I have just taken delivery of the uniform for my forthcoming role as a Tour Maker Volunteer on Stage 2 of the Tour de France hosted by the great county of Yorkshire.
It is very much in the branded colours of the principal sponsor of the volunteer programme, Asda, therefore quite a bright and in no way subtle shade of green.
The standard issue for the 10,000 persons giving up their own time to participate in an even larger overall organisation represents a huge monetary and logistical commitment by the supermarket and is to be commended. Of course, they will benefit from a massive visual presence in the global TV coverage of the event with volunteers tasked to occupy strategic positions at urban crossing points, at obstacles in the road and to alert the riders to other hazards from many potential sources including the general public, pets and wild animals, loose road surfaces, acts of sabotage and unattended bags and packages.
On the two Yorkshire Stages starting and finishing in Leeds, Harrogate, York and Sheffield respectively and in between taking in the varied and beautiful terrain of the county there will be upwards of 7500 volunteers on duty. If all were allocated to roadside positions this would equate to one bright green figure every 300 metres along the combined routes. Probably not in any line of sight in the twisting lanes and undulating moors and uplands but nevertheless close enough to give quite an impression of organisational efficiency.
Roughly half of the Yorkshire contingent will however be "off route" helping to direct spectators to positions to see the race, escorting the civic dignatories and celebrities, explaining the time schedules for the days racing and entourage, providing information on facilities such as the nearest toilets and where to get food and drink. It is entirely possible that some of those in hospitality and complimentary jobs may not even witness the race first hand.
As for the rest of the Tour Maker Uniform.
Well, it has been well thought out to cover most scenarios of British summertime weather although Yorkshire does tend to have a micro-climate of its very own regardless of the best national forecasts by the Met Office. If a hot day, although many will be making their way to their posts in the cooler break of dawn hours, there is a handy sized dispenser of sun block. This will be in regular use together with a snazzy Tour logo'd water bottle and a baseball cap to prevent sunburn, red blotchyness and heat stroke. It is not good to attempt to visualise that shade and the riot of colour when it clashes with the green !
It will be a long day for everyone and the clothing is flexible with, under a lightweight and hooded rain jacket, a light blue polo shirt, again emblazoned with the official legend for the event, track suit bottoms which zip off below the knees for ventilation purposes and all set off with a drawer string shoe back for snacks and the essential reference work of the Tour Handbook. We should be comfortable as well as superbly smart.
I admit that I have tried on the uniform but in the privacy of my own living room in the company of close family and not as a precursor to nipping down to the local shops on a bit of a pose. It will remain neatly arrayed on a coat-hanger in readiness for my deployment in just under 4 weeks time.
Personally, there is a bit of a downside.
Early on in the Volunteer Programme we were asked to provide our measurements for the issue of the corporate gear. I was in my usual winter months body shape crisis, low in confidence and self esteem and so played it ever so safe by stating XXL for everything. The positivity in Volunteering has been a prime motivation in a dietary and fitness regime in recent weeks, that and not wanting to catch a split-second glimpse of myself on the TV looking like a lurid green blimp and I have shed quite a few pounds to something more like my own perception of myself.
Unfortunately the Tour Maker uniform now tends to hang off me as though I have just walked through a strange shrink inducing mist. I just hope it is not a breezy July 6th because I will definitely catch the wind and flap giving the impression of an oversized lime-based Slushie. That will not make for good viewing on any form of media of the race. Just imagine that sight and accompanying sound if you can in HD or 3D format. It could irreparably damage Anglo-French relations for decades. Quelle Horreur
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