Ready to Roll!

Sophie goes nuts for a H.C. jar of Nutella!

Today the VéloSport crew put the finishes touches on the program that begins tomorrow with a pick-up of all the clients in Strausbourg. Mike and Jean-Luc took another look at the Col de la Schlucht, a category 2 climb that is the final ascent for stage 8. It was quiet and chilly atop this gradual climb that will be unrecognizable come Saturday.

Sophie and Katie did their final round of shopping. VéloSport trips to the local grocery store always raise a few eyebrows. Few cashiers have figured out why two women would be buying mass quantities of bottled water, Figaloos (French fig newtons), Pomme Potes (fruit sauce in a squeeze container that puts all gels and goos to shame), Petit Dejeuner cookies, dried apricots, and several kilos of bananas, cherries and other random fresh fruit. Just mention “les cyclistes” and you will usually get a knowing nod.

Alain, our bus driver for the week, arrived today on form and ready to do battle with Tour traffic for the next three weeks. This is his third year with VéloSport Vacations and Alain knows what it takes to negotiate his way up and down a mountain seething with spectators.

Every one on the crew is looking forward to the energy all the VéloSport travelers will bring to the program. Though normally somewhat jetlagged, every one arrives ready to take in and take on all the Tour hands them. And this year there are several repeat clients – from previous Tours and other programs –that are all like old friends. The most loyal of all our clients will be joining us for his 7th Tour. From Santa Rosa, California, Jim Williams knows what it takes to have a great Tour. Talk to him for just five minutes and the next thing you know you’ve got an ice cold beer in your hand, compliments of Jim.

He had this advice to give to all our intrepid travelers:
“This is my 7th Tour de France with VéloSport Vacations and they are the best! One tip that I have learned the hard way and you might profit from is: the way to see a finish is in a local bar or tavern hydrating on beer or wine. At the finish line you are seven deep and they only go by once at 40 miles per hour. In the tavern, you see the finish four or fives times on TV and best of all, you don’t have to drive home.”

Besides all the preparations today, the crew did take some time to absorb the shock of the events in London. When you are “on Tour” it is easy to forget there is a world outside the drama and the excitement of the event. Any news you read or watch is all Tour all the time. But today we were reminded of how critical and fragile the real world is. Our thoughts are with all those injured and the family members of those killed today in the terrorist attacks on London.