Stockholm Sunday 24 – Tuesday 26 July, 2011

First impressions of Stockholm are very good. Within one hour of landing at Arlanda Airport (45 kms north of the city centre) we were already in the city and bording the metro for the short journey out to our apartment. The Arlanda Express is fantastic, a 150kph direct link to/from the airport. We settled in and did some shopping (500m to the supermarket). We had dinner 'at home' then went for a bit of a walk down to Fridhemsplan and Kronobergsparken. First night in a new town, and it's always a bit of a relief to relax and unwnd after the day's travel.

Copenhagen 17-24 July, 2011

I guess most of us know that certain European cities take a different approach to things in general and urban planning in particular. Well Copenhagen is a Melbourne cyclists dream come true. There were bikes and cyclists everywhere throughout the city...

Maybe I should have come to TdF sooner ....

In 1986 my wife and I travelled O/S to Europe and I sat in my brother's flat in Holloway, London, and watched as Greg Norman won his first British Open. Of course I thought he would win a few more majors than he did but I remained big fan of the way he played the game and the fact that he failed gloriously a few times just made him more likeable to me. I don't judge his private life - couldn't care less - because he always played fair and square on the course and showed his emotions and gave credit to the guys who beat him.

As it happens I don't play much golf these days and our Aussie road cyclists have become my new sporting favorites. I'm sure they all have their good days and bad days, public and private, but they play the game fair and square and a great ambassadors for the sport in Australia and reflect well on all of us through their sporting efforts and achievements and the way they go about it.

What to wear....? TDF 2011 Kit

Before heading to Le Tour I flirted with the idea of taking Simon's Bomber footy jumper with 31 on the back. I thought the better of it for a couple of reasons - my body shape would be an insult to D Fletcher, grey-haired middle-aged guys in footy jumpers just--look--stupid ... and, as a friend pointed out, the whole footy-jumper-at-Le-Tour thing is a bit passe anyway.

I'm glad I didn't take it as I hate those guys that jump out on the mountain climbs and hassle the rider and I cringe when I see some dopey aussie in a footy jumper and/or flag making a goose of himself.

Then there is this guy who we saw waiting outside the BMC bus at Aigourande (Stage 7 start) for a sighting of C Evans - no footy jumper but he has the flag and a Hawks cap on board (that figures...). He made short work of his hot dogs and didn't look like he'd been near a bike in a while unless the rider was flogging food.

But, hey, at least he's a sportsfan!!

Pics from TdF2011

Here is the man himself,Cadel Evans, doing media before the start at Aigourande, Stage 8 Saturday 9th July.



La tete de la course tearing through Buzancais on Stage 7, Friday 8th July.

Last Day on Topbike Tour to Le Tour de France 2011

Today we rode a huge loop from Mur de Barrez to Vic sur Cere then to Aurillac and bck to MdB - 93kms and lots of hills. The weather finally came through with 30C here today.


It's the last day on the Topbike Tour for me and it has been great, something I've always wanted to do. 


A rest and coffee in Vic sur Cere....

4 Days of Le Tour

Today we rendezvous-ed at Rennes railway station at 10am.Wayne & Bev were running a bit late so we set off for Hede 2 short but they were picked up by Kahn 20 minutes later. We had a diverse group of 3 staff (David Olle, Emma Colson and Kahn Franke) plus 6 single riders and 2 couples.All up 8 riders and 2 riding staff made for a nice small group able to split a little on pace but support each other when required.

The Long Haul to TdF2011

Somewhere over Broome I swore this was the last time I would take the long-haul to Europe. Jammed uncomfortably in economy class with another few hours before KL, the prospect of another 12 hours to Paris after that wasn't pretty. But things improved on the 2nd leg with a spare seat on the aisle giving us 4 between 3 of us. I was tired enough to sleep a fair bit as well having watched 3 (and a half) movies on the first sector.

We landed in Paris on time about 6.30am but had a long wait for our subsequent departures for Barcelona and Rennes respectively, Wisely my wife and daughter have chosen to have a week in Barcelona whilst I pedal around after the TdF pros. I overestimated the time required for a smooth transition so we had way too much too spare. Still my train was away on time although the girls' plane for Spain was 30min late leaving. Hope they get it sorted alright with the apartment when they finally arrive.

Bizarre observations for the day are both musical. Starbucks in KLIA (worst ice-choc ever apparently...) was playing Bob Marley then followed up with the first two tracks off one of my fave albums of all time, Supersession by Bloomfield/Kooper/Stills, then Beds are Burning by Midnight Oil wailed out over the concourse PA at the CDG Railway station between regular announcements.

I'm writing tis on the TGV to Rennes, still wondering who won Wimbledon, but hoping to catch the end of Stage 3 on le Tour when I get there in couple of hours.

PS: Djokovic!!?? And I did see the end of the stage .... time for bed now...zzzzzzzzz