Bastille's Day : 14 Juillet

By Arcabulle Odriscoll








Hello my friends,

Today is a very important day for France and also for others nations because this day is a great symbol !14 juillet ! I want to share it with you to give you the sense and why this event is so important !

Bastille Day, the French national holiday, commemorates the storming of the Bastille, which took place on 14 July 1789 and marked the beginning of the French Revolution. The Bastille was a prison and a symbol of the absolute and arbitrary power of Louis the 16th's Ancient Regime. By capturing this symbol, the people signaled that the king's power was no longer absolute: power should be based on the Nation and be limited by a separation of powers.



The demonstrators had earlier stormed the Hotel des Invalides to gather arms (29,000 to 32,000 muskets, but without powder or shot), and were mainly seeking to acquire the large quantities of arms and ammunition stored at the Bastille - on the 14th there were over 13,600 kilograms (30,000 lb) of gunpowder stored there.


The list of vainqueurs de la Bastille has around 600 names, and the total of the crowd was probably less than one thousand. The crowd gathered outside around mid-morning, calling for the surrender of the prison, the removal of the guns and the release of the arms and gunpowder.

The sans culottes, wearing iconic Phrygian caps and tricolor rosettes

Although the Bastille only held seven prisoners at the time of its capture, the storming of the prison was a symbol of liberty and the fight against oppression for all French citizens; like the Tricolore flag, it symbolized the Republic's three ideals: Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity for all French citizens. It marked the end of absolute monarchy, the birth of the sovereign Nation, and, eventually, the creation of the (First) Republic, in 1792.


Bastille Day was declared the French national holiday on 6 July 1880, on Benjamin Raspail's recommendation, when the new Republic was firmly entrenched. Bastille Day has such a strong signification for the French because the holiday symbolizes the birth of the Republic. As in the US, where the signing of the Declaration of Independence signaled the start of the American Revolution, in France the storming of the Bastille began the Great Revolution. In both countries, the national holiday thus symbolizes the beginning of a new form of government.

The French Revolution had numerous causes which are greatly simplified and summarized here:

* Parliament wanted the king to share his absolute powers with an oligarchic parliament.

* Priests and other low-level religious figures wanted more money.

* Nobles also wanted to share some of the king's power.

* The middle class wanted the right to own land and to vote.

* The lower class were hostile toward everyone and farmers were angry about tithes and feodal rights.

* Some historians claim that the revolutionaries were opposed to Catholicism more than to the king or the upper classes.

Here was a resume of this very great event
hope you appreciated it
don't hesitate to ask for more detail
see you soon
arc

TOUR de FRANCE UPDATE

By Debbie Bulloch



Today is a rest day for the Tour riders; no action to report. Tomorrow's Stage Ten starts at Limoges.

Be sure to watch for a crazy Frenchman ("crazy Frenchman" is redundant I am afraid) perhaps carrying the white and blue BH flag!

If you want to know why cyclists are willing to put themselves in so much pain, "just" to climb to the top of a mountain, then look at this.

If you still have questions, jump on your bike and try it...you'll love it!

TOUR DE FRANCE UPDATES - THE RIDE FROM LIMOGES

By Debbie Bulloch



Results from Stages Seven and Eight.

STAGE SEVEN:

Stage Seven of the Tour de France (TdF) was the first stage in the mountains, and the longest stage of the TdF. Stage Seven was also the stage where the rivalry between teammates Lance Armstrong and Alberto Contador (team Astana) finally came to the front; and it was in Stage Seven where a previously unknown, young French rider, Brice Feillu (team Agritubel) won his first yellow jersey

When the riders had crossed the finish line of Stage Seven, seven time American champion Lance Armstrong was in third place just behind Alberto Contador and Italian rider Rinaldo Nocentini (team AG2R La Mondiale) who was in yellow and the lead.

Nocentini was part of an early breakaway and managed to stay in front long enough to win the yellow jersey.

Feillu won the stage on the power of his last 3.1 miles (5K) breakaway from the summit making him the star of the day and perhaps a new rising star in professional cycling.

It was the final 6.2 mile (10km) climb of Stage Seven where team Astana stamped its authority on the race by controlling the stage as Alberto Contador broke free of the chase pack in the last kilometer to gain precious seconds on Armstrong who stayed back in the chase.



STAGE EIGHT:

Little-known Italian Rinaldo Nocentini (team AG2R) retained the 2009 Tour de France yellow jersey (“Maillot Jaune”) after the eighth stage on Saturday. Spaniard Luis Leon Sanchez (team Caisse D’Espargne) won the stage, finishing in 4 hours, 31 minutes, 50 seconds. Sanchez timed his burst of speed perfectly zooming past Sandy Casar (team Francaise Des Jeux) meters away from the finish line. Casar was just about a second behind Sanchez and Mikel Astarloza (team Euskaltel) also behind by one second.

Nocentini will go into the third and final day of racing in the Pyrenees on Sunday with a six-second lead on pre-race favorite Alberto Contador of Astana, the 2007 champion. Seven-time champion Lance Armstrong, also of Astana, is third overall at 08sec.

Early in the stage Australia's two-time TdF runner-up Cadel Evans (team Silence) provided some drama by managing to escape his yellow jersey rivals joining a small group of breakaway riders. The Silence team leader's bid to make up time on his three-minute deficit to Nocentini and Contador, however, came to a fruitless end.

The riders will now prepare for stage 9 on Sunday before they get a day of rest on July 13. Stage 9 will wind 99.7 miles (160 km) from Saint-Gaudens to Tarbes.

July 11, 2009: Tour de France – Stage Eight
Andorra la Vieille to Saint Girons (176.5 km):

1 Luis León Sánchez Gil (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne 04:31:50
2 Sandy Casar (Fra) Française des Jeux
3 Mikel Astarloza Chaurreau (Spa) Euskaltel - Euskadi
4 Vladimir Efimkin (Rus) AG2R La Mondiale 0:00:03
5 Jose Joaquin Rojas Gil (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne 0:01:54
6 Christophe Riblon (Fra) AG2R La Mondiale
7 Peter Velits (Svk) Team Milram
8 Sébastien Minard (Fra) Cofidis, Le Credit en Ligne
9 Jérémy Roy (Fra) Française des Jeux
10 Thomas Voeckler (Fra) BBOX Bouygues Telecom
11 Alexandre Botcharov (Rus) Team Katusha
12 Sylvain Chavanel (Fra) Quick Step
13 Christian Knees (Ger) Team Milram
14 Kurt-Asle Arvesen (Nor) Team Saxo Bank
15 Grischa Niermann (Ger) Rabobank

TdF Overall rankings after Stage Eight

1 Rinaldo Nocentini (Ita) AG2R La Mondiale 30:18:16
2 Alberto Contador Velasco (Spa) Astana 0:00:06
3 Lance Armstrong (USA) Astana 0:00:08
4 Levi Leipheimer (USA) Astana 0:00:39
5 Bradley Wiggins (GBr) Garmin - Slipstream 0:00:46
6 Andreas Klöden (Ger) Astana 0:00:54
7 Tony Martin (Ger) Team Columbia - HTC 0:01:00
8 Christian Vande Velde (USA) Garmin - Slipstream 0:01:24
9 Andy Schleck (Lux) Team Saxo Bank 0:01:49
10 Vincenzo Nibali (Ita) Liquigas 0:01:54
11 Luis León Sánchez Gil (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne 0:02:16
12 Maxime Monfort (Bel) Team Columbia - HTC 0:02:21
13 Fränk Schleck (Lux) Team Saxo Bank 0:02:25
14 Roman Kreuziger (Cze) Liquigas 0:02:40
15 Vladimir Efimkin (Rus) AG2R La Mondiale 0:02:45

STAGE TEN

Stage Ten of the TdF will be a memorable Stage. The Stage will be run on July 14, France’s Bastille Day. Given the in-fighting between Contador and Armstrong, I fully expect to see fireworks, both up on the air and on the road.



As I have previously written, Stage Ten of the Tour will start from the town of Limoges. Limoges is the hometown of our very own Arcabulle Odriscoll.



Please stay tuned to the television coverage of Stage Ten of the TdF. Perhaps we will see a very crazy Frenchman running ahead of the peloton waving a white and blue BH flag.



With all of this talk about the TdF. let's not forget the pleasures of mountain bike riding...



Enjoy!

TOUR UPDATE - NORWEGIAN RIDER WINS STAGE SIX

By Debbie Bulloch



BIG NORWEGIAN RIDER, THOR HUSHOVD, WINS STAGE SIX.

Today’s 113 miles (181.5 km) Gérone to Barcelona Stage Six of the 2009 Tour de France was marked by some very hard riding in dangerous conditions. Rain clouds moved over the course around 15.5 miles (25km) to go, quickly making the roads slick and dangerous. As the peloton circled a round-a-bout where a small wipeout took out Columbia-HTC’s Michael Rogers and sent Tyler Farrar over a railing (he got back on the bike), Garmin-Slipstream’s David Millar broke off from the lead pack for a solo attempt with 17.4 miles (28km) to go and about 55 seconds on the main pack.

After a powerful 17.4 miles (28km) solo breakaway by David Millar, the peloton caught him in the last 0.62 mile (1km). Thor Hushovd, the first Norwegian rider to ever win a stage of the Tour de France, put the pedal to the metal and outsprinted Oscar Freire to win the stage. Thor Hushovd rides for Team Cervelo.

Congratulations to Thor on an excellent and powerful ride into Barcelona!

Tour de France - Stage Six results:

1. Thor Hushovd (Cervélo TestTeam)
2 Oscar Freire (Rabobank)
3 José Joaquín Rojas (Caisse d'Epargne) roj
4 Gerald Ciolek (Milram)
5 Franco Pellizotti (Liquigas)
6 Filippo Pozzato (Katusha)
7 Alessandro Ballan (Lampre-NGC)
8. Rinaldo Nocentini (AG2R La Mondiale)
9. Cadel Evans (Silence-Lotto)
10. Fabian Cancellara (Saxo Bank)

Tour de France Standings after Stage Six:

1. Fabian Cancellara Team Saxo Bank in 19:29:22
2. Lance Armstrong Astana in 19:29:22
3. Alberto Contador Astana in 19:29:41 at 00:19
4. Andréas KlÖden Astana in 19:29:45 at 00:23
5. Levi Leipheimer Astana in 19:29:53 at 00:31
6. Bradley Wiggins Garmin - Slipstream in 19:30:00 at 00:38
7. Tony Martin Team Columbia - Htc in 19:30:14 at 00:52
8. Christian Vande Velde Garmin - Slipstream in 19:30:38 at 01:16
9. Gustav Larsson Team Saxo Bank in 19:30:44 at 01:22
10. Maxime Monfort Team Columbia - Htc in 19:30:51 at 01:29
11. Roman Kreuziger Liquigas in 19:30:53 at 01:31
12. George Hincapie Team Columbia - Htc in 19:30:58 at 01:36
13. Vincenzo Nibali Liquigas in 19:30:58 at 01:36
14. Andy Schleck Team Saxo Bank in 19:31:03 at 01:41
15. Haimar Zubeldia Astana in 19:31:03 at 01:41


Note: The last figures, in a rider’s overall standings, represent how far behind the ride is from the leaders. For example, Armstrong and Cancellara are tied for first place with the same overall time of 19 hours, 29 minutes and 22 seconds. Right behind the leaders, Contador and Kloden are each 0.19 seconds and 0.23 seconds, respectively, behind the two top riders. Also, please note that four of the top five riders are from Team Astana – Team Astana is a very powerful and hard to beat team.

(Please click on image for a larger view.)





DEPARTURE: GIRONA, SPAIN

The city of Gerona, 90 000 inhabitants, capital of the province of the same name, displays an abundance of patrimonial gems, with traces everywhere apparent: the historical old city, which possesses one of the largest Jewish Quarters (“Calls”) in medieval Catalonia, the cathedral and its nave, the most extensive display of Gothic architecture worldwide, the Saint Félix church and Bell Tower, the Arabian Baths and the Saint-Nicolas and Saint-Pierre de Galligants Romanesque churches. A university town, Gerona boasts a host of museums (cinema, history, art, archaeology) and is an exceptionally fine gastronomic and cultural centre, manifest in the assorted music and theatre festivals of international renown. The area surrounding Gerona is a territory marked by the inheritance of a multitude of chequered cultures, an immense natural splendour and a diverse patrimony: small villages of charm and character forged down the centuries, a changing landscape and a plethora of leisure activities and events to captivate visitors to the Costa Brava and the Gerona Pyrenees.



ARRIVAL: BARCELONA, SPAIN

Barcelona is the capital and most populous city of the Autonomous Community of Catalonia and the second largest city in Spain, with a population of 1,615,908 in 2008. It is the eleventh-most populous municipality in the European Union and sixth-most populous urban area in the European Union after Paris, London, Ruhr Area, Madrid and Milan.

Barcelona is located on the Mediterranean coast and is bounded to the west by the Serra de Collserola ridge (512 m/1,680 ft). Barcelona is recognized as a global city because of its importance in finance, commerce, media, entertainment, arts and international trade. The city is a major economic centers with one of Europe's principal Mediterranean ports; Barcelona International Airport is the second largest in Spain after the Madrid-Barajas Airport.

There are two different legends relating to the foundation of Barcelona. The first attributes the founding of the city to Hercules 400 years before the building of Rome thus the name Βαρκινών. The second legend attributes the foundation of the city directly to the Carthaginian Hamilcar Barca, father of Hannibal, who named the city Barcino after his family, in the 3rd century BC.
In fact, however, Barcelona was founded as a Roman city. Barcelona became the capital of the Counts of Barcelona. After merging with the Kingdom of Aragon, it became one of the most important cities of the Crown of Aragon. Besieged several times during its history.

Today Barcelona is an important cultural center and a major tourist destination; it is a city rich with history and cultural heritage. Barcelona is also a city proud of its hills. In the north looms the Sierra de Collserola, a natural landscape of wide open green space, the “lung” and life source of the city of Barcelona. And, rising up almost right in the city center, Montjuich, the magic mountain, where 19th century style buildings dating from the 1929 Universal Exhibition, and amenities and constructions from the 1992 Olympic Games, merge with nature, in the parks and gardens where the people of Barcelona come to relax and enjoy their city.



As I previously wrote, my mother’s side of the family originated in Catalonia. To read more about Catalonia, the land, the culture and its people, click here: Spanish Catalonia

Enjoy!

TOUR de FRANCE UPDATE - STAGE FIVE

By Debbie Bulloch



Frenchman wins Étape Cinq of the Tour de France!

Well, it was not our own Monsieur Arcabulle Odriscoll, but a Franchman indeed won today's State Five - Thomas Voeckler of France claimed his first stage victory in the Tour de France.

Fabian Cancellara of Switzerland retained the overall lead, with seven-time champion Lance Armstrong a fraction of a second behind after the fifth stage, a 122-mile ride along the windy Mediterranean Sea from Le Cap d'Agde to Perpignan.

Voeckler, who wore the coveted leader's jersey for nine days in 2004, made his move 3.1 miles from the finish Wednesday to escape a small breakaway. The Frenchman arrived at the line with tears in his eyes.

"I dedicate this victory to myself, my son and my wife, who actually didn't see me win as she was returning home in a plane," the 30-year-old Voeckler said.

Voeckler clocked 4 hours, 29 minutes, 35 seconds, seven seconds faster than the peloton that was barreling down on him. Mikhail Ignatiev of Russia was second ahead of Britain's Mark Cavendish, who won the peloton's sprint. The seven second margin of victory does not reflect the true margin of Voeckler's victory. As he approached the finish line, Voelcker slowed down and kept looking back, perhaps in disbelief of his own victory. It was certainly nice for the French spectators to see a native son win a stage, before the TdF moves to a finish in Spain.

Armstrong finished in the main pack and retained second place overall, 19 seconds ahead of his rival and Astana teammate Alberto Contador. Former Tour runner-up Andreas Kloeden is fourth, 23 seconds back, and Levi Leipheimer of the United States is fifth, 31 seconds behind.

This year's Team Astana looks to be the team to beat. The team's strong performance in yesterday's team time trial demonstrated the team's power and exceptional discipline of each of its riders.

ÉTAPE CINQ - 196.5 km (122 miles) of beautiful countryside!

Departure: Le Cap d’Agde

A seaside resort where fresh water and salt water converge, Cap d’Agde is a land of contrasts with 14 kilometres of fine sand beaches, protected natural areas devoted to walking and numerous leisure activities and special events for families: tennis, golf, scuba diving, water sports, Aqualand, Ile des Loisirs (Leisure Island), a children’s amusement park, a casino, discotheques, an aquarium, an Underwater Trail, a national Nature Reserve, the Museum of Underwater Archaeology that houses the famous Ephèbe bronze… The city of Agde, a stone’s throw away, is steeped in 2600 years of history. It was founded in the 5th century before J.C. by the ancient Greeks who named it “Agathé Tyché”, “Good Fortune.” Volcanic rock, from the volcanic eruption of Mont Saint-Loup 750 000 years ago, is everywhere in evidence.



Arrival: Perpignan

Perpignan is a fascinating city that remains steeped in the distinctive culture and identity of its history. Positioned at the gateway to the Roussillon, Perpignan is a vibrant and booming urban community, with the future Perpignan-Barcelona high-speed train line, the construction of the Archipel theatre by the French architect Jean Nouvel, and a commitment to becoming the first 100 % renewable positive energy city in Europe. Perpignan’s horizon is dominated by the outline of the Pic du Canigou and the Mediterranean Sea, and the gusts of the tramontane (strong northern wind) render its bright blue sky cloud free: this is Perpignan the Catalan. A hub of Catalan culture, a City of Art and History, Perpignan boasts a richly cosmopolitan heritage, the reflection of a radiant and popular city. Perpignan enchants visitors; the rhythm of city life is punctuated by its numerous festivities, blending tradition and festivals of all genres.

Note: My own family, on my mother’s side, comes from Spanish Catalonia. When the TDF rides through Barcelona, it will be riding through my family’s ancestral land.

PACIFIC COAST HIGHWAY (PCH) - REVISITED

By Debbie Bulloch



I have previously written about PCH, one of the world's most beautiful stretches of road. PCH can also be as dangerous as it is beautiful.

As dangerous as it is, however, PCH will continue to hold a strong attraction - especially for bike riders. There are very few places in the world where a cyclist can ride while being serenaded by the crashing waves and where seals, dolphins, birds and surfers provide an ever changing panorama of life in California.

We all have to die sometime, death is inevitable. If I could pick the time and place of my own demise, I would ask to "go" while riding on PCH - looking into the blue Pacific and riding with a "peloton" of dolphins, seagulls and pelicans.

Today's ride was fairly short (only 22 miles) but I rode fast against a steady offshore breeze. I did, however, pause long enough to take the photographs below.

Enjoy!

Le Tour de France 2009

Hello my dear friends,

Here is arc, a crazy french reporter who is in France to follow this very special edition of Tour de France 2009 !

I just had a problem because I didn't manage to follow the first stage and second one in Monaco ! In fact I had a problem with my bike and so i couldn't have managed to reach the departure (and not the arrival) of Tdf 2009 ! My camera was too big and carrying it on my shoulders was too hard ! maybe i should buy a motorbike

so my dear friend Debbie did that very well like always !

So so there are a lot to say after these two first stages ! But be sure I won't be too boring (i will try) because a lot of people maybe don't like bike and especially Tour de France (haha).

First Cancellara was very strong like he was expected ! He is one of the greatest biker in this area ! He already did that and won the prolog in 2004 and 2007 and won in the olympic games ! very nice.

What we can say or analyze is the position of Astana team ! Have a look of Deb's post. 4 bikers of Astana are in the top ten : Contador the best, Andreas Kloden, Leipheimer and Lance Armstrong !

Lance Armstrong in 2005

Astana is here and looks like a very strong team ! it is like echec they are setting their positions

Lance is here and not so far from the best : only 40 seconds I think ! Look he is here, not so far !

You can also see that Cadel Evans is here only five and is a very very great favorite to win the race ! this australian has a very great potential ! even if a lot of people reproach him not to attack and being like a "diesel"

Oh look at Schleck brothers and especially Andy who is the younger. He is 18th

And of course the french bikers ! Coppel is the first and it is a great surprise ! hope he will pursue like that and just behind him everyone knows sylvain Chavanel (hehehe) !

If I ask you : do you know french bikers : maybe you will tell me oh yes : Bernard Hinault , Laurent Fignon or maybe Jacques Anquetil or maybe Jean Robic ! (hahahaha) ! yes yes they are in Francaise des Jeux team ! no no they were very great bikers but before hehe!
so i really think that you don't know french bikers !

For example, Debbie, TT or you SP, do you know french bikers who are riding on Tdf 2009 ! Honnestly French bikers are not able to win the tour even if there are good performers ! I hope we will have soon great champions like Bernard Hinault (who won 5 tours de France) or Laurent Fignon (won 2 tours de France) able to win this wonderful race

Oh did you see the arrival of stage 2 ? Mark Cavendish was incredible ! This english man is a plane (haha) ! nobody was able to follow him when he sprinted ! nobody !
A french guy was 3 ! good

So my friends here was Arc from BH News from the Tour de France 2009

see you soon

Arc