Left hotel at about 9 am for 30 km ride to the end of the first stage of the tour de France. We had stocked up on picnic essentials as we left Cholet. The ride passed through St Hilaire and another lovely, but hilly little village. Road was very busy with le Tour traffic and when we got to the far side of the Mont Des Allouettes, all traffic was being diverted. It was a great moment when the road traffic controller motioned us to the other side of the barrier and we left all the cars behind us and climbed up the opposite side of the final climb of the first stage of the tour.
We grabbed a coffee at a coffee van and had some morning tea in the shade. We wandered along the route looking for a good spot to set up camp for the day. We found a nice grassy verge with a convenient pole to tie our 5*3 foot Australian flag to. It billowed beautifully and we reckoned Cadel would only need one look up the straight to be inspired. As soon as we hoisted our flag, the announcer said " Welcome Australie" and people kept coming up for chats all day - Aussies, kiwis and French. We formed an ANZAC alliance with a young couple from NZ ( hello Clair and Reuben ) and they flew the kiwi can flag below ours on the pole. It was a great atmosphere and we were very proud of Cadel when he came past us. We were close enough to have patted him on the shoulder.
After running the gauntlet of the departing crowd, we came upon a little brasserrie and stopped for a much needed beer. Tired but elated, we rode the remaining 20 km home, arriving back at our hotel at about 8.30. Another big day!
We grabbed a coffee at a coffee van and had some morning tea in the shade. We wandered along the route looking for a good spot to set up camp for the day. We found a nice grassy verge with a convenient pole to tie our 5*3 foot Australian flag to. It billowed beautifully and we reckoned Cadel would only need one look up the straight to be inspired. As soon as we hoisted our flag, the announcer said " Welcome Australie" and people kept coming up for chats all day - Aussies, kiwis and French. We formed an ANZAC alliance with a young couple from NZ ( hello Clair and Reuben ) and they flew the kiwi can flag below ours on the pole. It was a great atmosphere and we were very proud of Cadel when he came past us. We were close enough to have patted him on the shoulder.
After running the gauntlet of the departing crowd, we came upon a little brasserrie and stopped for a much needed beer. Tired but elated, we rode the remaining 20 km home, arriving back at our hotel at about 8.30. Another big day!
Tour would have been awesome mum and dad. We'll have to download the ride and look for you on the side. Good hypoactive advertising mum :) Great photo of Cadel. Did he give you a wave?
ReplyDeleteTim
Woooo! Looking at these photos makes me want to be there. Damn tour is on so late here... many bleary-eyed mornings. Nice shot of Cadel. My street comes off Cadell street :)
ReplyDeleteLooks like beautiful weather too.