So the TDF was passing within a few miles from where I live. Lavelanet is probably the least inspiring town in the region, drab and run down, seemingly more so in the drizzle waiting for the cyclists to pass. After an hour a cavalcade of motorised advertising appeared, hyper cheerful people harnessed to garish trash dispensers. I did rather well and got a tasteful green skoda hat and was hit hard on the forehead by a flying packet of haribos. I’d say half the crowd disappeared after the freebie parade, maybe they knew there was another hour to wait. Some excitement mounts and then…they pass…then I can go home and watch the highlights on telly.