Prologue Day

We began the day early with breakfast served by Suzanne at Villa Oldenhoff. Wonderful combination of juices, pastries, eggs, etc.  We prepared to make our way to Rotterdam and the short 15 mile "Prologue" to the Tour de France.  We spent a considerable time trying to figure out the walkie talkies and the Garmin GPS.  We allowed the GPS to lead us on the "most fuel efficient' route to Rotterdam and followed its directions.  The next two hours Gwen got her first taste of driving the Van on single lane country rodes adjoining narrow canals.  Cars and bicyclists in steady streams both going and coming became constant road hazards she had to avoid.  And, of course, I kept saying, much to her dismay "Stop, we need to take a picture."  She soldiered on, mastering the intricacies of a six speed diesel manual shift and a wider body than that of the opposition.  After two hours of slow going including a 75' ferry ride across one narrow canal, we began looking for a "freeway".  We finally found one and quickly found the Hotel Milano in Rotterdam, unpacked our things, parked the Van a block away, and prepared for the Prologue.

The Prologue.   Roy and I finally got our act together about 3:30pm of a beautiful Sunday afternoon, once again temperatures in the mid-70's.  We cycled to the beginning of the short 15 mile loop and then crossed the two major bridges in the central Rotterdam area to complete the loop and the course.  Rotterdam has imbedded concrete markers about 18" square in the bicycle paths that define the course, spaced about every 100 yds, to commemorate last year's course.  We were unable to stop the traffic to get a better feel for the real event.  We had to stop at lights about every two blocks, making the going very slow.  But, the history of the event, the impact of what we were trying to achieve, the excellent weather, and the presence of so many pleasant Dutch people, made this an enjoyable ride.

Tomorrow, we get serious.  145 miles.  Oh, yeah!!!!!