TDF BiB versus Gendamres

[W124Bob]

Thanks to all the BiB yesterday looked like you were enjoying yourself particularly the biker boys, pity someone didn't tell the french boys to crack a smile!. Infact almost all of the French official TDF convoy looked bored stiff!

[marshalla]

The French have another 20-something days of this to look forward to - again - same as last year, and the year before...;)

[xuy]

W124Bob said:

Thanks to all the BiB yesterday looked like you were enjoying yourself particularly the biker boys, pity someone didn't tell the french boys to crack a smile!. Infact almost all of the French official TDF convoy looked bored stiff!

So it wasn't just me who thought this!!

[shandyboy]

I did see one of the Gendarme crack a smile, but that might be because he'd made it out of Keighley.

I was high-fived by a Brit police biker.

[Shnozz]

One of the gendarmes got off his bike in Addingham and when a female in the crowd shouted, "give us a kiss", he went over, obliged with the kiss to the cheek and then feigned wiping his brow and beginning to take off his shirt. They seemed remarkably relaxed for gendarmes to be honest. And the British bobbies were in great spirits, playing the allo allo theme tune on their sirens as they came through, waving and high fiving the crowds etc. All seemed in great spirits.

[JimbobVFR]

W124Bob said:

Thanks to all the BiB yesterday looked like you were enjoying yourself particularly the biker boys, pity someone didn't tell the french boys to crack a smile!. Infact almost all of the French official TDF convoy looked bored stiff!

Not sure where you were but most of the French police waved to us when they went past. We were on Skipton Road in Harrogate. Maybe they got cheesed off later or something.

OT but the French sirens really do sound French in a way I can't quite explain.

[Rude-boy]

Don't know a sausage about the TdeF but from many visits to France I find Les Gendarmes to be very much like the British ones. In a good mood and you aren't causing them an issue - happy as Larry and quite personable. They do have bad days as well though.

The CRS on the other hand. Even the French Police don't like them.

[16v stretch]

JimbobVFR said:

Not sure where you were but most of the French police waved to us when they went past. We were on Skipton Road in Harrogate. Maybe they got cheesed off later or something.

OT but the French sirens really do sound French in a way I can't quite explain.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=1hSmpHgzJLE

Ahem..

I got a thumbs up from the French bobbies. Then almost got a bottle of water in the face.

[W124Bob]

Well I was in Hebden Bridge, not a smile nothing, I assume no jurisdiction here so why not chill a little. They must have noticed BiB enjoying it as much as was possible and I also assume they volunteer for the 3 week tour. I can understand the press bikers watching the road alot after all they can be thrown of the race and loose a job.

[supersport]

Saw them all , bib bikes and French bikes going south on the A1 in convoy yesterday evening, looked very cool as there were loads of them.

Also saw the various teams heading south. Sadly due to family commitments this is all I saw in the flesh, harrumph.

[williamp]

W124Bob said:

Well I was in Hebden Bridge, not a smile nothing,.

Yes I've been there and thought the same.

[gazza285]

Indeed, look at this miserable set of bds...

[Roo]

The Gendarmes do take it very seriously.

Couple of years ago at a stage start some gendarmes pulled up on their bikes, took their jackets off and neatly folded them before putting then in their panniers. They then cleaned their boots, straightened their shirts and put on sunglasses.

They like to look correctly dressed whilst doing the job professionally, but also enjoying themselves.

[bad company]

Watched the tdf in Essex today. The Froggies seemed friendly enough & contributed to a great atmosphere.

[GoodDoc]

The British Police do seem to enjoy a cycle race, this was a shot I took during one of the Olympic cycle events as it went through Teddington in SW London.

Wasn't just this chap, all the motorcycle cops entered into the spirit of the event.

[AlexIT]

I cannot comment on this particular occurrence, but I found that most of the times the Gendarmes, out from normal routine, are very friendly.

It happened several times during the Monte that once the stage was over, despite the road being still closed, with a smile and a "s'il vous plait..." they let me through.

[anonymous-user]

GoodDoc said:

The British Police do seem to enjoy a cycle race

Indeed. A few days of riding around nice areas with streets lined with people being happy. Not the usual horrible people the police deal with and the paperwork etc. What's not to like?

[SrMoreno]

La Liga said:

ndeed. A few days of riding around nice areas with streets lined with people being happy. Not the usual horrible people the police deal with and the paperwork etc. What's not to like?

Exactly. If I spent most of my time dealing with aggressive drunkards and domestic abuse then I'd be quite happy to spend a few days escorting some cyclists around while people wave and cheer.

[Sexual Chocolate]

The gendamres where better looking according to a female friend of mine.

[paranha]

Why do the Gendarmes wear an open face Helmet, as opposed to our forces closed type?.