Touring pics
#151
Senior Member
Back in 1995 I was on a tour in the French Pyrenees with several friends. We were just beginning the climb up to the Col du Souloir on a back road when the cops pulled us over. Soon came a strange procession of vehicles honking horns and throwing souvenirs onto the road. A fourth of July parade in France??? Then helicopters came hovering over. Motorcycles pulled up and guys with cameras jumped off. Then these guys came by. It looked like the Tour de France but they were all riding fairly leisurely in one big pack as if just another Sunday club ride.
Yes, it was the Tour de France! Turns out that the stage win had already been awarded to the Motorola team. One of their teammates, Fabio Casartelli, had been killed the previous day in a crash on the Col de Portet d'Aspet. Today's stage win would not influence the final standings so the Tour awarded the win to the Motorola team to benefit Casartelli's family. We got back to our hotel room in time to watch the touching finish on TV with the team crossing the finish line together in a row.
That's me in the yellow jersey just ahead of Armstrong. (standing on the sidelines with the camera)

Yes, it was the Tour de France! Turns out that the stage win had already been awarded to the Motorola team. One of their teammates, Fabio Casartelli, had been killed the previous day in a crash on the Col de Portet d'Aspet. Today's stage win would not influence the final standings so the Tour awarded the win to the Motorola team to benefit Casartelli's family. We got back to our hotel room in time to watch the touching finish on TV with the team crossing the finish line together in a row.
That's me in the yellow jersey just ahead of Armstrong. (standing on the sidelines with the camera)

#152
Senior Member
Yep. I'm the one on the sidelines with camera and reversed baseball cap, Armstrong's wearing the blue helmet. The Banesto jersey second from right looks a little bit like Indurain but is not. He would have been wearing THE yellow jersey that day.
The pack continued way into the distance...

I had a great spot to watch the Tour wind through town (Arbeost) until the motorcycle press arrived. They all wanted the same vantage point. They snapped a few quick pics and moved on as they had to stay ahead of the pack...


The pack continued way into the distance...

I had a great spot to watch the Tour wind through town (Arbeost) until the motorcycle press arrived. They all wanted the same vantage point. They snapped a few quick pics and moved on as they had to stay ahead of the pack...



Last edited by BobG; 06-22-16 at 05:49 AM.
#154
Full Member
#155
Full Member
#156
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#157
Senior Member
Lovely place, we have kiwi neighbours here in Canada and it would be neat to plan a trip in NZ but it's quite a trip from here. Seeing photos like these are always tempting...
And yes it's fun to go over trip photos that we haven't seen in ages....
Cheers
And yes it's fun to go over trip photos that we haven't seen in ages....
Cheers
#159
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At the end of the Northern Tier, '99 with @BobG kneeling far right.
#160
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Went thru the whole thread and wow, very inspiring. Thanks to everyone for posting and keep it up.
#161
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Outside of Ocongate Peru
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#165
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Wow "str"! Those pics really capture some of the beauty of that place! I say some because there will never be any substitute for actually being there, but wow!
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#175
Senior Member
and thus God spoke (I suspect he was saying, halli halli huevon, mas rapido!)
the last time I was racing a big honker, I was lucky and in the city and was able to take shelter in a gas station, in that shot it doesnt look like there was much of anything to get under....
the last time I was racing a big honker, I was lucky and in the city and was able to take shelter in a gas station, in that shot it doesnt look like there was much of anything to get under....