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Post by Deleted on Jul 5, 2012 18:15:11 GMT
The first time I ever saw the Tour de France in person was in 1964. I didn't really remember, but I knew it had to be either a family visit in 1960 or 1964, so just by checking the itineraries, I saw that it was in 1964 that the Tour came near my grandparents' village, for a stage that went from Forest (a suburb of Brussels) to Metz. All I know is that we went to some small town and occupied an excellent vantage point on the terrace of a café-restaurant which overlooked the main road. After a long wait, the riders came whizzing through and three minutes later it was all finished. That sounds like a kind of ridiculous thing to wait for, doesn't it? But it is a whole process for fans -- figuring out where they might see the Tour, going there on the day it is passing through (and for the mountain stages, often camping out for 2 or 3 days in advance), the comraderie of the long wait along the road, with huge picnics, games for the children, card games and naps for the adults. The advertising caravan comes through about 90 minutes before the riders, and this defies description. Every imaginable company participates -- and they throw trinkets to the crowd. Samples! Caps! Keychains! And then the advertisers are gone, and the wait sets in again, with a few straggling advertising cars passing through, some motorcycle police, a few official Skodas... and you wait. This is when some people who have brought small children must leave, because the small children have become uncontrollable and cranky, and it was a mistake to try to make them wait. And then the cyclists come through in a few seconds of intense excitement. People have come from Australia and Brazil and South Africa, all over France and all over Europe. And they absolutely love that brief moment. Dare I say it? It is quite a lot like sex -- a long slow buildup with all sorts of preliminaries and then just a few intense orgasmic moments. But people glow with happiness as they leave the site and they wouldn't have missed it for the world. Anyway, I wanted a double orgasm this year, so I went to Abbeville to see the start of the stage, and then I hightailed it to Fécamp to see the riders a second time. 12-15 million people come to see the Tour in person at one of the stages, making it by far the most viewed sporting event in the world for people physically present. And even on television, it is one of the top three, after the summer Olympic games and the World Cup for football. But first I had to drive to Abbeville. I managed to get there a little before 9 a.m. when just about all of the roads into town would be shut down. I parked in a field that had been organised for the occasion, as many other fields had also been prepared. Lots of other people were just camped out in the central park.  There were grassy bicycles decorating all of the garden areas.  I followed the various arrows to find where the action would be taking place.  The municipal theatre was the VIP guest centre.  |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 5, 2012 19:23:11 GMT
There's lots of free stuff even if you are not an official "guest."  In any case, there were plenty of things to look at as the morning began.      It was supposed to rain all day. Thank goodness for incorrect weather reports! Here is an Australian reporter reporting that he is indeed in Abbeville.  Trinket throwers throw trinkets.  Teenage junior cyclists are on display.  It is all a communion of "France profonde" ("deep France").  Somebody had discovered the perfect overview of everything for their cameras.  Traditional music also has its place on the route of the Tour.  |
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Post by mich64 on Jul 5, 2012 21:06:00 GMT
I can not wait to experience this some day... soon I hope! I love looking forward each year to see where the tour stops are and watching the race on TV each day enjoying the countryside and all the little villages along the way.  Will you attempt another spot this year? Thank you Kerouac for sharing your day!  |
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Post by mich64 on Jul 5, 2012 21:10:10 GMT
I noticed Elbeuf on the map, a cousin of my husband lives there and we have visited him and his children at their homes on two of our visits, lovely area. A large car plant there. We drove from Merlebach to Elbeuf in one day, it was a long drive.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 5, 2012 21:13:18 GMT
I was somewhat fascinated by the media coverage of the Tour de France. Even though I am perfectly aware of what an awesome event it is, it doesn't really sink in until you see of the vehicles of the various media. |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 6, 2012 5:21:03 GMT
[photobucket height=480 width=640]http://s450.photobucket.com/albums/qq228/kerouac2/Tour%20de%20France%202012/?action=view¤t=a73f8b93.pbw[/photobucket] |
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Post by tod2 on Jul 6, 2012 11:19:13 GMT
A big WOWIE Kerouac! The photos are fab - I loved the way you faded the 'caravan' photos in and out in the last shot...I would like to know how to do that...  I also want to know how you managed to drive to Fecamp and get there ahead of the pack?? |
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Post by bixaorellana on Jul 6, 2012 17:43:08 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jul 6, 2012 18:36:28 GMT
The ads kept coming and coming. So strange that when you watch television, there is every chance that you will change channel during what is called in France "the advertising tunnel," but when you're waiting for the Tour de France you will put up with anything. |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 6, 2012 19:36:23 GMT
To get to Fécamp fast enough, I had to hightail it to the A28 and A29 autoroutes.  Well, I never made it to Fécamp, because the road had already been closed. I took the Fécamp exit from the autoroute but when there was another sign to Fécamp shortly afterwards, there was no way to get there: the road was closed. However, I had just gone over an overpass and seen down below a bunch of people lining the road. There were a bunch of cars parked on the grass lining the road, so I joined them in an impromptu manner, provoking just a tiny bit of road rage from a lumber truck following me. Oh well, I can put up with a bit vigorous honking if I still get my way. I always wonder where all of the people come from that you see lining the road of the Tour in the middle of nowhere. There doesn't seem to be any way to get where they are standing in the middle of the fields but somehow they are there. Time to see how they do it. |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 6, 2012 20:17:36 GMT
They really have to make sure that you cannot use the road, because people would drive through anyway if there were any possibility of doing so. |
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Post by mich64 on Jul 6, 2012 20:47:38 GMT
I like how in reply #8 there is a photo of two ladies fortunate to have a view from their apartment! I will have to remember this when I plan my Tour de France trip, try to find a rental apartment in a town along the route. Probably a huge challenge, but a worthy one.
The advertising vehicles were enjoyable, I laughed at the car covered in bread.
It would be a dream to be involved in the logistics of the race.
Who are you cheering for? Our Canadian, Hesjedal, was in 8th place yesterday, I heard that he was involved in one of those crashes and lost a lot of time today and is probably out of contention now. I will know more tonight when we watch the recorded version after dinner.
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Post by nycgirl on Jul 6, 2012 23:04:50 GMT
How exciting!
I read your other thread and was really surprised to learn how vicious and corrupt the competition was (and is?). But here it looks good wholesome fun.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 7, 2012 4:07:46 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jul 7, 2012 4:25:16 GMT
All of the cars with the spare parts are amazing. [photobucket height=480 width=640]http://s450.photobucket.com/albums/qq228/kerouac2/Tour%20de%20France%202012/?action=view¤t=2661fbd6.pbw[/photobucket] The " voiture balai" is the last vehicle of the Tour.  |
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Post by lugg on Jul 7, 2012 4:31:35 GMT
made me laugh out loud
Enjoying this immensely.
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Post by tod2 on Jul 7, 2012 6:39:00 GMT
Just fantastic! You got some pretty good shots of the riders up close - something impossible to do when standing bunched in on the Rue de Rivoli!
Did you record this stage of the Tour at home so you could watch it later? Now that we can see where you were standing alongside the road, we might even catch a glimpse of you taking photos ;D
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Post by Deleted on Jul 7, 2012 10:17:29 GMT
It's a shame that I don't really keep up with professional cycling, because I would like to be able to recognize some of the riders that I took pictures of. I do have a picture with the yellow jersey in it, so that would be Fabian Cancellara, and in the last photo of the riders, that is France's favourite cyclist, Thomas Voeckler, in the Europcar team jersey on the right.
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Post by tod2 on Jul 7, 2012 16:07:02 GMT
Some facts and figures surrounding those caravan vehicles.
The publicity caravan in figures:
A 20-km long parade
160 colourful and decorated vehicles
600 caravanists
33 brands represented
16 million gifts given away
45-minute long procession
12 members of the republican guard
4 traffic regulator motorcyclists
3 medical cars
€ 200,000 to € 500,000 investment for each advertiser
Next year the caravan will turn 80 years old!
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Post by bixaorellana on Jul 7, 2012 16:38:55 GMT
Oh ~~ you've added a great deal to this thread. Amazing day out & amazing photos. The ones of the cyclists coming right at you are world class. It is amazing that so many people managed to get through the fields in order to view the races, but somewhat of a shame that more of them cannot. The bicycle races here go over the Cerro del Fortín, which is quite steep, but they have to make several loops in order to get the distance required for a full race. The sides of the road are so packed with spectators that the transit police have to make a human cordon of themselves to keep people off the road. Insanely clever & cool use of the slideshow in this section ~~ deep curtsy of respect! |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 7, 2012 20:10:28 GMT
Once when the Tour came through Avignon during the festival, I was staying in one of the budget motels where all of the other rooms were occupied by caravanists. Breakfast was very weird the next morning, because they were all wearing their costumes or uniforms and I felt completely out of sync.
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Post by mich64 on Jul 7, 2012 20:54:29 GMT
Oh phooey! Hesjedal was involved in a nasty accident. I missed seeing yesterday's race due to an unexpected visitor and woke this morning to the news that his injuries have prevented him from continuing. Hopefully he will recover for the Olympic race. Now I will have to pick a new rider to cheer for.
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Post by tod2 on Jul 10, 2012 9:12:55 GMT
I am so pleased for Wiggins! He did Great Britain and himself and family, proud! I have one request for Bradley.....please shave off those hideous 'Abe Lincoln' sideburns  |
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Post by tod2 on Jul 15, 2012 16:09:29 GMT
Oh what a day!! I can hardly believe that some idiot/s threw tacks onto the road in a deliberate bid to unhinge the riders. To me it looks like they aimed to inflict carnage on anyone and everyone. Bastards At least a gentleman's sporting chance won the day as the group slowed for Evans. Jolly good show what!, Good on yer mates!, Heelwat mooi manne! ;D |
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