Just before we left the camp, we met a lovely group travelling together. After chatting awhile, we got ready to head off when he gave me his card. President of Barloworld! Brilliant! Saw their camper all equipped, and even better, spent a pleasant hour looking at all the maps, statistics and data that the team had, and that the Tour de France organisers provide to make the whole circus run smoothly. A really down to earth team and I hope the do really well.
Leaving Ax on the bike the weather changed significantly for the better. A great day was shaping up, with beautiful sun, a cool breeze, and the promise of an awesome Tour stage.
Don't climb hills with a backpack full of wet weather gear, a picnic, a camera, and too many bunnies. It was one of the hardest things I've ever done. With about 8kg in my pack, I started heading up the climb. It's a beautiful climb, and carrying my baguette in my backpack was the source of endless amusement to the crowd lining the streets.
"Baguette a la velo! Allez la baguette!". People cheering the baguette on... it was hilarious. The Aquarel truck was heading up slowly as were some the early parts of the caravanne, so as I ascended I was able to pick up water and tour goodies as fast as I was picking off bunnies. Unfortunately, that just lead to more weight.
Finally, about 3km to the top, the weight, the bunnies, and a healthy dose of ego took it's toll. The legs went. My pace slowed to a crawl, and it was all I could do with my aching back to make it to the flame rouge. Unfortunately, the gendarmes had formed a cordon across the final kilometre. Route ferme. Finit. No more. Undaunted, I headed off with my road bike across the muddy dirt road and up the back way. Over the summit, and then back down to the plateaux to get the obligatory photo. I wondered briefly what Nic would do as I turned around.
On the way back, about 1.5km to the top I saw Nic. Pale but determined, carrying her 8kg on her back. I had to stop her because they'd even closed the route along the carpark (I noticed on the way back). Disappointed but secretely pleased with the "out" we found a great place, and settled in to watch a fascinating tour stage. This is shaping up to be a very interesting tour.
The GC race is amazing with Contador, Rasmussen and Evans all doing superbly. The big interest in L'Equipe though is the Rasmussen affair, and La dopage. A shame, and I think more will come out still. Nevertheless, an extremely entertaining time to be in France watching the Tour!
After the stage, it was time to head down. My highlight, by pure chance, was that I was able to descend with the Barloworld cyclists and a two guys from Discovery. Way cool. I also learned that I really CAN descend - but I also have a lot more to learn! These guys flew down and I was on the ragged edge trying to hang on to their tail. As they chatted to each other and cruised around the hairpins, I hung on grimly to my bike, white knuckled and shit scared at the speed they went around. I learnt quite a bit about just what my bike can do on that descent!
Finally, I joined up with Nic who had descended square in the middle of the main peleton of tour riders, purely by chance, and she had the biggest grin I've ever seen on her face. We returned back to camp tired, but VERY happy!