Viewing le Tour - Questions re: Security

"GaryG" <garyg@shasta_SPAMBEGONE_software.com> schreef in bericht
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

With a bit of luck (and the fact that I'm online so much :-) ) I was able
to secure a booking with Graham Watson Sporting Tours for their
Alps-to-Paris Tour de France tour in July. I'll be taking my bike and
riding some of each day's stage (L'Alpe d'Huez, here I come!).

But, I've never been over there, and wonder how I should go about

protecting

Quoted message said:

my bike and personal effects while viewing the race. I plan on carrying
money and ID (not passport) in one of those "around the neck" wallets worn
under my jersey. But, I've heard horror stories about Euro pickpockets,

and

Quoted message said:

I'm a bit worried about being in large crowds with stuff in my jersey
pockets...especially my digital camera. I also worry about the bike
wandering off during the excitement of the moment.

Any advice from those of you who've done this before?

~_-*
...G/ \G
http://www.CycliStats.com
CycliStats - Software for Cyclists

Expect everything you also would expect during a sunny saturday afternoon in
a crowded high street.
Yes, pickpockets may be there, as anywhere else (we're European, which
almost equals aliens). A small rucksack may be effective for your things.
I used to climbe on of the small electricity houses of the EDF (Energy the
France) for a good overview and good photo shooting.

You should leave your bike at your hotel.

When you want to see the Alpe d'Huez finish you'll be wanting to arrive the
day before the event, as during the day of the event the roads are closed
for all traffic.

have phun

--
Posted by news://news.nb.nu

Quoted message said:

But, I've never been over there, and wonder how I should go about

protecting

Quoted message said:

my bike and personal effects while viewing the race. I plan on carrying
money and ID (not passport) in one of those "around the neck" wallets worn
under my jersey. But, I've heard horror stories about Euro pickpockets,

and

Quoted message said:

I'm a bit worried about being in large crowds with stuff in my jersey
pockets...especially my digital camera. I also worry about the bike
wandering off during the excitement of the moment.

Any advice from those of you who've done this before?

Gary: I've been to France five times (and will be going again for the TDF
this July) and have found that security concerns are largely overblown.
I've never used a money belt, nor been aware of any attempts to pickpocket
me (including while traveling a number of times on the metro). When you're
actaully riding to a spot where you'll watch a stage, your bike will be with
you... simple as that. Just like thousands of others. For most stages, the
Graham Baxter vehicle will be there at the stage, and you'll simply load
your bike up in the trailer.

I've never brought a lock for my bike and, in fact, have left my bike (along
with several others from our group) outside a relatively busy restaraunt (in
a small shopping center) for an hour, entirely unattended... and it was
still there when we left. Strange, but true.

You may read about my trip with Graham Baxter last year-
http://www.chainreaction.com/diaryfrance2003.htm

--Mike Jacoubowsky
Chain Reaction Bicycles
www.ChainReaction.com
IMBA, BikesBelong, NBDA member

"Mike Jacoubowsky/Chain Reaction Bicycles" <[email hidden]> wrote
in message news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

But, I've never been over there, and wonder how I should go about

protecting

Quoted message said:

my bike and personal effects while viewing the race. I plan on carrying
money and ID (not passport) in one of those "around the neck" wallets

worn

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

under my jersey. But, I've heard horror stories about Euro pickpockets,

and

Quoted message said:

I'm a bit worried about being in large crowds with stuff in my jersey
pockets...especially my digital camera. I also worry about the bike
wandering off during the excitement of the moment.

Any advice from those of you who've done this before?

Gary: I've been to France five times (and will be going again for the TDF
this July) and have found that security concerns are largely overblown.
I've never used a money belt, nor been aware of any attempts to pickpocket
me (including while traveling a number of times on the metro). When

you're

Quoted message said:

actaully riding to a spot where you'll watch a stage, your bike will be

with

Quoted message said:

you... simple as that. Just like thousands of others. For most stages,

the

Quoted message said:

Graham Baxter vehicle will be there at the stage, and you'll simply load
your bike up in the trailer.

I've never brought a lock for my bike and, in fact, have left my bike

(along

Quoted message said:

with several others from our group) outside a relatively busy restaraunt

(in

Quoted message said:

a small shopping center) for an hour, entirely unattended... and it was
still there when we left. Strange, but true.

You may read about my trip with Graham Baxter last year-
http://www.chainreaction.com/diaryfrance2003.htm

--Mike Jacoubowsky
Chain Reaction Bicycles
www.ChainReaction.com
IMBA, BikesBelong, NBDA member

I was wondering if my fears were overblown. I had spoken recently to my
fiance's teenage son who travelled in Italy last summer. He reported
several pickpocketing attempts while he was there, including one by a little
old lady who was "nearly 80 years old" (but, still had quick and deft hands
that she clearly put into his pocket as she brushed by him on the street).

As for your experiences...wow...you must have some really good karma!!
Perhaps you were a monk in a previous life, eh? <g> Anyway, it's good to
hear that you don't have to stress over it too much.

GG

Quoted message said:

I was wondering if my fears were overblown. I had spoken recently to my
fiance's teenage son who travelled in Italy last summer. He reported
several pickpocketing attempts while he was there, including one by a

little

Quoted message said:

old lady who was "nearly 80 years old" (but, still had quick and deft

hands

Quoted message said:

that she clearly put into his pocket as she brushed by him on the street).

For what it's worth, I've heard far more horror stories about Italy than I
have France, particularly areas around train stations in large cities. My
wife & daughter went on a school trip that spent a bit of time in Italy, and
the stories of the Gypsies, with their cardboard facades held in front of
them so you couldn't see them steal your stuff when they bumped into you...
pretty amazing. I never saw anything like that in France.

Quoted message said:

As for your experiences...wow...you must have some really good karma!!
Perhaps you were a monk in a previous life, eh? <g> Anyway, it's good to
hear that you don't have to stress over it too much.

Have you traveled abroad previously? If not, don't dwell on the things that
might go wrong. Look forward to having a great time. The experience is
amazing... although, frankly, you can remain fairly isolated from it when
you're on an organized tour. And don't get too hung up on everything
working out a certain way, especially on a Graham Baxter tour. Sometimes
the itinerary bears little resemblance to reality, but it's the changes and
surprises that often bring the most memorable experiences.

Which level of Alpes-to-Paris tour are you doing (standard/deluxe/luxury)?

--Mike-- Chain Reaction Bicycles
http://www.ChainReactionBicycles.com

"Mike Jacoubowsky" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

I was wondering if my fears were overblown. I had spoken recently to my
fiance's teenage son who travelled in Italy last summer. He reported
several pickpocketing attempts while he was there, including one by a

little

Quoted message said:

old lady who was "nearly 80 years old" (but, still had quick and deft

hands

Quoted message said:

that she clearly put into his pocket as she brushed by him on the

street).

Quoted message said:

For what it's worth, I've heard far more horror stories about Italy than I
have France, particularly areas around train stations in large cities. My
wife & daughter went on a school trip that spent a bit of time in Italy,

and

Quoted message said:

the stories of the Gypsies, with their cardboard facades held in front of
them so you couldn't see them steal your stuff when they bumped into

you...

Quoted message said:

pretty amazing. I never saw anything like that in France.

Quoted message said:

As for your experiences...wow...you must have some really good karma!!
Perhaps you were a monk in a previous life, eh? <g> Anyway, it's good

to

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

hear that you don't have to stress over it too much.

Have you traveled abroad previously? If not, don't dwell on the things

that

Quoted message said:

might go wrong. Look forward to having a great time. The experience is
amazing... although, frankly, you can remain fairly isolated from it when
you're on an organized tour. And don't get too hung up on everything
working out a certain way, especially on a Graham Baxter tour. Sometimes
the itinerary bears little resemblance to reality, but it's the changes

and

Quoted message said:

surprises that often bring the most memorable experiences.

Thanks...I normally have an Alfred E. Neuman attitude ("What, me worry?"😉,
and rarely has it or my guardian angel let me down. I sense that the GB
tour may be somewhat "eccentric", but I'm really looking forward to it (the
price was very reasonable compared to Trek Travel, for instance). Most of
my tours in the past have been of the cheaper do-most-of-it-yourself variety
(e.g., Bicycle Tour of Colorado), with camping option.

Quoted message said:

Which level of Alpes-to-Paris tour are you doing (standard/deluxe/luxury)?

Since I've never been before, and since AdH will be such a zoo this year due
to the TT, and for the chance to have dinner with Bob Roll and Graham
Watson, I booked the luxury tour (it filled up within 24 hours of being
announced). We'll be spending 3 nights on l'Alpe d'Huez, about 1 km from
the finish line...and, yes, I am completely stoked to be going!

Quoted message said:

--Mike-- Chain Reaction Bicycles
http://www.ChainReactionBicycles.com

Quoted message said:

For what it's worth, I've heard far more horror stories about Italy than I
have France, particularly areas around train stations in large cities. My
wife & daughter went on a school trip that spent a bit of time in Italy, and
the stories of the Gypsies, with their cardboard facades held in front of
them so you couldn't see them steal your stuff when they bumped into you...
pretty amazing. I never saw anything like that in France.

I was just about to make virtually the same comment!

Travelling in Italy, we were accosted at junctions where traffic lights were on
red - where gypsies would come up and beg money, in a less than friendly way...
Never saw this once in France or Germany, but in Italy it was all too common in
the cities; Pisa being a particular pain-in-the-ar$e. I also found that in
Italy, sadly, the tourist was preyed upon by shopkeepers in that prices
mysteriously increased when you bought the exact same item as the Italian
person in front of you...

Cheers, helen s

--This is an invalid email address to avoid spam--
to get correct one remove fame & fortune
h*$el*$$e*nd**$o$ts**i*$*$m*m$o*n*s@$*a$o*l.c**$om$

--Due to financial crisis the light at the end of the tunnel is switched off--

Quoted message said:

Since I've never been before, and since AdH will be such a zoo this year

due

Quoted message said:

to the TT, and for the chance to have dinner with Bob Roll and Graham
Watson, I booked the luxury tour (it filled up within 24 hours of being
announced). We'll be spending 3 nights on l'Alpe d'Huez, about 1 km from
the finish line...and, yes, I am completely stoked to be going!

Sounds like you're doing the same tour I am... and yes, I signed up about an
hour after it went on-line (I was expecting it to go fast!). I'll be the
guy taking a zillion photos with a digital camera while riding... and also
heading back to my room in the evenings to update our website each day with
photos from the TDF (which is why I went for a single room, along with the
fact that it wouldn't be fair for someone else to have to put up with my
snoring!).

--Mike Jacoubowsky
Chain Reaction Bicycles
www.ChainReaction.com
IMBA, BikesBelong, NBDA member

"GaryG" <garyg@shasta_SPAMBEGONE_software.com> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

"Mike Jacoubowsky" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

I was wondering if my fears were overblown. I had spoken recently to

my

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

fiance's teenage son who travelled in Italy last summer. He reported
several pickpocketing attempts while he was there, including one by a

little

Quoted message said:

old lady who was "nearly 80 years old" (but, still had quick and deft

hands

Quoted message said:

that she clearly put into his pocket as she brushed by him on the

street).

Quoted message said:

For what it's worth, I've heard far more horror stories about Italy than

I

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

have France, particularly areas around train stations in large cities.

My

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

wife & daughter went on a school trip that spent a bit of time in Italy,

and

Quoted message said:

the stories of the Gypsies, with their cardboard facades held in front

of

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

them so you couldn't see them steal your stuff when they bumped into

you...

Quoted message said:

pretty amazing. I never saw anything like that in France.

Quoted message said:

As for your experiences...wow...you must have some really good karma!!
Perhaps you were a monk in a previous life, eh? <g> Anyway, it's good

to

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

hear that you don't have to stress over it too much.

Have you traveled abroad previously? If not, don't dwell on the things

that

Quoted message said:

might go wrong. Look forward to having a great time. The experience is
amazing... although, frankly, you can remain fairly isolated from it

when

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

you're on an organized tour. And don't get too hung up on everything
working out a certain way, especially on a Graham Baxter tour.

Sometimes

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

the itinerary bears little resemblance to reality, but it's the changes

and

Quoted message said:

surprises that often bring the most memorable experiences.

Thanks...I normally have an Alfred E. Neuman attitude ("What, me worry?"😉,
and rarely has it or my guardian angel let me down. I sense that the GB
tour may be somewhat "eccentric", but I'm really looking forward to it

(the

Quoted message said:

price was very reasonable compared to Trek Travel, for instance). Most of
my tours in the past have been of the cheaper do-most-of-it-yourself

variety

Quoted message said:

(e.g., Bicycle Tour of Colorado), with camping option.

Quoted message said:

Which level of Alpes-to-Paris tour are you doing

(standard/deluxe/luxury)?

Quoted message said:

Since I've never been before, and since AdH will be such a zoo this year

due

Quoted message said:

to the TT, and for the chance to have dinner with Bob Roll and Graham
Watson, I booked the luxury tour (it filled up within 24 hours of being
announced). We'll be spending 3 nights on l'Alpe d'Huez, about 1 km from
the finish line...and, yes, I am completely stoked to be going!

Quoted message said:

--Mike-- Chain Reaction Bicycles
http://www.ChainReactionBicycles.com

On Thu, 20 May 2004 20:03:24 GMT, "Mike Jacoubowsky/Chain Reaction

Bicycles said:

Quoted message said:

Since I've never been before, and since AdH will be such a zoo this year

due

Quoted message said:

to the TT, and for the chance to have dinner with Bob Roll and Graham
Watson, I booked the luxury tour (it filled up within 24 hours of being
announced). We'll be spending 3 nights on l'Alpe d'Huez, about 1 km from
the finish line...and, yes, I am completely stoked to be going!

Sounds like you're doing the same tour I am... and yes, I signed up about an
hour after it went on-line (I was expecting it to go fast!). I'll be the
guy taking a zillion photos with a digital camera while riding... and also
heading back to my room in the evenings to update our website each day with
photos from the TDF (which is why I went for a single room, along with the
fact that it wouldn't be fair for someone else to have to put up with my
snoring!).

Hi Mike. I hope you'll keep a verbose and keen journal and thrill us all
with your exploits.

BTW, I have a Metallic Black Trek 7500FX being brought in for me from out
in the mid-west by my LBS guys, and they've promised to handle me with
kid-gloves and see I get top-drawer treatment wrt the fitting.

Wow, what a world, eh?

I blame this all on you. <big grin> Thanks buddy.

best,
-B

Quoted message said:

--Mike Jacoubowsky
Chain Reaction Bicycles
www.ChainReaction.com
IMBA, BikesBelong, NBDA member

On Thu, 20 May 2004 20:03:24 GMT, "Mike Jacoubowsky/Chain Reaction

Bicycles said:

Quoted message said:

Since I've never been before, and since AdH will be such a zoo this year

due

Quoted message said:

to the TT, and for the chance to have dinner with Bob Roll and Graham
Watson, I booked the luxury tour (it filled up within 24 hours of being
announced). We'll be spending 3 nights on l'Alpe d'Huez, about 1 km from
the finish line...and, yes, I am completely stoked to be going!

Sounds like you're doing the same tour I am... and yes, I signed up about an
hour after it went on-line (I was expecting it to go fast!). I'll be the
guy taking a zillion photos with a digital camera while riding... and also
heading back to my room in the evenings to update our website each day with
photos from the TDF (which is why I went for a single room, along with the
fact that it wouldn't be fair for someone else to have to put up with my
snoring!).

Hi Mike. I hope you'll keep a verbose and keen journal and thrill us all
with your exploits.

BTW, I have a Metallic Black Trek 7500FX being brought in for me from out
in the mid-west by my LBS guys, and they've promised to handle me with
kid-gloves and see I get top-drawer treatment wrt the fitting.

Wow, what a world, eh?

I blame this all on you. <big grin> Thanks buddy.

best,
-B

Quoted message said:

--Mike Jacoubowsky
Chain Reaction Bicycles
www.ChainReaction.com
IMBA, BikesBelong, NBDA member

"Mike Jacoubowsky/Chain Reaction Bicycles" <[email hidden]> wrote
in message news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Since I've never been before, and since AdH will be such a zoo this year

due

Quoted message said:

to the TT, and for the chance to have dinner with Bob Roll and Graham
Watson, I booked the luxury tour (it filled up within 24 hours of being
announced). We'll be spending 3 nights on l'Alpe d'Huez, about 1 km

from

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

the finish line...and, yes, I am completely stoked to be going!

Sounds like you're doing the same tour I am... and yes, I signed up about

an

Quoted message said:

hour after it went on-line (I was expecting it to go fast!). I'll be the
guy taking a zillion photos with a digital camera while riding... and also
heading back to my room in the evenings to update our website each day

with

Quoted message said:

photos from the TDF (which is why I went for a single room, along with the
fact that it wouldn't be fair for someone else to have to put up with my
snoring!).

--Mike Jacoubowsky
Chain Reaction Bicycles
www.ChainReaction.com
IMBA, BikesBelong, NBDA member

Cool...look forward to meeting you there. I've enjoyed your postings and
your website for quite some time. In fact, it was your comments on Graham
Baxter's tours that convinced me to book with his company.

I'll be the bald guy with a goatee on a black Trek 5200
(http://www.shastasoftware.com/BTC2003/BTC0035.htm ).

~_-*
....G/ \G
http://www.CycliStats.com
CycliStats - Software for Cyclists

Quoted message said:

"GaryG" <garyg@shasta_SPAMBEGONE_software.com> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

"Mike Jacoubowsky" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

> I was wondering if my fears were overblown. I had spoken recently

to

Quoted message said:

my

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

> fiance's teenage son who travelled in Italy last summer. He

reported

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

> several pickpocketing attempts while he was there, including one by

a

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

little
> old lady who was "nearly 80 years old" (but, still had quick and

deft

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

hands
> that she clearly put into his pocket as she brushed by him on the

street).

Quoted message said:

For what it's worth, I've heard far more horror stories about Italy

than

Quoted message said:

I

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

have France, particularly areas around train stations in large cities.

My

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

wife & daughter went on a school trip that spent a bit of time in

Italy,

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

and

Quoted message said:

the stories of the Gypsies, with their cardboard facades held in front

of

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

them so you couldn't see them steal your stuff when they bumped into

you...

Quoted message said:

pretty amazing. I never saw anything like that in France.

> As for your experiences...wow...you must have some really good

karma!!

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

> Perhaps you were a monk in a previous life, eh? <g> Anyway, it's

good

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

to

Quoted message said:

> hear that you don't have to stress over it too much.

Have you traveled abroad previously? If not, don't dwell on the

things

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

that

Quoted message said:

might go wrong. Look forward to having a great time. The experience

is

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

amazing... although, frankly, you can remain fairly isolated from it

when

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

you're on an organized tour. And don't get too hung up on everything
working out a certain way, especially on a Graham Baxter tour.

Sometimes

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

the itinerary bears little resemblance to reality, but it's the

changes

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

and

Quoted message said:

surprises that often bring the most memorable experiences.

Thanks...I normally have an Alfred E. Neuman attitude ("What, me

worry?"😉,

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

and rarely has it or my guardian angel let me down. I sense that the GB
tour may be somewhat "eccentric", but I'm really looking forward to it

(the

Quoted message said:

price was very reasonable compared to Trek Travel, for instance). Most

of

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

my tours in the past have been of the cheaper do-most-of-it-yourself

variety

Quoted message said:

(e.g., Bicycle Tour of Colorado), with camping option.

Quoted message said:

Which level of Alpes-to-Paris tour are you doing

(standard/deluxe/luxury)?

Quoted message said:

Since I've never been before, and since AdH will be such a zoo this year

due

Quoted message said:

to the TT, and for the chance to have dinner with Bob Roll and Graham
Watson, I booked the luxury tour (it filled up within 24 hours of being
announced). We'll be spending 3 nights on l'Alpe d'Huez, about 1 km

from

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

the finish line...and, yes, I am completely stoked to be going!

Quoted message said:

--Mike-- Chain Reaction Bicycles
http://www.ChainReactionBicycles.com

GaryG said:

I'll be the bald guy with a goatee on a black Trek 5200

You painted a beard on your bike?!?

Bill "slow afternoon" S.

Quoted message said:

You painted a beard on your bike?!?

Nah, he got a fake one from a joke shop & stuck it on ;-)

Cheers, helen s

--This is an invalid email address to avoid spam--
to get correct one remove fame & fortune
h*$el*$$e*nd**$o$ts**i*$*$m*m$o*n*s@$*a$o*l.c**$om$

--Due to financial crisis the light at the end of the tunnel is switched off--