L’etape Du Tour (long day short post…)

Well folks, we done it … over the line at Loudenville well before the elimination time. No mechanical problems thankfully – just a real challenge overcome to get the 200 kms from Foix through 5 mountain climbs to a wonderfully beautiful town beside the lake.

This is just a short summary post about the day, which I’ll follow-up with in time with a more detailed account of the day and tie it in with some pictures from the day.

The first target is the Col De Port – nominally some 27.5 km from the start, which will include some 11 km of climbing with an average gradient of 5.3% to contend with. Both Declan and myself are feeling this climb, but we make it to the top easily enough. As we’re climbing up we’re passing plenty who already seem in trouble – you just know they are going to suffer a long day. On the descent we came across a cyclist flat out in the road, with a Policeman or something directing traffic around him. 4 or 5 cyclists are with him, its a timely reminder of the dangers of this sport and travelling in these numbers. Thankfully that’s the last person I see hurt from a fall or accident that day – though I see plenty of people in the “Hurt box” for the remainder of the day.

Downhill from Col De Port is a nice descent – there’s plenty of people around me but I never felt any bother. I can see Declan’s T-Mobile jersey gradually getting further away from me as we descend – but that’s no surprise. We re-group at the bottom and we’re off again through a lovely section along a river-valley heading for St.Girons (feed stop) and then onto Climb 2 – the Col Du Portet D’Aspet. Not as high in terms of altitude as climb 1 but steeper at 6.9%. The weather so far has been ideal, the sun is behind some clouds so we’re spared for at least the first 3-4 hours the heavy hot sun. We eventually do get it of course, but the cycling gods are kind and the cloud-cover works on our behalf at least for the morning. Climb 2 is done – we’re still trucking together myself and Declan. We’ve already met and passed one of our housemates (Ryan from USA) and we’re now travelling with another (Nick from the UK). Our trio is talking and chatting and generally enjoying the ride. Up and over and down the second descent which included a section at 17%. The pre cycle literature said not to look out for the Castarelli Memorial, thankfully I forgot about it and so wasn’t looking for it. Of course I heard later that there had been some spills at this spot as cyclists strained their necks for a look.

There’s literallty no gap between the foot of climb 2 and the start of climb 3 – so once again we’re on an ascent … this time its is the Col de Mente, with the average gradient for this 7kn of fun at just over 8%. I’m feeling great now at this stage, and as we’re coming into a wee bit of traffic on the climb with people weaving and making nuisances of themselves I find myself putting in one or two bursts to get around trouble. Declan and Nick are maintaining their own rhythm so I’m on my own. My climbing is not quite effortless, but I’m feeling strong. Someone had said that the lower half was much easier than the final stages of this climb – I didn’t notice any difference really – to me it was steep the whole way and by now the sun was coming out. Nearing the top of the climb I come across Robin – a quick hello – the steepness doesn’t allow for too much conversation at this stage. It’s every man to concentrate on getting to the summit.

At the top I meet Robin’s father Paraic. Our team of three re-group here now, we’re tired, get some “grubbage” in – we’re over well half way in terms of mileage at this point, we’ve 3 of 5 climbs done – but we’ve the two harder climbs still to go.

I head off down the road first – knowing the lads will catch me…. Robin catches me at the bottom and we make our way to Col Du Port De Bales together – the Hors Categorie climb – the scary one that we rode on the Saturday which put manners on us. We’re with a group as its windy - we’ve learned our lessons from last year and where at all possible stay in a group. We meet with Declan at the foot of the climb and we’re off together again. Ahead of us we’ve some 20km of climbing – the road surface varies from medium to very poor; the gradient varies from 4-5 to 11-12% in spots. This is a tough climb! Soon enough we’re each on our own again; the main thing being to go at a pace that suits the individual and not get carried away. I had decided to stop at 6km from the summit, but instead dismounted at 7km and walked for about 500 metres, took a couple of pictures and had my treat of a can of coke. After my brief respite I’m off again – meet with Paraic again for more water. The last two or three kms are okay and I’m over. Now a hairy descent…. the road is literally brand new, the French traffic engineers seem to have forgotten to put in crash barriers. There’s a few ‘danger’ warning signs at a couple of spots along the way down — who are they kidding! The whole route is dangerous.

Fly down this side of the mountain – well almost – I’m passed by a load of cyclists but i do manage to pass a coupe myself… and then all of a sudden we’re climbing again. We’re on the road to the Col de Peyresourde – some 10 km of climbing, effectively in a straight line for most of the first 7-8 km. I hadn’t really factored this climb in, concentrating on the 4th one as being the critical one – mistake number 248 of the day. This is a category one climb, I’m tired, its hot, there are no turns or switchbacks offering temporary relief … however there’s a lot worse off than me around the place. There’s’ plenty of people walking; others stretched out under trees anywhere with shade. I maintain my rhythm and keep the HR in the 140-148 range. Its hot but I’m not ready to take a break yet, and even towards the end of the climb as we come across loads of cheering camper vans and spectators I reckon i even speed up a little. At the top of this Col, there’s no food stop – why bother, there’s only some 14km or so to go, downhill.

The descent is fast, though thankfully not as open or ’scary’ as Port de Bales. I wouldn’t say I enjoyed the trip downhill but I was getting more comfortable with the challenge. Every now and again I’d remind myself not to get too cocky – in this environment there’s no room for error. As we come around a bend on the descent you see a truly beautiful site of the town below with a great big lake beside it. I consider taking the short-cut cross-country but decide to follow the remaining 4-5km to the bottom.

Crossing the line necessitates another small climb, and I gleefully pass a couple of chaps who had passed me on the descent… quick sprint for the cameras and the crowd at the line and its done.

Crossed the line at 10 hours 22 minutes – I’m 2817th actually over the line but taking into account the staggered start I’m unofficially 2634th overall in the race. Last year I think I was in the mid 3000s. I meet my number 1 supporter – my Dad - and no doubt bore the pants of him with my insight into my last 10 odd hours and the journey.

Declan is next home, he’s put in a brave strong push over the last two climbs and is in before the 11 hour mark. I think we were both getting stronger as the route progressed and others were falling by the wayside. Robin makes a speedy descent from the Peyresourde to get in well before the cut-off time, nothing like a counting down clock to help you go faster. He’s had a rough couple of days with headaches and not feeling 100%, so for all three of us to finish is great for a bunch of triathletes. The only thing we’re all guilty of I suppose is that we could / should have trained harder and better … but that’s easier said than done as we juggle life with the requirements of this cycle.

I heard afterwards that the official finishers numbered no more than four and a half thousand. Like last year there was carnage on the roads, with people walking with their cleats off, people lying down by the side of the road with eyes closed … some would rise for sure, get back on their bikes and make to the top of the Peyresourde and even free wheel down from there, but many others I reckon had too much hurt-box for this time around. This race was tougher than last year – my time was nearly an hour slower, and no doubt the attrition rate was even higher.

A longer – and you know with me that its possible – report will follow. It wil include more detailed thoughts on the day, some statistics, reference links and some pictures from my trip. I took loads of pictures on the day, hopefully some at least will be useable.