Yesterday morning, some time after the 5:30 a.m. sunrise, I heard noises outside our bedroom window. I jumped out of bed, put on my glasses, and grabbed my iPhone. Pulled aside the heavy curtain and saw the cyclists. I looked at the clock on my phone, 7:30 a.m.--these cyclists were tackling either the 110 or 150 km distances of the Toerversie Utrecht! I had wanted to sign up to do the shortest distance, 35 km, for fun, but waited too long to register. This was actually more fun, since I got to see what Stage 2 of the Tour de France (TDF) next Sunday, July 5th would look like from the windows of my home!
After I took about a dozen photos and a few videos (view one here of Sartreweg on Instagram), I ran down the steps to take a look out another window, and got the view above. Took a few more pics, and another video (see Kardinaal de Jongweg on Instagram).
Then, I got dressed and went outside to get some close up shots! By that time, a larger crowd was watching; I talked with a woman whose husband was participating. She was keeping in touch with him by phone; he had just called to say he was still waiting to start. The start was near Jaarbeursplein, the same location as for the 1st and 2nd stages of the Tour de France this coming weekend. Over 12,000 cyclists participated, unlike the TDF which includes only 198 cyclists, 9 riders for each of 22 teams. I first discovered that Utrecht was hosting part of the Tour when I saw a large cycle with the Netherlands' flag and #TDFUTRECHT on it when I moved to Utrecht last summer. Two weeks ago, I snapped this pic of the bike and my visiting children at Stuidhuisbrug. |
But there is also a large bike at Jaarbeursplein, which I first saw when I went on a bus trip to a Christmas market in Aachen last November. Since Jaarbeursplein is where both stages begin, there is also a large design on the ground.
Large bike statues and painted designs aren't the only signs that the city has been getting ready for the big event. Over 100 days ago, a large countdown time line was erected on the wall of the school, Nimeto Utrecht, near my home. I was wondering if they would move the rider each day. My question was answered after 25 days had passed, and the rider was moved to 75! I forgot to get a photo then, but I did get these shots after the rider had been moved to 50 and then 25.
There are cycles in store windows even if the stores don't sell bikes. Miffy, the famous bunny by Dick Bruna, is everywhere in yellow jerseys--store windows, and even in the Hoog Catherijne, the large mall connected to the Utrecht Centraal train station.
Even though I have not really followed the complete Tour de France in the past, I do know that the Yellow Jersey is worn by the overall time leader. Yellow is everywhere in Utrecht. But, red polka dots are starting to appear around trees everywhere in Utrecht. I had to look up this one today. I discovered that the Polka Dot Jersey is given to the King of the Mountain. Hmm--a climb, in good old flat Utrecht?! Wait, we just climbed the 465 steps to the top of the Dom Tower when my children visited. How fitting that a large tree in front of the tower is wearing polka dots!
When we reached the top, it was fun to find a view of the TDF bike at Stadhuisbrug.
I had the opportunity to volunteer last Friday for Utrecht Tourism. Take a look at the partially finished products. We punched holes and threaded rubber bands through the holes. The cards were then attached to.... You'll see on Saturday, when I wear them for the 1st Stage, which I'm going to watch from street level. It passes by about 5 blocks from my home! On Sunday though, as the cyclists pass by my home, I'll be at the window with an American flag that we brought from the States. |
Oh, and also a sign that reads: Travel with Mrs. T. Loves Trek Factory Racing (one of the three U.S.A. teams). I know nothing about professional cycling and chose Trek from the three since my new bike (photo at left) that we bought in the Netherlands is a Trek bike! I've been following Trek Factory Racing on Facebook, and on Instagram @TrekFactory. I'm ready for the race! Will you be watching Le Tour de France 2015? Let me know in a comment below! |