Breaking News: There's been talk over the last few years of eventually having the Tour de France take its Grand Départ on American shores. As fun as it sounds, prevailing thought has dictated that the Trans-Atlantic junket would put too much wear and tear on the already highly stressed physical condition of the pro peloton. Throwing such cares aside, the organizers of Le Tour have decided to make a last-minute, unannounced (until now!) detour to the Mid-Atlantic States, bringing half the peloton across the pond for a flat, fast stage from Philadelphia to New York on Sunday, July 11, while the other half of the field will toil through the first day in the high alpine regions of Jura and Savoie.
In recognition of my undying efforts (to do what, I'm not sure), the Tour organizers have invited me to drive the lead vehicle for the day.... The real surprise, though, is that once through the Lincoln Tunnel the advance caravan, lead official cars and support motos will pull off and the racers will be on their own. No set course, no marshals or gendarmes pointing the way. First man to the corner of 68th and Columbus Avenue wins.
I'll have ridden off the front by that point, so that I can get a tasting set up at the finish line before the riders arrive. You're invited, too. Here's the scoop:
In honor of the route traveled for the French version of the day's stage, I'll be pouring wines from the Jura at a shop called 67 Wine, which just happens to be located at the corner of 68th (don't ask me why it's not called 68 Wine) and Columbus Avenue. The tasting runs from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM (not from 3:00 to 7:00) on Sunday, July 11, 2010. You'll find the full details at the 67 Wine website.
Come on out and join me for some fine Chardonnay, Ploussard and Savagnin from the Jura and Arbois. World Cup finals be damned! You can DVR the game and Le Tour, but not me and the wines.
67 Wine
179 Columbus Avenue
New York, NY 10023
(212) 724-6767
Saturday, July 10, 2010
TDF 2010 Stage 8 Preview: Philadelphia to New York
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2 comments:
David,
The original address of the store was 67 West 67th Street.
That building is long gone; The space is now occupied by an ABC TV building. When the store moved, it was already 35 years old, and they didn't want to lose the name recognition.
It's now another 35 years, and no one remembers the original store. We get asked about that a lot, and I'm sure a lot more people wonder about it and never ask.
Paul
67 Wine
Thanks, Paul. I figured it had to be something more than an aversion to even numbers. See you tomorrow!
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