Everyone’s going cycling crazy here as we gear up for Le Tour de (Little) France in Edinburgh.
And it’s about temps too as Scotland and France’s links go back centuries through the Auld Alliance of its royal families.
With the ‘Jocks’ nickname for Scots even emanating from the French name Jacques for the-then monarch James.
With the area by the Royal Infirmary where Mary Queen of Scots’ French entourage are said to have stayed… Little France.
Wee Tour de France
The news that Scotland’s capital will host Le Départ 2027, the start of the biggest annual sporting event in the world is trés grand.
And a ringing endorsement for Scottish cycling which has a rich legacy.
Stretching back to King of the Mountains Robert Millar right up to multi-Olympic champion Sir Chris Hoy.
The only regret is that my old colleague, Commonwealth Games competitor and cycling and sports journalist Richard Moore is no longer here to see it.
Le Grand Départ is then un grand deal.
And judging by past visits to British shores, in London and Yorkshire, it will bring in hundreds of millions in tourist mullah.
Where in Edinburgh the world’s top cyclists will whizz by will be released in due course.
Hooray for Holyrood
But we would expect the City of Edinburgh and Le Tour to want to showcase the Athens of the North.
And the riders to fly around Holyrood Park where this cyclist travelled daily on his bike to work.
From Edinburgh’s beach town Portobello, home, of course, of our own Sir Chris.
So, Le Dieu willing I’ll be on the streets in two years and Sir Chris will too to cheer on Le Grand Départ.
As we get the wheels turning for Le Tour de (Little) France in Edinburgh.