SO BLOODY GOOD

I think they just walked this one by the fire and spanked its rump and called it Sally. I did order medium rare. The lighting in the restaurant was dim. I knew it was rare but not how rare. I snapped a shot and did not look at it till I got home. Yes, it is bloody. It was bloody good. It was fork tender throughout. This cut of beef was cooked to temperature. I know what you are thinking; it is raw. It is not raw. The meat would be a purple/red and the term is 'Blue Steak". I enjoyed this cut and even knawed on the bone. If you like your steak at any other degree of doneness; please tell your waiter, not me.

 

The Finale…….Tour de France…….21 Days of racing & snacks

 

I hope you have enjoyed 21 days of racing & snacks as much as I have. I have saved the best snack for this last day. The race is over but the snacks continue. I will be moving on to 18 days of snacks with the Olympics. You dear readers will be on your own for that event.

The Race

We end the race with a 33.6KM time trial. The trial will start in Monaco and end in Nice. The Tour de France barring a crash will be won by Tadej Pogcar. He has been very dominant and deserving of the Yellow Jersey.

The Snack

Fruitcake, fruitcake, fruitcake, everybody loves fruitcake. This cake is moist, sweet and chock full of pecans from Berdoll Pecan co. It does not get any better than this.

Day 20……Tour de France……..21 days of racing & snacks

 

The Race 

Nice to Col de la Couillole is a 132.8KM alpine route. There is lots of climbing on this stage before the final day.

The Snack

Peanut butter squares from Southern Supreme Fruitcake & More co. is on the plate today. This is a sweet crunchy peanut buttery brittle type snack. It is scrumptious.

Day 19…..Tour de France…..21 days of racing & snacks

 

The Race

This is the Alps, some of France’s highest roads. Today we race from Embrun and travel 144.8KM to Isola 2000. This will be an exhausting mountain stage and will be decisive for the leaders.

The Snack

Ruffles with sour cream and bacon; this snack is so good it is outlawed in the United States. Maybe it is not illegal but it is only available in Canada. My Amazon driver smuggled me a coveted bag. This chip has so many good things going for it. Trust me, it is worth the risk.

Day 18…..Tour de France……..21 days of racing & snacks

 

The Race

Gap to Barcelonnettee is a 178.8KM course the racers will traverse. This will be a scenic sucession of small climbs going by Lake Serre. Look for the break-away specialists to be triumphant.

The Snack

I do like my bacon & peppers and this snack is a combination of both. Terrapin Ridge Farms makes a fantastic lip smackin bacon pepper dip with real bacon. It has roasted tomatoes, pepper puree and of course real bacon. This is a great snack right out of the jar or possibly with some cream cheese and crackers.

Day 17…..Tour de France……..21 days of racing & snacks

 

The Race

Say three times really fast Saint-Paul-Trois-Chateaux to Superdevoluy and you have said the 177.8KM route of today’s stage. It is predicted the break-away has a good chance today.

The Snack

Pocky Almond Crunch are chocolate crème covered biscuit sticks. I call them delicious.

Day 16……..Tour de France………..21 days of racing & snacks

 

The Race

Today is a 188.6KM race from Gruisssan to Nimes. The race will travel through some wine growing regions. If the wind cooperates this could be one of the last chances for the Sprinters. 

The Snack

Milk chocolate red velvet cherries make for a fun and tasty snack today. These are dried cherries with a chocolate coating; Yummy

Day of Rest II

Today is a day of rest for the Tour. We will be back tomorrow for 21 days of racing & snacks

Day 15……Tour de France……….21 days of racing & snacks

 

The Race

Loudenviell is the start and 197.7KM later is the finish in Plateau de Beille. We are racing in the mountains and today is described as explosive. This is an epic battle for the overall classification.

The Snack

Here is an unusual and quite good hot mustard flavored snack. You heard me right; hot mustard. Unfortunately there is no heat that I noticed. Even though, it still has all the right moves of salty, a little oily, crunchy, a touch of sweetness and mustard flavor. I bet you can’t eat just one. 

Day 14…….Tour de France……21 days of racing & snacks

 

        

The Race

Pau to Saint-Lary-Soulan Pla d’Adet are some funny sounding Frenchy names but this is our start and finish of a 151.KM stage. This is the beginning of the majestic Pyrenees Mountains. There will be 4000m of vertical climbing today. This will be a test of the race leaders.

The Snack

 Who doesn’t love a maple bar?   This is Ms. Goofy’s favorite. I prefer maple old fashioned myself.                                                                     

Day 13……..Tour de France……..21 days of racing & snacks

The Race

Agen to Pau is a 165.3 route. There will be leg breaking climbs in the Pyrenean foothills and possibly a break a way group will be victorious.

The Snack

Figs preserved in balsamic vinegar are on the spoon today. This is a sort of jam but not really. The figs have a jam like texture and are sweet. The vinegar adds a different twist with a tartness and freshness that will perk your taste buds. This is very unique. 

Biniam Girmay is getting an extra special shout out today for dominating the sprint portion of the Tour. He won yesterday and also won two other sprint stages. Winning three stages in the Tour is an elite accomplishment. He is exciting to watch and will be a force in future sprint stages. He also has the distinction of being the first black man to ever win a stage in the Tour de France.  Biniam Girmay Hailu is from East Africa in a country called Eritrea. He currently rides for UCI World Team Intermarché–Wanty. Congratulations Biniam and thanks for making the Tour exciting.

Day 12………Tour de France……..21 days of racing & snacks

 

The Race

Yesterday was an exciting day with the race leaders battling it out at the finish line. Today starts in Aurillac and travels 202.6KM to Villeneuve-sur-Lot. It is a scenic route that will most likely end in a sprint.

 

The Snack

Today’s snack of a seed/oat bar is not the most exciting. It has a lot of crunchy chewy things with a hint of chocolate. It will suffice if you have nothing else.

Day 11…….Tour de France……….21 Days of racing & snacks

 

The Race

 Evaux-les-Bains to Le Lioran is a hilly 211KM route. This stage will keep the G.C. riders on their toes. Be prepared for some attacks up and down these mountains.

The Snack

Dark chocolate covered pistachios may look like Fluffy the Rabbit left you a present but they are fantastic. You may eat the whole bag.

Day 10……..Tour de France…….21 Days of racing & snacks

 

The Race

Today is a flat route that is 187.3KM long from Orleans to Saint-Amand-Montrond. The wind will be a big part of this race. If it is windy it creates panic and turmoil in the peloton. No wind will guarantee a sprint finish.

The Snack

Sweet habanero pecans from Berdoll are on the plate today. Do not fall off your bike with the word habanero in the description. They are sweet as promised but the habanero flavor and heat are hiding somewhere.

Day of Rest

The Tour has taken Monday off to rest rehydrate and possibly have some recommended snacks. Stay tuned, we will be back tomorrow with 21 Days of racing & snacks.

Day 9…….Tour de France……………21 Days of racing & snacks

The Race

Hold on to your hats we are going on a wild gravel ride This course is 199KM long from Troyes ending back in Troyes. What makes this stage so exciting and new is the bikes are leaving the flat hard top and racing on some gravel roads. This should be fast and wild.

The Snack

We are going to introduce you to a new and fun snack called Inner Peas. This is a baked pea and rice flour product. They are actually pretty good. They are light and airy with a slight vegetable/pea flavor. They are not overly oily or salty and I really enjoyed them. My apologies in advance for the next statement; How about putting them in the blender. Just imagine Whirled Inner Peas………..your welcome.

Day 8……..Tour de France……..21 days of racing & snacks

 

The Race

Semur-en Auxois to Colombey-le Deux-Eglises is a 183.4KM route that is described as a leg breaker in its first section. The finish should favor a powerful sprinter.

The Snack

Habanero BBQ Almonds are so lip smackin good. They are salty sweet crunchy and with a little hint of heat. Don’t let the habanero pepper scare you. This heat level has been turned down to appeal to the masses.

Day 7…….Tour de France………21 Days of racing & snacks

 

The Race

Today is the first time trial. The racers compete individually on a set course. This is a 25.3KM ride starting in Nuits-Saint –Georges ending in Gevrey-Chamberlin. The time trial in not as viewer exciting as other stages but is a crucial part of the race and lots of time can be gained or lost.

The Snack

 California tree ripe peaches are some of the best in the world. This is a refreshing and good for you snack.

Day 6……Tour de France………….21 Days of racing & snacks

The Race

Macon is the start of the stage and races 163.5KM to Dijon for the finish. This is another flat stage that should favor the sprinters. The “Manx Missile “Mark Cavendish, yesterday broke the record of 35 stage wins. This is an great accomplishment in the world of cycling; Congratulations

The Snack

Bacon Cheddar Crisps had so much promise and failed on so many levels. If you like cardboard texture with total lack of flavor with absolutely no hint of bacon this snack may be for you. This product should be charged with a crime using Bacon in its title.

Day 5……Tour de France………….21 Days of racing & snacks

The Race

A 177.4KM ride from St Jean de Maurienne to St Vulbas Plaine de I’Ain is a mouthful to say. It is a fairly flat route and should work well for the sprinters.

The Snack

Virginia salted peanuts are very addicting. They are crunchy, salty and just plain yummynoodles.

Day 4……TOUR DE FRANCE…………21 Days of Racing & Snacks

The Race

We arrive in Pinerolo France to attack the Galibier Mountain (2,642m). The race is 139.6KM and ends in Valloire. This is the first big test for the General Classification riders (GC).

The Snack

Crispy Seaweed sounded like an interesting choice. Here is my take on this salty, slimy, funky aftertaste, and just plain nasty; NO

Day 3......TOUR DE FRANCE…………21 days of racing and snacks

 

The Race

Today is the longest stage at 231.KM. The race starts in Plaisance and ends in Turin. This may be a day for the sprinters.

The Snack

Chocolate covered expresso bean will provide the jolt to keep us on the edge of the couch. They are chocolaty good and have a caffeine kick to boot.