@Pig: weefee is going to be key, although I expect my iPhone to be working by the time my plane lands. And thanks for the clarification, little beers just wont cut it

“avez vous wifi” = “do you have wifi” (pronounced weefee). Very useful if you want to give blog updates.

A small beer just won’t do! so to correct one of Will’s
“un grand pression s’il vous plait” = “a large beer (draft) please”

“en danseuse” – literally “like a ballerina” but used when you stand up on the pedals to climb. Very graceful term, imo, much prettier than “he’s standing on his pedals”.

“Ils arrivent!” = they’re coming! (you’ll hear this when the peleton is approaching). Pronounced “eelz-arreev” (don’t even ask about the spelling and not pronouncing the “ent” – it’s one of those French spelling rules that only applies to verb conjugation that will confuse the hell out of you!)

“Avoir une valise magique” (have a magic suitcase), “Pisser violet” (to pee violet) and “Manger chez Virenque (to dine at Virenque’s house) are all silly slang for “Le Dopage”, or doping.

“au bout de souffle” = at the end of his breath, meaning, on his last legs. (or to use it for yourself, say, “Je suis au bout de souffle” pronounced “juh swee oh boo de soofle)

“Je suis crevé” – like “je suis épuisé” (I am exhausted) it’s idiomatic for “I am flattened” (exhausted). Pronounced “juh swee krevay”

“J’ai crevé” means I’ve “flatted” (gotten a flat tire). Pronounced “jay krevay”.

In the morning before your climbs, do some positive mental affirmations (instead of the whining expressions we’ve been giving you!!):
“Je me sens forte!” = I feel strong (pronounced ‘juh muh sanh fort’)

“C’est super” = “This is super”- an americanism you’ll hear quite a bit, along with “c’est cool” (pronounced’say soop-air’)

je vais grimper tres bien aujourd’hui (jeh vay gram-pay tray bien oh-jord-wee) = I’m going to climb very well today

“j’adore…” = I love…. as in “J’adore grimper” (I love to climb), j’adore mon vélo (i love my bike), j’adore ca (I love this!), j’adore la France, j’adore le vin (I love wine)

asking for things you’ll need while riding:
“de l’eau s’il vous plait” = water please (pronounced deh lo see-voo-play), as in going into a café and asking the bartender to fill your “bidon” (water bottle). That’s the easier way to say it, but better to ask politely, “Monsieur, de l’eau s’il vous plait? Merci bien!” as you hand him your bottle…

On my blog on cycling in Europe I have a post on courtesy in France. The permalink is too long to post here, but just go to http://cycingeurope.wordpress.com and click on “Logistics, customs and courtesies” under Categories and you’ll find it. It also gives you some useful French expressions to memorize.

Amusez-vous! = Have a good time, or enjoy yourself (pronounced “ahmoo-zay voo)

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1167/810327641_15e6ee4bdb_m.jpg

as in who is in the escape.

“maillot jaune” = “yellow jersey”

“Col” = “mountain pass”

“flamme rouge” = red flag = one kilometre to finish

“grupetto” = the big pack at the back of the race that group together and pace themselves to the finish

“voiture-balai” = “broom wagon” a van with a broom on it – signifies the very back of the race.

“contre-le-montre” = against the clock = time trial

“chute” = fall = crash

“étape” = step = stage as in stage 5

“la grande boucle” = the big ring or loop = slang for the Tour de France

“le hexagone” ) slang for France (it’s shape)

“classement generale” = overall standings

“caravane publicitaire” = publicity caravan = a little over an hour before the riders pass there is a huge “parade” of sponsor floats where they throw out gifts (food, water, shirts, hats, keychains, etc” play music etc. very fun.

“bon courage” = “be brave” (very common when encouraging people that are struggling)

“Assez raide” = pretty steep!

“accroche-toi” = “hang-on” as in “get on my wheel”

“allez, allez” = “go, go” (yell as the Tour riders passes)

“merci” = “thanks”

“ou est la toilette” = “where is the toilette”

“je suis epuisé” = “I am exhausted”

“un pression s’il vous plait” = “a beer (draft) please”

“Poutain” = uuummmm = “wholy shit (whore)” (yikes this is hard) poon-tang is a derivative

“grimper” = “to climb”

“maillot pois” = “pea shirt” or King of the Mountain shirt

“con” = “a very nasty insult”

“presque là” = “almost there”

“c’est tres dur” = “it’s very hard” (or just turn your head and say “dur!” to guy beside you