Spectating 101
You think the riders in the Tour of Wellington are doing it tough? Spare a thought for us, the poor spectators, forced to sit in a car for hours, sun blazing through sunroof onto bald pates, made to cut Camembaert with a Swiss Army knife, compelled to drink Trappist tripel from a wine glass. It's hell, I tells ya.
But we shirk not our responsibility to bring a sense of the Casually Deliberate to the roadsides of the Wairarapa, to support the stars of the show as they suffer up the long steep climb of the Rimutaka Hill, to maybe fill their heads with the subliminal sounds of Hendrix for the rest of their hot, hard day out. t's our mission, one we take to with the necessary commitment. I hope they appreciate our toil as much as we do theirs.
So we implore you, the Wellyminati, to don your finest spectating attire and gather on the mean streets of Lambton Quay on Sunday for the final stage, the always-entertaining criterium. We shall assemble for the imbibing of fine ales from midday, as the sun passes the yardarm, at the Occidental Hotel; gentlemanly encouragement will be offered to the combatants from 3pm. Tea and scones will follow the conclusion of the competition.
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*Thanks to Richard (aka Rigid) for the picnic and pics, and to Aussie import VMH Belinda for driving two drunks around the countryside in a big, ungainly Swedish vehicle.
Good one. Have been looking wistfully out my office window this week wishing I was out spectating in this (sorry, northern Velominati) great weather. Am hoping to make it to the crit. Brett, if I don’t you can have my beer.
From what I can tell from the pics there are two riders and five spectators participating in the Tour of Wellington. Sounds more like an excuse to drink really fine Trappist Ale with good cheese and a baguette. Cheers.
I could slag you off with some facetious comment about lookers vs. doers but you have caught the feel of the work of spectating to a T. Mention of Big Jimi, fine ales and finishing with tea and scones deserves accolades. You get the V for job well done, not to mention the images (thanks G’phant) make my white on white world a little warmer and brighter – Cheers
P.S. Get your time in for “Frank Vs.The Volcano”, with the time difference you might miss the deadline…
I love bicycles
not cars
but that red Lancia Fulvia was in my dreams when I was a child.
I just ate peanut butter on a toasted sandwich flat.
Sweet as! And nice work toughin’ it out with your knife and cheese.
NZed is my favorite place I’ve ever visited. I lived there for eight months and my current plan is to find a gal who will move there with me, get a long-term visa, and go. I had the time of my life.
Great article, Brett! Thanks for toughin’ it out for us Velominati.
I’d LOVE to watch a bike race in NZ.
@Pedale.Forchetta
I’m with you, cars don’t get me too excited but that red Lancia is a sweet looking race support car.
Brett, what’s with the pants? Should we be wearing those in the Northern Hemishpere too? Not shorts, not pants. Shants?
Maybe Frank’s DS should lay in some Belgian Ale for the long trip up Haleakala. I know Ms. Frank would approve.
Lovin it. The Rimutakas is on my bucket list of rides to do. See youse at the crit, hope the rain holds off!
@Gianni
Yeah, Rich and I couldn’t decide whether to go for the longs or shorts, so we did both.
@minion @G’phant
Get on down!
@Ron
Come on down!
Awesome, awesome, awesome, awesome.
@Gianni
Yes, as in, “we shant wear them.”
Shorts + longs = shlongs…
@Brett
not to be confused with “schlongs” which are an entirely different thing & I’m sure these fine people are not!
i prefer belgian beer in a wine glass
Jealous, jealous, jealous.