Saturday 5 July 2014

Tour de France

I was really self-indulgent today.   I bought two micro wave ready meals for lunch (not very thrilling) and sat from 10.30am until the finish later afternoon, watching the Tour de France.

I thought the organisation was splendid, although quite often, particularly in 'special' places - like on the Buttertubs climb- the crowds were huge and really got in the way of the cyclists, being silly and jumping out in front of them (one man wearing only underpants and with his arms blackened).

It showed the Yorkshire Dales off to great advantage on a gloriously sunny day - we looked our absolute best.  We were proud to live in such a beautiful area.

Then, sadly, right at the end, Mark Cavendish crashed out and it looked as though he had broken his collar bone, which will surely put him out of the whole race.  He looked to be in severe pain as he limped on his bike to the finish line.  What a disappointment for the British team - I wonder where they go from here.

All credit is due to Gary Verity, Head of the Yorkshire Dales National Park, who was largely instrumental in bringing the tour to the area.   He should feel very proud (and relieved) tonight, although tinged with sadness over Cavendish.

Back to normal for the whole area soon, although many places are continuing festivites tonight with barbecues, parties and the like.   The farmer and I are staying  put.

I have managed to get most people back on my blog - still a few more to go - and I am having difficulty with Linda and with Dominic - they just will not arrive on my blog list.   I will get Dominic to look at it for me when he has a minute.   In the meantime please keep visiting.

20 comments:

Gwil W said...

I watched the last 90 kms and enjoyed it. Will watch again tomorrow. Cavendish looked in great pain. I can't imagine how he can continue. Froome avoided the crash and finished 6th so no problems there.

Julie Clay Illustration said...

The coverage of the tour was wonderful, the countryside looked just as amazing as it is, those aerial shots were grand indeed. I only checked in to see the start and stayed glued for the whole race, such a brilliant effort from everyone in all the villages and towns, how great yorkshire folk are, making the effort, the organisers should be commended for sure. Shame about the finish, but it was a really good day overall. :)

Heather said...

So pleased the conditions were good for the race and that you enjoyed it.
Great excitement for Yorkshire - it'll be a talking point for weeks to come, but sad that Cavendish crashed.

Sue said...

I watched it from start to finish - just to revisit the dales of my school years. Then they sped through Bainbridge, my old home village, so fast that I almost didn't recognise the place. Such a shame about Mark Cavendish.

angryparsnip said...

So sorry that Cavendish fell at the very end !
I wish I could have seen it and so happy you had sun.
It is trying to rain here so I am happy.

cheers, parsnip

John Going Gently said...

Microwave dinners!
Oh dear

Helsie said...

Watching the beautiful dales unfold has made us long to revisit this our favourite area of England. So glad it was such a lovely sunny day to show the area off.

Cro Magnon said...

Well done Yorkshire; what a turn-out. I'm afraid the crowds are always a problem, especially on the climbing sections. People are such fools.

I was gutted to see Cav come off; we now have to look to Froome, who is just 4 secs off.

Cloudia said...

You describe your Dales so nicely that I've explored a bit via web. Cumbria! Do you have viking sites?




ALOHA from Honolulu
ComfortSpiral
=^..^= <3

Pondside said...

I have had my head down for the last couple of weeks and completely missed the fact that the Tour would be in your area. Now I am sorry to have missed it and will have to see what I can do to find some highlights. I remember very well the Tour in 2004, when we were in France and stayed in the same hotel as the Yellow Jersey winner of the day - what a thrill!

thelma said...

The scenery was absolutely stunning, and like others must admit the crowds that lined the lanes were stupid in places. But what a show!!

Rachel Phillips said...

I am looking forward to another even longer day today.

The Weaver of Grass said...

Sue, how interesting that your home village is Bainbridge - which had hardly changed I would have thought.
Were you born and brought up there? If so, the farmer wonders if he knows you or if you have acquaintances in common. Went to your site but you don't seem to have a blog as such.
Thanks to you all.
Can anyone tell me whether they can bring in a replacement for Cav = or are they stuck now?

Sue said...

Farmer might remember my late stepfather - Frank Outhwaite. He used to farm Carr End, Semerwater.

Rachel Phillips said...

No, there will be no team replacement for Cavendish.

Maureen @ Josephina Ballerina said...

I get so agitated at the people who jump out in front and generally parade their stupidity such a turn-off,that I don't watch it on TV. That and the whole Lance Armstrong debacle. But,MOM! EVERYONE does it.

Sorry about your Mr. Cavendish crashing. As painful as it is, collarbones are usually a quick mend.

Anonymous said...

Cavendish will get better. And Wiggins broke his collarbone the year before he won the tour. It's an occupational hazard. And he's not the top sprinter anymore. The likes of Kittel can and do beat him. Cavendish needs to hang in there and get a few few more wins (which he will) to consolidate his position in the record books. I suspect one reason for the crash is that there was just too much pressure heaped on the poor bloke from public/media expectaions.

I've heard the riders like crazy crowds egging them on up the climbs - unless they really get in the way.

Stage two was even more exciting especially towards the end when the main contenders really started to get down to business.



Elizabeth said...

Sounds like a really wonderful experience for Yorkshire!

The Weaver of Grass said...

Cavendish has not broken his collar bone, but he has badly torn the ligaments and will even be out of the European games. Very sad, but in sport it is a fact of life I suppose.

Over 5 million watched it up here I understand. Marvellous stuff and we are all still getting back to normal.
Thanks for calling in

Terry and Linda said...

How fun to be right there where the race occurs!!!

Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com