Tour de France Junkie

My name is Jeanie. I am a Tour de France addict.

While my own personal bike racer is wild to "compete in his mind" (he'd probably deny that, but really, what biker wouldn't?), I am content to watch my favorite riders take on mountains or pedal at amazing speeds to win a sprint.

I'm an Andy Schleck fan. I think he was robbed last year. But Caudel Evans is another favorite. Bike life. I marvel at the crashes this year...

The speed at which the bikes are repaired and back on the road.

I love the crowds, and watch eagerly to find places I know when they are touring through Paris or Normandy. And I long to visit all the other places the riders experience at such quick speeds, enjoying each shop, street or cafe at a more leisurely pace.

I am aghast at how these riders slog up the hills -- no, mountains -- at speeds I couldn't do no matter how hard I tried.

And then when they descend, what a feeling of exhilaration and freedom. I can feel it just watching -- and that's just fine with me!

Meanwhile, from 8-11 p.m. each night, you'll find me being a Tour groupie, enjoying the commentary of Bob Roll, Phil Leggett and Paul Sherwin. Routing for my favorites. Feeling bad for those who have crashed out.

And I'll be enjoying most of those nights with my favorite Faux-Tour rider! He'll explain things, I'll learn and we'll thoroughly enjoy!

If you are interested in the real Tour de France, visit HERE and if you want to visit the Paris in July postings, you can find a list on the right column of Thyme for Tea or Bookbath.

Happy Crashiversary To You

Last year on this very day, November 14, 2009, the sky was blue, it was unseasonably warm, and as I went on an art buying excursion, I passed by this beautiful barn in the country. It was a perfect day where nothing could go wrong.

Two hours later, this is what I saw...

My biker boy Rick, who rides like the wind, flattened. So many of you sent kind wishes on the blog, phoned, put us on your prayer lists. It was extraordinarily comforting to be wrapped in the blanket of love this blog community provided.

One year later, Rick has ridden about 6,500 miles on the seat of that very crashed up bike.

He's gone up mountains, down hills, and if he's been off the seat of the bike, he's kept quiet about it.

For which I am grateful. As I am grateful for his recovery, your support and the joy it gives me to see him doing what he loves.

Ride on!

When It All Comes Together!

Those of you who live in the midwest know that it has been an odd summer to say the least. Colder than usual, long periods of no rain, then downpours that can't stop. It seems as though the weather calendar never went past June.

Now, think "sunny and 70s-low 80s." Now, that's the weather you want for a holiday weekend -- and we got it!

I've enjoyed my time alone at the lake, and been rather productive, finishing a new book I'll be writing about soon. But my primary art project this holiday has been silk painting (and I have the dyed hands to prove it).

I've done about 10, although there are a couple that I'm not fond of and will probably mess with some more, adding another layer of color to see if I can make them a little better.

But when they're good, they're very good!

I may take this scan and print it out for collage paper!

Or this one!

On Saturday, I went to meet Rick on day three of his bike ride, where we enjoyed a great party with fun cyclists. I have to say they were the greatest group of people, and while my knowledge of the bike is nil, I felt so very welcomed. That night we stayed with one of the riders at his beautiful Victorian home that was once a B&B. I wish I'd taken a photo of the kitchen! Oh, it was to die for!

They put me into service as a luggage carrier, so my little Toyota (with its engine light still on -- living dangerously here) was loaded to the gills as they took off.

I left shortly after they did and managed to get ahead of them at one point. As I realized I'd passed them, I raced ahead, parked by the road and was able to capture my gang as they went careening down a hill!

They were faster than speeding bullets! So fast, that basically I got them coming and going -- and nothing in-between!

I meandered up the state, stopping at a gallery in Petoskey and then at points along the way for a few great photo ops.

I couldn't resist this zinnia haven, near Stafford's Bay View Inn!


Then to Harbor Springs. More photos from there on this week's Pink Saturday, but here is a glimpse at one of the prettiest towns in Northern Michigan.

Working my way back, I stopped at Joie de Vie, another favorite shop of mine. These two photos are a hint -- more of this beautiful spot on Pink Saturday in two weeks!

I worked my way up country roads, stopping at a few garage/yard sales and making a few good scores. (A hymnal for a quarter, a book with great photos for a dollar, some wonderful old corsage pins on the card and a couple of cute bottles!) And of course, photos along the way!

I finally made it to Mackinac City. I'm always relieved when I actually see Rick after a long ride -- knowing he's back safe and sound gives me great joy -- and I breathe a little sigh, knowing my prayers for safe passage were answered.

I found the rest of the gang -- all smiling from a great ride on a great day. After loading up bikes, they showered, and we just hung out for awhile. I think they clean up pretty well!

Then it was back to the lake, with a stop for a post-biking dinner with the group and home in time to enjoy being at the cottage in the evening. It's nice to have Rick back safe and sound, close at hand to enjoy another beautiful sunset.

Only one more day of vacation. Heavy sigh.

A Birthday Greeting!

A break from France to talk about two things near and dear to my heart -- the Tour de France and Rick's birthday!

In our household, summer means time at the lake and Myrtle Beach, a gentler schedule, a garden that sometimes looks great, and the Tour de France!

(This painting from Musee Carnavalet titled "Les Six Jours" by Alexandre Ganesco, is a race other than the Tour, but it's as close as I could come!)

(For an interesting blog about a fellow from Chicago who is following this year's Tour on his own bike in France, meet George the Cyclist!)

Bicycles are Rick's life. I suppose if someone was holding a knife to his throat, he'd choose me or the kids over the bike. I think. (Although I wouldn't always bet the farm on it, especially in the summer!)

So, on this birthday day for my biker boy, I celebrate him, hoping the sun shines on a long ride, where he can be Lance or Levi or Contador or whomever he wants to be, flying down the road on the seat of a bike at 25 miles per hour, working up a sweat and feeling very happy indeed.

As part of my celebration, we had a birthday gathering for him last night as part of his regular Tuesday night ride.

Three generations of bike riders were there -- from college kids through seniors, on whose shoulders, Rick says, the rest of them stand.

The kids helped cook burgers and I made the food (lower-fat broccoli and seven layer salads, broccoli slaw, orzo salad, corn salsa for chips and bezillions of cupcakes).

Kevin (in the blue shirt next to the pretty girl we adore called Molly) helped with the burgers and cleaning up the patio!

It was the Tour de Rick!

Joe was one of many who signed the poster.

Greg started sketching folks.

And finally Rick blew out a candle, we ate and everyone packed up and rode home!

So, what lies in store for his "real" birthday tonight? I guess we'll have to see, because I'm not scooping anything to the birthday boy who reads the blog!

Happy Birthday, Biker Boy. Just stay on that seat!