Tour de France Pt 2

Hi again friends!

Well our time at the TdF is done...I was thinking that I'd feel relief that the rush rush, hectic-ness was over, but when the grupetto (collection mostly sprinters who ride together at the back just trying to make the day's time cut-off) went by us, I was a bit sad that it was over.

Tent city was good to us Wednesday night - man, did it rain, thunder, lightning, etc. The mountain was angry. We managed to stay mostly dry, despite our set-up which was on a bed of tall grass/weeds, next to a stone wall on a narrow bank--a small, tent-sized piece of real estate among the throngs of RVs...forgot to get a pic of the site, hence the description.

Up early and as planned after fueling up on coffee, I descended almost to Luz St. Sauveur (incidentally where I sit right now) and turned back up the mountain (the gendarmes told me not to go any further down or I may be told to stay put - now that would suck - bad!). So up I climbed, back to Bareges, where we had spent the night, collected my rain coat for the descent, and again set off climbing. I had super legs yesterday - felt so great; I think the mood of the whole scene was wearing off on me. I climbed and climbed in a total downpour (ps, I usually feel good in such conditions - not sure why). I managed to still be feeling great at the 4km to go banner when the gendarmes halted me and instructed me that the climb was closed off to 'velo' from there up and that I could walk (in the rain? what are you crazy? I'm not WALKING in the RAIN.). So, after sufficient begging and pleading and bull shit stories about having left my wife on the summit this morning, I snapped a couple of pics and pointed the wheels down. Fun time, but hypothermic to say the least. When I got back down to our camp site, I was frozen, but very happy if a little pissed. The Dutch family in the RV next to our car made us a couple of cups of coffee which I drank as I peeled off my drenched layers of spandex.

With the day's ride out of my system, we ventured into Bareges to catch the early part of the stage in the pub...fun scene there, then back up to watch the group come by about 200m above the 10k to go banner. Group, what group? Happily for spectators the day's route and the mood of the riders shattered the peloton, and the riders came by us one, two, or three at a time over a period of twenty-five minutes...there was only the grupetto and one other group of any size. Lance must have been tucked in one of them, because I didn't get a good look at him, but I did see (and speak to) virtually every other big-name rider. Cancellara gave me a pop-a-wheely. I congratulated Cadel Evans on a great season and Giro - he replied that he wasn't doing too well at the moment :) Andy Schleck (in the white jersey) and Alberto Contador (in yellow); Chris Horner again (he seems to love our camera), Lance (I think Selena got him after all), Levi (!) Leipheimer, Fecha, Basso (yes, Aaron, Basso), Wiggins (yes, Aaron, Wiggins), Vino (yes, Brad, Vino), Sastre, Mick Rogers, Jens Voigt (!), Cavendish, Hushvod, Pettachi...saw them all...very thrilling.

With the riders off to to summit, we listened on the radio to hear about the finish - Andy and Alberto caught the remnants of the break and thrilled the crowd with attack after attack and eventually Andy took the win with Contador right alongside. Chapeau Andy, here's hoping you have the TT of your life on Saturday.

Into the car and down to Luz St. Sauveur where we stayed in an actual campground on an actual tent site (amazing how the tent pecks go smoothly into the ground) and had actual showers (our first in 4 days). And that gets me to right now--we've packed up yet again, coffeed/croissanted up and are about to point the car back up and over the Tourmalet (and Aspin and Peyresourde Cols) en route once again to Espagne.

Rod and Dee show up tomorrow at about noon. Girona rides and beaches await us, so tune back in in couple of days to hear more adventures.

Seleno
PS, if you read, try to comment to let us know you're there :)

The gendarme instructed me - you shall not pass en velo.


Somewhere near the top of the Tourmalet

Dutch coffee and a happy guy

A happy couple awaits the peloton in the sun (which lasted about 10 mins) on the Tourmalet

Andy and Alberto go by

Horner (again), but on the right is Canadian Ryder Hesjedal on the ride of his life, finishing 4th on the stage and slotting into 8th on GC at 9:18

Lance

The Rainbow jersey (World Road Champion) of Cadel Evans

Fabian Cancellara!

Tour de France Pt 1

All,

Well, I thought I was ready to come over here to challenge the big Pyrennian climbs of the Tour de France...I've had a terrific spring/early summer of training, I try to watch what I eat, and stretch my muscles, yoga, etc. And you know, it really worked. I made it to the summits of both the Col du Soulor (Cat. 1) and the Col d'Aubisque (HC - Hors Category (English - Beyond Category)). The thing is, that my epic wife did the same thing...all the while wondering what all the fuss about this cycling business was all about...nothin' to it. Well, what can I say, she is from GASPEREAU MOUNTAIN...I wonder where it would fit in the categorization. Long story short (for now)...yesterday we had a great day; we caught the peleton about 2 km from the summit of the Aubisque. We stayed (tent) both Monday and Tuesday night in a small village called Arrens Marsous (get your atlases out) at the base of the Soulor. In the morning, I descended down to Argeles Zaoust and climbed back up, then Selena joined me and together we conquered Soulor and Aubsique.

And we were treated to none other than Lance Armstrong and Chris Horner of Team Radioshack (aka ShackStrong to some - that's a specific tap on the shoulder to see who's following along) in the break. If you were watching on the tele, yes that idiot in the Cervelo Test Team kit running alongside the breakaway group was yours truly. Next we were treated to great looks of the yellow jersey of Alberto Contador (don't get me started on the scandal of his taking Andy's jersey) and Andy Schleck (Andy looked me right in the eye as I shouted, "Way to go Andy!". Our old friend from the Alpe d'Huez, Mr. Carlos Sastre was also visible in this group. So much to share and I'm a bit pressed for time right now...Cancelara, Hushovd, Pettachi, Wiggins, Cavenish, Millar, Basso, S. Sanchez, and many others were easily spotted.

As for today, the rest day, I (solo) climbed the famous Hautacam, and we lifted stakes (literally) and have moved to Bareges (a little less then half way up the most famous Col du Tourmalet). Tomorrow, after the requisite espressos and pain au chocolat, I will descend to Luz Saint Saveur (the official start of the climb), re-ascend to Bareges, pick up Selena, and from here we will challenge the Col.

Looking for fireworks from either Contador or Schleck tomorrow. Can't wait.

Tomorrow night, we hope to head back south to Spain (though we may end up spending the night here...?) to scout out the beaches outside of Girona so that Deanna and Selena can get a good plan of attack together. Speaking of whom, we're looking forward to Saturday's arrival of Rod and Deanna. Many good times are set to go OFF!

Internet access in these small mountain towns has been tough but I promise to be better at updating the blog once we're back in Girona (our apartment has wifi :)

Until then, wish us luck - please think dry thoughts (we're about to head out to our rainy tent and the forecast for tomorrow is R-A-I-N...but you won't here us complaining).

Seleno

Home sweet home Tour de France fans will recognize this guy!

Get that woman a polka dot jersey


Makin' it look easy


Au sommet de l'Aubisque


Fortunately the camera caught Chris Horner in the break; unfortunately, it missed Lance (try again tomorrow)

Chasing the break

Fabian Cancellara leads a chase group up the Aubisque

A happy guy at Hautacam!

Arrival

Hi kids! So, two people, two bikes, two backpacks, and two carry-ons made it to Barcelona today; thanks Air Canada (and eventually by train to Girona). A happy event to say the least but indeed it's a hard fought victory.

This needs to be a quick check in as it's been a heck of a day--seems like we've been without sleep for a week. Bikes are built back up; car is rented and parked; head is clearing. Tomorrow bright and early we head north to France's Haute Pyrenees to position ourselves for Stage 16 of the Tour de France on the regions 2nd most famous climb, the Col d'Aubisque. This is the current challenge on the docket. We'll be living in a tent by the side of the road(s) for the next three or four nights, so unless the cafes have wifi, this may be all you'll hear from us for a while...but if I can get something up, I will as soon as I can.

What's the MOST famous climb in the region, you ask? That would be the Col du Tourmalet where we hope to be for Stage 17 on Thursday. (Rest day on Wednesday.)

Good night all.

Seleno (pics will be coming eventually)

PS The only way to describe the heat here is 'unattainable' as in I can't picture the Maritimes producing this amount of heat - killer.

Packing and Prepping

The list is long; I don't know how it's all going to get done. Come to think of it, maybe it won't, and I'm sure it'll all work out in the end.

Check back, say, Sunday night for our first official post (hopefully by then). I have no idea what the internet access is going to be like in the Hautes Pyrenees - I know that our tent doesn't have wifi...so if I don't get something out on Sunday, it may have to wait til July 24...

Until then, please wish us luck!

Seleno