TDF-Verbier

[alpinerabbit]

We went to see stage 15 of the TdF!!! It's a 3hr+ train and cable car ride from us to Verbier but we thought we'd never get that close to a mountain stage (where you can really see them as they are going slow)

Even the train knows only one destination:
http://www.phoenixnturtle.net/images/TdF/Bild003_001.jpg

Arrived between 1 and 2, got ourselves a spot at the barriers 300m from the finish line, and spent the next two hours waiting for the guys.
It was fun. The silly "caravane publicitaire" with all the free swag and the eye catchers....
http://www.phoenixnturtle.net/images/TdF/Bild012_001.jpg http://www.phoenixnturtle.net/images/TdF/Bild039_001.jpg
And what the creative young folk figure out to do with those „clapping hands“
http://www.phoenixnturtle.net/images/TdF/Bild027_001.jpg

The cute Skoda mascot (he vibrates when you hug him. He's got his personal A/C :) )
http://www.phoenixnturtle.net/images/TdF/Bild009_001.jpg


And here they come – I didn’t let the picture taking spoil my fun seeing my favorites – Cancellara, Armstrong, Voigt… but I caught Sastre and Klöden ?
http://www.phoenixnturtle.net/images/TdF/Bild031_001.jpg http://www.phoenixnturtle.net/images/TdF/Bild032_001.jpg

And Bruyneel giving an interview, and the folkloric groups... it was a real festival for everyone.
http://www.phoenixnturtle.net/images/TdF/Bild034_001.jpg http://www.phoenixnturtle.net/images/TdF/Bild042_001.jpg

[Possegal]

Very cool! Thanks for sharing the pics. I saw a stage in '04 and am determined to get back for more. :) Especially a mountain finish! The caravan cracks me up. My family and I really had no idea about it before we went. Now of course we see glimpses of it on the TV broadcast here. We got some nice stuff thrown at us, or more accurately at my young niece and nephew. I too found it hard to cheer and snap photos. :) Next time I'll just set the camera to keep taking them while I yell and scream!

[redrhodie]

Very cool! I wish I was there!

[Zen]

I want the Skoda mascot to come to my house ;)

[7rider]

Wonderful!
I have to say...that was some of the most beautiful countryside on that stage. I was watching on T.V. with DH, and he turned to me and said "Let's go to Switzerland!" Oh, yeah....some day!!

[tulip]

Wonderful, thanks for sharing!

[TxDoc]

Awesome report and photos, thank you for sharing! Being able to see the stages of the Grand Tours is one of the things I miss about Europe!!!

[kenyonchris]

I want the Skoda mascot to come to my house ;)

especially if he brings his personal a/c

[Running Mommy]

so cool! I was wondering if you were close enough that you could scoot over to see it! Lucky girl!!

[katluvr]

I am SOOOOOOO envious! Yep, TDF (going to see it) is definitely in my bucket list!:)

[Geonz]

What fun!!! VIcariously reveling here...

What's the story behind the signature image? (resistance is fertile...)

[papaver]

great pics Alpine! You lucky b*st*rd. :D

[bmccasland]

Throw me something!

Thanks for sharing Alpine, that looked like fun.