Alpe Duez

We decided to climb the Alpe before the race goes over on Friday due to the huge crowds already building on the mountain a week before!

We travelled from Avignon to the base in  torrential rain but luckily it stopped as we arrived.
I have watched this climb on the tv for 20 years and dreamed of riding it one day.
The amount of tour legends that have conquered this climb and the history behind it make it must do in my book.
The first part of the climb is very steep and I thought I was in for a tough day but soon
The grade became more manageable. The climb is made up of 21 hairpin turns each one has a sign
Named after a previous tour winner that helps to count down the distance to the top.
I totally enjoyed myself on the iconic climb. My day was complete

Mount ventoux

The day dawned fine and clear but cool,perfect day to climb the giant of Provence.
I first climbed this mountain   in 2009 and really suffered thru illness to make it to the summit.
This time I was determined to ride it well and I was not disappointed.I managed to find a rhythm early on and pace myself all the way up.the lower slopes are covered in grapevines and olive trees and are very picturesque.
After 12 ks or so it starts to get a bit steeper on the hairpins sometimes up to 14%
at the chalet Reynard I stopped for a coke then carried on for the final 6km.No ride up the Ventoux is complete without stopping at the memorial to Tom Simpson a brittish cyclist who  in 1966 collapsed and died while wearing the yellow jersey. It is tradition to leave a small offering.
This section of road is exposed and barren and windswept.
at the summit we had a quick photo then blasted down the other side,a 23 km downhill
Took us to the amazing village of Malacene for lunch.
The feeling I had after ticking that one off was incredible, I have nothing but respect for the pros the way they ride up these mountains.

plateau DeBeille

Today we bussed from our hotel to Foix then rode over some amazing rolling roads along a mountain valley in 35 degrees.we climbed a small col that topped out at 900 metres then dropped down a switchback filled mountain to Les Cabbanes at the base of plateau de beille.

We had planned to walk onto the lower slopes of the mountain to watch the race go by but by pure chance an official of  the tour organizer spotted mikes aussie shirt and  started to chat to him and  envited the 4 of us into the hospitality area. Now this is for media,sponsors and local mayors etc so to get in here was like Christmas to my 2 Aussie mates and fellow kiwi friend.we were treated like royalty! Every type of drink was provided as well as fine French food and deserts to add kilos just looking at them!
The race was epic! As well as our grandstand seats we had big tv screens to watch it live.all in all a great day at the tour.
After the race the bus took us on to Toulouse where we wondered down the street and had a fine pizza for tea and my new favorite pudding baked Alaska
The next morning we travelled to Avignon and when we had unpacked the bikes went into the old medieval city that was buzzing with an arts festival.this place was oozing age, some of the buildings date back to the 15 th century.just like some of my customers!

Tomorrow we tackle the giant of Provence. The mount ventoux

Tourmalet

We decided to climb the tourmalet the day after the race had gone over it due to the huge crowds on race day and it looks like it was a good idea as the next day the road was still gridlocked with cars and campers trying to get off the mountain.
The road starts to rise as soon as we left our hotel but only at about 4% but when you reach Marie St Campan it kicks up to 9% and hovers around there for 15 ks then at la mongie it has a few ramps at 10%
the views are breathtaking, we came across a herd of cows that blocked the roads and were in no mood to move,then I rounded a bend to find lamas on the road!
The heat and the thin air made it hard going but when you reach the summit at 2150 metres and hear the cheers of the crowd as you reach the summit make all the pain and suffering worthwhile.
After a coffee in the summit cafe which is a museam of sorts with the walls adorned with old photos of cyclings legends and memorobilia.  We then  descended 19 km to a lovely village for lunch.
We rode a bike path for 20 ks then stopped on the tour route at 4 k to go and watched the race go by,
After riding thru loudes we had a fast downhill run back to the hotel.
I have watched the tour go over the tourmalet many times and have dreamed of climbing it.I am in awe of the pros now that I know how hard it is.
Tomorrow we ride to les cabannes and the climb of plateau de beille.

Tour update

Left the hotel at 8.30 am and rode to Marie St Campan Where we turned off the tour route and climbed up the Col D'ASpin which tops out at 1490 meters.a gentle climb by tour standards at about 7% average for 8 km.the view from the top was stunning.
aS we climbed we had superb views of the valley below and we we serenaded by the cows jangling their cowbells.
tHe roads are jam packed with cyclists so you have to keep your wits about you when screaming down the mountain,I must comment on the patience of the French motorist and public.they never get upset by bike riders and are constantly waving and calling out encouragement ,pity it's not like that at home!
AFter riding along the valley we turned off at immediately climbed a section that was 14%!
I thought my legs were about to explode but luckily after 200 metres it turned then leveled out to start the climb of the Hourquet D'ancien a climb that has never been used in the tour before.the road had been closed down to cars the day before as it was full! The lower slopes were packed with people walking to the summit.
this climb is 9 km at an average of 6% and reaches 1520 metres a really nice climb thru the forest .just to put a perspective to how these climbs are whangapoua hill is 3km long and rises 350 metres!

The road was lined with cars and camper vans and families picnicking,some had been there 2 days!they clapped and cheered every rider and yelled " allez allez" it really helps you to keep going with that sort of encouragement.
when we reached the summit we stopped and waited for the race to come along .but before that we were entertained by the publicity caravan which I will report on with pics at another time,it is just madness! Hard to describe the noise as it goes by with tons of free trinkets thrown out to the crowd! Great fun!
An hour later the race comes up the mountain.after endless motorbikes and cars the riders come into view,a small group of 4 are out in front I'm amazed at how fast they are going the noise of the crowd is deafening,I find myself screaming like a banshee at the riders.4minutes later the peloton goes by they get screamed at too!
As soon as the last rider had gone by we got back on the bikes and headed back down the valley with thousands of other cyclists and found a bar to watch the race on tv.
4.5 hours riding covering 83 km and 3800 calories! Mind you I have a liking for fine French pastries so replacing them is no problem!
Will put some pics up as soon as I can. Bon nuit from Bagneres De Bigore

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Bonjour from Paris

Arrived safely in Paris and are now the hotel in Versaille WE are waiting on other members of the group who are coming on other flights from around the world.spent a pleasant afternoon having a walk around and taking in the sights and of course we had to sample the first of many French pastries .

we are up early in the morning to board our bus and head down to the heart of the Pyrenean mountain town of Bagneres De Bigore .that's where this trip really begins! Stay tuned.

Tour De France 2011

Only 2 more days till i head to France to follow the tour again,The excitement has been steadily growing and more so now that the race has started.  My training has gone well and i feel   I'm climbing better than ever thanks to a loss of 13kg!but i will need to be on top of my game when i look at the mountains we are to ride.
This year the tour route takes us over some iconic mountains including the tourmalet,luz ardiden and of course the alpe duez.
I will try to update my blog whenever the vagaries of french hotel wi fi connection will allow.

I must add a big thank you to all those that have phoned or  emailed this week to wish me luck,it really means a lot to me,thanks.
Also i have to say that i would not be able to follow my dream if it was not for Diane's support.I realise that when I'm out on my bike each day it's only possible because Diane is there to carry on running the business and making incredible meals for me when i return, thanks mate.

I am asked by many people where i will be so they may see me on the side of the road but the short answer is ;who knows? we will be on the course somewhere each day,we don't know ourselves due to the huge crowds and where we are on the road when the gendarme stop us from riding to allow the tour to go past. so keep looking,you never know!vive le velo! viva Le tour DE France!