10,000 Yellow Jerseys, and a 100th Birthday Party

First, a little business: click on “comments” under last week’s Pastry Project blog, where you will learn a little about other reader’s vices, plus an intesting idea on making a savory pastry. And yes, the Pastry Project WILL be back! Just a couple of pounds to go on that diet.

Le Maillot Jaune: the dream of every cyclist who’s ever trained for a race. That famous Yellow Jersey, symbol of the winner of the Tour de France, the most renowned cycling race in the world. And my husband and I, along with our friends Monty and Ali, got to wear it! As Ron likes to say, we crossed the finish line on the Champs d’Elysée before Lance Armstrong did.

It’s all true, and it’s perhaps the most fun thing we’ve ever done in France. Here’s the story:

In 2003, on their 100th anniversary, the Tour de France held a very special celebration ride for the first lucky 10,000 people to register (and you had to sign up VERY early to get in). As you know if you are fans of the Tour, they close the major streets of Paris on the final day of the race for the last loop, with the finish line near the Arc de Triompe on the Champs d’Elysée. So early in the morning before the pros arrived, we pretenders donned our maillots jaune (which were issued to all participants), cruised over to the base of the Eiffel Tower, and waited for the starting gun. When it fired, off went the teeming mass of yellow, to circle the very loop that the cycling superstars were to take (a bit faster, mind you), after the last of our group crossed the finish line.

It’s hard to describe the excitement of that morning. On a perfect Paris summer day, we waited in the shadow of the huge tower, in the midst of a sea of yellow. People of all ages were there; some decked out in sleek cycling shorts with shiny expensive bikes and go-fast helmets, and some in jeans, hanging on to the beat-up bikes that the parking garages rent out. There was the promise of a ride along the lovely Paris streets that are normally packed with cars,

followed by the thrill of watching Lance and company take their victory loop.

I confess I was a bit nervous about getting overrun in the crush of 10,000 bikes taking off at once. Civility reined, however, and the pack quickly spread out, the serious sprinters leaving
the rest of us in the dust to savor the ride. It was a convivial journey, with everyone in good spirits: seniors, kids, families and everyone chatting , waving, joking, celebrating. It felt absolutely amazing to be riding down the center of the Rue de Rivoli and around the Place de la Concorde. Instead of traffic, the only the sound was that of happy voices.

We crossed the finish line by the Arc de Triompe in a flash of glory, and staked out a spot to watch the real pack arrive. And for just a brief moment, we were a part of the Tour, and a part of history.

The Real Deal: A young fan points out Lance Armstrong, a tiny spot of yellow on the right.

And now– what to serve post-tour, to celebrate the ride of a lifetime, and another Lance win? My husband, who has many talents, is un barman extraordinaire, so I’ve asked him to share his specialty, famous on two continents: a tasty Whisky Sour.

RECIPE: Ron’s Frisky Whisky Sours

In a blender put a can of frozen lemonade, then fill the empty can with bourbon and add to blender. Add a scoop of ice cubes, and blend until well mixed. Fill the can again with cold beer, pouring to avoid a lot of foam. Pulse in blender with just a qucik hit. Serve over ice with a maraschino cherry and orange slice in each glass. À la votre!