Bicycle Race

Seems strange watching the Tour de France at the end of August / beginning of September. The lack of British riders challenging for the overall win is also something unfamiliar - we’ve rather got used to seeing somebody British in the Maillott Jaune for the past few years!
Not sure how different the weather will be to what they are used to, though the rain in Nice yesterday looked fairly unpleasant. Big changes are obviously the Covid related ones - everyone in masks and socially distanced, except when actually racing. As I understand it, each team is a bubble and they merge to form one super bubble, which is the Peloton.
The crowds look fewer than normal and I suspect that will partly be down to the lack of “razzmatazz” this year, and partly due to the authorities trying to spread people out and ensure they comply with the French ruling that masks must be worn at all times when outdoors. Seemed to be working reasonably well around Nice, but I’ll be intrigued to see how the rules can be enforced at the top of the popular Alpine and Pyrenean stages. And the finish in Paris in three weeks time still has a question mark over it due to the rising number of cases being seen in the French capital.
Hopefully the race can be completed without incident - unlike football and F1, this is not really an event that can take place behind closed doors.
This time of year is also traditionally when the Tour of Britain takes place. We are fortunate in Kendal that it often passes through our town, and last years stage finish was only a few hundred metres from our house. I forget who won, but was pleased to get this picture of the legend that is Mark Cavendish, albeit finishing almost plumb last! Along with Froome and Thomas, Cav is one of the notable absentees from this years TdF. As they are all missing due to lack of racing experience this year and/or continuing injury niggles, it is to be hoped the Brits will be back in force next year. And back in July.