Return of Le Tour -- the Tour de Fleece 2007

I realize I'm getting off to a bit of a late start, but I was hesitating about running the Tour de Fleece this year -- in fact, I've been so discouraged by all the doping stuff going on in cycling lately that I've been seriously thinking about not watching the Tour this year.

However, I've had a couple of emails from folks asking if I would run it again, and I think that the only way to get out of the doldrums about cycling is to do something positive.  Besides, I've got a bit of a stash sitting around that really deserves to be spun up.

So there we are:

I'm going to be doing things in a little more low-key way than last year, as I've just not got the time to organize prizes and whatnot, but essentially, the rules remain the same as in 2006:

Here is the first run at a set of guidelines, which I'll edit and refine once I get a moment.  But the basics are here:

The Tour de Fleece 2007

Eligibility:  Any spinner who would like to take on a spinning challenge during the 2007 Tour de France bicycle race.

Concept:  You will set yourself a personal spinning challenge.  You will begin spinning on the first stage of the Tour (July 7th), and finish on or before the last stage (July 29th).  You, of course, may spin on those days designated rest days for the riders.

Rules:

1.  The idea is to set yourself a challenge.  It doesn't matter what the challenge is -- it could be spinning fine for the first time, or producing an artsy fartsy yarn as an exercise, it could be spinning enough for a specific project.  If you've always wanted to spin a little every day (say, a spinning meditation practice), but never seem to find time for it, perhaps that could be the challenge -- spinning every morning of the tour.  What matters is you set out the challenge, and meet it during the specified time.

2.  There will be no spinning before the start of the first stage.

3.  You must finish spinning before the last stage ends.

4.  You may sample and do other research as needed beforehand if it helps you decide on your challenge, or will help provide you the tools and information you need to meet the challenge.

The Maillot Jaune (Yellow Jersey)

As much as I enjoy the different categories of the Tour de France, for the purposes of the Tour de Fleece, there is only one option -- the Maillot Jaune (Yellow Jersey).  Either you meet your challenge, or you don't.

Finishers will get a button for their blog, which will be essentially the same as last year's version.  Of course, there is the immense pride in undertaking the Tour and riding -- er -- spinning to completion.

Who's in?

I'll be using the Tour de Fleece blog from last year to list participants and offer up news.  I've also got a button that you can put on your web site to show that you are participating, so I'll put that there, too.  Leave me a message in the comments, or send a message to the email address in the sidebar, and I'll make sure you are included

What am I spinning?

I'm not sure yet.  I've got a few things in mind, though.

What about the tee-shirts?

I actually loved those tee-shirts from last year, so I think I'm going to do them again.  Except with 2007 on them.  And since I was really pleased to have raised some funds for the Dyana Afghan Women's Fund, any of the profits from stuff in the CafePress shop will go to them again.

Comments

[Helen]

I'm in again- I just have to get my blog up and working. Ever since blogger went to google, it's never worked right :(
This year's challenge is going to be to spin everyday. I have a stash full of oddments, plus two new fleeces, and I want to be able to spin the fleeces up with a beautifully clear conscience. I'm also aiming to spin chunkier than I've ever spun before- laceweight single? No problem. Anything heavier than DK and I start to struggle.
Oh, and I have a new wheel since last year! So hopefully, I should be super-productive.

[Beverly]

I'm so excited to do this again! This year I want to spin enough lace weight for a shawl. My first laceweight, btw! Thanks for doing this again!

[Mary]

I'm in, too! Same challenge as last year, really, to spin up a fleece that's all drum-carded and ready to go - I just need to sit down and do it! It's ever a pound, and I just made it last year, with plying and all.

[Karen]

I'm in! I didn't find out about this last year until too late to sign up, so I'm delighted you're doing it again. (Plus we love bike racing here.) My goal is to finish up all the projects currently on my 3 wheels, plus maybe one or two others if things go well. Essentially to free up as many bobbins as possible during the Tour!

[katherine]

Hi, all -- thanks for signing up!

We'll be revamping the blog to make it ready for 2007 over the next few days or so -- Rob has just started a new job, so things have been busy, but we've got a holiday weekend here to put in some work on it.

I'm mulling over not closing sign-ups at all this year, since I'm doing things a little more low-key than last year, so if you know of someone who'd like to participate, by all means, send them over!