Recommended Reading: Tour de France History

Eugene Christophe – Tour de France Legend by Velo Peloton

A wonderful read about one the the most significant stories of rider perseverance in the history of the Tour de France. This well-written story of Eugene Christophe and his broken fork on the Col du Tourmalet during the 11th Tour de France in 1913 delivers the real story with details you might not have read before.

The building that housed the famous forge still exists (repaired and with a new roof) and is a national historic site in Sainte-Marie-de-Campan in the Pyrenees. It is marked with a new commemorative plaque placed in 2003. 

were the bellows stoked inside this small workshop?

the new plaque on the reported site of the 2 hour fork repair

 old plaque

Location of Saint-Marie-de Campan (between the Col du Tourmalet and the Col d'Aspin)

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Guess Where #3

Where have we cycled to now?

Can you guess the locations of these 3 images (And because I was on vacation last week, a few extra images for you this week): click images to enlarge

Image #1

©Photo by PedalDancer.com

Image #2

©Photo by PedalDancer.com

Image #3

©Photo by PedalDancer.com

#1 - The gate to the Cirque du Litor

The Cirque du Litor shelf road connects the famous cols of Col du Soulor and Col d'Aubisque in the French Pyrenees. These two climbs are commonly featured in the Tour de France, as they will be again in 2012. The Cirque du Litor happens to be one of my favorite places to be on a bike. The views are incredible, and on each side of this passage, cyclists may relax at cafes. 

Getting to this road is worth every bit of the 8%+ climbs of the Col du Soulor and the Col d'Aubisque, or from the third option - the climb from the town of Ferrieres. I hope upon your arrival you do not find the gate down as it was when I arrived one day in June 2010. The road is closed during times of repair and during winter months (December-June). On this occasion above, the road was closed to remove gravel in preparation for the Tour de France. Don't worry I came back a few days later and rode it twice.

Now you know where this well known image, often shown in Tour de France photos, is located. This scenic tunnel below is on la Corniche du Cirque de Litor between Col du Soulor and Col d'Aubisque in the Pyrenees.

©Photo by PedalDancer.com

#2 - Piazza del Campo in Siena, Italy

The piazza is an urban open space in late Medieval style architecture dating from 1280 to 1350. The Piazza del Campo is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Italy's most visited tourist attractions. Every July and August Il Palio horse race is held in the piazza, in which horses race around the brick square. The Palio is preceded by the Corteo Storico (passeggiata storica), the traditional parade of drummers and flag twirlers. Flag twirlers often delight tourists in the square throughout the year. If you are cycling in Tuscany (Toscana), make a point of visiting Siena in the heart of beautiful Tuscany, a 1'15"drive south of Florence, Italy.

©Photo by PedalDancer.com

Ivan Basso tweeted this photo of himself cycling in Tuscany on January 17, 2012

#3 - The Chapel on Alpe d'Huez

Any cyclist who has climbed Alpe d'Huez knows that the site of this chapel means you are nearing the top of the climb. It is a landmark well remembered. The name of the picturesque chapel is Church of Sainte Anne and is located in Huez Village at 1450m. The church still offers services on the first Saturday of every month at 4.45pm. There will be a Saint Anne's Feast Day on Satruday 28 and Sunday 29 July 2012. The festival is organized by Huizats (the inhabitants of Huez, I just learned that term) to honor the patron Saint of Huez (their historical village on the slope of Alpe d'Huez). The festival includes painting stained glass, trout fishing, a meal in the countryside, a ball, a traditional costume parade, a boot fair, and a mass.

Usually cyclists ride right by this small chapel and town, en route to conquer l' Alpe d'Huez's famously sign-posted 21 hairpin turns. I believe the chapel is at corner #7 (leaving six more corners to go to the top). Signpost #21 is at the bottom, when you see signpost #1, start celebrating - you have climbed Alpe d'Huez! This cyclist will give you a play by play of every turn on the climb. To learn more about the signs on Alpe d'Huez, which list every past stage winner, on Alpe d'Huez, in the Tour de France, read an earlier Pedal Dancer post: "21 levels of hell", or 21 steps to heaven. Discover whose name is on which sign.

Andy Hampsten's name is on Sign #5 ©Photo by PedalDancer.com

See all the Guess Where series of posts

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Recommended Viewing: Boulder Culture

Poking fun at the cyclist's culture

A friend recently sent me this video, that was promoted to the world on January 22nd, I watched it and immediately thought, where can I sign up to become a "runner," or a "swimmer" or just about any other title given to an athlete, for I realized I spent the last decade either saying or listening to the entire content of this video. Oh the life of a "cyclist."

This video was made in Boulder, Colorado. Boulder has a distinct fit in culture expected of their cyclists. Our local news site 303Cycling.com recently reported that Boulder is ranked as the #1 bicycle city in the United States. I suppose with cultural impact, often comes spirited character. Boulder is home to many students on bicycles, commuters on bicycles, professional cyclists in training, home of team Garmin-Baracuda, and way too many serious amateur cyclists. This is real life in Boulder, Colorado. Enjoy the laugh!

 

Hmm, I might want to return to being a "Skier"(video)

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News: No Arenberg in Paris-Roubaix?

Tranchée d'Arenberg

"After inspections from Jean-François Pescheux and Thierry Gouvenou revealed the cobblestones have been heavily covered by moss and other plant growth making the passage unsafe for racing.... Hopes that the cleaning work on the pavé will be enough to keep it in use."Sounds like incentive for the locals to clean the cobbles or have the Tranchée d'Arenberg nixed from the route ... No Arenberg in Paris-Roubaix? by CyclingNews.com

A very mossy forest Photo found on Spinwell.co.uk

This is the route (parcours) for the Paris Roubaix Challenge Cyclotourisme from San Quentin to Velodrome de Roubaix on April 1, 2012. (I know it is the same day as the Tour of Flanders). This is not the 2012 Paris-Roubaix parcours, the final route has yet to be announced, now we know why - moss.

Paris Roubaix Challenge 2012 map

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Word of the Day: Wielertoeristen

Cyclists 

I just learned a new word, and I like it: Wielertoeristen means Cycle Tourists in Dutch

This is the word used to label the amateur cyclists that take part in the annual Tour of Flanders for Cyclotourists. 31 March, 2012 Registration, Routes /parcours, (although I'm not sure how much they are enjoying their touristy scenery during the event).

• Cyclists (English)
• Wielertoeristen (Dutch)
• les cyclotouristes (French)
• die Radwanderer (German)

Last year 19,870 wielertoeristen participated in the Tour of Flanders cyclosportif event which begins in Bruges (at 7:00am) and ends in Oudenaarde (by 8:00pm). Tradition dictates the event occurs the day before the real Tour of Flanders race (Ronde van Vlaanderen). The event allows amateurs to experience what the pros go through (in much less time, but the same pain). 

One quarter of the participants in 2011 were from abroad, representing 30 nationalities. The majority of participants selected the 75 or 140 km routes, only four thousand real Flandriens tackled the entire 260 km. The 140km is thought to be the choice event offering the traditional climbs including the Molenberg, Valkenberg, Koppenberg, Steenbeekdries, Taaienberg, Eikenberg, Kapelleberg, Foreest, Berg Ten Houte, Kruisberg, Knokteberg Oude Kwaremont and Paterberg.

Regular Joes acting like the pros. Photo from http://www.boxxcyclingteam.be

Sadly the Muur de Grammont (seen above) will not be included in the 2012 Tour of Flanders (there will also be no Bosberg). But the riders will be doing three loops on the Oude de Kwaremont and the Paterberg before finishing in Ourdenaarde. 

 

Wielertoeristen, Photo from http://www.boxxcyclingteam.be

I am going to go watch these brave Wielertoeristen on March 31st, maybe on the Koppenberg or the Paterberg. I'm not planning to ride the event myself, so a friend told me to at least go watch the wielertoeristen to appreciate their struggle and achievement, and compare their pace to the above-human performances of the professional cyclists tackling the real Tour of Flanders the following day.  

I am so excited to be heading to Belgium to see the Spring Classics in April. I have dreamed about being a fan at the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix for years. This year I am finally going. If I can work out all the hows and wheres of it all. It seems that unless one pops over for the Cyclosportif (mentioned above), or joins an official bike tour company, there is not a lot of how to guidance to be found for the tourist cycling fan.

I have been pouring over guide books, maps, and now finally online blogs and reports. So far the planning is challenging and time consuming and I fully support anyone who simply joins a tour company. My trip to France for the Tour de France in July was arranged months ago, that planning was a breeze in comparison. Belgium is a whole new beast, I know nothing, the last two times I traveled through Belgium seems like a life time ago. Certainly before I fully understood the domination of Eddy Merckx, had only vaguely heard the name Roger de Vlaeminck, and Tom Boonen probably was in grade school.

Although it appears things haven't changed that much ...

Recommended reading of the Day by Cycling Tips: Why The Tour Down Under Is Important To Flanders?

Spring Classics Bike Tour Companies
Are you interested in one of those Tour Companies I mentioned that will save you hours of time and show you the best of the best? Some of these tours may already be sold out, so don't wait.

• Thomson Bike Tours 3-day trip to the Paris Roubaix with riding some key climbs (my #1 pick, and an official A.S.O. tour operator)
• The ChainStay offers 1-day tours to both the Tour of Flanders and the Paris-Roubaix
  
• VeloClassic offers a Spring Classics I - do it all 12 day tour including the Tour of Flanders Cyclosportif, Tour of Flanders, Scheldeprijs, and Paris-Roubaix. 
• The one and only hugely popular Cycling Tips blog is sponsoring a Spring Classics Tour for the first time to the big 3 races plus lots of riding. 

Related Pedal Dancer posts: You too can race the cobbles 

I wish I knew who is credited with this quote, but it sure is a good one:  
"If you want to see a sporting event, go to the Tour de France. If you want to see a bike race, go to the Tour of Flanders"

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I've been on vacation

To Laguna Beach, California

Vacations are wonderful, and the coast of California in January is at it's most beautiful, with clear views down the coast and across to the Channel Islands, perfect temperatures, and a distinct lack of tourists, Laguna Beach is a wonderful this time of year. Not only did I go without a bike (although my brother got in his bike ride), I mostly avoided all computers, except for a few quick looks at travel plans, and some texts to family and a friend. Thus the lack of my usual posts on Pedal Dancer. 

I was grateful for the warm escape from chilly Denver, Colorado, to the sunny coast of California. I enjoyed the blooming plants, walks along the coast looking for (and seeing) dolphins, eating fish tacos, cooking meals and birthday cakes (Happy Birthday Mom), feeling the sand underfoot, having lunch in outdoor cafes, shopping, and watching the sunset with a glass of cool crisp wine. 

I simply couldnt miss even one-minute of such a lovely vacation. Although I did get a chance to watch some of the action of the Tour Down Under on Versus late in the evenings.

Images of Laguna Beach - a beautiful beach town in southern California

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Picture of the Day: Tour Down Under

It's not the Santos Tour Down Under without a kangaroo shot

Tradition dictates several kangaroo shots from the TDU each year - the best so far this year is this one of two lucky kangaroos with Christian Prudhomme (Director of the TDF) and Eddy Merckx (the one and only).

Photo retweeted by @edbud68 (one of my favs), tweeted by @1395Fiveaa

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Buy your way into riding like a Pro

Join a team of riders to ride every stage of the 2012 USA Pro Cycling Challenge

In a new twist of opportunities afforded cyclists to experience what it feels like to be a pro in a UCI race, cyclists may apply to be on a small team of riders planning to ride every stage, preceding the real race, at the USA Pro Cycling Challenge in Colorado in August, 2012. You'll need to pay $10,500 for this experience, and apply by February 29th, 2012, and be willing to be part of the Carmichael Training Systems (CTS) marketing brigade. 

When I read this announcement for CTS USA Pro Challenge Race Experience released by the media center at USA Pro Cycling Challenge, my reaction was,"You can buy any experience these days," followed by, "Does this mean road closures affecting fans will be even earlier, and are they considering the mayhem on the mountain passes prior to the real race passing through?" "Is catering to 25 cyclists for a sum of $262,500, worth affecting every fan out on the road?" I decided to call the number listed on the announcement for more information, before I jumped to heady opinions about how the USA Pro Cycling Challenge is deciding to sell off pieces of their pie.

Leland at Carmichael Training Systems (CTS) enthusiastically took my call and answered my questions. Their plan is to select 25 riders, men and women, and their ride will likely begin 2 hours before the real racers in an attempt to beat the race to the finish line. Yes they will ride the entire stage, each day, with the final time trial course in Denver ridden at a slower group ride pace. Their expected pace for interested cyclists on the CTS team should be at least approximately 3.5 watts/kg at threshold, with the ability to ride well in a pack. The CTS team of 25 will have 5-6 coaches on the road with them, and support vehicles passing through prior to the real riders and teams cars. So clear a path for them.

It sounds like fun for the 25 participants, and I suppose the growth of VIP experiences is inevitable. It is clear this pack will need more than money, they will need to be trained, and ah-ha that is precisely what CTS really offers. Included with the CTS USA Pro Challenge Race Experience is of course access to the VIP tent in each finish city, accommodations, meals with the teams, amenities and post-race massages. If you have $10,500 and want to apply to complete the CTS USA Pro Challenge Race Experience team challenge visit www.trainright.com/upcc-2012. Application deadline is Feb. 29, 2012. There are other VIP and travels packages found at this link. 

Related posts by Pedal Dancer: Are VIP tickets worth it?

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Picture of the Day: Andre Greipel

Image of the Day from the Santos Tour Down Under

Image tweeted by @AndreGreipel

"Found some nice boots in my size to keep my legs warm...the best way to recover"

Andre Greipel won the Down Under Classic (the closed circuit race, stand alone event) which took place in conjunction with the Tour Down Under last Sunday. The official website of the Tour reports, "The Classic is the curtain raiser for the Santos Tour Down Under, which Greipel (Lotto-Belisol) has won twice, in 2008 and 2010. Tonight he crossed the line ahead of Norway's Edvald Boasson Hagen (Sky) with Australian Heinrich Haussler (Garmin-Barracuda) third." Video highlights (5:41) of final km and interviews.

@HansenAdam tweeted the Lotto Belisol train that made it all possible

The start of Stage 1 of the Santos Tour Down Under begins in about 20 minutes ... who will win the first stage of the UCI WorldTour 2012 season ....... In the United States you can follow the action via text updates on Twitter @SantosTDU_Live, in other countries view the possibilities on the list at this post: Santos Tour Down Under - just what you need to know.

I just discovered that Tobes' Blog is back on the scene for the Tour Down Under - check it out

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Santos Tour Down Under - just what you need to know

Tour Down Under - events begin tomorrow (which is today)

The first UCI World Tour event of the 2012 racing begins tomorrow in Adelaide, Australia. The Santos Tour Down Under is a 2.HC classified race now in it's 14th year. The event begins on Sunday January 15th, with the Down Under Classic (closed circuit road race, a stand alone event), followed by the Team Presentation for the Tour Down Under, then a non-competition day, and finally 6 consecutive stages of the Tour Down Under finishing on January 22, 2012.

The fun part of being a fan at the Tour Down Under appears to be that all stages are located near the city of Adelaide, making it easy for a fan to stay and play within the surrounding area of the city. They even offer coach/bus transportation for fans to get to and from the start and finish areas. If I wanted to spend $3800.00 on Qantas and 24 hours of travel time with 2 stops, I could get myself from the Rocky Mountains of Colorado to Adelaide, Australia, to watch this great event. Instead I will have to do some fancy math and figure out how and when to watch the race live online, in a place 17.5 hours ahead of Mountain Standard Time in the USA. 

At this hour riders are waking and beginning their preparations for their first big WorldTour race of the season. Race barriers are being placed, banners are being raised, and volunteers are taking their places as Adelaide, Australia, awakes to exciting days ahead in professional cycling. All the big teams are there - it is time to get this thing started. 

Times like these call for a little arm-chair traveling as a professional cycling fan. We need to gather our tools of the trade: race information, stage dates and host cities, teams, riders, who is paying for our fun (Sponsors), jerseys, stats, maps and start and finish times, news, and finally how and when to watch the race live, plus any associated citizen rides where we can act like the pros.

Race information:

Official Santos Tour Down Under Website and Twitter 

In 2008, the Santos Tour Down Under was the first event to join the UCI race calendar outside of Europe. Remember the series of 28 UCI races in 2012 (14 stage races and 14 one-day races) is no longer called the ProTour, it is called the WorldTour, with 18 ProTeams (no spaces needed when it comes to the UCI). The UCI strictly governs not only spelling but most aspects of international cycling (with great controversy). The ProTeams are required to attend the races on the WorldTour calendar, which begin in January and end in October (and you thought it was easy to be a professional cyclist). 

There are no UCI Professional Continental Teams in the Santos Tour Down Under, the roster is completely filled with UCI ProTeams with the exception of Uni SA-Australia, This unique team is supported by the University of South Australia and considered the National Team of Australia, launching many cycling careers for young Australian riders. The team now called Uni SA-Australia first participated in the STDU in 2001 and is part of the tradition of the race. (See full list of teams below)

Stage dates and host cities for the Santos Tour Down Under:

Use the dropdown box at this link to access all stage information on the official website.

January 15, Sunday - Down Under Classic (one-day event), 51km (a closed circuit road race, not part of the Tour Down Under stage race)

January 16, Monday - no competition

January 17, Tuesday - Stage 1, Prospect to Clare, 149km

January 18, Wednesday - Stage 2, Lobethal to Stirling, 148km

January 19, Thursday - Stage 3, Unley to Victor Harbor, 134.5km

January 20, Friday - Stage 4, Norwood to Tanunda, 130km

January 21, Saturday - Stage 5, McLaren Vale to Old Willunga Hill, 151.5km

January 22, Sunday - Stage 6, Adelaide City Council Street Circuit, 90km

Riche Porte with a kangaroo in 2011

Teams: 

A description of Teams competing in the 2012 Santos Tour Down Under. Here is the list of teams:

Ag2r La Mondiale (France)
Astana Pro Team (Kazakhstan)
BMC Racing Team (USA)
Euskaltel-Euskadi (Spain)
FDJ-Big Mat (France)
Garmin-Baracuda (USA)
GreenEDGE Cycling Team (Australia)
Katusha Team (Russia)
Lampre-ISD (Italy)
Liquigas-Cannondale (Italy)
Lotto-Belisol (Belgium)
Movistar (Spain)
Omega Pharma-QuickStep (Belgium)
Rabobank Cycling Team (Netherlands)
Saxo Bank (Denmark)
Sky ProCycling (Great Britain)
Radioshack-Nissan (Luxembourg)
Uni SA-Australia (Australia) (Australian National Team)
Vacansoleil-DCM (Netherlands) 

Riders and fans at the 2011 STDU

Riders:

Startlist roster of riders on each team in the 2012 Santos Tour Down Under.

Sponsors:

Santos is a major oil and gas company in Australia. See all the 2012 Sponsors for the Santos Tour Down Under - a page of Sponsor Logos (a big thanks to the Sponsors who pay for the races). 

Jerseys:

Clear your mind of the habit of looking for the yellow, green or white jerseys. In Australia they have a way of doing things their own way. These are the leaders and classification jerseys for the Santos Tour Down Under for 2012:

STDU Ochre Leaders Jersey

STDU Skoda King of the Mountain Jersey

STDU Jayco Sprint Jersey

STDU Cycle Instead Young Riders Jersey

STDU Hindmarsh Most Aggressive Riders Jersey

STDU South Australia Brilliant Blend Winning Team Jersey

Stats:

Cameron Meyer (AUS) (Garmin-Cervelo) won the 2011 Santos Tour Down Under. View this very good listing of facts and statistical report on the race by Cycling Weekly.

Cameron Meyer signs in at the 2011 STDU

Maps and times:

This combined stage race map (below) was created by Velowire.com. As you can see, the city of Adelaide is consumed by bike racing for the next week.

Map by Velowire
(Lots of information by Velowire at this link)

Individual Stage Maps (click maps to enlarge) (Maps via the official STDU website)

STAGE 1: Start Time: 11am,  Finish Time: 2.54pm ETA

Santos Tour Down Under - Stage 1 map

STAGE 2 (Colemans Group Stage 2): Start Time: 11am, Finish Time: 2.45pm ETA

Santos Tour Down Under - Stage 2 map

STAGE 3: Start Time: 11am (King William Road, Unley), Finish Time: 2.43pm ETA

Santos Tour Down Under - Stage 3 map

STAGE 4 (Bupa Stage 4): Start Time: 11am (The Parade, Norwood), Finish Time: 2.31pm ETA

Santos Tour Down Under - Stage 4 map

STAGE 5 (Jayco Stage 5): Start Time: 11.10am McLaren Vale, Finish Time: 3.02pm ETA, Old Willunga Hill

Santos Tour Down Under - Stage 5 map

STAGE 6: Start Time: 1.10pm (King William Road, Elder Park), Finish Time: 3.15pm* approximately

Santos Tour Down Under - Stage 6 map

News:

The big news of this race so far is that Jack Bobridge is out of the race due to injury after a gust of wind caused by a passing truck knocked him down during the recent Australian Time Trial Championships. Also long exiled Alejandro Valverde returns to racing in 2012 with his Spanish Movistar team. Italian Alessandro Petacchi is venturing down under to challenge other powerful sprinters including Matt Goss, Andre Greipel, Oscar Freire, Mark Renshaw, and Daniele Bennati. Mark Cavendish will not be racing the Tour Down under this year. This is however our first big chance to see the new teams of RadioShack-Nissan, GreenEDGE, Lotto-Belisol, and Omega Pharma-Quickstep in action. We will also get our first real siting of the entire lineup of new team bikes and jerseys for the 2012 season. And Jens Voigt will be in the house, what more could we want! Tour Down Under preview by VeloNews

News Sources:

Steephill.TV  It is Steephill season again!, visit this one source, he will link you to all you need to know about the race. Or CyclingFans.com.

How and when to watch the race live:

Television and radio coverage (in Australia)

Tour Down Under 2012: Sky Sports TV schedule (British satellite broadcaster Sky)

In a first for the event, wwos.ninemsn.com.au will stream live coverage of the Down Under Classic, Jayco Stage 5 and Stage 6. Highlights packages will also be available each evening for Stages 1-4.

In the USA, coverage can be difficult to find, but if there is a way Steephill.TV or CyclingFans.com will list the link on their pages. On Sunday, January 15, 2011, NBC will show coverage of the "Tour Down Under Classic" at 3 p.m (ET).

Tune into Twitter, as people will frequently link to live steaming if found. Or follow the tweets at @SantosTDU_Live and @tourdownunder

International broadcasters: viewers around the world can watch the Santos Tour Down Under action on the following networks. Please check your local broadcaster for schedule details.

France - Sport+
Ireland - Setanta
Luxembourg - RTL
Norway - TV2Sport
Spain - Teledeporte
UK - Sky Sports and ITV
Pan-Africa - Supersport
USA and Canada - NBCSports and Rogers
South and Central America - Direct TV
Pan-Asia - Eurosport Asia
Japan - Jsports
Malaysia - Astro
New Zealand - Sky TV

Citizen Rides (how you can participate):

Amateur cyclists may participate in the 2012 Bupa Challenge Tour (formerly known as the Be Active Tour, Breakaway Tour, and Mutual Community Challenge Tour) on January 20, 2012. Cost $145 (Australian dollars). There are 4 different start locations and times. It sounds fun: "your opportunity to ride a stage of a UCI WorldTour event, the same day as the ProTeams. It's a challenge - not a race. Part of the ŠKODA Breakaway Series, this event is for regular cyclists who can make the distance. Will you make it to the finish before the professionals arrive? Take part in the 2012 Bupa Challenge Tour. Register as an individual or as a team."

Read previous related posts by Pedal Dancer: Who is Škoda and Tour Down Under begins today (2011)

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Guess Where? #2

Where have we pedaled to now?

Happy Friday! Welcome back to Guess Where photographic series. Can you guess the locations of these images? (answers below)

©Photo by Pedal Dancer™

©Photo by Pedal Dancer™/StrayySuz

©Photo by Pedal Dancer™/Kenny Rakestraw (2 days ago)

Creperie on Col de Peyresourde

The creperie cafe is a well-known landmark for cyclists climbing the Col de Peyreourde in the French Pyrenees. The climb of Col de Peryresourde is 15.27km long, and averages 6.1% grade, with the steepest sections a tough 9.8%. The gradual mountain pass connects the towns of Bagnères-de-Luchon and Arreau. The Col de Peyresourde was first used in the Tour de France in 1910. In 2012 the pass will be climbed in Stage 17 before the final climb to the mountain top finish of Peyragudes.

The site of the creperie signals a cyclist has arrived at the top of the Col de Peyresourde. Sit and enjoy your triumphant climb with a few crepes. This is not the kind of place where you should order just one crepe, they will happily serve a plate full (as you can see the prices are reasonable). I can guarantee that most Tour de France riders nary glimpse this landmark during the race, as hundreds of fans crowd it's friendly patio. 

The creperie is best visited on a non Tour de France day when you may sit and watch cyclists pass by and enjoy the beautiful green landscape. Inside the creperie the owners are very friendly and ask every visitor (in surprising English), "Where are you from?" In 2010 two cyclists from Colorado wandered in for a crepe, when asked where they were from, the owner replied, "a woman just left from Colorado!" That woman was me, and the two Coloradoans were Tom and Courtenay whom I met by chance 1 year later on Independence Pass at the USA Pro Cycling Challenge. Small world.

Le Tour de France dans les Pyrénées Sculpture

The 80-foot sculpture is located along the peage tollway in the center of the Pyrenees, in the region of Midi-Pyrenees. The sculpture was created to honor the Tour de France. It was inaugurated in 1996 in cooperation with organizers of the Tour de France and highway officials. Designed by artist Jean-Bernard Métais, and made from 30 tons of steel, it is located at Les Pyrénées aire peage reststop. The sculpture displays 12 panels around the base depicting a history of the riders and Le Tour. 

If you are driving along the A-64 (E80 La Pyrénéenne) peage, between exit 11 and 12, and happen to see the rest stop (aire) sign for Les Pyrenees, east of Pau/west of Tarbes (I believe you must be traveling in the eastbound direction to access this rest stop), get off the highway, drive behind the gas station, park and walk up to the sculpture. It is truly wonderful.

•   11 (Soumoulou) towns served: Soumoulou, Nousty, Lourdes via RD940.
  •   Rest Area: Les Pyrénées
•   12 (Tarbes-ouest) Towns served: Tarbes, Lourdes via RN21

Piazza San Marco, Venice, Italy

In 2009 the opening stage in the Giro d'Italia featured a team time trial on Lido de Venezia near Venice, Italy. The Piazza San Marco is the primary public square in Venice and has been referred to as "the drawing room of Europe." The Piazzo is commonly listed first as the most recommended tourist site in the city. Known simply as the Piazza or St Mark's Square because of the great Church of St Mark's (Basilica Cattedrale Patriarcale di San Marco, consecrated in 1094) located at one end, no motorized vehicles are allowed, simply strolling tourists. 

Nearby is the famous clocktower Torre dell'Orologio. My nephew Kenny wrote home this week describing the clock, "it was built in the 15th century, and tells the hour on a 24 hour system, the phases of the moon and the motion of the sun." He mentioned "you get a view of the waters surrounding the Piazza along the Puazzetta San Marco. I sat on a bench and glanced at the passing ferry taxis." Ah Italy!

Puazzetta San Marco  ©Photo by Pedal Dancer™/Kenny Rakestraw (2 days ago)

See all the previous posts in the new Guess Where series. Until next Friday, keep dreaming of travels.

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