We cycled easily out of Bordeaux to Sauveterre. The first 65 kms in near-perfect conditions was via the Roger Lapebie rail trail. Named in honour of the local Frenchman who won the Tour De France in 1937. The final 25 kms we rode to La Reole in rising heat over sharp hills, proved to be a challenge, but we were on a mission to catch the Tour De France

It was a simple plan, we would put in a few long days on the bicycles, then try to meet up with the Tour De France hopefully around Agen on stage 13.

In the small town of Serignac-sur-Garonne the local community generously provided a rudimentary free camp for cyclists only 12kms from Agen City. However, due to a slight miscalculation on my part, we arrived 2 days early in a fierce thunderstorm!

Plan B, was to try and make stage 15 of the tour further south, somewhere along the Mediterranean coast near Beziers.

I consulted my co-pilot, chief navigator and pathfinder, Therese, who downloaded the Tour route, identifying a ‘waypoint’ by a roundabout where it was possible we could cross paths with the race sometime around 1.30 pm on Tuesday.

From Toulouse, we cycled south east along the Canal du Midi for a few days arriving at the UNESCO-listed medieval City of Carcassonne on Bastille Day!

This coincided with the Euro 2024 football final between Spain and England, which ensured a wild night of revelry fireworks and celebrations.

We are at the ‘waypoint‘, a roundabout a few kilometers from Beziers, for the build-up. Major roads were closed, and barricades were guarded by friendly Gendarmes who allowed us and our bicycles through. We set up our camp chairs eating our baguettes while drinking in the atmosphere. The cavalcade or ‘caravan’ of sponsors cars, officials, media, and helicopters overhead continued to excite anticipation among the building crowd. After almost 3 hours in the searing 33 degrees Celsius afternoon sun, they came into view. As William Shakespeare said ‘ Better three hours too soon than a minute too late’.

Cheers rose as the flash of colour, then hum of wheels snaked into the corner before moving up the straight towards us. It was like watching moveable art flash past. I’m completly focussed captivated and overwhelmed, then in an instant its over.

I did but see them passing by but I shall remember it until the day I die.