Tour Stage 7: Stoking the Engine

Facing the second longest stage of the 101st Tour de France, it was even more vital that the riders keep themselves fueled up.  With due small categorized climbs within the last 20 kilometers of the day, no one wanted to run out of energy when the victory could be on the line.  During every road stage, the race organizers designate a 2 kilometer long zone where the team soigneurs can pass musettes full of drinks, solid food and special tasty treats to the men on their bikes.  The riders will grab the bags from the outstretched arms of the helpers along the side of the road, rummage through the musette and transfer its contents to their pockets or right on into their stomachs.  At the end of the "feed zone" scores of fans will line the road hoping to catch one of the discarded bags tossed by the racers.  The musettes are one of the favored souvenirs from any race.  This is a small original watercolor painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from Jack Richeson and Company (www.richesonart.com) a family run art supply business in the northern United States.  This painting is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com and will be included in my soon to be published tome of the Tour, "Book de Tour".  To learn more about the book project, to pre order your copy and to learn how you can get involved in bringing the 101st Tour de France to print please visit https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1335072134/book-de-tour.  If you would like to purchase this particular painting, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  While you are there, why not take the time to browse all of the art on offer?

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202014/2400766-44-42-199992/Painting/Sports.html#.U8Ayt8_D_IU