A post French ride and pre French ride MEMWNS to the Compasses. Rode my fixed Pompino which felt weird
![Huh? ???](/forum/Smileys/classic/huh.gif)
and was much harder riding home, the slight Essex hills felt much steeper
![Embarrassed :-[](/forum/Smileys/classic/embarrassed.gif)
and the thick air was a drag on my respiratory system!
![Shocked :o](/forum/Smileys/classic/shocked.gif)
Great Waltham are doing things to welcome Le Tour. Like dumping old bikes and painting them in tricolour hues.
![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-wYXvUvyn48U/U6vSBp9kcEI/AAAAAAAAI0w/6EkfB5BiJG4/s640/p6250670.jpg)
Meanwhile Huggy, Tippers, et al and laterly Tomsk enjoyed various English ales, victuals and a cool evening.
![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-1yfb20rlxCc/U6vSBoYDPqI/AAAAAAAAI0s/QyewBS4Pvv4/s640/p6250671.jpg)
Another tricolour bike. I also rode past the Store that has been partially turned into a TdF museum. It has a penny farthing, an old fixed, musette bags, jerseys and some other historic TdF paraphernalia. No pics as it was very early/late!
![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-heXSIvSUUto/U6vSBnYpDJI/AAAAAAAAI0k/nBkgqzcZz24/s640/p6250672.jpg)
We had a good night and impressed some with our tales of grimping and French food.
![Grin ;D](/forum/Smileys/classic/grin.gif)