Tour de France

So, my dad loves the Tour de France. He watches it every year religiously on TV. My nephew, Canham, often goes over to watch it with my dad (his Grandfather) regularly. It is their thing. Bucky and I realized that the Tour was going to be close to Kehl so we committed to go. We aren't huge fans, but knew that my dad would be thrilled for us to experience it in person. And boy, was it an experience.

Finding a place to stay was challenging because we were late in the game and all of the actual biking fans had already made their plans. But we found a nice hotel in Munster. Bucky researched the trek (it was the 20th stage) and found a restaurant in the mountains where we could go and "watch." 

He made reservations and confirmed they had parking and we were set. So, we started the drive to the restaurant about an hour before our reservation, but it was only about a twenty minute drive so we were fine. Along the route, however, we came people blocking the road because cars were no longer allowed up the mountain. 

We did a quick google map search and saw that the restaurant was about four miles so we decided to park and walk. We had dressed "cute" because we envisioned ourselves sitting at a quaint french restaurant dining and watching the bikers whizz by, but luckily we had "hiking" clothes in the trunk. So we quickly changed and headed out. We soon discovered it was four miles STRAIGHT up!! It was quite the hike. But we made it!!

We were exhausted and ready for a quiet, good meal. But that was not to be had. The restaurant and the surrounding area was full of tons of people, lines galore of people waiting for food and drink, huge TVs with the Tour going, loud music and hundreds of bikes all around. It was crazy! We were able to find food and drink and a place to sit which we were thankful for. 

Then, the wait for the bikers began. There we TONS of sponsor cars driving the route with loud music and throwing out "stuff." Finally, the bikers began and they did indeed whizz by. We didn't know who anyone was, but we cheered for them all! 

It was fun, but definitely not what we expected. The hike back to the car was luckily downhill, but we did get lost along the way which made it longer. But we eventually made it to the car and back to the hotel. Great memories for my dad and Canham and ourselves. 

You have to look closely to see the storks!


Lots of bikers (and non-bikers) enjoying the festivities!

Hats purchased for Bubba and Canham

Hiking to the event (it was all UP!!)

We were exhausted after the hike!

Not too exhausted for rose!! No way!

Waiting and waiting and waiting for the bikers

Everyone was waiting!


Screenshot of the leader. All other bike photos were videos and I haven't figured out how to add them yet!


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