To borrow a phrase, outrageously, and turn it around in context with total disrespect for history
the French nation "expects that every Yorkshireman will do his duty" on July 5th and 6th this year.
On those two days the eyes of the world will be on the largest county in England as it carries the ceremony and reputation of the greatest sporting event of The Tour de France.
For the non-cycling fraternity it will be a confusing, bemusing and frustrating 48 hours with plenty of grounds for complaint from inconveniences imposed by road closures, the sudden proliferation of croissants and baguettes instead of baps and Warburtons, a lot of foreigners suddenly taking up hotels and Bed and Breakfasts and many more apparently sitting in the wrong front seat of french made automobiles.
The Gendarmerie seconded to race duties will descend in significant numbers and the entourage of team cars supporting the 200 riders will be a cornucopia of overseas number plates and sponsors not to mention the vast press representation to reflect the global significance of the race.
The education of Yorkshire in all things Le Tour has been well planned. There has been a launch of cultural events for the 100 days leading up to the Grand Depart and taxpayers monies have been very well spent in promoting all aspects of the county and not just those places passed through or near on the actual two stages. The investment is fully expected to be show a fantastic return for the tourist industry and the county economy as well as showcasing Yorkshire to those who have not yet discovered what a fantastic part of the UK it is.
Local businesses have not been slow to capitalise on the commercial aspects of the Tour and I am keeping my eyes out for a bag of Riders Blend Coffee in a distinctive yellow jersey print from Taylors of Harrogate amongst a whole shop window of goods and merchandise.
Yorkshire folk are well intentioned and kind hearted but typically do not tolerate nonsense, frippery or extravagance. A bike to a Yorkshireman is a tool to get to and from work or the pub or on rare occasions to venture out into the open countryside beyond the dark, smokey, satanic mills so as to be able to lord it over magnificent views of hills, dales, moors, vales and coastline and then get back for a nice pint of John Smiths or Theakstons. I expect much incredulity and sucking in of lips at the learning that the riders on T'Tour, as Le Tour translates into Yorkie, are on push bikes costing many thousands of pounds and that the team leaders and key squad members are on more than the national wage for their efforts.
The two days of the race will be a time of misery for whippets and lurchers who will have to be firmly tied up in back yards so as not to wander about on the designated course. The sight of race followers, leisure cyclists and casual pedallers in gawdy team issue lycra flocking to the best vantage points on the course may seem to a normal Yorkshireman as though Mardi Gras and Gay Pride have suddenly descended on Sheffield, Leeds, York and all points inbetween.
For some it will be a shock and for many others a revelation that there are other sports apart from Rugby League, Cricket, Darts*, Snooker* and Association Football. (*not actually sports in any definition of the word)
With all of the attention and promotion of Le Tour the markings for cycle lanes in our cities and urban areas may start to make sense to those who have denied their existence or function. The usual shouts of "get off and milk it" or "your back wheel is going round" may taper off eventually as a growing understanding and respect for cycling and cyclists develops in the coming weeks and after the event.
When I myself have been out riding on Yorkshire roads I have been showered by liquids dispersed through the window of a passing car or relentlessly hounded and squeezed into the kerb by inconsiderate or oblivious motorists. I expect this to change with the coming of age of the population in all things cycling and I may soon be feted with tasty nutritious snacks, energy drinks and training tips from slow moving vehicles checking my riding position and gear ratios.
Heaven forbid, a Yorkshireman towing his caravan may even be mindful to bide his time and pass with grace and room to spare although that may be just too much to expect in the short term.
There is of course a rich pedigree of cyclists from the county who have performed at Olympic, Commonwealth, Worlds and major Tour level and they have remained faithful to their roots. Sadly, some have perished from the inattention and recklessness of other road users or in other violent circumstances and we should remember them for their selfless sacrifices to have reached the pinnacle of their chosen sport.
In all, the Grand Depart should be seen as a great opportunity, in fact an unrivalled and marvellous opportunity for Yorkshire folk to promote themselves and the beauty of their surroundings to the rest of the global community. It may even cause those softie southerners to get out an atlas and look up where we actually are.
No comments:
Post a Comment