le TOUR de FRANCE
The Finish - Bordeaux, July 24, 2003
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After hightailing it out of
Dax and following a German press car all the way down the freeway, through
the blocade and onto the course, I was able to get within 1 kilometre
of the finish line! At that point, the police had another barricade
and would not let me follow this car any further. I held up my camera
and said in French, "photographe!" They replied where was
my pass? I said, "photographe!" They signaled me to pull over
for verification, at which point, I knew it was over. I dejectedly drove
down the road, parked illegally on the sidewalk and ventured back to
the finish line. The crowds grew steadily and the excitement in the
air was vibrating amidst the rays of sunshine, waffs of beer and sounds
of technofunk. You could watch the race as it happened up on the big
screen, pile into the official Tour trailor to purchase hats and t-shirts,
or meander around, watching the variety of people from all over the
world mingling in the crowds. Unfortunately, I was unable to stay to
the end, but I'm sure it was brief and for most, unavailable, unless
you were situated atop a bus stop, or telephone pole.
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