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Tag Archives: Tour de France rest day

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Rest Day 2: Just Barely Beginning.

My mention on this day last year regarding spectators stands just as relevant now, while my fondness for that unforgettable French baker of two years ago has not faded.

On this second rest day, while our minds here at home are permitted to wander, clearly it’s all focus for 161 remaining competitors heading into this third and final week of Le Tour de France.  After all, Paris will greet them in just six more stages, by no means a quick or easy stretch after two unforgiving weeks of mounting fatigue, with plenty more hard climbing to come.

Horse racing, TDF style.

Horse racing, TDF style.

In any case, we might say the riders are just barely beginning to see the end.  Among all else, perhaps we’ll be treated to one more “horse race” on the way into town, along with any more surprises on the road that, true to cycling, forever remain impossible to predict.

Roadside entertainment lives.

TDF sprints come in all forms.

 

 
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Posted by on July 21, 2014 in 2014 Tour de France

 

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Rest Day 1: Wonder.

And now comes a day to pause, relax and think– at least for those of us at home merely watching NBCSN’s daily broadcasts.  Some might enjoy a history lesson once again, others might want to check-in on how Mark Cavendish is recovering, and even more– many more out there along the roads– might finally come to realize that a selfie before the oncoming peloton is just a bad idea. Altogether, we pause to consider what has been and will be amid the wonder of Le Tour de France. Personally, I happen to wonder if those Yorkshire sheep are still yellow!

The spirit of le maillot jaune lives, at least 150 times!

Back to Day One:  The spirit of le maillot jaune lives, at least 150 times!

 
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Posted by on July 15, 2014 in 2014 Tour de France

 

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Un Cours D’histoire

On this first day of rest— or at least of not racing– it’s the perfect time for a Tour de France history lesson.

 
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Posted by on July 8, 2013 in 2013 Tour de France, History

 

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On a Day of “Rest”…

In addition to the consistent yet unpredictable excitement of professional cycling, a secondary attraction always lies beneath the surface of Tour de France broadcast coverage.  This is, the ability of television viewers here at home– or from anywhere beyond the event itself– to take in what might seem like all of the country of France.

From farmland to mountain terrain, villages to mid-sized cities, modest cottages to grand chateaus, French topography and landmarks prove captivating as yet another interesting sight always seems to catch the eye.  Even during a surprise sprint attack, an exhausting climb or a bullet-like descent, it’s hard to be unaware of the athletes’ beautiful surroundings.  The genuine outpouring of enthusiasm from numerous roadside spectators simply enhances the joy.  Plus, the roads, towns and many varied locations we see are never all the same from one year to the next, because no two Tour routes are exactly alike.

Now on this first of two days of “rest” in the Tour de France, the opportunity is here for any fan so inclined to enjoy as much French scenery as possible, free from the obvious priority of the next Tour stage.  (If you missed it, the second rest day is next Tuesday, July 17.)  All the while I dream of my own days– hopefully not too far in my future– when I will enjoy these beautiful places firsthand, by car, motorcycle, or best of all– bicycle!  With each passing Tour, I realize all the more it’s been far too long since my last visit to France.

 

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