Alpe D'Huez - 14 July

Alpe D'Huez - icon of the French Alps and legend of the tour! Ever since Lance Armstrong charged up the 13.9km, 1120m climb in 41 minutes, every keen cyclist has wanted to see how they fare in comparison. This is another 'High Category' climb and averages 7.7% gradient over its length (maxing at 12%).

So, while the tour riders were finding their way from Chambery to Gap in the southern alps, we chose to make an early start and try to beat the heat of the day. Didn't help as the temperature rose to over 35 degrees, was hot early and barely moderated with the altitude.

The ride has 21 switchbacks, numbered in reverse order as you climb and featuring the names of previous TDF stage champions. One picture here shows the view at turn #10 at about 6km up - where I stopped to cool down. You start in the village below and ascend a near vertical drop.
Around the 1 hr 30min mark I made the village summit and joined my ride buddies in some celebrations, a coffee, coke and a quick shop in the bike shop!

We then shovelled some lunch in after finding a restaurant a bit higher on the mountain and headed for an 'apres' climb to Col de Sarene at 1999m. This was closer to a goat track than a road and required my best mountain bike skills to stay upright. The Col gave way to a death defying descent of over 20 km. Half way down I checked my tyre rims and they were near molten. So I let the air pressure down on my tyres and found the going easier.

The final part of the ride took us on a main highway pass through tunnels, gorges and bridges back to the village of La Bourg d'Oisans - a round trip of 65km and 1800m of climbing over 3.5 hours.

Col de la Madeleine - 13 July

This is one of the big ones! Col de la Madelaine rates as a ‘High Category’ 25km, 1650m climb with an average gradient of 6.5% with parts that max out at 11.5%. The summit stands at 2000m above sea level and commands sweeping views of valleys north and south. It features lots of switchbacks, unrelenting pinches upwards and the occasional traverse. I made the summit just before 1pm after 2hrs 50 min riding. This left just enough time to descend back down the mountain before the gendarmes closed the road so we could watch the stage come through Bonneval (a tiny village 6km up the mountain).

Cadel was with the main chase group when he passed us but was in a world of hurt it seems with a fractured elbow. Having lost as many minutes today, he probably can’t get back into jersey contention. C’est Le Tour.

The atmosphere on the way up on the mountain was sensational especially the last 5 km which was packed with campervans and day trippers getting ready to cheer and party on. People helped us with water along the way because it was another hot day. Some parts of the road were totally painted over with signs and decorations; and people adding to it right up to the last minute. Madeleine was a huge grind to get there today but a great sense of achievement on my first HC climb.

Col de la Croix Fry - 12 July

It was rest day for the pros but not for us. We set off for a 100k ride to the Col de la Croiz Fry in the Alps. Our route took us along the beautiful Lake Annecy (imagine pristine blue water surrounded by jagged mountains and tree covered peaks) onto Faverges and then the climb of 1500m. The final section of 12km to the Col was 6-10 degrees. The temperature climbed too – 32 degrees. The view down the Manigod Valley was to die for, but then if you didn’t concentrate on the road ahead that was a certainty. Still acclimitasing to the heat, so it was a bit of a struggle but eventually made it to the summit. After lunching at a little restaurant on top, we descended for 30km at a fast pace through the ski town of Thornes and then Carusz. On the lower stretches we were in the big gears and holding 50-55km for long sections and racing the traffic. Lots of fun but exhausting by the time we hit the lake – 4hrs 30m later. The coffee stop in the little village of St Ferriol was a highlight. A photo would help but French bandwidth in the hotel can’t handle uploads! Fix this when we move on to Grenoble.

Morzine-Avoriaz - 11 July

What a day to begin following the tour! Cadel gains the yellow jersey, Lance goes out backwards after crashing and we climb the final two summits and watch the leaders drama on the final climb. Our first climb of the day was the Col de la Ramaz, a 1200m 15 km slog at an average of 6.5%,. With the temperature touching 30 degrees, the sweat was pouring off after the first half hour. Fortunately the sublime alpine meadows, spectacular mountain vistas and endless spectators camped along the road, helped keep the mind focused. Then a crazy descent into Les Gets another short climb and the ski resort town of Morzine was in reach. A quick lunch hunched in the shade and then back on the bike for the stagger up Avoriaz, another 850m 15 km slog at 6.3% gradient. The fans lined the road most of the way up and most were in party mode, progressively getting more crazy towards the top. After descending a few k's, we found a good vantage point perched above a switchback to watch the race. It was 8pm by the time we made the hotel – tired but happy for a first day’s hit out. [Note my picture of Lance!]

The Grand Depart - 8 July

And now for the Grand Depart...the pros already have 4 days of bone crunching, lung busting, high cadence mania behind them, but now I'm about to join the fray with my own depart. After 12 months of prep, over 6,000 kms of cycling and the exploration of many peaks (Charlottes, Buller, Lofty, Kangaroo Valley, Fitz, Honeysuckle, Corin, Black Mtn and Ainslie to name a few), its off to the high climbs of the French Alps and then the Pyrenees. In the process, I've managed to lose 9.5kg and gain some climbing legs. Many thanks to all my riding buddies along the way and my 'support' team at home and work. Many have passed on best wishes and I am inspired to give it my best shot. Stay posted for regular updates on the life of a 'domestique' on the alternative Tour De France.

Kingston Grind! - 4 July

One more time with feeling. Thanks for the send-off to my Kingston Sunday ride buddies - perrenials Jim, Gai and Leanne; and on this occasion Justin. Great to see John and Brad for coffee as well. The most important statistic for the day was the temperature: minus 3 degrees. Au revoir! See you on the other side of the tour.

Rendezvous Ck again - 3 Jul

With the Tour starting tonight and only five days til I set off, getting a serious training climb on the weekend was a must. Last night's weather was atrocious and I awoke at 6am to find fog, rain and freezing conditions. No way I could ride out to the Namadgi peaks, so I decided to sit pretty and go with a local contingency if the weather came good. By midday the sun was out and the temp was up, so I went with Plan A and drove out to near Top Nas. Boboyan Valley looked a picture, even if the headwind was a bit disconcerting. Got in about 2hrs40min of riding and 1200m of climbing over 50km. Pretty happy with that as it included Fitz's at 10.5 gradient and several other pinches of similar grade. Only one other cyclist to be seen and the road was very quiet, if still wet and hairy in a few places. Now its a couple more rides and the final prep for travel. I'd love to stay up and watch the tour start but I need my sleep.