Best of: Tour de France 2011
9 Jan
From Le Tour de France Facebook page.
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Tour de France 2011– Wrap-Up
1 Aug
We have a rule at our house that no travel, no company – no nothing in July – except watching the Tour de France (and of course, riding the bike). We had to breach that rule this year because my dear mother-in-law turned 80 years old the last weekend of the Tour. 
We wouldn’t have missed that celebration for anything (not even the best Tour in forever) so we flew out during the very exciting Stage 19 – Alp d’Huez. We were able to watch most of the stage at home and then followed the remainder of the stage via cell phone and netbook from the airport and plane – we had Wi-Fi as it turned out!
Being the wonderful people they are, my in-laws recorded the Stage for us and we watched the wrap-up show that evening. We watched Stage 20 time trial live and then watched the processional of Stage 21 (including the exciting sprint) live too. No questions were asked, or looks of concern or disbelief observed, when I cried watching the podium presentations. I’m not so sure there weren’t others tearing up.
I’ve followed the Tour de France since the 1990’s and I do not remember a Tour like this one. If you like the sport of racing and the event of the Tour more than you follow/support one rider over another – you had to love this year’s Tour.
This Tour was more competitive and apparently cleaner than any Tour I can remember; consequently it was exciting and fun to watch! I loved the 2011 Tour de Franceand miss it!
Thank goodness for DVR and the internet. I’ve already watched Stages 18 and 19 over again. Love that Thomas Voeckler held on with everything he could muster, loved that Cadel Evans raced such a smart and brave race, loved that the Schlecks handled defeat with such class. I would have loved for Voeckler to have been on the podium, but seeing both Schlecks up there was nice too.
This was a Tour for the ages, and I hope a sign of things to come.
Viva le Tour de France!
2011 Tour de France-Stage 18
21 Jul
By now you’ve all seen Stage 18, don’t know about you but that was the most epic stage I’ve ever seen. Andy Schleck’s ride coupled with the off-the-chart ride by my favorite bike racer in all the world – the one and only – Thomas Voeckler!
As I’ve said here before, I’ve followed the Tour since the mid-90’s and nothing compares to what I witnessed today. As good as Andy Schleck’s ride was and it was, it can’t compare to what Voeckler did. Not for me anyway, and I don’t see how it could for anyone.
Schleck’s ride was something the invincible Lance Armstrong would have done. But, what rider of the caliber of Voeckler has done what he has done this Tour? I can’t think of one either. Sure there are probably some from back in the day, but none in the modern era.
I will never forget what I witnessed today. It will live on in Tour de France lore forever. It deserves to and should. I’m not ashamed to admit that when Thomas Voeckler crossed that finish line, managing to keep that Yellow Jersey against all odds – I cried. I could not believe he did it.
Stage 18 of the 2011 Tour de France is the single greatest sports event I have ever witnessed. Kudos to Andy Schleck and Thomas Voeckler, and Cadel Evans too for taking it on himself to cut his losses even though he hauled his rivals (except for Contador who cracked) up too. A special thanks to Evans for towing Voeckler!
Queen Stage indeed!
Katy Trail Bike Trips
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KATY Trail Sights
Missouri KATY Trail Bike Tour – Sights and Sounds
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KATY Trail 2011 – Day 5
Today was our last day riding the KATY. Despite a forecast that predicted rain was likely as we headed west, we managed to stay dry on our ride. That was our goal. We were quite happy about that after yesterday. Today was basically the same ride as yesterday – only in reverse – Augusta to [...]
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KATY Trail 2011 -Day 4
Today was the kind of day on the bike that pushes you beyond your usual limits. This is not a day I would have chosen to ride – but ride we did. And right now I’m glad we did. Even during the ride/slog I knew I would finish the ride out, although we could have [...]
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KATY Trail 2011 – Day 3
We left Hartsburg around 9:45 after after a wholesome and delicious breakfast complements of Globe Hotel owner, Jeanette. We said goodbye to the five from Oregon/Florida and wished each other safe travels. They are riding over 2000 miles on their journey – and I envy them. More about them in a later post. We felt [...]
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KATY Trail 2011 – Day 2
Today the cycling gods smiled upon us with spectacular weather and a harder packed trail surface. It was also easier because today was really flat, whereas yesterday was often a 1-3% grade climb. Not steep obviously, but after miles of it along with the softer surface, it was a harder ride than today. Could be [...]
Vermont to Quebec City
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Grand Prix Cycliste de Quebec
Grand Prix Cycliste de Quebec – Vieux Quebec City September 10, 2010 If you have spent any time at all on this blog you know I like bikes. If you were around last July or if you’ve looked around much and noticed the 30+ posts I wrote on the Tour de France – you could [...]
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Sojourners by Bike-Day6/Part 2
~Trois-Rivières to Quebec City~ 85 miles We left our lunch stop at Deschambault committed to riding the rest of the way to Quebec City – about 45 miles. Committed, and excited. Some of you are probably thinking we should be committed for riding 85 miles! When we rolled away from Angelus Bistro it was just [...]
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Sojourners by Bike-Day 6/Part I
Trois-Rivières to Quebec City ~ 85 miles When I woke up Friday morning, I was too busy thinking about the 90% chance of rain predicted and how to dress for it, to focus much on the miles (85, 70, 45), or to be nostalgic about it being our last day and how quickly in one [...]
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Sojourners by Bike ~ Day 5
Day 5: Sorel-Tracy to Trois-Rivières – 54 miles Today brought something I have been looking forward to – cloud cover and a little cooler temperature. My skin needed both. Looking out the window of our hotel room you could see the St. Lawrence river. We would be following the St. Lawrence as we headed [...]
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Sojourners by Bike ~ Day 4
~The daily account of a 6 day Bike Tour from Burlington, Vermont to Quebec City, Canada~ Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu to Sorel-Tracy – 61 miles Today, we leave Auberge Harris and Madame Boutin behind. Madame came out to see us off and to give us a map of cycling in the area, and a map case which attaches [...]
