netflix(!) + le tour

It’s pretty crazy to say but the Powlesses are on netflix! Last summer, when Neilson’s team signed on to be part of the Tour de France docu-series, we opened our lives up to a team of cameramen who came to our home, interviewed Neilson, and followed him throughout the Tour. It was pretty crazy seeing what goes into a massive production like this, so we had no idea how much of the hours of time we spent with them would actually see the light of day.

This year, the team put together a really sweet video about the family behind Neilson who got him to where he is today. It aired today, and I have to say I cry every time I watch it. Sharing about our lives is really vulnerable and I can’t claim that we’ve figured it all out. I hope you enjoy getting a glimpse into our stories.

We do the best with what we can and Neilson’s fourth Tour de France is about to kick off this weekend! I remember the first year he got the call that he was going, my mom and I were in Palm Springs driving from CA to TX and had woken up at 5am to get a headstart on the driving for the day. Neilson was so excited and was crying telling us that he had made the team. We were all screaming because as long as I’ve known him this has always been his dream. Embarking on number 4 doesn’t immediately bring that same level of excitement, but we have lived a lot of life since that call in 2020 and every year are able to see how far we’ve come.

Three weeks away from each other is a long time, and during the race there’s not a lot of time to talk or have conversations without a roommate, that aren’t taking place on a bus in the middle of a freeway in France. My pregnancy hormones can’t really handle thinking about so much time apart, watching him from tv hoping he is safe and sound at the end of every day. Bike racing is a sport that comes with a lot of sacrifice, and a few weeks ago we were reminded that there is a lot risk in the sport. While Neilson was at the Tour de Suisse, Gino Mader tragically passed away after a high speed downhill crash on a mountain. Every day that I get to see Neilson come home safely is a gift that we don’t take for granted.

This year, the team has already started filming for season 2, and the same crew has made their way to our home in Nice for interviews, my baby shower, and some prep footage of Neilson before the tour. We are both heading out in the next 2 days to the Basque country for the start of the tour. I’m planning to go to the first few stages in Bilbao/San Sebastian, and then will visit friends in Girona and come back to Nice for some downtime. Then heading to the Alps for the 3rd week of the tour to watch some mountain stages and catch Neilson on his second rest day. After that, a few days in Nice until the final stage in Paris! It’s pretty hard to believe by the time the Tour ends, I’ll be another year older, and 2 weeks into my third trimester. A few days after the tour ends, I’m heading stateside where I’ll stay parked until the baby arrives in October. The summer heat is definitely starting to get to these swollen pregnant legs, so American air conditioning will be much welcomed by then.

We are really grateful for everyone who has chosen to follow along on our journey, and also ask for grace and prayers of safety as we navigate this busy season!

xx