L'Etape 08

[Andy K]

I'll be there but will have to cut off before the cafe - family birthday - so i'll be out of the tale swapping

[TimN]

cool, i'm planning on coming (hangover permitting)

[TimN]

have a look at the report from some BBC Chaps
http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/606/A38115191

"there is nothing in the UK that can really prepare you for the sheer gruelling, grinding, relentlessness of the Tourmalet. "

"It simply eats and eats into your legs, and then, for good measure, eats a little more, until every sinew of your body strains to heave the pedals through another revolution. And then another and another… seemingly for ever. "

sounds like they didn't enjoy it much

[Roy Green]

Well done, lads. I've always been a bit sad that when I was riding seriously, we didn't have such things as Sportives. Reading the accounts of how gruelling it can be makes me a little less sad.

[TimN]

http://www.justin.tv/giac2007

Coverage on your PC from of the tour

[Chris L]

Belated etape 2008 report.
The numbers:
Corrected time 8hrs 7mins 24secs, cycling time on my speedo 7hrs 35mins
Number of crashes = 1
Number of Addiscombe bidons lost on descent of Tourmalet = 1
Number of times I have felt colder than on the descent of the Hautacam = none

I wont go over the weather again, only to say if it had been too hot I think it would have been worse. Thunder and lightning and a ride to the start in the dark all added to the sense of foreboding of what was to come. Having said that I felt worse after finishing the Highclere Castle ride earlier this year than after finishing the etape. I took the climbs easy, got in a comfortable gear and just spun them out. Didn’t go too hard on the flat so I had energy left for the climbs.
Didn’t have a good start, after only about 30km I crashed on a descent on one of the minor climbs. Just touched my brakes on a bend, the back wheel went and I went down on my right side, sliding along the road. Just before I hit the road the thought went through my mind “there goes my etape”. But…… only minor road rash, bike not too bad, twisted handle bars, hood pushed in, bar tape ripped and no damage to kit. While sorting out the bike at the side of the road someone went down in the same spot – I didn’t feel quite so stupid.
Took it easy on the flat with only a quick stop at Lourdes to refill bidon. Tracey was waiting at Bageres de Bigorre with welcome encouragement and TLC for my wounds. Checked timetable and watch and realised I was only half way off the Broom Wagon, with a quick kiss I was away. Took the Tourmalet steady, then I went to change into my lowest gear and just got a rattle, changed gear back and carried on, I didn’t want to stop as I might not get going again. Stopped at La Mongie for food and water, gave the gears a good fiddle and they went into the lowest gear OK, must have been jarred in the fall. Carried on up and over the Tourmalet to begin the descent in the mist, after the earlier fall I didn’t want to take any risks and took it careful, too careful, was passed by many riders, but then out of the clouds and some dry straight roads and time to let go.
As I started the Hautacam climb two guys were chatting – how long do you think this will take – about an hour was the reply. Surely not that long I thought to myself, then I passed he 13km to go sign and checked my speedo – 13km/h – even I can do that maths. These were my first ever mountains but I just got in the right gear and just kept going, counting down the Km’s eating and drinking all the time. Then there it was the mist shrouded finish, it was strange it did not have the feel of the top of the mountain as the visibility was just 20 feet we all trapped in our little fog bubble at the top. After seeing the stage in the TdF on the TV I see I missed some fantastic views – oh well I will just have to go back some day. I could start to feel the cold now, and the apprehension of the descent, it was a long wait until we could go to the real finish at the bottom, riders going off two by two. The descent was cold through a freezing fog and my teeth were soon chattering, but then out of the cloud and the thought that food and warm clothes was not far off, the feeling of achievement and satisfaction could really be felt. I Wonder where it will be for 2009.
Just to echo the comments about bikes not arriving about 25% of the riders in our group did not get their bikes when they arrived due to airline transport problems. The Sporting Tours did a good job of sorting these out, they must have had someone living at the airport and everyone got their bike. Two guys did not get theres until 4am on the day of the etape but they completed the ride. I am glad we drove down, the bike stress is not required before a big event. The drive meant back took in the time TdF time trial at Cholet and the depart the next day. I cant make the next few club runs but look forward to swapping stories soon.
Chris