MM, going to Paris-Roubaix?

[jobob]

So Mighty Mitre, you mentioned a few weeks ago you were planning to see Paris-Roubaix again this year, is that still on?

If so, looking forward to hearing all about it! Is there anyone in particular you'll be rooting for?

[MightyMitre]

Hi there - got back from Paris-Roubaix on Sunday night after taking the car on the Channel Tunnel train which was new experience.

Had a fantastic day - it was dry and there was no breeze and even some sunshine, but still chilly enough for long sleeves and three-quarter length tights.

When we got there we went for a quick ride on the cobbles but had to stand a-side for a while as the Junior race came through. This was basically boys under 18 and some of them looked shattered!! Others were majorly skinny, as only teenage boys can do, but they all put in a great effort and got loads of cheers as they went by.

We then had a good ride on several sections of cobbles, weaving in and out of the French and Belgiums as they wandered along the tracks before the race comes through. There were loads of people with BBQ's going and TV's set up under next to camper vans with people huddled round, trying to see the picture in the sunlight . It was great fun and I got a couple of cheers from big groups of partying Belgiums as I rode by. I didn’t see any other girls out there riding so I got lots of attention as a wobbled by on the cobbles.

Finally we chose a spot next to a tent selling beer and fries with a big lorry parked next to it with 3 TV’s and a sound system set up. None of it’s professional or anything, just set up by locals out for a good day. So, after a beer we took our places on the side of the cobbled cart track , trying to avoid the mud and ended up next to a very jolly bunch of Belgiums, all decked out with silly hats and all very much enjoying the beers.

As usual the race whizzed by about 2 ft away, squeezing it’s way though the crowds who try and stand as near to the edge as possible with out getting their noses hit by the team cars, and it was a flurry of bikes, cheering, support cars and noise.

But once they’d gone , something very special happened to me. We’d been standing there in our cycling kit, after having ridden some of the cobbles, when my boyfriend got down on one knee and proposed to me!!!!! It was a total surprise and once I’d gained the use of my voice again I said Yes and much jumping around and hugging went on. As for the rest of the race – we went and stood with the crowds watching the TV coverage as the riders got to the end of race, but I can’t really remember much of it. My mind was well and truly elsewhere.

So, I set off to France that morning with my boyfriend and came home again with my finance. What a fantastic day!!

[Veronica]

Congratulations! What a wonderful proposal. It'll be a great story to tell the grandkids. Don't suppose anyone got a pic of it? That would be too cool.

Have fun planning the wedding!

Veronica

[pedalfaster]

Congratulations MightyMitre!

And how nice of Graham Watson to commemorate your special day with photos

[jobob]

Wow! What an experience!

Those cobbles had to hurt, especially on racing tires. I kept thinking as I was watching it on TV that they really should consider using panaracer pasella 35's on that sort of terrain, hee

Sounded like an absolute blast. And your boyfriend gets extra points for the very imaginative proposal. Congratulations!

[fultzie]

Congratulations!!!!
What fun all the way around (bikes, food, and a marraige proposal! does it get any better??!)

[grannydea]

Congrats MightyMitre.
May you have years and years of days like this one.
Dea

[aka_kim]

Congratulations, MM!! What a wonderful experience.

[MightyMitre]

Aaah - thank you all so much. It was quite a day. I totally didn't expect the proposal - we've been together for 7 years and I hoped we might tie the knot one day, but when it happened I was totally blown away!

Now we have the fun of organising the wedding. I expect I'll be asking for ways to encorporate cycling into the big day or honeymoon fairly soon.