Day 34: a GreenEdge day

Today was the last opportunity for us to see Le Tour, as we won't be able to get to the Alpe d'Huez stage tomorrow due to road closures. :-(. So we made the most of the day and saw the tour twice!!! We dragged our good friend Gaylene along for the ride, but she has been very obliging.

We drove to St Jean de Maurienne early in the morning for the start of the stage. To get there we had to drive over Co du Galibier which is one of the highest paved roads in Europe (top ten we think). 

Once in town we headed to the start where we again scored from the tour caravan.  We then walked a fair way down the hill to the Orica GreenEdge team bus.  We got up close and personal to the riders.  

Michael Matthews (aka Bling) was kind enough to sign Daddy's magazine and Ed's Orica top. Just before leaving he also gave Kate a team cap. Ed also got a sweaty cap as well.

We also managed to get onto the "back stage pass" daily video the GreenEdge does.  (See their website) We also made their Twitter feed! Fame at last.

The riders then went and did a big lap around before almost coming back into town to tackle the last climb meaning we could walk about 2km to the bottom of the final climb.  

Here we sat in the heat again to wait.  But as we waited the tour caravan came again and pleased the kids. An Orica team car also threw us, because we are Aussies, a few roll up posters of a rider's chest.  Lots of fun. We also got close to the rider, maybe a bit too close hey Vincenzo?

We are now sitting in the town square just below our room and we have a beer/wine/hot chocolate while the kids sleep upstairs. What a great day.