Climbing the Luz Ardiden.
While thinking about options to view the Tour going up the Luz I could see a nice intersection with a road from Visco and that might be an easier access to a good view on the Tour day if that became an option. Paddy told me it was the harder of the two routes. Bugger-oh well; lets go. Fully fuelled and tanks of water topped up headed up the Gorge to the Visco turn off. Sharp right onto D149 and immediately 10%, then continuing 10-15% for 2k; hell was this a big mistake, not really; at Visco village the the road deteriorated into a Route Pasturale, 2-3 cars passed; it was sealed but fairly rough with 7-10% slope. This road to the top of D149 was 8k from Visco and a series of hairpins straight up a 30% cliff, lots of trees and great views. With plenty of stops to take photos and fuel came out finally to a flat traverse to junction of the main route; at which point a Pyrenees Vulture, Griffon was circling above me, was I that close to being a rotting carcass? no comments thank you.
The climb continued at 7-10% for another 4k as a series of hairpins straight an avalanche slope. Lots of bikes going up and down and road works beautifying the route ready for next week. The view was hampered by cloud and thus photos are not that great. These are coming later. About 15 bikes on top not many cars; there no services open in summer to discourage that, so bikes rule. Cameras were swapped around for personal photos; and that's it; the first really hard Hors Cat climb, definitely harder than Alp d'Huze; longer and steeper and on my route 7 more hairpins; I definitely could not do two of those a day, let alone three.
Descended via the main route and stopped half way to rest braking hands. Then full speed down gorge and up to the Arcizan Avant cafe for a Jambon Sandwich and Juice. Well these climbs are bloody possible, admittedly I'm stopping for photos and drinks. But that was how I trained on the Fortius initially, then I eventually went non-stop on the d'Huez, Ventoux, Telegraph+Galibier and Tourmalet.
Sunday, July 10, 2011
Saturday, July 9, 2011
Training Camp Pyrennes
The training camp got off to the worst possible start when my bike was left at Orly, and in a sleep deprived state and the shock of the lost bike I left my Docs bag at the Lost and Found office at Lourdes airport. Any that was quickly sorted next day with an embarrassing return to the airport. So then with no bike to assemble I went for a walk to look at roads and routes; heading uphill on D13 in direction of Col Solour, and you know how it is feeling good, new countryside, keep walking and found the junction with D918 road to Soulor and Aubisque. Then satisfied headed back the 9k to Saint Savin. About halfway down started feeling sore in the L hip and slowed progress, anyway got back in reasonable shape but with a definite shuffle. I know, I know Kingsley, must be a dreaming, walking 18k must be some big mistake. Good news was my bike had been found and was in a taxi heading our way. It arrived at about 7pm delivered to a neighboring hotel, at this stage my walk was more of a shuffle and I was cursing my folly. The bike looked OK a little scratched but nothing broken. A great relief, you might imagine the thoughts racing through my head the night before. After dinner the faithful Antiflame was unwrapped and treatment of legs and hip began. In the morning legs and hips were 90% full working order.
Sat: Now came the bike assembly, never having done this before; carefully unwrapped all the padding and saved all the zip locks (a small fee to be shown how this is done). Some essential screws had come loose en route and appeared lost; turned the box up and over and shook it, the lost bits tumbled out. So all assembled with a bit of a learning curve. All by about 10:30, so quickly got kitted up and was out on the roads to gain local experience. A short downhill run to Argeles Gazost and through Centre Ville and down to the start of the Col du Solour, let's have a look up that! Legs OK.
A 3k climb to the first village and then about 7k to bottom and the longer 7k section to top of the Solour, mmmm, no. Just have a peep at severity and then back to La Lantern Rouge(LLG) via the route I walked up yesterday. All good happy with first run on French roads; drivers do take great care, that's confirmed.
Sun: Another bit of route finding, headed up to Luz-Saint-Sauveur and the beginning of the Tourmalet. Then a look at the beginning of the Luz Ardiden and returned to LLG. 5 hours riding and felt OK. Plenty of muscle rubbing with Antiflame was working on sore parts so kept that up making, ready for the first Col assault on Monday morning.
Monday: The day was dreary, drizzling but not blustery so headed out up the D13 following the walking route of Day 1. Stopped at the junction of D918, water and gel (water with a Nuuns tab in; working very well). Then gentle slope up to Arrens Marsous. And then an 8k climb to top. Markers every kilo was a rest indicator, drink, eat and maybe photo, heart rate drop to below 130, the motor is working well though running between 145 and 155, speed 6-9kph, Reach top with a great surge of relief I HAD CONQUERED A BLOODY COL: YEAHHHHH.
Now the interesting bit, the traverse of the Cirque du Littor in 100m visibility in the initial 2k; what an amazing sight, crawling along a sheer cliff, with two short tunnels, and 500m to valley below- breathtaking. Then about 5k climb to top of Aubisque. THIS was a Hors Cat Climb from bottom of Solour, so that's it, my first Hors Climb, WHOOA. It is possible. Mist was twirling in the peaks and valley below; the Tour crosses here on the 15th. Lots of photos and someone offered to snap me, and then he took one on his camera, cripes. Food and water going well so did not feel need to buy anything. Lots of bikes going up and down. Then the descent, slowly at first and across the Cirque, over the top with no stop, and then full bore down, passed riders near the bottom. Then full tilt along the 5k to the D13 back to the LLR. Reaching 45 in places. Glad legs still have some power left. Caution was caste to the wind by now and loving the bikes handling downhill it goes where I point it. And then had to do a panic stop crossing a small bridge going into a right hander. a car was coming left in front, stopped 50cm from his door, driver smiled and got a thumbs up. A short 5k further to a Cafe at Arcizans Avant and a Jambon Sandwich and Orange. Then a 2k roll down to LLG.
Now the thanks: A lot more power in the system thanks to Justin at my Gym, working hard on leg muscles and butt for 6 months, before this idea was born I struggled to climb out of the seat, now its just normal.
Thanks to Mike Jensen who loaned me the Tacx Fortius trainer that enable me to practice on Alp d'Huez, Telegraph, Galibier, Mont Ventoux; Gavia, Stelvio, Mortirolo et al; while the system might give 100% as simulation as the real thing it does help to have the mindset to keep a steady rhythm going for 2-3 hours; and for help setting up the revised back cassette from Campagnolo to SRAM and the use of the small JTEK wheel to help shifting accuracy; and to Rebecca for the loan of a set of Mavic wheels, without which the conversion would not go.
Thanks to the DVD cycling training videos of Graham Street which taught me there is more power in the Butt than the Legs and pull pull pull.
And thanks to the boss, Darling Eve, who has kept the Green light of encouragement going as I pedaled for hours in the living room, sweat poring off.
Photos coming when I get go ahead from Computer owner.
Sat: Now came the bike assembly, never having done this before; carefully unwrapped all the padding and saved all the zip locks (a small fee to be shown how this is done). Some essential screws had come loose en route and appeared lost; turned the box up and over and shook it, the lost bits tumbled out. So all assembled with a bit of a learning curve. All by about 10:30, so quickly got kitted up and was out on the roads to gain local experience. A short downhill run to Argeles Gazost and through Centre Ville and down to the start of the Col du Solour, let's have a look up that! Legs OK.
A 3k climb to the first village and then about 7k to bottom and the longer 7k section to top of the Solour, mmmm, no. Just have a peep at severity and then back to La Lantern Rouge(LLG) via the route I walked up yesterday. All good happy with first run on French roads; drivers do take great care, that's confirmed.
Sun: Another bit of route finding, headed up to Luz-Saint-Sauveur and the beginning of the Tourmalet. Then a look at the beginning of the Luz Ardiden and returned to LLG. 5 hours riding and felt OK. Plenty of muscle rubbing with Antiflame was working on sore parts so kept that up making, ready for the first Col assault on Monday morning.
Monday: The day was dreary, drizzling but not blustery so headed out up the D13 following the walking route of Day 1. Stopped at the junction of D918, water and gel (water with a Nuuns tab in; working very well). Then gentle slope up to Arrens Marsous. And then an 8k climb to top. Markers every kilo was a rest indicator, drink, eat and maybe photo, heart rate drop to below 130, the motor is working well though running between 145 and 155, speed 6-9kph, Reach top with a great surge of relief I HAD CONQUERED A BLOODY COL: YEAHHHHH.
Now the interesting bit, the traverse of the Cirque du Littor in 100m visibility in the initial 2k; what an amazing sight, crawling along a sheer cliff, with two short tunnels, and 500m to valley below- breathtaking. Then about 5k climb to top of Aubisque. THIS was a Hors Cat Climb from bottom of Solour, so that's it, my first Hors Climb, WHOOA. It is possible. Mist was twirling in the peaks and valley below; the Tour crosses here on the 15th. Lots of photos and someone offered to snap me, and then he took one on his camera, cripes. Food and water going well so did not feel need to buy anything. Lots of bikes going up and down. Then the descent, slowly at first and across the Cirque, over the top with no stop, and then full bore down, passed riders near the bottom. Then full tilt along the 5k to the D13 back to the LLR. Reaching 45 in places. Glad legs still have some power left. Caution was caste to the wind by now and loving the bikes handling downhill it goes where I point it. And then had to do a panic stop crossing a small bridge going into a right hander. a car was coming left in front, stopped 50cm from his door, driver smiled and got a thumbs up. A short 5k further to a Cafe at Arcizans Avant and a Jambon Sandwich and Orange. Then a 2k roll down to LLG.
Now the thanks: A lot more power in the system thanks to Justin at my Gym, working hard on leg muscles and butt for 6 months, before this idea was born I struggled to climb out of the seat, now its just normal.
Thanks to Mike Jensen who loaned me the Tacx Fortius trainer that enable me to practice on Alp d'Huez, Telegraph, Galibier, Mont Ventoux; Gavia, Stelvio, Mortirolo et al; while the system might give 100% as simulation as the real thing it does help to have the mindset to keep a steady rhythm going for 2-3 hours; and for help setting up the revised back cassette from Campagnolo to SRAM and the use of the small JTEK wheel to help shifting accuracy; and to Rebecca for the loan of a set of Mavic wheels, without which the conversion would not go.
Thanks to the DVD cycling training videos of Graham Street which taught me there is more power in the Butt than the Legs and pull pull pull.
And thanks to the boss, Darling Eve, who has kept the Green light of encouragement going as I pedaled for hours in the living room, sweat poring off.
Photos coming when I get go ahead from Computer owner.
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Itinerary Update
Date | Flight/TdF Start/Finish : Location : Activity |
29 June | SQ 286 Akl-Sing, SQ 334 Sing-Paris |
30 June | Transfer CDG to OrlyAF 5703 Orly-Lourdes: La Lanterne Rouge, St Savin |
1 July | No TdF: La Lanterne Rouge, St Savin: Assemble Bike and look around village |
2 | Passage du Gois La Barre de Monts > Mont des Alouettes Les Herbiers: La Lanterne Rouge, St Savin:Ride to Luz-St. Sauveur, maybe a wee look up the route to Tourmalet and return 32k |
3 | Team TT Les Essarts > Les Essarts : La Lanterne Rouge, St Savin: Ride up Col des Borderes via Estaing and back via Arrens- Marsous 30k (http://www.velopeloton.com/cycling/col-du-borderes/) |
4 | Olonne sur Mer > Redon : La Lanterne Rouge, St Savin: Ride up to Col du Soulor and Col d’Aubisque 60k |
5 | Lorient > Mûr-de-Bretagne La Lanterne Rouge, St Savin: Ride up to Luz-St Sauveur and look up the ride to Luz-Ardiden 35k |
6 | Carhaix > Cap Fréhel : La Lanterne Rouge, St Savin: Ride up Hautcam 38k |
7 | Dinan > Lisieux La Lanterne Rouge, St Savin : Rest Explore Lourdes or Argeles Gasozt |
8 | Le Mans > Châteauroux La Lanterne Rouge, St Savin: Ride up Tourmalet |
9 | Aigurande > Super-Besse Sancy La Lanterne Rouge, St Savin: Massage at Lanterne Rouge |
10 | Issoire > Saint-Flour : La Lanterne Rouge, St Savin: Pack Bike |
11 | Train Lourdes> Toulouse/Rest Day Le Lioran Cantal : Toulouse: Mercure Toulouse Wilson: Unpack bike |
12 | Aurillac > Carmaux : Toulouse: Mercure Toulouse Wilson: Ride to Albi and then to Carmaux to see TDF finish |
13 | Blaye-les-Mines > Lavaur : Lourdes: Grand Hotel Modern: Ride loop St Girons-Oust-Seix-St Girons. No TDF contact |
14 | Cugnaux > Luz-Ardiden : Lourdes: Grand Hotel Modern : Watch race on the Tourmalet (after riding up it (Tourmalet 2115m) |
15 | Pau > Lourdes : Lourdes: Grand Hotel Modern: An opportunity to climb the Col d’Aubisque 1709m, and watch the Tour cross the Col before riding downhill to Lourdes |
16 | Saint-Gaudens > Plateau de Beille : Avignon: Hotel Cloitre St Louis : Ride part of way to race start at St Gaudens and then bus to Avignon |
17 | Limoux > Montpellier : Avignon: Hotel Cloitre St Louis: Ride to Chateauneuf du Pape 20k |
18 | Rest Day Département de la Drôme : Avignon: Hotel Cloitre St Louis : Ride Mt Ventoux Ride up from Bedoin on the southern side of the hill, about 21 km and then back down to Malaucene, then back to Bedoin. 50k |
19 | Saint-Paul-Trois-Châteaux > Gap : Serre Chevalier: Grand Hotel: Mostly in bus resting to Serre Chevalier, will intersect with the Tour en Route at Nyons |
20 | Gap > Pinerolo : Serre Chevalier: Grand Hotel: Ride from Hotel to Briancon and then up Col d’ Izoard and return to Briancon to watch the TdF enroute to Pinerolo 45k |
21 | Pinerolo > Galibier - Serre Chevalier: Serre Chevalier: Grand Hotel: Saint Chaffrey - Col du Galibier return to hotel. Watch finish on Galibier. 40-50k |
22 | Modane Valfréjus > Alpe-d’Huez : Serre Chevalier: Grand Hotel: Le Bourge d’Oisans - L’Alpe d’Huez return and watch the finish. 30k |
23 | Individual TT Grenoble > Grenoble : Paris: Abba Montparnasse : Ride in bus to Grenoble to watch the TT and then jump onto the TGV to Paris |
24 | Créteil > Paris Champs-Élysées : Paris: Abba Montparnasse : Ride around Paris in early morning, photo at Arc de Triumph, and then watch the finish. |
25 | Paris: Abba Montparnasse : Tourist in Paris |
26 | Paris to London: Eurostar : 9 Becketts, Hertford : Jason and Morven : Recover |
27 | Hertford |
28 | Hertford |
29 | Hertford |
30 | London to Paris- Eurostar : Paris: Abba Montparnasse |
31 | SQ333 CdG>Sing |
1 Aug | SQ281 Sing>Akl |
June Training
June 1st Gym. Progress: 73 floors climb in 14 minutes
June 3rd Climb Passo Vivione followed by Passo Presolana 29k climbing in 48.8 k, 3h 40m.
June 5th Climb Kuaotunu Hill twice. 30k
June 7th Massage
June 10th Gym. Progress 77.5 floors in 14 minutes
June 11th Climb Slow Tension Repeats 6 times Percival Hill. First run averaged 20k on climb. Major goal met.
June 13th Climb Whangamata Hill two times both sides. 1000m climbing.
June 16th Four Sprints 5, 3, 3, and 5k on 309 Road.
June 17th Bones Massage and Gym, Just strength sets, plus sauna for heat conditioning.
June 19th Climb Manaia and Kerata Hills and return; 900m climbing in 2h 37m
June 20th Gym and Sauna
June 3rd Climb Passo Vivione followed by Passo Presolana 29k climbing in 48.8 k, 3h 40m.
June 5th Climb Kuaotunu Hill twice. 30k
June 7th Massage
June 10th Gym. Progress 77.5 floors in 14 minutes
June 11th Climb Slow Tension Repeats 6 times Percival Hill. First run averaged 20k on climb. Major goal met.
June 13th Climb Whangamata Hill two times both sides. 1000m climbing.
June 16th Four Sprints 5, 3, 3, and 5k on 309 Road.
June 17th Bones Massage and Gym, Just strength sets, plus sauna for heat conditioning.
June 19th Climb Manaia and Kerata Hills and return; 900m climbing in 2h 37m
June 20th Gym and Sauna
Monday, May 30, 2011
May Training
May 2: set out to ride the Passo di Gavia a classic Italian pass, but the Fortius system stopped after 20 minutes and 3.7k; Fortius was to prove very flaky which took almost a month to find out the solution.
May 3: Massage.
May 4: 3 hour ride around Hahei and Hot Water Beach circuit from Ferry Landing. 60k 3hours.
May 5: Recovery ride around town.
May 6: Gym. Finished the Stair Climb 10 minutes first time, 50 floors.
May 9: Two repeats over Manaia Hill, 689 m climbing 33.4k 2 hrs.
May 11: Gym. 10 min stair climb, 50 floors in 9.55mins.
May 13: From Ferry landing to Tairua with three climbs of Tairua Hill.
May 15: Leg warmer 21 km
May 17: Gym 10 min stair climb 50 floors in 9.50mins, time to move to harder set of objectives.
May 19: 30k sprinting and two 5k time trials.
May 21: Whitianga to Tairua 82k 4 hours
May 23: Gym. New harder plan.
May 24: Massage
May 26: Cyclocore Six Classic Hill climbs
May 28: Fortius problem may have been a wiring connection to the motor. Set out to do the Alpine Classic- Telegraph-Galibier-Alp d'Huez. Got as far as Col du Lautaret and got bored with the prospect of another 30k downhill. Anyway a big boost to be able to ride to Col du Lautaret non-stop in 2h 55 min.
May 30. Mt Venoux from Malaucene non-stop in 2hr 15min.
So the month of May resulted in a lot more power in legs, I can sustain 200 watts for longer on repeated 1 minute efforts after 2mins at 150 watts. The downside is I am absolutely bombed out after 3 hours non-stop climbing.
May 3: Massage.
May 4: 3 hour ride around Hahei and Hot Water Beach circuit from Ferry Landing. 60k 3hours.
May 5: Recovery ride around town.
May 6: Gym. Finished the Stair Climb 10 minutes first time, 50 floors.
May 9: Two repeats over Manaia Hill, 689 m climbing 33.4k 2 hrs.
May 11: Gym. 10 min stair climb, 50 floors in 9.55mins.
May 13: From Ferry landing to Tairua with three climbs of Tairua Hill.
May 15: Leg warmer 21 km
May 17: Gym 10 min stair climb 50 floors in 9.50mins, time to move to harder set of objectives.
May 19: 30k sprinting and two 5k time trials.
May 21: Whitianga to Tairua 82k 4 hours
May 23: Gym. New harder plan.
May 24: Massage
May 26: Cyclocore Six Classic Hill climbs
May 28: Fortius problem may have been a wiring connection to the motor. Set out to do the Alpine Classic- Telegraph-Galibier-Alp d'Huez. Got as far as Col du Lautaret and got bored with the prospect of another 30k downhill. Anyway a big boost to be able to ride to Col du Lautaret non-stop in 2h 55 min.
May 30. Mt Venoux from Malaucene non-stop in 2hr 15min.
So the month of May resulted in a lot more power in legs, I can sustain 200 watts for longer on repeated 1 minute efforts after 2mins at 150 watts. The downside is I am absolutely bombed out after 3 hours non-stop climbing.
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Nutrition
Working and riding from home nutrition supply is fairly easy and varied, you continually experiment with all sorts of bars and energy drinks made from water and powders containing the latest mix of complex carbohydrates. You can stop at shops and service stations enroute to top up with water and food as needed. In the Waikato I had rides planned so that half way stops were at Service Stations or Cafes to top up with water and maybe a sandwich. In the Coromandel it's much the same although I seldom need to top up because I'm not riding the distances I did at Cambridge.
With the Tour in mind it's obvious we do not know where supplies can be found and so we have to plan to ride with everything needed for the day. About a year ago I read that Clif was supplying the Garmin- Cervelo Team. I tried all the products available in NZ: the Bar, the Blok and the Shot and liked them, good taste, kind to my digestive system, easy use and store on the bike. And crucially the solid pieces of the Bar did not get into my windpipe as some others do, including the Power bars that I used to cook up. I have been using them since then to get used to the system. I haven't had cramps or bonks. The combination of the three allowed me to contemplate just having water in my bottles and not adding a fuel/electrolyte powder. The value of having just water in a bottle is that it can be used as a coolant on the head and back at the hottest part of the day. The carbohydrates would get very sticky. That has been a main consideration in my plan. Then I took a look at sweating rates and electrolyte loss and did some calculations using the Clif contents and discovered that potentially I could still have a sodium shortage. I felt that having a few electrolytes in the water would not be uncomfortable using water to cool off. Just like sweat. So I had a look around for tablets to put into bottles as required. I found some plain electrolyte pills called TabLytes and have been using them for a couple of months, they are OK. Then I found Nuun tablets which designed to put in the bottle and dissolve quickly, whereas the TabLytes are meant to be swallowed with a good swig of water.
So on any day I will be travelling with one or two Bars, two Bloks, and two Shots with three bottles of water, two with Nuun/TabLytes and one plain in my back pack.
With the Tour in mind it's obvious we do not know where supplies can be found and so we have to plan to ride with everything needed for the day. About a year ago I read that Clif was supplying the Garmin- Cervelo Team. I tried all the products available in NZ: the Bar, the Blok and the Shot and liked them, good taste, kind to my digestive system, easy use and store on the bike. And crucially the solid pieces of the Bar did not get into my windpipe as some others do, including the Power bars that I used to cook up. I have been using them since then to get used to the system. I haven't had cramps or bonks. The combination of the three allowed me to contemplate just having water in my bottles and not adding a fuel/electrolyte powder. The value of having just water in a bottle is that it can be used as a coolant on the head and back at the hottest part of the day. The carbohydrates would get very sticky. That has been a main consideration in my plan. Then I took a look at sweating rates and electrolyte loss and did some calculations using the Clif contents and discovered that potentially I could still have a sodium shortage. I felt that having a few electrolytes in the water would not be uncomfortable using water to cool off. Just like sweat. So I had a look around for tablets to put into bottles as required. I found some plain electrolyte pills called TabLytes and have been using them for a couple of months, they are OK. Then I found Nuun tablets which designed to put in the bottle and dissolve quickly, whereas the TabLytes are meant to be swallowed with a good swig of water.
So on any day I will be travelling with one or two Bars, two Bloks, and two Shots with three bottles of water, two with Nuun/TabLytes and one plain in my back pack.
Saturday, April 30, 2011
Itinerary Detail
Date | Flight/TdF Start/Finish : Location : Activity |
29 June | SQ 286 Akl-Sing, SQ 334 Sing-Paris |
30 June | Transfer CDG to OrlyAF 5703 Orly-Lourdes: La Lanterne Rouge, St Savin |
1 July | No TdF: La Lanterne Rouge, St Savin: Assemble bike |
2 | Passage du Gois La Barre de Monts > Mont des Alouettes Les Herbiers: La Lanterne Rouge, St Savin: Brief Ride on Flat Road |
3 | Team TT Les Essarts > Les Essarts : La Lanterne Rouge, St Savin: Brief Ride up hills |
4 | Olonne sur Mer > Redon : La Lanterne Rouge, St Savin: Attempt a Col |
5 | Lorient > Mûr-de-Bretagne La Lanterne Rouge, St Savin: Rest or Flat ride |
6 | Carhaix > Cap Fréhel : La Lanterne Rouge, St Savin: Attempt a Col |
7 | Dinan > Lisieux La Lanterne Rouge, St Savin : Rest or Flat ride |
8 | Le Mans > Châteauroux La Lanterne Rouge, St Savin: Attempt a Col |
9 | Aigurande > Super-Besse Sancy La Lanterne Rouge, St Savin: Massage at Lanterne Rouge |
10 | Issoire > Saint-Flour : La Lanterne Rouge, St Savin: Pack Bike |
11 | Train Lourdes> Toulouse/Rest Day Le Lioran Cantal : Toulouse: Mercure Toulouse Wilson: Unpack bike |
12 | Aurillac > Carmaux : Toulouse: Mercure Toulouse Wilson: Ride to Albi and then bus to Carmaux to see TDF finish |
13 | Blaye-les-Mines > Lavaur : Lourdes: Grand Hotel Modern: Ride will include loop St Girons-Oust-Seix-St Girons. No TDF contact |
14 | Cugnaux > Luz-Ardiden : Lourdes: Grand Hotel Modern : Watch race on the Tourmalet (after riding up it (Tourmalet 2115m) |
15 | Pau > Lourdes : Lourdes: Grand Hotel Modern: An opportunity to climb the Col d’Aubisque 1709m, and watch the Tour cross the Col before riding downhill to Lourdes |
16 | Saint-Gaudens > Plateau de Beille : Avignon: Hotel Cloitre St Louis : Ride part of way to race start at St Gaudens and then bus to Avignon |
17 | Limoux > Montpellier : Avignon: Hotel Cloitre St Louis: Rest up day in Avignon (or ride) |
18 | Rest Day Département de la Drôme : Avignon: Hotel Cloitre St Louis : Ride Mt Ventoux Ride up from Bedoin on the southern side of the hill, about 21 km and then back down to Malaucene, on the northern side of the hill, about the same distance |
19 | Saint-Paul-Trois-Châteaux > Gap : Serre Chevalier: Grand Hotel: Mostly in bus resting to Serre Chevalier, will intersect with the Tour en Route. |
20 | Gap > Pinerolo : Serre Chevalier: Grand Hotel: The tour goes into Italy and we will be able to ride in Italy today. |
21 | Pinerolo > Galibier - Serre Chevalier: Serre Chevalier: Grand Hotel: Ride from Hotel to Briancon and then up Col d’ Izoard to watch the Tour over the col. |
22 | Modane Valfréjus > Alpe-d’Huez : Serre Chevalier: Grand Hotel: Crunch day for Tour winner. We climb the Alpe d’Huez and then watch the finish. |
23 | Individual TT Grenoble > Grenoble : Paris: Abba Montparnasse : Ride in bus to Grenoble to watch the TT and then jump onto the TGV to Paris |
24 | Créteil > Paris Champs-Élysées : Paris: Abba Montparnasse : Ride around Paris in early morning, photo at Arc de Triumph, and then watch the finish. |
25 | Paris: Abba Montparnasse : Tourist in Paris |
26 | Paris to London: Eurostar : 9 Becketts, Hertford : Jason and Morven : Recover |
27 | Hertford |
28 | Hertford |
29 | Hertford |
30 | London to Paris- Eurostar : Paris: Abba Montparnasse |
31 | SQ333 CdG>Sing |
1 Aug | SQ281 Sing>Akl |
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