Brigitte on a bike

Published on Sunday July 15th, 2007

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The little lady measures 15″ now. Yesterday morning, after we cheered cutie-pie Linus Gerdemann (how did he miss getting recruited to play an elf in the LOTR movies? I guess he was busy winning cycling titles for teenagers) to the finish line after his gutsy solo over the Col de la Colombiere, she took a little four-mile bicycle journey of her own in to work with me, where she was duly petted and admired. This was at 11:00 a.m.

At 5:45 p.m., I idly scratched behind my left ear. What do you suppose I found there?

But never mind. I’m at the armhole decreases, folks. This feels worth King of the Mountains points. At least I feel like I’m clinging to the tail of the peloton and not being dropped on the climbs, even if I’m not powering off the front of the chase group ala Iban Mayo. This brings me to an important point: one of the chief reasons I get up with the birds to watch the morning coverage is Phil and Paul’s commentary. Those guys are the best commentators in sports, bar none — besides their thorough understanding of the sport and knack for explaining the finer points, they are unrivaled for colorful descriptions. This morning, Paul, speaking of Mayo’s strong move, produced the following truly original metaphor, destined to take its place among the Phil & Paul classics*: “The confidence is bristling out of his crash helmet!”

You should all be watching this.

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*”This climb is asphyxiating the peloton!” and “He’s reaching deep into his suitcase of courage now!” are a few of my other favorites. And, this morning’s entry in the Department of Idioms that Don’t Translate from English to American: “This crowd is absolutely going potty!”

15 Comments to “Brigitte on a bike”

  1. Lisa Comment Says:

    Was it a little cable needle behind your year, hmm? Brigitte is looking lovely – sure to be a stunner!

  2. minnie Comment Says:

    most beautimous! i fell down and didn’t spin last night, although i think i’m due a rest day, aren’t i? i don’t know, lol.

  3. whitney Comment Says:

    I get up early just to listen to Phil and Paul’s coverage, too. They’re fantastic! I grew up watching them cover the Tour, so their voices just are the Tour for me. My poor husband always has to be at work, so he doesn’t get to see anything but the “Prime Time” coverage with the American commentators. They’re not bad, but they’re no Phil and Paul.

  4. weaverknits Comment Says:

    Your Brigitte is LOVELY; what a stunning color! Sadly, I also have to work during the day and only get to see the American commentators, but I actually got up early this weekend to see the race live!

  5. stacey Comment Says:

    those are great – when a sport has great commentators, it makes it all that much better!

  6. Jen Comment Says:

    Boom boom and out go the lights! He’s cracked! He has cracked WIDE OPEN!!!!

  7. Craptina Comment Says:

    nice way to pick up the pace! was it a darning needle behind your ear this time?

  8. Daphne Comment Says:

    Tres jolie! I’m impressed. We generally use the DVR to get our coverage but yesterday the “live” repeat got Mr Cranky into serious cranky trouble. Sigh. Sports can sometimes be a pain.

  9. mamie Comment Says:

    i love the commentary on the tour and the piece is really shaping up, no pun intended. and the hydrangeas look like they are surviving the heat. road bikes are a bit foreign to me, but the tour is always such a testament to strength. keep it up!

  10. Patti Comment Says:

    I like Phil and Paul, too. They are so professional and knowledgeable. I love the pictures from the heliocopter, too. I’ve been watching Le Tour for 14 years and the coverage just gets better and better. I had to watch the enhanced version one night, no comparison as far as Bob and Al go, with the commentary.

  11. carrie m Comment Says:

    brigitte looks lovely — clearly the outdoors suits her. my mother is obsessed with the tour and is forcing my dad to watch. we’re all going to annecy together this fall, and she tells me that they biked near there over the weekend?

  12. romelda Comment Says:

    Sinply a GREAT photo!! and a great knit!

  13. Katie Comment Says:

    That really is a terrific photo. Ben and I caught some of the race in a pub the other day, but the sound was down. Too bad I missed what sounds like hilarious commentary!

  14. Jessica Comment Says:

    Wow, your Brigitte is looking so beautiful! All of your photos-with-bike make me want to be out riding in the countryside….

  15. Katherine Comment Says:

    Sigh. I am jealous that you can pull off the red thing. Look at Brigitte, and I can imagine your sangria sea silk! I’m partial to rich, saturated colors, and I think they’re the ones silk shows off the best. Can’t wait to see a finished Brigitte, and to hear what shawl you choose to do!