The fact that France is a cycling country can be seen, among other things, from the fact that – as has been the case since 1947 – the professional horses are racing through the Dauphiné.
And especially because the Tour de France starts again in three weeks.
But you can mainly recognize it in the 54-year-old, immortal chanson "A Bicyclette" by Yves Montand.
The fast-sung song is about a group of young men, what used to be called hooligans, riding around on their bikes with only one thing in mind: everyone wants to impress Paulette, the postman's daughter.
Everyone gives their all to keep their balance and not have to put their foot on the ground for a second, that would be embarrassing.
But nobody manages to be alone with Paulette.
Which raises the question of whether cyclists today still have similar longings in their heads when they struggle up the mountains of the Tour.
After all, until recently, every day winner was kissed by two selected young women at the finish.
Now you take a woman and a man for that.
For diversity reasons.