Stage 17 Race Report - Col de la Colombière
by Willj on Jul 22, 2009 8:36 PM EDT
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A near perfect day watching the Tour de France near the top of Col de la Colombière. I watched a stage atop Colombiere in 2007 - it was Bastille day and a weekend .... but today the crowds were definitely bigger - people understood this was an important stage.
My Simple plan: Cycle up Col de Romme and Col de la Colombière with my Belgian domestique and his wife (he was loaded with beers, water, lunch, umbrella, etc.).
Col de Romme is steep. We saw lots of recreational cyclists that needed a little extra spring training. Like the pros later, tourists were all over the road and suffering. Still, things started off great with an early Didi sighting.
Ozzies everywhere.
It rained (even poured) several times today riding. Luckily it was pretty warm. How hard did it rain? The cows sought shelter.
But we persevered with constant support all the way. After reaching the top of Colombiere we selected a viewing spot maybe 1/2 kilometre below the summit.
The crowds were fantastic. Two Ozzies and two Belgians led us in songs and chants - and yes - the wave. After about 10 attempts the wave just about made it to the summit.
This photo is ages before the racers arrived, a lively group:
As always, the publicity caravan was great. A few highlights:
YETI!
Sexy girl, doing gymnastics and spraying crowd with water:
HARIBO!
The race was amazing.
We knew roughly who was leading but thought Contador was on his own. So we were surprised to see AC and the brothers all together. A few race photos:
Dark Helmet was flying:
What a great day for Thor!
I want a Polka Dot bike:
We were standing with a bunch of Dutch "Kenny" fans, and when the Gruppeto passed quickly followed by the broom wagon, someone saw Kenny's gear (we think) on a Skils support car .... so I am guessing he failed ... sad.
A really fun day.
PS - early on, after a nose inspection, I was allowed to pose here:
Frank or Andy?
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Love Didi's towel
Seems to suit him well
by Mr 60 Percent on Jul 22, 2009 9:59 PM EDT up reply actions
How do you even find a towel like that?
I just tried, knowing all the time that I didn’t really want to google that…
Those graphics on there are typical of German cartoon styles...
… chances are, you’d have to poke around inside the German equivalent of Spencer’s.
Respect the Shit List; it respects you.
I apologize for the sodomy blankie ....
it seemed so child friendly at the time …..
sometimes life is a false flat
When I say my Belgian domestique it’s just a joke … as he is twice as strong a cyclist as me …. but a great guy that takes care of me on tough rides.
Anyway, his wife is a better photographer than me …. she sent me this which does a great job of capturing the excitement I felt as AC and brothers Schleck approached
sometimes life is a false flat
that is a KILLER picture!!
ABRUZZIAM...uh oh
by Chris Fontecchio on Jul 22, 2009 8:42 PM EDT up reply actions
As always, this is great
Not getting to cheer Van Hummel is the only dark spot on an otherwise fantastic day.
Paul & Phil said Kenny van Hummel crashed out & went to hospital in an ambulance.
and that’s Andy. You were asking, right? :-)
That looks like fun if you don’t mind big drunken crowds. Yikes.
thanks ... Andy
Kenny …. darn
Drunk crowds …. actually (although there were some partiers), the Tour must be one of the most family friendly events anywhere. Loads of kids. They love the publicity freebies, and any child cycling earlier gets FAR bigger cheers than the pros. Virtually everyone is in great spirits (if we could just arrest the “runners”)
We have french friends that will talk about their childhood Tour vacation progression …. you (and your kids) would feel safe and happy here.
sometimes life is a false flat
Several points...
1. I hate you*
2. What the hell is on that towel in Didi’s van?
3. YETI!
4. I’ll ride a bike with you if I get to wear the Marmotte jersey. I’ll even carry the beer.
5. I hate you
*I don’t really hate you.
Respect the Shit List; it respects you.
Didi
is a character
Certainly not pleased to see us – and busy doing other things when we arrived. But my domestique of course spoke German and charmed him with jokes ….. Didi loosened up and posed but I guess it is a tough job.
sometimes life is a false flat
true but six months ago
I posted “Dan, your are dead to me*”
And I keep my word.
*Dan is my pal
sometimes life is a false flat
great post!
but a polka dot bike, really? :)
"at the end of the day, it's only the tour de france."- bradley wiggins (and majope)
Merci Will
…as always. And while I don’t hate you, I am insanely jealous.
You see how calm Vaughters is? That’s because he’s really one giant seething ball of Evil inside. With like, extra Evil.
Insane envy.
It seems you’ve had a “career Tour de France day”. It is apparent you have dug deep into the suitcase of fan placement. You gracefully acknowledge the dedicated support of your Belgian teamates and I am sure you will reward them delux.
Go hard or go home.
i was trying to be a nice guy,
not joining in with all the haters here, Will. But i saw your photos on flicker the other day (wow!), and now this. I’m drinkin’ the haterade. Cheers.
Did you see the guy with the Lebonese Flag?
It seemed fiendishly random.
Dude, I can see my house from here
So, so great.
When you jumped into the live thread and said you were there, I just about lost it! How did you do that??
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