Oddball question- Flags and other stuff

jerry3571

Hi,
2 puzzling issues in European Cycling before the Season kicks off big time-

Flags and huge great monster sized manikins-

Flags-
Sorry about this but the question of flags has bugged me for ages but now I finally found this website which identifies the flags which should be seen on the side of the roads of European Cycling.
A particular Flag I spent ages trying to identify was answered on this website. This was the Flag-
Here's the website-
http://www.cyclinginquisition.com/2012/ ... -list.html


The other thing is why the hell do the crowds in Flanders and also in Spain bring out huge model Manikins to show? What's that all about?? Is this a local thing to these areas; do they get bored and build a manikin for fun?? I find them particularly unnerving for some reason, a bit like Clowns. Just wondering why they do it?



Thanks Jerry

jerry3571

It does mention one Flag, which is missed on this website and that's the Flag of Friesland - northern area of Netherlands.
I think these Flags mean a lot to the locals as they tend to hate each other and they tend to back the rider from their neck of the woods. I used to think the Dutch were a Cuddly lot but alas.

FJS

jerry3571 wrote:

It does mention one Flag, which is missed on this website and that's the Flag of Friesland - northern area of Netherlands.
I think these Flags mean a lot to the locals as they tend to hate each other and they tend to back the rider from their neck of the woods. I used to think the Dutch were a Cuddly lot but alas.

More seen at speed-skating than cycling though....

jerry3571

I think this is a more recent acquisition-

hommelbier

Giants

When not being paraded during the local carnival or fete, these giants can usually be seen stored in the entrance to the local town hall (or mairie) such as in Douai or Arras. Also they are often brought out if there is a big bike race passing by so look out for them particularly during the 4 Jours de Dunkerque. Explanation in the website below.

http://www.thegoodlifefrance.com/the-giants-of-france/

in French http://www.geants-carnaval.org/

jerry3571

Brilliant Mate! There's a massive Pig!! God, I'm totally creeped out now! Brilliant!

hammerite

FJS wrote:

jerry3571 wrote:

It does mention one Flag, which is missed on this website and that's the Flag of Friesland - northern area of Netherlands.
I think these Flags mean a lot to the locals as they tend to hate each other and they tend to back the rider from their neck of the woods. I used to think the Dutch were a Cuddly lot but alas.

More seen at speed-skating than cycling though....

There were loads of these flags when we were on AdH a few years back for the tour. Asked the Dutch guys who were our neighbours on the campsite why, apparently it was the Pieter Weening fan club. Also used by football team Heerenveen (in Friesland). Lots of Luxembourg lions too which were for Kim Kirchen and not the Schlecks.

hommelbier

jerry3571 wrote:

There's a massive Pig!!

Giants are popular also in Flanders as well with Ros Beiaard being a pretty big horse in Dendermonde - only comes out every 10 years - not sure where the pig lives.

Ros Beiaard http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uu479UgKOKI
http://www.dendermonde.be/product.aspx?id=4603

chrisday

jerry3571 wrote:

Brilliant Mate! There's a massive Pig!! God, I'm totally creeped out now! Brilliant!

Was at the Orchies pavé sector at last year's P-R, and their giants are a pair of pigs. Actually less creepy up close than you'd think, but I bet they scare the carp out of little kids

deejay

hommelbier wrote:

Giants

When not being paraded during the local carnival or fete, these giants can usually be seen stored in the entrance to the local town hall (or mairie) such as in Douai or Arras. Also they are often brought out if there is a big bike race passing by so look out for them particularly during the 4 Jours de Dunkerque. Explanation in the website below.

http://www.thegoodlifefrance.com/the-giants-of-france/

in French http://www.geants-carnaval.org/

It's Paris - Roubaix that we see them regularly in the Denain area so perhaps they are brought the 20 Km's from Douai.
You know when you see them that the riders are near the Arenberg Forest and the race will be getting serious.

I used to be a regular on the 4 Jours de Dunkerque and realised they must be a local custom dating back in time.
Interesting thread, Thanks.