Coming back into Spain, I realized how much I loved it here. The people are so nice and relaxed, although many tourists and I enjoy being able to communicate with others in Spanish or English as it is not difficult to find someone that knows English.
Dropping my buddy and Navigator Jim Hand off at the train station in Montpelier before the stage this morning, I was on my own today. I ventured to a mountain hill area and had a salad on a beach area called Leucate as I awaited the tour and watched it on TV. I had stopped early on the stage as the Caravan came by and got lots of hats, shirts and other gifts.
I was a little too relaxed sitting drinking my wine at the restaurant and realized the tour was approaching the beach. I quickly checked out and zipped down the one-way french road and pulled off quickly on an street heading the wrong direction. I jumped out of my car and ran to the route as the crowd was already starting to get excited.
I got my camera setup to
the perfect setting, adjusted for cloudiness, hi-speed shots and the best
megapixel to take fast pictures without a delay. It was exciting. I sat on the road right along the white line as the motorcycle brigade came flying by. They must have been no more than 6 inches from me as the wind of the motorcyle almost knocked me off balance. The leaders were a group of 5, none of which mattered much. The peloton followed in amazing size and closeness. They raced by me making a loud whooom sound as I scooted back further wondering if an exhausted cyclist could accident run me over. I snapped picture after picture. The riders were fast and each stage teaches me what I should do different or better. This section might have been too fast to take anything but far away shots. The surrounding beach and backdrop is incredible.
I quickly jump into my car and head towards the finish line hoping to get there before the riders on alternate routes. As I race on the autoroute for about an hour, other fanatic fans pass me by. It is fun as we all have Le Tour fever loving each day.
I arrive at Perpignan with a traffic jam heading into town. I am pushing it today, knowing the riders will be there soon. I pull off as quickly as possible and park in a grass area (illegal on most days, but I think accepted on this day) I throw my backpack on and run towards the finish line as the cars are backed up and not moving.
I reach the finish line and bump into a LiveStrong photo journalist. We talk about their organization. It has done great things. He tells me about his experiences at the hills and we quickly venture to our ¨spots¨that we hope to take the prize photo. This city is pretty and has charm. The finish line is too crowded and I run about 1K up from the finish line. I find a spot on the rail to get great shots. The riders come shorlty after I arrive and I take several shots. They fly by this section and the race ends so quickly. I am always amazed at how quickly everything clears out. Even though they spend an entire day setting up, they are tore down within one hour and the town is cleared out. No one waits around for dinner or celebration. Most riders go right to their bus and head on with massages, meals and sleep. Seems like they could make a lot more money by showing replays on big screens for locals to watch. Ohhh, well. Maybe that is just an American culture.
Stage 5-Le Cap dÁgde to Perpignan
Thursday, July 09, 2009
Perpignan, Languedoc-Roussillon, France
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2025-02-09