Huh? The Tour de France is in London you say? That was my response too. Apparently, the Tour hasn't passed through London since 2007! So... I decided that since the kids were out of school and this was quite likely the only time we'd see the REAL Tour de France, we might as well look like the other million plus goofballs lining the streets and hanging out for hours only to cheer for 30 seconds as a peloton of bicyclists came hurtling past us...
After checking out the TFL's Spectator Information we were fairly ready to go. I made sure the kids went to the loo. I purposely did not pack any additional drinks and away we went off to the tube with our friends Kate and her daughter Heike.
After somewhat careful consideration, we hopped on the Northern Line and headed to Charing Cross. Then we walked through the Victoria Embankment Gardens and found a cozy couple of squares of pavement (that's UK speak for sidewalk). Then we waited. Then it rained. Then we waited and made friends with our new neighbors. Then we waited. Then the caravan passed through and the sponsor trucks threw out swaag kind of like Mardi Gras, but not really. The kids were excited though. They caught hats, keychains, a new sports kit bag, and CocoNut Water bottles. Then we waited. Then it rained. Then we waited. Then the peloton whizzed past us in about 30 seconds while we cheered madly. Of course, I don't have any of the cyclists on video because my phone chose that exact moment to turn itself off -- you know, the moment I pushed RECORD as the crowd started cheering. Ugh.
But, we did it. We saw the racers zoom past and it was good.
Then I took the kids to Pizza Express so they could eat and drink and go to the loo as many times as necessary before heading home. (Total trips - 3!)
Tour de France - check!
Seriously folks -- my kids have led a pretty privileged life thus far and they don't even know it! How many of you have gone to Christmas church services at Notre Dame in Paris? Gone to Mardi Gras in New Orleans? Seen the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City? Crazy. I'm thrilled that life has been able to take us to so many great places thus far... let the fun continue!!!
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