So, just returned from a great week cycling in France. Crossed over to Dieppe on Monday and arrived in Amiens Tuesday evening. Managed to get a place just pas the finish line for stage 5 and watched the preparations, including Greg LeMond doing his bit for Eurosport...
With all of the frantic excitement of the finish couldn't quite see them crossing the line but from the smile on Griepel's face realised that he had won the stage. Apart from the disappointment of not seeing Cav win the only other downside was the lousy weather.
Early start next day and we rode to Gamaches, about 20k along from the start of stage 6. Our intention was to head for the first serious hill just outside the town but we timed it just too late and were stopped from going any further by the local gendarmes as we had arrived shortly before the caravan came through. We did find ourselves in a nice spot, however, and had a good view of Daniel Teklahaimanot leading the breakaway...
and the rest of the peloton some minutes later...
We then cycled into Abbeville following the route the riders had just taken, along beautifully surfaced rolling roads and with accompanying cheers from picnicking spectators en route! Apart from a small group of UK cyclists in Gamaches we were surprised by the lack of other cyclists. Different to our experience in Yorkshire last year.