Etape du Tour
Moderator: Moderators
Etape du Tour
I wondered who else was doing it this year, I am, Jon G, I assume Willy's doing it, anybody else?
As said I am. Alistair Swales is doing it.
By the way good luck Dave. I notice on the start list you have a decent number this year so you wont be passing me because your already in front of me. When are you travelling out, I go on the 14th July. Doesnt leave much time to prepare before the event though.
I'll have to try and meet up with you at some point whilst down there, your staying near Bereges arent you?
Jon
By the way good luck Dave. I notice on the start list you have a decent number this year so you wont be passing me because your already in front of me. When are you travelling out, I go on the 14th July. Doesnt leave much time to prepare before the event though.
I'll have to try and meet up with you at some point whilst down there, your staying near Bereges arent you?
Jon
-
Simon Donoghue
- Posts: 58
- Joined: Fri Jul 20, 2007 11:01 am
Well got back Sunday Night after a week spent in the Pyrenees. Superb trip which included as well as doing the Etape another chance to ride upto Hautacam and Luz Ardiden and over the Aubisque and Soulor to watch the Tour. Sadly the weather was awful on the day the Pros rode up the Tourmalet so only manged to get to the bottom to watch the Tour.
By the way Dave C sorry we didnt meet up, I took your number but the itinerary didnt allow any time to arrange anything
.
Amazingly bumped into Alistair at the Start Village on the Sat and also again a few Km's from the Marie Blanque on the Sunday. Hope you both had good rides.
Below are my not so inpressive stats for the day which also includes a further 17 miles descent of the Tourmalet to Bagneres de Bigorre where we met our coach.
For me anyway a bloody hard day in the heat but again a great atmosphere and at least I was one of the 6888 finishers.
Jon
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/41736958
Oh and by the way does anyone know why my registered name when logged is green,I dont think Im a moderator
By the way Dave C sorry we didnt meet up, I took your number but the itinerary didnt allow any time to arrange anything
.Amazingly bumped into Alistair at the Start Village on the Sat and also again a few Km's from the Marie Blanque on the Sunday. Hope you both had good rides.
Below are my not so inpressive stats for the day which also includes a further 17 miles descent of the Tourmalet to Bagneres de Bigorre where we met our coach.
For me anyway a bloody hard day in the heat but again a great atmosphere and at least I was one of the 6888 finishers.
Jon
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/41736958
Oh and by the way does anyone know why my registered name when logged is green,I dont think Im a moderator
This was my 3rd Etape and the toughest one for me. Great day and atmosphere. After Marie Blanque I started suffering from cramp which I had to manage for the rest of the event. Suffered due to not enough hill training after having to recover from my achilles problem in May/June. Still, I finished and had some great descents. There were a few accidents but surprised that there were not more with some terrible riding, I got knocked off on Marie Blanque ascent when a rider chopped in front of me and hit my front wheel.
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/41719687
Well done Jon, how did the others get on?
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/41719687
Well done Jon, how did the others get on?
Yes thanks Jon a great ride. It was good (and surprising in nearly 10,000) to meet up with you on the Marie Blanque and to tap out a few km together.
I booked entry only this year (cheapskate) and this put me well back at the start, the consequence of this is that as the road narrows on Marie Blanque you end up walking for 30 minutes or so in a pack of steaming cyclists.
I did the etape last year (Mont Ventoux) and this was much harder. The three big climbs in the heat certainly took their toll. Happily the locals are great, lots of cold water poured over your back and head (though this did cause one poor chap to faint) and lots of encouragement when you are dying on Tourmalet. "Courage mon brave, courage" was something shouted at me quite a lot so I cant have looked too good.
Total time was 10.29 (not very impressive) particularly when you see the pros nip round in 5.05... but I'm telling myself this was because it was a cold day for them.
All in all a great ride. Perfect organisation, fantastic support from the locals and when I did remember to look round the Pyrenees are just breathtaking in every sense.
I booked entry only this year (cheapskate) and this put me well back at the start, the consequence of this is that as the road narrows on Marie Blanque you end up walking for 30 minutes or so in a pack of steaming cyclists.
I did the etape last year (Mont Ventoux) and this was much harder. The three big climbs in the heat certainly took their toll. Happily the locals are great, lots of cold water poured over your back and head (though this did cause one poor chap to faint) and lots of encouragement when you are dying on Tourmalet. "Courage mon brave, courage" was something shouted at me quite a lot so I cant have looked too good.
Total time was 10.29 (not very impressive) particularly when you see the pros nip round in 5.05... but I'm telling myself this was because it was a cold day for them.
All in all a great ride. Perfect organisation, fantastic support from the locals and when I did remember to look round the Pyrenees are just breathtaking in every sense.