon it came up the hill. There was Contador, there Rollands and Voekler, strumming gently up the incline as though on a Saturday training ride.
Given that Contador had won in Lacq the night before and Rolland was riding his fifth crit since the tour, it was hardly surprising that they were not racing harder. A nice social pace allowing them to chat with each other. Claps from the crowd, particularly for Rolland, Roy and Voekler but also for Contador. The 32 man field went gently past.
Next time they came round, a break was on with a Saxobank rider and Rolland and the time after, the break had been caught and Voekler and Contador were out on their own.
MrsO, decided to pop back to the car for the waterproofs and an umbrella. Camilla and I stayed watching as each circuit saw a different group off the front. Even in a bbreak on a climb, the riders were able to chap amiably. Rain started again.
MrsO returned after 10 laps had been ridden. We togged up in our waterproofs and hid in a hedge as the heavens opened. We were drenched. The crowds left the hill. We followed. The peleton ambled past a couple more times as we descended. The crowds applauded the young and now soaked women still sticking out of cars. We waved them past a final time as we left and squelched back to the car.
It rained torrentially for the first hour of our journey west back to our hotel.
In this morning's paper, it informed us that the race was cut short because of the weather. Voekler won with Contador second.
Despite the rain, we enjoyed the occasion. It would have been great if it had been dry and sunny, we were about to go to near the top of the hill to watch the finish line and podium but that degree of dampness (water overflowing out of drains kind of dampness) was not condusive to watch a cycle race.
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What's been the best use of doodle?
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• #3997
psst. Balki. That's just the accent. You've been in London too long. Come back. You owe me a beer.
Yeah, what's with all this flying back and forth? You're single-handedly destroying the earth FOR EVERYONE.
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Just watched Cadels parade into the city. People everywehre. Couldnt believe the numbers.
BDW doing security for Cadel, background.
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Nice set of prints over at crayonfire…
http://www.crayonfire.co.uk/#1679033/Tour-de-France-Series-Scroll-Down
andy.w
BRM
deleted
cliveo
Jung
hippy
Brave
Aroogah
Gav86
Oliver Schick
slamm-
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About
Tour De France 2011
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