Knitting during the Tour de France 2009

The 3-week bike race that my husband and I watch religiously every year started yesterday in the beautiful backdrop of Monaco. I always get a lot of knitting done during the race. Exciting news this year is that Lance Armstrong is back in the race after 3 years of retirement. Lance won 7 Tours in a row, 1999-2005, a feat that will probably never be repeated. My mother, the frenchie, couldn't believe that he won 2 in a row (1999 & 2000) and then she died in 2001 and never saw that he won 5 more consecutively. I think she was proud of him but her french heritage demanded that a Frenchman win the Tour. (It's been a while since a Frenchman won.) This year's route is quite unusual as they aren't doing a circle of France, they actually start in the south, move west, dip into Spain, travel northeast, back south again and then take the train to finish in Paris. The last Saturday before the finish they tackle Mont Ventoux. It's a difficult ride when you're feeling good. To tackle it after a grueling 3 weeks will be extremely hard. That mountain is unbelievable. My husband and I visited Mont Ventoux in 1998 and we basically went from 1st to 2nd gear and back to 1st gear all the way up. Every time you think you have to be near the top, you keep going. When you finally get to the summit, it's spectacular. The elevation is 6,273 feet.



Anyway, at the beginning of the race yesterday, I cast on for the Angel Sweater, a cute pattern from Oat Couture. I'm knitting the 12 month size. One of my knitsibs is making it as well.


I'm using yarn conveniently made in France :-) from Anny Blatt in a salmon color. It's 100% wool that is machine washable and it feels wonderful. I believe I can get it done with just 2 balls.
I'm still working on the Kicking Bag mentioned in the previous post. I'm on the 3rd ball of Sirdar Baby Bamboo.

Comments

Oooh that Anny Blatt yarn is gorgeous! Can't wait to see the project-in-progress!
Rebecca said…
I love the TDF too and I LOVE Armstrong! I am thrilled he's back cause it jsut wasn't the same without him and i hope he proves to everyone that he's just the best period! no drugs, just awesomeness! I saw him in a contre la montre in the alpes and he was incredible! He flew past the guy that left before him UPHILL right in front of us!!!! Awesome!
Happy knitting! :D
Carrie Penny said…
I love the bag! And the yarn is superb!
Liz Bracken said…
Hi there! Just saw you in the Haus of Yarn newsletter that came today!
Kathy... said…
I wonder if Lance has the self-confidence this time that he needs. I would love to see him do it, but....????

Interesting, about your mom, and about you and your husband actually being there.... thanks for sharing that with us.

Good luck on the knitting projects. Should be a good ride for you... Is your husband as productive during the race watching?