They say there is a fine line between sanity and madness and the Tour de France is no exception and literally the biggest bike race in the world.
This years Tour de France is the 97th and starts on Saturday 3rd July at Rotterdam, the first time it has started outside of France. It is made up of 21 stages and will cover a total distance of 3,596 kilometres and finish on Saturday 25th July in Paris.
Many of the families who book a Quality Villas holiday ask about hiring bikes with some even bringing their own either to amble along country lanes or to tackle steep hills and mountainous terrain. All of them may want to be a “Bernard Hinault” who has won most of the races and nicknamed the Badger but what better than enjoy this sport decked out in bright lycra to match the army of cyclists that I encounter each weekend in the region where I live. Cycling is big in my region due to the terrain and open countryside and after an energetic cycle what better that to have a swim at your French country villa and a long cool beer.
The race can be watched anywhere along the route: near the start of the day's leg, riders tend to be very bunched and the actual race passes in about a minute. Towards the end of a leg, riders are more spaced out, so the thrill of the race lasts longer. However most of the spectacle comes not from the riders themselves, but from the "caravan", an hour-long procession of cars, floats and motorcycles from the Tour's sponsors and the teams. It's all very commercial, with freebies being thrown out to the spectators; cheap baseball caps, little packs of sweets, mini-pretzels, key rings and other gimmicks. It's interesting to watch, and the kids love it.
To all those families who will be in France whether in a French rural farmhouse or a French seaside villa this wonderful race is worth watching.
Contact us now to discuss your French on 01442 870055 or visit our website http://www.qualityvillas.com
Gill Woolsgrove
Manager
France & Morocco
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