14 on the board. It marks Stage. The boy who points at it wears sports pants and a t shirt, smiling at the cars lined up in front. He seeks a miracle because he knows he is the pioneer. Just when you think you have seen everything, the Tour fills the field with new surprises. The hitchhikers arrive—those who move from one stage to the next, those who look for space in a vehicle without using Blablacar, the runners who savor the Alps as a backdrop for a Saturday preview of the latest fireworks. The test lasts long and grows in pace, stretching over more than a week, with the Paris stage counting as well, even if it is only a walk to the final lap along the Champs Elysees.
Be careful, riders note that crossing the cobbles of the famous Paris street is no easy feat. It is not Paris Roubaix, far from it, but those pavements tease the legs. And that comes after the preceding twenty stages.
of course english
The hitchhiker boy does not write etape. He should do it on a scrap of paper in a French style, yet it seems the French increasingly forget their own beautiful Romance language. The tour already feels like it moves more in British territory than in French territory.
A few years back, French served as the official language of the country. The International Cycling Union, UCI, is the federation that controls cycling around the world. Come on. The leader of the Tour should be spoken to in no language other than his. Today, translating into English and French seems almost routine. The same phenomenon appears when dining in a restaurant in a big city or a place that aims for an international vibe. The impression lingers that their own language can be difficult for a foreigner to hear and understand.
rural france
Rural France preserves its own style. If the restaurant owner or chambres d hôtes speaks to a guest in a language other than French, something feels off. The term chambres d hôtes remains a living expression of bed and breakfast, an old tourism tradition that still survives the churn of hotel chains and tourist apartments. Sleeping near the Tour’s departures or arrivals is part of the attraction. Teams and the backbone of the race stay in larger lodging with ample parking, giving rooms to drop cars in parking lots that accommodate far more than the number of cyclists registered. A big bouquet.
The peloton speaks a practical Esperanto, a bike language built from a handful of words in Spanish, French, and Italian. English has not always been present, or expected. The sport has evolved since the Armstrong era, when seven Tour winners once dominated the memory, though those stories now exist mainly in photographs of yellow jerseys on a Texas ranch. With new rivals fighting for victory, the sport has become a global affair that feels almost ancient in its reach. Wout van Aert and Mathieu van der Poel bring Belgian and Dutch influence, while the French presence seems thinner. Spaniards continue to claim honors in the overall standings and in stage wins. This Saturday holds promise that a hitchhiker will seize the moment and drive toward the foot of the Joux Plane.
14 on the sign. It marks Stage. The boy who points at it wears sports pants and a t shirt. He smiles at the cars waiting ahead. He seeks the miracle because he knows he is the pioneer. Just when you think you have seen it all, the Tour again delivers surprise. The hitchhikers have arrived, those who travel from one stage to the next, those seeking space in a vehicle without using Blablacar, the runners who savor the warm Alps as a Saturday premiere of the latest fireworks. The test is long and intense, moving through the week, with the Paris stage counting, even if it is merely a stroll to the final lap along the Champs Elysees.
Riders caution that crossing the cobbles of the famous Paris street is not easy. Not Paris Roubaix, far from it, yet the legs feel it. And that after the previous twenty stages.
of course english
The hitchhiker boy does not write etape. He should do it on paper in a French manner, but the French have increasingly forgotten their beautiful Romance language. The tour already seems to be drifting into British territory more than French.
In the past, French served as the official language of the country. The International Cycling Union, or UCI, is the federation that controls cycling globally. The leader of the Tour should be greeted in his own language at least, yet translating into English or French has become routine. The same situation appears when dining in a major city restaurant that seeks an international touch. It can feel as if speaking one’s own language with a foreign guest is a challenge.
rural france
Rural France keeps its distinctive style, and if the restaurant owner or chambres d hôtes speaks to a guest in a language other than French, something feels off. The phrase bed and breakfast remains a living idea, a relic of a tourism era that endures despite hotel chains and rental apartments. Being able to sleep near the Tour’s departures or arrivals is part of the appeal. Teams and the entire spine of the race spend the night in larger accommodations with generous parking, allowing plenty of space for the buses and cars that carry more than the participating cyclists. A grand bouquet.
The peloton continues to speak a practical Esperanto. It is a bike language built from a compact mix of Spanish, French, and Italian. English is not always present or expected. The sport has grown since the Armstrong days, with seven Tour wins captured by pictures of yellow jerseys in a Texas ranch. With new contenders, a global career feels almost ancient. Wout van Aert and Mathieu van der Poel supply Belgian and Dutch influence, while French participation has waned. Spaniards remain a force in the general classification and in stage wins. The hitchhiker could be happy this Saturday, likely driving a rider toward the base of the Joux Plane.