The home ground of Manchester United Football Club, Old Trafford, is colloquially known around the world as the Theatre of Dreams. It holds a revered place in the hearts of the club’s supporters, and even those of other teams; it’s an icon of football, and sport in general. Millions have gone there to watch their heroes play, but how many can claim to have set foot on the hallowed turf, let alone have a kick around or slide studs up into a tackle a’la Roy Keane?
That’s why Cycling is such a unique and special sport; we can ride our bikes on the very same roads that our own heroes have raced upon, where the very greatest racers have conducted battles in the very greatest races for decades. We can recreate winning moves in the exact spots that they actually happened; want to smash it over the Carrefour like Faboo or Tom? Got a hankering to climb the Muur in the big dog like Museeuw? Maybe give it some berries on La Redoute like The Badger? You don’t need an entry fee or a permit or to jump a fence; the roads are ours to ride, anytime.
This is something I love the most about the Keepers Tours, besides hanging out with mates both old and new of course. Every day there is an iconic road to be ridden, an anecdote related by William, Alex, or even the Lion himself. “This is where I attacked to win my second Ronde” is something I’ll never forget hearing as I climbed alongside Johan on the Tenbosse, the small crowd lining the climb to catch the Espoirs Ronde double-taking as they recognised the legend out for a ride with some nobodies on a chilly Flemish afternoon. How many Man U fans will ever get to hear Eric Cantona say “this is where I blasted one through the wall and made Seaman look like a park goalie” as he slots a pass for you?
Football fans can dream. Cycling fans can live them.
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KT2013 on the Carrefour l’Arbre
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Well put.
So true. when working with Greater Manchester Police for a short time a few years back and planning a VIP visit to Old Trafford we were well warned to stay off the pitch. I went everywhere inside else but on blades of grass? No Chance. Wembley Stadium were not so precious but a slide tackle would have ruined the knee of my suit.
Waiting for news of a Keepers Tour 2014. Cobbles or Alpes?
is there any other sport where the fans can get so close? Or so crazy so close? I am amazed by fans being able to run alongside the No.1 athlete in his sport yelling obscenities in his ear! It would be like standing next to Cantona as he was about to take a penalty shot FTW, and advising him just what you thought of his parentage.
Spot on. You've captured Powhatan makes cycling unique. I've been to Old Trafford a fair few times and the atmosphere is flat when compared to Alp D'Huez on race day.
There's also the small point that most premiership footballers are overpaid, cheating, diving shits who could all do with a large dose of Rule #5!
Exactly right Brett. Let's hope it stays this way in the future.
It's awesome to get so close. Before the "Depart" from Annecy this year we had just parked the car and as we walked towards the start Sagan rode in front of me. We followed to have a nosey and were right in amongst the whole team as they got ready for the day's racing. Nobody even looked at us funny as if to say, "You shouldn't be here." I hope it stays like that.
Not up to Pedale's standards.
In my small mind I'm going clear on the steepest ramp...
I think its truly the greatest asset of the pro racing scene. On the right day you can go and stand by an obscure stretch of road somewhere and the stadium comes to you!
@Harminator
A Merckx brother. It is the coolest thing in the world to ride these routes we have only seen on the tv for years and years. Nothing makes it more clear than riding any part of any race route at half their speed; they are pros and we are not.
And to watch the race for free, where ever one wants. If one is lucky there will be beer and frites close by too. I can't think of another sport like that but that might because I'm dumb.
This. This is one of the reasons that our sport is soooo much better than other "ball sports". We can ride the same roads, and occasionally actually ride with pros, be it at a Grand Fondo, KT, or just by chance out on the open roads. If you're in a position to be a Cat I/II, you can toe the line from time to time with domestic pros that may be on their way to Europe (I've raced with Horner, COTHO, Rathe (from Garmin) and even Bobke (Bob Roll) has been in the bunch here a couple times. The list goes on.
But better than that, is the access we get: @Cyclops chatting up Jens "motherfucking" Voigt etc. This photo is from yesterday. My longtime friend and teammate with T. Boo. In Vegas. Very Bad Things.....
@scaler911
Boonen's arms are huge!