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Ramblings of a retiree in France
The Tour de France is oh so close
Early this year the cycle club put out a call for volunteers for the Tour de France. Now, it’s been awhile since I last volunteered and given that our club is called Club Metropole de Nice, Cote d’Azur, and both the mayor and Prefet are members, I put up my hand. More accurately I filled in a form on line. I volunteered to help out for a week as we weren’t following the Tour as it departed Nice because my beloved was doing l’Etape, which has now been postponed until next year. And, as all you cycling fans know, the Tour itself was pushed back two months.
Mid-August I got a call from the Town Hall enquiring whether I was still available to volunteer. I replied in the affirmative and the lady on the other end of the line heaved a huge sigh of relief. Obviously, her task had not been going well. I imagine that many who might have been available in July were no longer free at the end of August. I basically said I would do whatever, whenever. It’s a strategy that has stood me in good stead in the past.
I’ve advised my beloved that he’ll be looking after himself for a week. I tempered it with saying I would ensure that there would be plenty of food in the fridge. He’s most unlikely to starve but I know from bitter experience that I’ll have to thoroughly clean the place after he’s been left to his own devices for that length of time.
We’re getting together outdoors this evening to receive our Rapha kit, luncheon vouchers, free masks, hand gel, tram passes and accreditation. I’ve been pre-advised of my role which is essentially meet and greet, something I’ve done before and where my linguistic skills and local knowledge are hugely helpful.
I’ll be honest, I’m not looking forward to wearing a mask all day but it has to be done. How much cycling I’ll see remains to be seen. In fact, I may not see any cyclists at all! Typically, I would get my press accreditation and be jostling with the thousands of journalists, TV and radio crews who follow the Tour. Most of these will be reporting from the studio rather than in situ and conducting interviews via Zoom or similar.
Hopefully, next week I’ll have something interesting to report back on. Meanwhile, here’s a few earlier posts about some of my volunteering at cycling events:-
View from the Back 
You are in a perfect spot. Hubby will be watching it on television
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Enjoy!
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Wow! It will fantastic to hear your experiences first hand, can’t wait! Good luck 👍
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Maxine, I’ve done this before though this time will be rather strange thanks to the C word
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Now you are a participant in the Tour de France!
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It’s not my first time!
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ah ok much better then!
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Like it
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Thank you Cathy
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Looking forward to your updates. Thanks.
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😎 🚲
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Oh, fun!!! I hope you end up doing meet & greet for all the cyclists!!!
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No, it’ll be VIPs. I already know a lot of the cyclists.
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That’s still fun. I miss doing volunteer work, esp when they let you observe the event. I hope you get to see some of the race!
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I’m well placed to see the racing.
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YAYYYY!!
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Wishing you the best of luck, Sheree! Btw, I’ve nominated you for the Ideal Inspiration Award. You have such a great blog and I love reading about the different places you’ve been! Have a great day!
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Such a moment when it came to Yorkshire and right in my doorstep through my village.
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I was in Yorkshire for Le Grand Depart 2014 and it was magnificent. The riders couldn’t get over the size of the crowds.
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Everyone took it their hearts, what a wonderful event, it gave birth to The Tour de Yorkshire,now an annual event, apart from this year of course.
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It’ll be back next year hopefully
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Sounds exciting!
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It’s certainly fun
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Nice
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Indeed, that’s where the Grand Depart is – Nice!
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Have fun! I’m looking forward to trying to see all stages of the TA – no Tour this year for me, but everyone’s plans have been disrupted so I’m not complaining. Do enjoy your endeavours ‘behind the scenes’.
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Thanks Sally and enjoy TA which easily has the best trophy.
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Sounds like so much fun! (Other than the mask wearing.) Enjoy! 🌞
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Yes, I came back after wearing a mask all day yesterday with “mask face.” But I can’t complain given how mant people now have to wear them (and much more) day in and day out.
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This is great. Wishing you the best in the competition, ma’am. 🤗
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I’m only volunteering, not riding – thank goodness!
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It’s fabulous that you’re helping out! I’m a humble cyclist myself and love watching the Tour.
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Thank you for dropping by and commenting
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