Crossword Help Forum
Forum Rules

I'll join you on the plane rusty. Don't get me wrong. I love Glasto. Have been there many times. It's all good fun they are having.. Too much sadness in the world already.

It's amazing how good the Dutch have been at mountains.


Years ago I was out cycling and called into a pub. Sitting outside, I got chatting to a couple with a handsome dog. Later someone else came up and said "what breed of dog is that?"

He was obviously fed up with the question, and said "Dutch mountain dog".

I choked on my beer and she hit him!

Hey, I don't mind anyone having fun, but do the Dutch people on that video actually watch any cycling? I am in two minds about this; I must be behaving like a puritan - or rather a purist - once more!

pigale: As long as they don't interrupt the race, then all should be well
I am signing off for tonight.

Elle: I hope the tennis was good today and that you were happy with the scores.

I was on Dartford station today.....I saw the Jagger/ Richard plaque.....still no mention of Brian Jones......also sent off for my free Panama hat.

Pigale,
I am solidly behind the Dutch on this one, for both historical and sentimental reasons.
My thoughts?
Alpe d'Huez was first used in Le Tour in 1952 when Fausto Coppi won.
In the first 14 ascents of Alpe d'Huez since 1952 no fewer than 8 were won by Dutch riders, from Joop Zootmelk to Gert-Jan Theunisse.
Now that is an astonishing record.
In the days of the great French, Italian, and Belgian riders, men from a country without a mountain, won 8 out of 14 ascents on a mountain which has become an icon in cycling history.
The Dutch folk, with no mountain of their own, "adopted" Alpe d'Huez as "the Dutch Mountain" and cheered their climbers on, there.
Every year they are there in their thousands to participate in this wonderful race.
...and dream of another great Dutch champion.
I get that.
And so I look forward, as I do each year, to see our Dutch cycling friends enjoying themselves, on their adopted mountain.

Elle, what has happened to our tennis updates, please?
I am agog to hear how everyone is getting on!

Morning Rusty,
Morning everyone,

Rusty, thank you for putting me right on ' 'the tale of the Dutch Mountain' - I did not know the history behind it and therefore could not understand the reason for such a gathering (which appeared to me more like an outdoor concert than a meeting of cycling supporters)

No offense meant to the Dutch though, we have here quite a community of them who bought houses and live in perfect harmony with us; the village is in fact twinned with a Dutch village and every year their fanfare (brass band) come down for our Brocante (our local 'flee market where anyone in the village can sell what they don't want anymore outside their door step, but outsiders can take part as well)

It is a big event known as the best one in the area and lasts all day. The Dutch Band is highly welcomed here and they play fantastically well. Men and women (half and half) often have a pint in one hand and a trumpet or the like in the other; they enjoy themselves just as much as the people who watch them.

Thus my comment was not meant to be nasty but was merely through not understanding the meaning of it all.


Weather nice and much cooler today here, but am afraid there might be a few showers somewhere up North; difficult to know exactly where and when.

Jazzy found an interesting link and we now know more about what the stage will offer scenery wise. You should be able to see what interests you.

rusty
Thank you for explaining the history behind the Dutch celebrations . You are so well-read on the subject and I wish I hadn't appeared so flippant with my remark. ChrisE''s comment at post 1842 now makes sense. I am determined to read more about each stage . We have to wait until 25th for the mountain climb .
I asked Elle how the tennis was last night. Hope the results were as she wished.

Does anyone think that tennis players take game enhancing drugs, like some athletics and cycling stars have been proved to have done?