[DVBC] DVBC at TDF

[Larry Green]

Larry and Cheryl were in fact in Autun at the finish of stage 5. Cheryl 
and Don watched from their hotel window and Ann and I watched from a 
wall further up the road just before the Flame Rouge- 1Km marker. (I did 
wear my DVBC jersey).
The crowd was mostly French and a mixture of other Europeans, very few 
Americans and other tourists in this part of France.
We enjoyed our picnic lunch and the endless caravan tossing items- hats, 
t- shirts, food, bags, purses, etc to the fans along the route. Since 
this was the first hilly stage, so the riders arrived in small groups- 
Hincapie and Leipheimer in the first rush, then  a long series of 2's 
and singles with the Americans Zabrieski and Vandervelde at the end. 
Horner and the other Americans were somewhere, but too hard to find.
Big dinner with the townspeople that night in the square- French 
entertainment Las Vegas style and music long into the night.
The cycle clubs in the towns along the 5th stage sponsored a public 
stage ride 5 days before the arrival of the Tour. They staff the course 
very much like our tours with local clubs at the rest stops.
Our group and our bikes traveled by van to Avallon- about 90 miles from 
Autun and waited for the riders from Chablis and the other towns along 
the way to arrive- then we were off.
Cheryl and I had not ridden for 5 days and had not been on our 
reassembled bikes until that AM.
No Excuse.
The course was immediately hilly with long climbs and descents after 
navigating the cobblestone streets in Avallon. We were quickly at the 
back and there we rode, just ahead of the broom wagon. Eventually it was 
decided for us that we should accept some van time and we did along with 
someone from our group who had trashed his BB.
My foot was killing me and I was ready to quit, but Cheryl encouraged me 
to keep going and off we went again. (Our friend's Campy BB was repaired 
with a channel wrench from the local tech staff.)
We were actually keeping up with some of the locals at this point. At 
the next rest stop, however, our guide suggested that we be taken on an 
alternate route for the final section, since they did not want to wait 
for us to slog over the last 2 major cat 2 and 3 climbs into town. We 
did that, and ended with 56.5 miles of the 90 mile route. OK with me, 
all things considered. Ask Cheryl.
I felt it was a wonderful trip overall, with time in Paris,  the TDF 
experience, great meals, wine, accommodations, tours, scenery, 
challenging rides and excellent support.
I logged 242 unforgettable miles over 6 riding days, one shorted by 
heavy rains. No riding in Paris, the day of the vineyard tours and a 
second self- chosen rest day the day of the TDF.
I hope everyone gets the opportunity to do this sometime.
Larry/Doc