Stage Two: Stirling to Paracombe - Not To Be Happy

A cooler day than yesterday. 

In Stirling, the teams gather.

Team Equipo de Loro (Team Parrot) is being given a pep talk.

Not by Terence, but by Baby Pierre.

Baby Pierre: I don't mind what you do.

The Pesquet: I do.

Baby Pierre: You didn't yesterday.

The Pesquet: It's my training. They taught us to ride over tiny bridges.

Daniel O'Connell: I saw you riding backwards.

The Pesquet: They taught us that too.

Dedalus: That won't help us with winning!

Baby Pierre: Ha ha! Dedalus is focused on winning. 

They trundle off, just as Terence approaches.

Terence: Wah! 

.......

The race is under way now.

The teams do several circuits through Stirling, then head towards Paracombe.

Vello: Where exactly is Paracombe? I've never heard of it.

David: We'll follow the others.

Marcel Duchamp: Mind if I stop for a moment?

Vello: Why? 

Marcel Duchamp: I've had an idea for a new type of wheel. 

Gaius rides up from behind.

Vello: Gaius! Caught up at last. Making hard work of it?

Gaius: The purpose of our existence is not to be happy.

David: Was there some doubt ?

Vello: Perhaps you should ask Schopenhauer. It's a good question. 

David: Glad you approve. 

Richie Porte sails by, on an upward trajectory.

Vello: There goes Richie. Wouldn't be surprised if he wins. Good climbing legs.

Gaius: The reason I was so far behind was....

Marcel Duchamp: I might catch up with Richie. He'll be interested in my new wheel design.

He speeds up, surprising his fellow Team Philosophe members.

Gaius: A bandicoot.

David: What about it?

Gaius: Thought I saw one. Did you know they were endangered?

David: We are all endangered.

Vello: How true. Where is Belle with our food bags?

Ah. There she is now.

Belle is standing at the side of the road to Norton Summit, holding out a food bag packed with smoked salmon sandwiches.

Belle: Marcel's got his already! He's level with Richie.

Vello: Is there any water?

........

Ying is waiting with water.

Gorka Iziguirra speeds by.

Then Sweezus and Diego.

Diego is thirsty, having missed the last handout of water.

He reaches out towards Ying.

She hands him the last of the water.

......

Richie has got away from Marcel Duchamp.

Jeez! What a time to start telling a chap about bow spokes.

But that's okay. With his good climbing legs Richie wins the stage easily.

He reckons he's now in a good place to win the whole Tour.