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For instance, the bicycle is the most efficient machine ever created: Converting calories into gas, a bicycle gets the equivalent of three thousand miles per gallon. ~Bill Strickland, The Quotable Cyclist
So today I went to see the end of the Tour de France in person. It was really just an incredible feeling knowing that I was about to see one of the greatest international events live, and in person, standing only a few feet from the cyclists. We headed out early, around 10 to make sure we got a great spot along the Champ-Elysees so we could watch the entire race. We made it there with ease, found a fabulous spot right with a clear view, against the fence only a few feet from the road.
After staking our spot we went out in pairs, leaving some behind to guard our location, as we searched for the best deals of Tour de France items. I got some amazing deals, though I won't reveal too much, I want to surprise people somewhat at least! But it was a lit of fun just wandering the streets, seeing all the different types of people from all over the world who had turned up. After we all had all wandered enough we settled in for a lunch on the sidewalk, we had bread, nutella, some drinks, and cookies! It was a great little lunch and a fun time to just sit and talk.
About two hours later (around 14h, 2 pm) there was a big commotion as a pre-race parade came through! It was the floats, and cars and advertisements for the sponsers of the races and they were some of the most impressive things I have ever seen. Giant cyclists attached to punch buggys. Huge laughing cows, water guns, giant champagne bottles, and lots of singing and techno music. It was a lot of fun and a great way to spend the time waiting for the race to start.
A few hours later, the first cyclists came through, it was an absolutely amazing feeling seeing the bikes go rushing by us. I found a new setting on my camera that lets me just take streaming pictures so i was actually able to get a few good shots of them! I was so happy to be there and watched as they took 8 laps around the Champ-Elysees, but after about lap 6 I was feeling really overheated and ucky, so as soon as the 8th lap was over. I headed back for the school and cooled off.
I'm feeling much, much better now! It was just too much sun for me for one day, but it was totally one of the greatest experiences of my life. A chance like that I mean only comes around once in a lifetime and I am just so thrilled that I got to see the Tour de France live. I mean, wow. I can't wait until the day I come back to watch it again with my family. :)
Bon soir!
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