Dad's first Tour de France experience

6 July – Dad’s Day at Epernay for the TDF

While mum and us girls went to the Louvre, dad caught the train to the Champagne Region of France east of Paris to watch the start of stage 6 of the TDF at Epernay.

Dad said he had an unreal time at the TDF. He said he had a really good train ride on a fast train and through the French countryside, vineyards and rivers and little French towns all along.

 When he got to Epernay station he walked out and heard ACDC playing and knew it was going to be a good day. (He said they had ACDC and ABBA on repeat all day). He said it was a beautiful town, the home of all the big champagne companies like Moet & Chandon. He said there were lots of people but it wasn’t uncomfortably crowded.

He saw the tour “village” (the town carpark with barricades all around it - although a VIP pass is needed to get inside). He had front row as “the caravan” (sponsors vehicles, floats, advertising vehicles, officials vehicles etc) all drove out 2 hours before the start, chucking out promotional goods and freebies. It was a big carnival parade atmosphere.

He saw the team buses all arrive in “the village”. Most of them parked around the perimeter so people could get a good look. He saw the riders get out and warm up and he saw all the bikes and gear. But Green Edge and BMC (Cadel’s team) were in the middle and he only caught glimpses of them.

 He then went to the stage area and watched as each rider was introduced as they came down to sign in. He saw all the Aussie riders including Cadel and all the other famous ones close up. Dad said there were heaps of Aussies everywhere and there were the biggest cheers for the Aussies, no matter what team.

Dad then went to near the start line and got to the front of the crowd lining the street, behind the barrier. He said the riders then started rolling up and stopping at the start right in front of him. He couldn’t believe it. He spoke to Sky’s Michael Rogers and Richie Porte who were an arms length away. Then the leaders came to the front including Fabian Cancellara (Yellow jersey) and Peter Sagan (Green jersey) who stopped right in front of him ready for the start. (Peter Sagan ended up winning the stage that afternoon in Metz).

“Fabulous Cancellara” (as they call him) and Peter Sagan were immediately jumped upon by media and cameras. (If we had of watched the start on TV dad would have been all over the screen because he was standing right next to them). Sammy Sanchez was right there too. He is one of dad's favourites. He was interesting because all his equipment on his bike looked gold plated and he had gold shoes and other bits and pieces.

Dad then watched the start as the riders rolled away behind the starters vehicle. He saw Cadel and the Orica Green Edge riders and all the famous riders ride past. He said it was a great experience.

When he got home to Paris he used mum’s ticket to go through The Louvre with Holly because the Louvre is open until late on Fridays.

The Creber Girls