Stage 8 - Les Rousses to Morzine (195km)

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The Climbs: Col de la Ramaz; Morzine-Avoriaz

First real mountain day today as we left Station des Rousses and headed for Morzine-Avoriaz. The day started with a long descent almost to the shores of Lake Geneva that took in some fabulous views.

The focus of the day was the two Cat 1 climbs at the end of the stage, but first we had to pedal 130km+ on a route that was getting steadily lumpier. Again we were blessed with the weather (although cycling in the baking heat does mean that drinking lots of water and taking on electrolytes is really important and a lot of people were suffering by the time we got to lunch).

We had lunch at a lovely spot by a lake right at the foot of the Alps as we all prepared for the next 70-80km that was going to take in the Col de la Ramaz and a final climb up the Avoriaz from Morzine (and then an additional descent back down to our hotel in Morzine). The Ramaz was going to be the harder climb of the day with a steep and narrow ascent, the first third being relatively straightforward (except for the suffocating heat), but the middle four were relentlessly steep kicking up to 10.5% for the last km into Summet and then flattening out a bit.

A cheeky little climb into Les Gets preceded the final climb from Morzine. On arriving for the final stop in Les Gets we were told that there was a surprise waiting for us at the bottom of the climb.... on arrival we were told that we were being chip-timed up the climb. Not a particularly pleasant surprise as what was going to be a gentle climb up the last hill of the day now turned into something that it was at least necessary not to embarrass yourself on. With 185km already in the legs people really struggled up the hill. I tried to push a little and hopefully put in a respectable time... On arriving at the top the heavens opened and I hid in the van until it calmed a little before attempting the 14km descent back down in the rain. The descent back down took me past a lot of people on the way up...I was met with lots of vacant/pained looks.

Even as the first person up the last hill, I didn’t get down to the bottom until 1945... some people didn’t get back down until very late, others had a lift down from the top and some people even weren’t even allowed up. Fortunately all of the 15 that are doing the whole thing got up and down.

Once again, we had a few extra kms compared to the real Tour...

Amusing story of the day was Williams climbing into Les Gets when some old French dude flew up behind and then slowed to a tenth of his speed to engage in conversation. He asked Williams what was going on and he told him that he was heading to Morzine, the Frenchie seemed unimpressed. Williams then told him he had cycled 160km so far today; still unimpressed. We are cycling the whole Etape 8 today; nothing. We are cycling the whole Tour; ‘Whatever’. Williams was aghast and asked what the deal was... apparently the old guy had cycled the thing for real some forty years ago. Sure the tassels on the bike didn’t help with Williams’ credibility!!

Afforded myself several pints last night, the first drink I have had for some time. Deserved it!

Thank god it is a rest day tomorrow.

S

Time: 9hrs 25mins
Distance: 213.6km
Av Speed: 22.7km/h
Total Ascent: 3703m
Av HR: 131bpm

Etape 7

Even guys on the Tour that thought stats were pointless are now talking about their heart rates at water stops.... stats are important!

Etape 7 by sgcbrown at Garmin Connect - Details

Stage 7 - Tournus to Les Rousses (170km)

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Today we got the first real sniff of the mountains. After 40km of relative flat, the fun began with the route going up and down a succession of ridges in the Jura Massif, before hitting our first two big climbs towards the end of the stage.

The first of these was the Category 2 ‘Col de la Croix de la Serra’ which was immediately followed by another Cat 2, the ‘Cote de Lamoura’ which took us up the mountain top finish of the Tour route. We, as we like our extra kms, had a further 16kms in addition to this to get us to our hotel and after what was a glorious day it absolutely hammered it down for the final burst home. The rain actually stung as it hit you – guess that is the nature of the weather once you hit the mountains.

Along the way we stopped in a small town with a fountain for one of our snack stops. Upon parking up our bikes, everyone just stood in the fountain thigh deep in cold water to help with the muscles – right in the middle of the town square. We got some rather quizzical looks from the locals and one old couple came out with a photo of them and Lance Armstrong, who had been in the village two days previously doing a bit of a reccie on the route. Nice photo below.

Roly got himself on some codeine today (which a worryingly large number of people are happily popping). It seemed to really help with the pain and he perked up a lot. Good to see him back on form.

Best story of the day is that Williams was cycling up the last climb when he passed a French guy holding a bottle of water when he felt some water splash on him. Pretty affronted Williams slows, turns to the guy gives him a look at a few choice words at which point the French dude looks pretty confused and makes off pretty quickly. Williams then proceeds to pedal a further 50m up the road before he realises it had started to rain... he will be riding with the tassels tomorrow.

TGS jerseys were out today.

There also seems to be a worrying trend amongst the peloton. Grown men are shaving their legs.... I know it helps with massages, but c’mon guys have a bit of self respect!

Love cycling in the mountains; working hard to climb and then flying down the other side with fab scenery all around – doesn’t get a whole lot better! The Tour proper has started...

S

Time: 8hrs
Distance: 181.1km
Av Speed: 22.6km/h
Total Ascent: 3325m
Av HR: 137bpm

Etape 6

I like stats, they are important...

Etape 6 by sgcbrown at Garmin Connect - Details

Stage 6 - Montagris to Gueugnon (220km)

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Well today was a long one indeed! 248km to be precise. Longer than we were expecting and a good 21km longer than the Pros. Bonus kilometres are becoming a regular feature; every day so far we have come in at least 10-15km over what we were originally told.

In total we were cycling for almost 10 hours, making it a very long day!

Today a little of the extra distance came from diversions due to the resurfacing of numerous roads in preparation for when the Tour itself passes through. Whilst the diversions added distance (and in one instance an additional categorised climb) we did benefit from a lot of the new road surfaces, so it wasn’t all bad. Hopefully we don’t find routes closed for work once we get into the mountains... generally there is only one way up and over the Cols, so not being able to pass could be a disaster!

My bike today sported the glimmering handlebar tassels and the comedy horn (picture below), and I took every opportunity to toot passersby.

The route today, again in glorious sunshine, took us into the heart of rural France through the Saone-et-Loire and into the Bourgogne region. It was a rolling stage and took in some very scenic climbs as we gradually approached the foothills of the Jura Massif.

Knowing there was worse to come I spent the first portion of the day conserving energy and just tapping away at the pedals. Yesterday was done at a slightly manic pace...

Mark’s repositioning of the cleats on his shoes along with the additional insoles seems to have sorted his problem, or at least he wasn’t complaining as much today... Roly also seems to be in some discomfort with his knees and Achilles. Hopefully nothing too serious. On a brighter note, Beard has booked flights and trains to get to Gap to meet us there and hopefully pick up where he left off...

Tomorrow really sees the start of the Tour proper as we finally enter the mountains and meet a few ‘proper climbs’. We have a very early transfer tomorrow, with the coach leaving the hotel at 0615. It is going to be a massive day and a chance to really stretch our climbing legs; I think this is when people are really going to start to suffer. The peloton is really beginning to stretch out over the routes now, and the hills will only compound this!

Generally, I have had a look back at some of my blog entries, and they don't always make a whole lot of sense. I blame the tiredness; this is the last thing I do before bed and by that time I am struggling to hold conversations let alone type coherently. This is only going to get worse...

S

Time: 9hrs 54mins
Distance: 248km
Av Speed: 25km/h
Total Ascent: 2532 m
Av HR: 124bpm