The Tour de France whirlwind

So back in Bourg and we found everyone starting to get ready for the Tour de France. Stage 11 was going to be passing through Bourg Saint Maurice and on up to the ski resort of La Rosiere whilst Stage 12 started in the town of Bourg and headed to Alpe D’Huez. Where would be best to watch ???????

We decided to watch Stage 11 on the steepest part of the climb to La Rosiere, in the Montvalazen area, intrigued to see what gear they would be using there. We knew that we were always in our easiest gear at that point while we grind away with a grimace on the face. On race day, once the roads are closed to vehicles you are still allowed to cycle the course so we cycled 8 miles up from Bourg, along with loads of other cyclists. Already the roadsides were lined with spectators and the kids were cheering us on – I actually got some Strava PBs so it was either their support or the new tyres. Pete also pulled a few wheelies to please the crowd.

Once we found a nice steep bit of the course, with some shade for Pete, it was time to wait for the caravanne.

2 hours before the cyclists there is a stream of sponsors who pimp their rides and throw samples, offers, promotional items at the crowds.

As our spot only had four of us, we got a whole bag of stuff.

And then the wait…….

We kept checking the standings and once the riders were heading from the Cormet de Roselend, the helicopters could be heard coming closer. And then, there they were…

It was good to see them not make it look too easy, although some of the leading boys had two gears left to go but many of the peleton were using their lowest gear. Some riders that had been spat out of the back of the peleton looked like they really weren’t enjoying it.

When they passed us, the Sky Team was 5 minutes behind the leader but within the next and final 12 km they somehow caught up and Geraint Thomas took the win. We had to watch the highlights on TV to see how it was possible. They are superhuman!

After everyone went through, we set off up the course to the next village as they had bands on etc. As we were cycling along we realised a rider was still coming and pulled over to let him and the motorcycle past – it was only Mark Cavendish! We got back on our bicycles and set off behind. We could just about keep up with his pace up the steep stuff. As soon as we got to a flatter bit, he was off and away. Unfortunately he was one of a handful of riders who got timed out and was declared out of the rest of the TDF.

So then for Stage 12. We decided to go into the town and see all the stalls, interviews on the big screen and the teams preparing. All the helicopters were ready …

We left the caravanne to be enjoyed by the kids and then a huge entourage of team cars and buses streamed down from La Rosiere and filled the streets. The riders tended to stay in the team bus until they had to ride down to the big screen to be introduced to the crowds.

For the start of the race we wandered up our street and watched the flash of the peleton buzz past, off on their way to do 159km before climbing Alpe D’Huez. We were keen to watch that climb on TV and see how hard or easy they made those 21 switchback turns look. The top boys had enough energy to play cat and mouse near the summit and Team Sky reached the top in 42 minutes (same as the winner of our time trial). Geraint Thomas took a second, and well deserved, win! Further down the pack there were definitely some riders looking in pain and grinding their cranks round slowly, a relief to see they are only human afterall.

We have had a great two days soaking up the Tour atmosphere – loved it!