Back to France for a week in the Alpes and Le Tour de France

From Barcelona we arrived in Vaison-la-Romaine to thunder and lightning amongst the grapevines. Clear blue skies greated us the next day and we wandered around the roman ruins in the town, then to the Haute Ville and Château. Back on the road we decided to head up Mont Ventoux (1912m), the cycling mecca and site of Tommy Simpson’s memorial following his death durig the 1967 Tour de France. Shirmy, our trusty stead, unfortunately decided to overheat about five kilometres up the mountain, so while we waited for her to cool, Emma hopped on her trusty velo and made the assent. There are literally hundreds of cyclists riding the mont and the view from the top is spectacular, particularly with the white rocks covering the summit (which give an impression of snow from the plains). Following Emma’s impressive effort, we continued onto the Alpes to a campground at Gap and enjoyed the celebrations and fireworks put on for Bastille Day in the Centré Ville.

We stayed for the next week in Veinnes, 30 km from Gap, accompanying Emma while she attended a triathlon training camp. With a lake on our doorstep we swam and relaxed while Emma hit the Cols of the Alpes for her training. The Tour de France rolled into Gap on on the 16th of July so JJ and I rode in while the triathlites went for a training ride. Even as we rode into Gap, team buses and vehicles passed and Gap was filled with the Tour village and all things cycling. Meeting up with the others at a café, we set ourselves up with cold drinks and took in the crazy antics of the caravan as it rolled into the finish, flinging out hats, key rings, food and a heap of other ‘trinkets’ as we harassed and cheered on the floats and team cars. At last the cyclists appeared and although it was fleeting, it was great to see them fly past. Luckily we had been able to watch the race as it progressed in the café. On the ride back, Emma was lucky enough to catch up with some of the Team Phonek boys and have a chat- pity she didnt get an autograph though, especially since Floyd Landis won the Mallot Jaune !

Our next trip was to the imfamous Alpe D’Huez. Emmas group decided to go for a ride first, so JJ and I got a lift to the base of the Mountain on an alternative route. As we started to walk up we were told it was a 10km climb up the hill before even hitting the road to link to the Alpe d’Huez climb so we desperately started trying to hitch a ride as we continued up the road. Luckily we got picked up by a french family and were dropped off at the top of the road which linked to the 5km to arrivé sign of the cycle route. The atmosphere was fantastic : people from all over the world with a passion for cycling. We met up with some aussies and had a yarn about the prospects of their countrymen : particularly Evans and Rogers, as well as some fellow kiwis on a cycle holiday at the top of the climb. After a beer and some frites we eventually found a possy at the 2km arrivé mark. If you watched the stage you may have seen the ‘specialized angel’ blowing bissous to the crowd : we were about 10 metres up the road from her. Although we werent as profitable from the caravan this day (the caravaners being temporarially distracted by the angel) we had a great view of the cyclists as they went past. The walk down the mountain was just as crazy with hundreds of cyclists desending. After 14km of downhill we were pretty wasted, especially our sandelled feet…. It was really just a case of trying to get to the car before it rained, regardless of blisters. Regardless, it was a fantastic day in an amazing place.

For the remainder of our Alpes holiday we cycled, watched the Tour in cafés and nursed our aching feet… JJ and I managed a few cols although the final day we conquered our biggest col yet only for my rear derailier to snap off as we went over the top…. At least it was all down hill from there !