"The 33"-Road Bike Racing - A Day at the Tour de France

Took my little girl and joined some other american friends who live near me here in the South of France to
watch today's stage and thought i would share with you how it looks to take in the tour in person.

Lunch
Caravan
Friends
Crowds
Helicopters
The Tour
Fun Stuff!!

Video from Tour Stage Today (http://www.fountainsofprovence.com/FountainsofProvence/TdF2008.html)

Nice video, those cars were going pretty fast!!!

yeah, that caravan flew buy eh?

Very cool, I'd love the chance to see the race in person.

Nice job!

Did you get any good stuff from the caravan? ;)

we snagged a polka-dot cycling cap (daughter wore it in the video); some haribo candy; a bottle opener; and a key chain. With so many people around us it was difficult to get much. It helps when you have young children with you because the caravan throwers tend to be young women (early 20s) and they always seem to have a soft spot for the younger kids on the road.

And yes, the caravan cars do go by fast. Very easy for someone to get hurt on the road if you are not watching out.

we snagged a polka-dot cycling cap (daughter wore it in the video); some haribo candy; a bottle opener; and a key chain. With so many people around us it was difficult to get much. It helps when you have young children with you because the caravan throwers tend to be young women (early 20s) and they always seem to have a soft spot for the younger kids on the road.

And yes, the caravan cars do go by fast. Very easy for someone to get hurt on the road if you are not watching out.

Did you get the Etap pen set. If not too bad. The one we got offered a half off coupon. Also, I like my new LCL backpack. The reflective tape has already been attached to my helmets and bike rims. But, my favorite. My Radio France bullhorn. My wife already hates it and threatens to crush it , since its now my way of getting her attention. Fountains ideas about the speed of caravan. Its really a threat to those taking photos and a little too close to the road. / Did not the Vitesse truck not spray water at you while taking photos. My camera took it head on.

Nice video, those cars were going pretty fast!!!

:eek::eek::eek: Holy Crap!

Nice video. Did your daughter enjoy it?

I'm not sure why they go so fast. It has something to do with maintaining their distance from the race and their schedule. They slow down in various parts of the route. Other times they have to roll through fast to get back on time. In the villages and towns they travel slower with all the people there. We were in between villages so there was nothing out there but vineyards; that's why they raced past us (even if there were large crowds). They also have to ration their supplies for each stage to make sure they have something to give at the finish area.

Would have loved the bullhorn myself.

My daughter really loves the caravan part. Every time she sees a bike race on TV she thinks it's the TdF and when she sees riders tossing empty water bottles to the side of the road she thinks they are part of the caravan giving toys to the boys and girls on the side.

If you get a chance, see a time trial.

When I was living in Brussels when I was racing, I saw two prologues, and several stages (between my own races) and it's a lot of fun. Climbing stages are great when on the mountain, but it's a long day when considering getting off the mountain.

I've taken a few people, and they comment about the "whoosh" when the peloton rides by.

Nice video. Thanks for sharing.

Nice video. My wife and I were watching the Tour last night and talked about visiting France during the Tour... one of these days. By the way, great photos of your family.

Thanks. Watching a Tour stage once in your life (in person) would be on my list of what sporting events to see in one's lifetime.