Metamatic

Starting today on the banks of The Royal Blue Meuse in the in the native town of Maigret creator Georges Simenon (distant relative of Clash bassist) This annual thread is usually started by Prince of Domestiques , Raddy Radler but he is obviously too tired after his exertions in Le Tour de Romandie where he just missed out on a podium place ! Well if you've anything to say about bikes , French wines cheeses or music* this is the place to do it


* I like forward to discussions about Vanessa Paradis Gilbert Bécaud and that bloke who was married to actress Charlotte Rampling . As it's in Belgium , I wonder if Plastique Bertrand will be there in the crowd with his yellow inflatables ...ça plane pour lui !!

Mornin!

TDF aside for a minute, - look what I've found - handy!

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/bike-blog/2011/apr/21/taking-bikes-on-planes

Nice one Cyril ! Got your last text re bike transportation As it was my brother's 50th and my niece's 10th today I used all the money up on my phone so couldn't reply So I'll be a cheapskate and do it on here! That's a good price indeed into Turin ? Do you fancy the same hotel again I was being serious about the country gaff , we could use it as a high altitude training camp ! Catch you tomorrow , if not Friday

Hiya,

Prices were based on last years itinerary - in and out of Milan Linate. I'll email you a basic idea and you have a look and amend it and pass it back - is that easier? I'll look into in and out of Turin. Lovely country gaff, Hotel was fine and I loved staying in the monastery - so I'm happy whatever happens!

What you said ont'phone sounded good . Cav going great guns despite Greipel getting the better of him in the sprint yesterday
To save time rather than reviving the footy thread It would seem the prodigal son Pienaar will be leaving WHL for GP Why did he ever move in the first place ?

Well a bit more work to do then back to coast Got my first proper ride in yesterday Constant ten percents climbs from sealevel to 280 m , then gobsmackingly beautiful views make up for any suffering E mail me or I'll pick up your reply on here on Monday

WEll the TDF wends its way through The Jura and towards The Alps today Can Chorley's other famous resident The Wigster* hang on to his "maillot jaune" all the way to Les Champs Elysées aided and abetted by his trusty Sky cohorts or will The squeaky voiced Australian come good and defend his Title or will Vicenzo Nibali surprise anyone aided by captain turned super gregario Ivan Basso ? All the drama starts here There are unsubstantiated rumours of our Den picking up a devil and trident costume and some champagne at Waitroses in Westhoughton , he then popped over to Co.op Travel and enquired of Stacey "Lass , has tha any flights for that yon Paris Sunday week ?" the omens are good !

*awaits for some pedant to point out , probably Membs , that Wiggins was born in Ghent , Belgium to an Australian father and grew up in an Eastenderrs type milieu , but he's declared himself a Chorley lad through and through as he's been up there the last ten years Wise choice as it is great cycling country too

Kinell Gazza You should change your name to Lord Lucan I attempted to phone you several times last night I was ready to tell you all about The Legnano Saga
Anyway rest day today Then two stages in the Pyrenees (just had a mail off my Irish mate I went cycling with in Wicklow in March he did tomorrow's stage as "L'Etape du Tour" last week Wish I'd been there
Anyway last chance for thge squeaky- voiced Australian and an Ivan Basso- assisted Nibali to inflict some damage on Wiggins cos he's perceived as a poor descender Mind you he'll batter eveyone in The Time Trial

Chorley what a town ! Not only the home to the world's number one musician but also to the world's number one cyclist
Well done Bradley Wiggins !!!!

Wow.

I'm still completely speechless (and very slightly plastered)

That was a bit special eh?

An absolute gentleman throughout, and at the end - helping lead out Cav for the win. Brilliant.

"Right, We're just going to draw the raffle numbers."

A stunning win, and stunning tour overall. Magnificent, as always.