The Professionals

We had hoped to watch the Tour of Britain cycling race pass Traquair this morning, but with the road shut at Innerleithen we settled there, joining the knot of people standing at the corner.

Not long to wait.

First a string of police motorbikes importantly rounding the corner at short intervals
Followed by cars belonging to the time keepers and marshals
An ambulance passes significantly
Press cameras sit heavily in the arms of pillion motor cyclists
(How do they not lose their balance, I ask rhetorically)

And then, with a yellow flag held aloft and a loud warning whistle, they come
Just two breakaway cyclists in the colours of Post and Sigma Sport
Vying for the first sprint win

A cheer and a moments stillness
Until the swish of tyres on tarmac
Heralds the arrival of the peloton,
A choreographed troupe of the beautiful ones
Resplendent in green and blue, and red and black and white
Bodies toned and lithe
Legs dancing on the pedals
Bikes spare and light
Wheel to wheel across the road, at speeds impossible to behold.

Cameras click, people cheer again, and they are gone in a flash of colour.

Team cars follow, spare cycles standing tall on roof racks
And finally the back marker Police car.

Is that it? Over in the wink of a shutter
Did you get a photo?
Wasn't that amazing?
What a beautiful sight!
I'm glad we came.

Now there's a lovely little coffee shop just along the High Street.
Lets celebrate and make a toast to the Tour of Britain-

Lang may their legs birl!

PS And not one line of print about the Race in the sports section of my Sunday paper. Why?


I've put 3 other photos with Cavendish my hero on Flickr