Wednesday, July 11, 2012

Do all French men carry big baguettes?

Do all French men carry big baguettes? Or is it just the cyclists? If I hadn't been so well brought up, I might be pondering this question as we complete our ten-day cycle ride through the Pyrenees tracing some of the Tour de France.

Consider the Tour de France statues along the roads. Not to put too fine a point on it -  but even allowing for the fullness of the chamois, is there some patriotic rounding out where the bicycle shorts should be? Standing at the top of the Col de Tourmalet and viewing the most famous statue, the woman next to me was heard to exclaim: "Alors, that bloke is so well endowed!"


Part of my searching philosophical queries were answered when we visited the thermal baths in Luchon. All male visitors were forced to wear brief black Speedos. If I hadn't been so well brought up I would have been able to confirm, gentle readers, that French men are mere mortals. Oui! OK guys, no excuses about shrinkage - you are in a thermal bath.



I would have also noted (if I hadn't been so well brought up) that French male cyclists wear perilously thin lycra shorts. One must always focus on their reflective glasses. It's too disconcerting to do otherwise. So still no conclusive evidence about the French cyclists. Maybe we should both watch the Tour de France and we can confer on Thursday when I return. 

35 comments:

  1. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  2. aaagh....hilarious...you could have someone's eye out!!

    ReplyDelete
  3. TV coverage does not do the 'thin-ness' justice.
    Must pay closer attention.

    LCM x

    ReplyDelete
  4. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I cannot respond to this. Mine is a "family-rated" blog.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I've been watching the Tour de France, and there are definitely some big baguettes in there.....mind you, very few of them are French so maybe it's just cyclists?

    ReplyDelete
  7. Gave me a chuckle. Hope you are having a great time.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Oh that poster made me laugh!!
    Love Di ♥

    ReplyDelete
  9. You're still "bringing it" while on a crazy biking adventure! When is your book or sitcom coming out?

    ReplyDelete
  10. Oh this gave me a nice chuckle before breakfast this morning.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Oh my. Because of your post and the one I just posted (and you must visit because I talked about you), I recall a male college teacher who wore rather tight fitting white trousers in the warmer months. He was not particularly concerned about perilously thin fabrics.

    ReplyDelete
  12. You kill me... I appreciate your observations (as challenging as they may have been to make!)

    ReplyDelete
  13. I've never watched the tour de france, but I think I may be soon!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Thank goodness you were so well raised. What does it say about me that I now crave a nice crusty baguette?!?

    ReplyDelete
  15. ummm,well how those swimmers carry those baguette?it will get wet? :P

    ReplyDelete
  16. Oh la la - where we live in France there are no men under the age of 85 and they all wear bizarre blue overalls. I'll have to pay more attention when we go into town!
    xxx

    ReplyDelete
  17. Is that a baguette in your pocket or are you just pleased to see me?

    ReplyDelete
  18. Interesting. I clearly have been not paying enough attention to the right things when watching the Tour de France! :)

    xo
    Kim

    ReplyDelete
  19. Hilarious you are obviously enjoying your French sightseeing

    ReplyDelete
  20. You always crack me up! Have a safe trip back home!
    xx
    maya

    ReplyDelete
  21. Teehee!
    This post has got me thinking about David Bowie in Labyrinth...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Now I have to google that...what's going to come up though?

      Delete
  22. Jody I think you need to be added as a Tour de France sports commentator tout suite! This is the kind of keen insight that would make many more women faithful biking enthusiasts-I know I would tune in to see you! Hope you had a wonderful time and of course hoping to see photos where you are showing off your perfectly toned thighs etc. Hope you have a relaxing weekend back home!

    xo Mary Jo

    ReplyDelete
  23. Of course I had to click on that photo to make it bigger. A gentle tap with my finger usually has similar results in real life ;-)

    ReplyDelete
  24. Oh God, another reason never to do what you are doing. Waving from St Tropez,
    Dxx

    ReplyDelete
  25. ..... NOT to be confused with "braguettes" !

    ReplyDelete
  26. Oh boy you must be be a bit fit then.

    ReplyDelete
  27. Oh my. Once again I give you the award for making me laugh loudest today! My husband is a keen cyclist and we've discovered that red is the colour of cycling lycra for him and his baguette to avoid...it's just toooooo distracting ;) and yes, we're obsessively watching the Tour in our house. I shall be sniggering the next time it's on, thinking of this post, and my husband will wonder why.

    ReplyDelete
  28. I have NO IDEA about what you mean Jody.......my mind is still trying to erase images of men wearing budgie smugglers on the beach in Paxos....eeeugh. p.s. how fantastic your trip sounds...albeit a little too sporty for me..no wonder you are in great shape..you go girl!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Funny you mention the "budgie smugglers". My friend who lives in Nice says French men would like us to think they are all sporting the "grand poulet"

      Delete
  29. What a fantastic trip you are on. I have a bad feeling that my eyes would be drawn to all of the wrong areas. This post is hilarious!!

    *Erin

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for stopping by Erin, heading over to yours now!

      Delete
  30. I can't imagine ever taking on anything this epic (or athletic) so I will live vicariously through you. Your pictures are amazing!!

    ReplyDelete