View from the Back
Ramblings of a retiree in France
Category: Sport
Rain stopped play
I got back last Friday from a cold and wet few days at a major exhibition in Germany, looking forward to a few hours out on the bike. Goodness knows how I ever spent all those years working long hours in an office. I… Continue Reading “Rain stopped play”
Lanterne rouge
You’re probably wondering how I fared in “The Gentleman”. That Friday evening I had a call from M le President (yes, that’s what we call him). He asked me whether I was riding the short or the long course on Sunday. I said I… Continue Reading “Lanterne rouge”
Lots of firsts
I’m a girl who believes in lots of planning and preparation. If I’m doing a cyclosportif, I like to have cycled the route beforehand. This is so that a) I know I can do it and b) I know when to conserve, or conversely,… Continue Reading “Lots of firsts”
Made famous by Lance
Last year I arrived at the pointage at St Agnès ten minutes after it had closed, thereby collecting nul points. Something which still rankles! I had cycled almost the entire route on my lonesome. From my map, handily placed in my back pocket; it… Continue Reading “Made famous by Lance”
Chapeau Cav!
I recently told a friend that, while Mark Cavendish would never win The Tour de France, he would definitely win one of the big classics. Well that someday was Saturday, 21 March 2009. He won by a cat’s whisker in a truly exciting, heart… Continue Reading “Chapeau Cav!”
Sunday, lovely Sunday
My week’s training starts with the Sunday club run. Last Sunday morning (last stage of Paris-Nice) we were up and out early for the Super Cannes pointage (rendezvous for all the local clubs where points are awarded based on certain criteria). As usual, my… Continue Reading “Sunday, lovely Sunday”
Watching and waiting
Spring has arrived and with it much balmier temperatures. I seem to have spent months muffled up like Michelin man but now I’m back into my ¾ bib tights with just a long sleeved shirt and gilet. The last few week ends, thanks to… Continue Reading “Watching and waiting”
How did it all start?
One rainy afternoon in July 2004, I watched my very first road race. It was stage 6 of the Tour de France, from Bonneval to Angers, won by a young, up and coming Belgian rider in a bunch sprint. Although, this was my first… Continue Reading “How did it all start?”
Whose idea was that title?
“View from the Back” was my husband’s suggested title for the blog. If truth be told “View from Off the Back and Halfway Down the Hill” might be a more accurate description of my place in the peloton. While watching races on the TV,… Continue Reading “Whose idea was that title?”
View from the Back 