Paris Report.

Simon Mason said:

Quoted message said:

Sunday afternoon we strolled leisurely to the Champ Elysees. Of course,
every vantage point was taken so watched most of the action on the big
screen on the Place de la Concorde. Just about saw the riders as they sped
past through fleeting gaps in the crowd. Couldn't expect daughters to wait
45 minutes for the final 30 odd km of riding, so headed back to watch the
presentation in the hotel on France 2.

Very sensible. When we went (8-ish years back) it was the same.
I'd never recommend anyone going if they really want to see the racing.

Having been numerous occasions to the TdF with the family - (starts,
finishes, TTs, TTTs, mountains, Alp d'Huez) I still reckon finding a
'lesser' mountain is the best, perhaps equalled with a stage start [1].

[1] KJ (daughter) still treasures her pic of being hugged by Phil Anderson.

But to really see the stars, and to get close enough to chat with them
I'd recommend following a race like the Dauphine Libere or the Midi
Libre (accidentally came across a stage of the latter when Adrian Timmis won).

John B

Simon Mason said:

Quoted message said:

Sunday afternoon we strolled leisurely to the Champ Elysees. Of course,
every vantage point was taken so watched most of the action on the big
screen on the Place de la Concorde. Just about saw the riders as they sped
past through fleeting gaps in the crowd. Couldn't expect daughters to wait
45 minutes for the final 30 odd km of riding, so headed back to watch the
presentation in the hotel on France 2.

Very sensible. When we went (8-ish years back) it was the same.
I'd never recommend anyone going if they really want to see the racing.

Having been numerous occasions to the TdF with the family - (starts,
finishes, TTs, TTTs, mountains, Alp d'Huez) I still reckon finding a
'lesser' mountain is the best, perhaps equalled with a stage start [1].

[1] KJ (daughter) still treasures her pic of being hugged by Phil Anderson.

But to really see the stars, and to get close enough to chat with them
I'd recommend following a race like the Dauphine Libere or the Midi
Libre (accidentally came across a stage of the latter when Adrian Timmis won).

John B

Simon Mason said:

Quoted message said:

Sunday afternoon we strolled leisurely to the Champ Elysees. Of course,
every vantage point was taken so watched most of the action on the big
screen on the Place de la Concorde. Just about saw the riders as they sped
past through fleeting gaps in the crowd. Couldn't expect daughters to wait
45 minutes for the final 30 odd km of riding, so headed back to watch the
presentation in the hotel on France 2.

Very sensible. When we went (8-ish years back) it was the same.
I'd never recommend anyone going if they really want to see the racing.

Having been numerous occasions to the TdF with the family - (starts,
finishes, TTs, TTTs, mountains, Alp d'Huez) I still reckon finding a
'lesser' mountain is the best, perhaps equalled with a stage start [1].

[1] KJ (daughter) still treasures her pic of being hugged by Phil Anderson.

But to really see the stars, and to get close enough to chat with them
I'd recommend following a race like the Dauphine Libere or the Midi
Libre (accidentally came across a stage of the latter when Adrian Timmis won).

John B

wafflycat' waffles*A*T*v21net*D*O*T*co*D*O*T*uk of said:

"Simon Mason" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Bit of a gruelling trip - nearly 1000 miles of driving from Hull - Paris
and back through the Tunnel. Still, no traffic jams anywhere, even on the
M25 and the Paris ring road. Parking was no problem due to underground
Novotel car park . The GPS was invaluable as well, having only female map
readers to hand ;-)

Oi! Watch it Mason!

Indeed. In this household only the female map reader has the inestimable
advantage of being able to read the map without the driver having to stop
the car first.
--
It is enough that the people know there was an election. The people who cast the
votes decide nothing. The people who count the votes decide everything.
Joseph Stalin
Steph Peters delete invalid from [email hidden]
Tatting, lace & stitching page <http://www.sandbenders.demon.co.uk/index.htm>

wafflycat' waffles*A*T*v21net*D*O*T*co*D*O*T*uk of said:

"Simon Mason" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Bit of a gruelling trip - nearly 1000 miles of driving from Hull - Paris
and back through the Tunnel. Still, no traffic jams anywhere, even on the
M25 and the Paris ring road. Parking was no problem due to underground
Novotel car park . The GPS was invaluable as well, having only female map
readers to hand ;-)

Oi! Watch it Mason!

Indeed. In this household only the female map reader has the inestimable
advantage of being able to read the map without the driver having to stop
the car first.
--
It is enough that the people know there was an election. The people who cast the
votes decide nothing. The people who count the votes decide everything.
Joseph Stalin
Steph Peters delete invalid from [email hidden]
Tatting, lace & stitching page <http://www.sandbenders.demon.co.uk/index.htm>

wafflycat' waffles*A*T*v21net*D*O*T*co*D*O*T*uk of said:

"Simon Mason" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Bit of a gruelling trip - nearly 1000 miles of driving from Hull - Paris
and back through the Tunnel. Still, no traffic jams anywhere, even on the
M25 and the Paris ring road. Parking was no problem due to underground
Novotel car park . The GPS was invaluable as well, having only female map
readers to hand ;-)

Oi! Watch it Mason!

Indeed. In this household only the female map reader has the inestimable
advantage of being able to read the map without the driver having to stop
the car first.
--
It is enough that the people know there was an election. The people who cast the
votes decide nothing. The people who count the votes decide everything.
Joseph Stalin
Steph Peters delete invalid from [email hidden]
Tatting, lace & stitching page <http://www.sandbenders.demon.co.uk/index.htm>

"Jon Senior" <jon_AT_restlesslemon_DOT_co_DOT_uk> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Rob said:

We got to the Rue de Rivoli at 12.00 and there was room on the Tuileries
gardens side of the road, next to the barrier, until 3pm.
It was my first time watching the TdF in Paris, so found the hour long
procession of motorised furry animals, large-breasted dancing women on
the back of cars, gas canisters on wheels, etc. a little strange. Do they
drive along the whole course or just the final day?

From my experience... the whole course! It is very carnival-like. It does
also allow you to judge when to start taking up a viewing position when
watching in remote locations (Random corner on road, second stage... a few
years back now.).

Jon

Yep, the "caravan" does the whole course over the whole 3 weeks, rain or
shine ... just imagine driving the Gifi duck thing up the Galibier in the
wind and rain (although I have to say the Credit Lyonnais motorised lion
looked as if his fur had been spruced up for Paris)

RG (Tall Bloke)

"Jon Senior" <jon_AT_restlesslemon_DOT_co_DOT_uk> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Rob said:

We got to the Rue de Rivoli at 12.00 and there was room on the Tuileries
gardens side of the road, next to the barrier, until 3pm.
It was my first time watching the TdF in Paris, so found the hour long
procession of motorised furry animals, large-breasted dancing women on
the back of cars, gas canisters on wheels, etc. a little strange. Do they
drive along the whole course or just the final day?

From my experience... the whole course! It is very carnival-like. It does
also allow you to judge when to start taking up a viewing position when
watching in remote locations (Random corner on road, second stage... a few
years back now.).

Jon

Yep, the "caravan" does the whole course over the whole 3 weeks, rain or
shine ... just imagine driving the Gifi duck thing up the Galibier in the
wind and rain (although I have to say the Credit Lyonnais motorised lion
looked as if his fur had been spruced up for Paris)

RG (Tall Bloke)

"Jon Senior" <jon_AT_restlesslemon_DOT_co_DOT_uk> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Rob said:

We got to the Rue de Rivoli at 12.00 and there was room on the Tuileries
gardens side of the road, next to the barrier, until 3pm.
It was my first time watching the TdF in Paris, so found the hour long
procession of motorised furry animals, large-breasted dancing women on
the back of cars, gas canisters on wheels, etc. a little strange. Do they
drive along the whole course or just the final day?

From my experience... the whole course! It is very carnival-like. It does
also allow you to judge when to start taking up a viewing position when
watching in remote locations (Random corner on road, second stage... a few
years back now.).

Jon

Yep, the "caravan" does the whole course over the whole 3 weeks, rain or
shine ... just imagine driving the Gifi duck thing up the Galibier in the
wind and rain (although I have to say the Credit Lyonnais motorised lion
looked as if his fur had been spruced up for Paris)

RG (Tall Bloke)

JohnB said:

Simon Mason said:

Quoted message said:

Sunday afternoon we strolled leisurely to the Champ Elysees. Of
course, every vantage point was taken so watched most of the action
on the big screen on the Place de la Concorde. Just about saw the
riders as they sped past through fleeting gaps in the crowd.
Couldn't expect daughters to wait 45 minutes for the final 30 odd km
of riding, so headed back to watch the presentation in the hotel on
France 2.

Very sensible. When we went (8-ish years back) it was the same.
I'd never recommend anyone going if they really want to see the
racing.

Having been numerous occasions to the TdF with the family - (starts,
finishes, TTs, TTTs, mountains, Alp d'Huez) I still reckon finding a
'lesser' mountain is the best, perhaps equalled with a stage start
[1].

[1] KJ (daughter) still treasures her pic of being hugged by Phil
Anderson.

But to really see the stars, and to get close enough to chat with them
I'd recommend following a race like the Dauphine Libere or the Midi
Libre (accidentally came across a stage of the latter when Adrian
Timmis won).

John B

I'll recommend the Tour of Murcia ( March). Can be combined with a cheap
winter (sun) holiday.

Jan

JohnB said:

Simon Mason said:

Quoted message said:

Sunday afternoon we strolled leisurely to the Champ Elysees. Of
course, every vantage point was taken so watched most of the action
on the big screen on the Place de la Concorde. Just about saw the
riders as they sped past through fleeting gaps in the crowd.
Couldn't expect daughters to wait 45 minutes for the final 30 odd km
of riding, so headed back to watch the presentation in the hotel on
France 2.

Very sensible. When we went (8-ish years back) it was the same.
I'd never recommend anyone going if they really want to see the
racing.

Having been numerous occasions to the TdF with the family - (starts,
finishes, TTs, TTTs, mountains, Alp d'Huez) I still reckon finding a
'lesser' mountain is the best, perhaps equalled with a stage start
[1].

[1] KJ (daughter) still treasures her pic of being hugged by Phil
Anderson.

But to really see the stars, and to get close enough to chat with them
I'd recommend following a race like the Dauphine Libere or the Midi
Libre (accidentally came across a stage of the latter when Adrian
Timmis won).

John B

I'll recommend the Tour of Murcia ( March). Can be combined with a cheap
winter (sun) holiday.

Jan

JohnB said:

Simon Mason said:

Quoted message said:

Sunday afternoon we strolled leisurely to the Champ Elysees. Of
course, every vantage point was taken so watched most of the action
on the big screen on the Place de la Concorde. Just about saw the
riders as they sped past through fleeting gaps in the crowd.
Couldn't expect daughters to wait 45 minutes for the final 30 odd km
of riding, so headed back to watch the presentation in the hotel on
France 2.

Very sensible. When we went (8-ish years back) it was the same.
I'd never recommend anyone going if they really want to see the
racing.

Having been numerous occasions to the TdF with the family - (starts,
finishes, TTs, TTTs, mountains, Alp d'Huez) I still reckon finding a
'lesser' mountain is the best, perhaps equalled with a stage start
[1].

[1] KJ (daughter) still treasures her pic of being hugged by Phil
Anderson.

But to really see the stars, and to get close enough to chat with them
I'd recommend following a race like the Dauphine Libere or the Midi
Libre (accidentally came across a stage of the latter when Adrian
Timmis won).

John B

I'll recommend the Tour of Murcia ( March). Can be combined with a cheap
winter (sun) holiday.

Jan