Sunday, we arrived at the tour site early and found everything already assembled, the finish line, all the commentary boxes, huge screen TV's plus all the reserved seating areas all completed and this was all by 9.00 am for an expected finish time of approximately 6.00pm. The only thing not yet finished was the painting on the road which workers were drying with gas fired heat guns. We walked the last kilometer of the course and met a lovely Canadian couple who had been cycling around Europe for a few months, they told us it was fabulous, as very safe and lots of flat roads to ride.
After lunch we met up with other cycling travelers this time Adam Renwick who lives around the corner on Low Head road who is traveling with his brother and another friend Fiona. They have been cycling from Turkey up through Greece, Croatia France etc and still to do Germany and Austria, very fit and adventurous young people who's company we thoroughly enjoyed.
The finish area was absolutely packed with people all eagerly watching the huge screen truck mounted TV.
The finish was not as exciting as people thought as Tony Martin of Omega Pharma Quickstep did a solo win about 3 minutes in front of a small chasing group and about 8 minutes in front of the peloton, a fabulous effort by him as he rode solo for about the last 60 kilometers with no-one gaining time on him. After the finish the crowds dispersed very quickly and the TDF crews started to dismantle everything for the move to the next stage finish. A great day with good company and a fabulous atmosphere.

Monday brought the start of the Mulhouse to La Planche des Belles Filles section with us heading to the start area early to catch the atmosphere which was fabulous. People everywhere, lots of souvenir sales areas and lots of freebies from the Tour caravan which drives along before the tour throwing all sorts of sponsors goods into the crowd area with some spectacular scrambles for the goods with the best one being Liz out marking a Frenchman for the honour of a polka dot climbers cap which should go into mark of the century entries.
The sign on area was the place to be to see the stars of the tour sign up for another hard day of racing. One of the most popular was Jens Voight who the crowd cheered their hearts out for, as he received a special presentation and interview from the tour crew I'm guessing for being such a draw card and mentor for the tour participants and his being the oldest rider in the tour at 42 and still going very strong. He even had a tear in his eye during the presentation not something you would expect from one of the toughest riders in the tour.
Also met up with another George Town local, Steve Andrews who is driving for team Green Edge and loving every minute of it. Steve shared many stories and photos with us of the tour so far, he is thoroughly enjoying it and I don't blame him, it is such a great atmosphere.
After sign on all riders and fans moved to the start and they were off on time at 1.00pm with crowds cheering them on and soon out of sight but seen riding through the streets of Mulhouse in neutral mode ready for the rolling start just outside the city limits. They even rode past our hotel.
Again another fabulous day at the tour. Vive Le tour.
Go Richie Porte.