Tour De France Coming to Town

Photo today is a desperate EB, but with a purpose. Today the route of the Grand Depart of the Tour de France 2014 was announced and words I never thought I'd utter, "it's coming through my town"

I remember 35 years ago reading with my friend at the back of the class each morning the newspaper, we both discovered in the somewhat brief coverage the unfolding drama of the Tour, we'd pour over times and positions and marvel about the exotic names of the ascents and references to the greats, Bernard Thevelet won that year, Eddy Merckx was still a top 6 rider.( I forgot till i checked tonight but that year 6 riders tested postive for drugs, they were fined, dedcuated 10 minutes and set off the following moring). I became hooked (not on the drugs) on the unfolding drama that each year became. I never missed a day following it in the papers, subsequently on the internet and when possible on the TV. I'm not a cyclist, I currently don't own a road bike but despite the revelation of drug cheating that has tainted much of it's recent history I remain gripped by the the event.

So next year I get to see it from home, and then the following day it passes within 6miles from home as it whiz's past on it way to Sheffield. I'm soooo excited.

Today I wanted to just mark the excitement that so many people will find in this, not the sponsors and not the money makers, but those who have loved the event in the UK, those who love cycling - and whose only drug use has been a tea or coffee on route with their mates. Tomorrow Lances date with Oprah will be the news. Today the news is The Tour is coming to Ilkley