France
Tour de France stage 6
After all the mud and gunk from yesterday's cobbled sectors, it seemed like adding insult to injury by starting stage 6 in Arras's muddy and cobbled citadel. The rubber mats laid down did little to cut down on the dirt. The crowd was respectable for a drizzly Thursday morning, but it was immediately … Continue reading
Tour de France stage 5
The only way I could imagine making the Tour a bigger deal was to bring it to the Mecca of cycling, Belgium, yet the Tour organizers went one step beyond with their course for stage 5. With 9 sections of cobblestones, the stage is essentially a mini Paris-Roubaix and let's not forget Paris-Roubaix's nickname: the … Continue reading
Tour de France stage 4
Of all the days when the electricity could go out in the Chunnel tunnel between England and France, of course it was precisely when journalists and fans (well, me at least) were travelling from London to Calais & Lille to catch stage 4. My train, scheduled to be 100 minutes, arrived in Lille over 2 … Continue reading
Tour de France stage 3
Today Richard Virenque, the eternal King of the Mountains who won the climber's jersey 7 times in 11 years, was on hand at the sign in. Everyone has the same goal at a sign on: to get a few autographs from your favorite riders. My dad and I arrived in time to get a … Continue reading
Tour de France stage 2
When my train pulled in to York late yesterday, I wasn't interested in taking any photos of York's Tour decorations but when I walked by this Indian restaurant and their homage to the absent Sir Bradley Wiggins, I caved. And as a mediocre knitter, I appreciated the work that went into these bike cozies. … Continue reading
Tour de France stage 1
At last year's Tour, in addition to enjoying so many days of fantastic racing, I met a handful of people who worked for Le Tour and there were 2 people in particular I was hoping to see again this year. Within minutes of my arrival at the sign on podium, Kevin and Gerry, my Dutch … Continue reading
Tour de France Eve
Tour de France Eve may not be a bank holiday, but it's certainly feeling festive in Leeds ahead of the Grand Depart! The rain has started but it hasn't discouraged souvenir shoppers. I've seen UCI president Brian Cookson and Tour organizer Christian Prudhomme about town, both chatting with excited fans. Prudhomme and … Continue reading
Critérium du Dauphiné stage 7
Sneaky Ville-la-Grande! You thought you could trick me by not posting the names on any of your streets and that I would get lost and give up on watching the sign on for stage 7 of the Dauphiné. But you underestimated me and the fact that I tend to over prepare (it’s the teacher in … Continue reading
Critérium du Dauphiné stage 6
Such wonderful service! It's hard to get lost when the bus to Poisy dropped me off roughly 502 meters ahead of the finish line for the sixth stage of the 66th Critérium du Dauphiné. Lots of signs to direct both riders and cars of where to go (and where not to go). There … Continue reading
Tour du Mont Blanc day 3
The last day of our trip promised to be the longest and hardest yet. Each morning I’d wake up with stiff calves but after 5 minutes of hiking, my legs relaxed and felt fresh and new again. Morning mountains. In the sun, it was warm but in the shade, it was awfully cold! … Continue reading