Tuesday, 26 July 2005
Six Plus One
Sunday was a big day, in more ways than one. Heather and I were on the Champs Elysées to see the finish of the Tour de France. It was her fifth time, and my sixth, to see Lance Armstrong win.
Last year marked his record-breaking six wins (the other top winners were tied at five), so this year was the one that makes his record all the harder to beat. Seven wins, all in a row.
I've seen all but his first one in person, and it's become a sort of anniversary marker for me. July 2000 was my first month living in Paris, and I went to the Champs more out of curiosity than anything. After that, it's become almost a ritual.
What wasn't a part of my original ritual was our schedule: Heather is a serious fan - and not the tallest, either. Those two factors meant that we had to get there early. 7:35 AM early, in fact.
Trick is, the riders didn't start passing by until almost 4:30 PM - half an hour later than the slowest estimated time. Nine hours after we got there. Most of that time was standing.
It's a relatively friendly sport among spectators. Some jostling and plenty of jockeying for good spots (like ours) by latecomers and a bratty 10-year old German boy. Plenty of rain (though never a downpour) in the morning.
Aside from that, it was fun. We met a nice couple who live in Las Vegas, chatted with Aussies and other nearby fans, and got to see world champions in action.
After a day of no eating or drinking, we celebrated Lance's win by going to Breakfast in America, an American-run diner. Nachos, a shake, root beer, and a big burger. Mom was right about rich food giving bad dreams - but it was worth it.
And it was worth waiting all that time to mark another year living in Paris, the last year that Lance will ride - and win - the Tour de France.
(Too tired now, but more soon about our Tour de France 2005 experiences.)