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.

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

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

    LCM x

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

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  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?

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

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

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

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

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  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.

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

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

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

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

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  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

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

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

    xo
    Kim

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  19. Hilarious you are obviously enjoying your French sightseeing

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

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

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

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  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

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  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 ;-)

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

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

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

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  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.

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  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!

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    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"

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  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

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

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

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