The public welcome for Cadel in Federation Square was quite amazing. Cadel wove his way north down St Kilda Road from the National Gallery, shaking people’s hands on each side of the barricades as he went.
The Wheeler was there, asking people what Cadel’s win meant to them, see the next issue for their answers. The SBS crew was there too, proud as punch – as they should be for their great coverage of the event, which has grown into such a wonderful TV extravaganza in Australia in recent years.
As Melbourne’s Age put it: “To celebrate his triumph over more than 3000 kilometres through France, Evans will cycle less than 1000 metres from Victoria’s National Gallery to Federation Square in a parade that is expected to be attended by thousands of fans.” And so he did.
I think all us cyclists are hoping that the wave of success that Cadel is riding will extend to greater recognition for cycling and cyclists and better facilities. More people cycling, more and better on-road bike lanes, more understanding from motorists (well, that’s my Christmas List anyway). Let’s hope so.
And what a Tour next year’s will be, with Cadel wearing #1! I think I’ve perfected the 8-10.30pm nap followed by hours of footage of sunny France viewed from the comfort of the couch.
If you ride up that beautiful road in the background there you'll come to 'Cadel's Hill'. You'll know it when you get there because someone's written 'Cadel's Hill' on the asphalt in 30-foot high letters. Photo: Tim McGrath
On the ground here in Melbourne, I have had some spirit-lifting experiences in the past few weeks:
Riding up Kinglake with Coach just recently a fellow came flying back down the climb and ‘toot-tooted’ at us with an old-fashioned bike horn. He was resplendent in head-to-toe golden get-up and had a ‘Yell for Cadel’ flag stuck in the back of his helmet to go with the smile on his face.
A yellow flag, such as could be acquired at Federation Square in Melbourne on Friday 12 August at Cadel’s homecoming, along with maxi postcards and Cadel face masks!!! I’m sore I missed out on one of those.
In the next valley over from Kinglake/St Andrews – that is, at Arthurs Creek, where Cadel’s mum still lives – there’s a maillot jaune-shaped sign hanging off the town sign that says: ‘Cadel country’ and on the back ‘Training ground of champions’. A bit further out of town ‘Cadel’s Hill’ is writ large, right across the hill. Last week there was even a film crew out there … and a serious increase in the number of roadies crusing through too!
In Arthur's Creek in Melbourne outer-outer-north east, this sign appeared the day after Cadel's win at the TdF. Now locked to the Arthur's Creek town sign, the earlier version(s) must have been - sadly - a popular souvenir. Photo: Tim McGrath
Back home in suburban Melbourne I was riding home on a hectic Friday night just after the Tour had ended. Clinging to a pole, clustered with a group of half a dozen other cyclists on the footpath, waiting for a green light and with the traffic screaming past … a particularly loud car roared past. The passenger yelled out the wound-down window at us cyclists as the car passed. Expecting some sort of abuse … as I suppose I do from a car roaring past … it was a second or two before I realised that the guy had yelled ‘GO CADEL!!!!!’ How great. People can surprise you. I chuckled all the way home.
I’ve finally sorted out why Melbourne was declared a bike city by the UCI (on 5 August) – which inspired a mixture of confusion and disbelief in me, given that cyclists really don’t get such a brilliant deal around here, and which was sort of sprung on us around the time of Cadel’s homecoming.
While infrastructure is improving, there’s still a lack of support (e.g. motorist education etc etc etc – you know what needs fixing) and we have to fight for the right to occupy space on most roads … Copenhagen this ain’t – Copenhagen being the first city to “achieve UCI Bike City status”, in 2007.
Melbourne being declared just the second UCI Bike City in the world has to do with the city hosting various UCI events:
“The UCI Bike City concept, developed by the International Cycling Union in 2006, is designed for internationally renowned cities wanting to make a commitment to cycling by organising major events in each discipline, as well as promoting cycling as an environmentally-friendly leisure sport and a gentle means of transport.”
and
“As part of the procedure to obtain the UCI Bike City label, the UCI and candidate cities draw up a calendar of events to be organised over a period of several years (UCI World Cup rounds, UCI World Championships in the different disciplines). These events have a solid communications strategy and a maximum return on investments made.”
Mystery solved – Melbourne’s hosting the 2012 UCI Track cycling World Championships on 4-8 April 2012. And Geelong’s almost Melbourne … the Road Worlds were there/here last year.
In awarding Melbourne the title of UCI Bike City, UCI president Pat Quaid said:
“Melbourne has a great sporting tradition – hosting the Olympic Games in 1956 – and will be an excellent UCI Bike City. We are greatly looking forward to returning in 2012 for the UCI Track Cycling World Championships”.
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank the city and the State of Victoria for their enthusiasm for our sport and wish Melbourne much success as a UCI Bike City .”
