I wasn't sure what to expect before we went, but wanted to go to see what it was like. I just got finished reading Lance Armstrong's book and watched a few of the first stages this year and started getting into it by learning about some of the riders, so wanted to go see what it was all about. I never thought I would say it, but this was an incredible event and want to go another year! Verbier is a ski town of about 2,500, but was jammed packed the night before with every bar being crowded and also a band outside in the town square. Not only in town, but there were cars lining the entire route up the mountain already the night before. I wouldn't even know where to start estimating how many people were there during the race, but it had to be well over a hundred thousand just in the last few miles.
Not a bad view to wake up to, huh!
Want some escargot? There were slugs and snails everywhere. 
House full of colorful flowers along the route. This was taken early before the race, so the riders are just "normal joes" riding up the route.
Some artwork under the church along the route.
My future BBQ grill.
House full of colorful flowers along the route. This was taken early before the race, so the riders are just "normal joes" riding up the route.
Some artwork under the church along the route.
My future BBQ grill.
Looking back at the 1km to go marker.
Standing in front of the podium.
One of the many "Lance Camps" we saw. (In case you haven't noticed, Lance is from Texas and dang proud of it)
All along the road, fans painted names of their favorite riders. Here is one for the Schleck brothers, Andy and Frank who ride for Saxo Bank, so I couldn't resist taking a picture with the truck going by. The second one is Christian Vande Velde who is an American rider for Team Garmin Slipstream.
People and bikes were everywhere!
Before the race, the sponsors come through and pass out promotional items in a parade they call the caravan.
Andy Schleck of Team Saxo Bank finished second.
Andreas Kloden on the left and Lance Armstrong on the right. Lance finished in 9th, 1 minute 35 seconds behind. He may not be the Lance of old, but still not too shabby for a 38 year old.
Standing in front of the podium.One of the many "Lance Camps" we saw. (In case you haven't noticed, Lance is from Texas and dang proud of it)
All along the road, fans painted names of their favorite riders. Here is one for the Schleck brothers, Andy and Frank who ride for Saxo Bank, so I couldn't resist taking a picture with the truck going by. The second one is Christian Vande Velde who is an American rider for Team Garmin Slipstream.
Alissa and I sitting in our own Lance Camp in the shade on the hill waiting for the race to start. We had a great view on a hill looking back at a switchback, so were able to see quite a bit.
People and bikes were everywhere!
Before the race, the sponsors come through and pass out promotional items in a parade they call the caravan.
Andy Schleck of Team Saxo Bank finished second.
Andreas Kloden on the left and Lance Armstrong on the right. Lance finished in 9th, 1 minute 35 seconds behind. He may not be the Lance of old, but still not too shabby for a 38 year old.
And again, The Man...I mean the winner of 7 Tours...I mean Lance Armstrong.
Kim Kirchen for Team Columbia HTC.
Christian Vande Velde for Team Garmin Slipstream.
Rinaldo Nocentini in the yellow jersey. He was the overall leader until this stage. Sandy Casar is in the white in front.
Kim Kirchen for Team Columbia HTC.
Christian Vande Velde for Team Garmin Slipstream.
Rinaldo Nocentini in the yellow jersey. He was the overall leader until this stage. Sandy Casar is in the white in front.
Here is a group of riders that finished around the middle of the pack. They were slow compared to Contador in the 2nd video below.
Now after watching that, tilt your head and watch how fast the winner of the stage and now overall leader Alberto Contador was going! Unbelievable!!! (You think there might have been a few Lance fans around us with all the booing when he went by?!?!)
