This is what the last 12 months has been all about - those morning training rides in the pooring rain at 6.00am, sessions in the garage on the turbo trainer over winter and not seeing the family at weekends because of big long rides with the Bicester Cycling Club. The L'Etape du Tour - the amateur stage of the Tour de France.The route of the 15th edition was in the Pyrenees, from Foix to Loudenvielle. Monday July 16th 2007. The route was 196km and very difficult; we climbed the col de Port, and successively the Portet dAspet and the col de Mente, the beyond category climb of the col du Port de Bales, finishing the stage by climbing the legendary col de Peyresourde and the descent to the classic finish area, Loudenvielle. Temparatures on the day reached 38 degrees, making the challenge that much harder.
Over 7000 riders started, with less than 60% making it to the finish in Loudenvielle. I finished in 9 hours and 50 minutes, 2026th place. It was the hardest thing I have ever done in my life, the sense of achievement has been increadible.
It was a truely awsome event, and I have never seen so much suffering on a bike; riders were collapsed under trees all the way up the col du port de Bales and col du Peyresourde, people were crying, being sick, falling off their bikes with sheer exhaustion. Paramedics on motorbikes were having a busy day, tending to riders who had literally fallen off their bikes with exhaustion, putting emergency drips into their arms for much need rehydration. My polar registered top temperature of 38 degrees going up the Bales, a climb 0f nearly 20km!Such was the effort required I have come out with a bout of shingles as my immune system was obliterated due to the physical and mental effort. After getting married and becoming a father, completing the Etape blows all other landmarks/achievements in life out of the water.
I can't wait for next year . . . . .
Here's what other Etapist had to say . . . .
Phillip Smith, UK
It was my first Etape and I was expecting it to be very tough, but that was just unbelievable. I did 10:14, but not really bothered about the time, just happy to finish. My biggest problem was turning my lowest gear of 34 x 25 which I found to be too high on the Port de Bales after 3 previous climbs in my legs. Basically an epic ride - easily the hardest thing I have done. Incidentally one of my Japanese work colleagues who also rode said this years etape was also easily harder than Ironmans he had completed previously. Surely next year can't be this hard?
Phillip Smith, UK
It was my first Etape and I was expecting it to be very tough, but that was just unbelievable. I did 10:14, but not really bothered about the time, just happy to finish. My biggest problem was turning my lowest gear of 34 x 25 which I found to be too high on the Port de Bales after 3 previous climbs in my legs. Basically an epic ride - easily the hardest thing I have done. Incidentally one of my Japanese work colleagues who also rode said this years etape was also easily harder than Ironmans he had completed previously. Surely next year can't be this hard?
Ian Jones, South Africa
I finished in 9:49 but it was much harder than I had anticipated. Coming from South Africa we just don't have mountains like you do in Europe. We just can't simulate the length of the climbs. I have run ultra marathons before (Comrades Marathon 89km) and I reckon yesterday's Etape was harder.Having said that it was an incredible experience and if I get the opportunity I wll be back to try again.
I finished in 9:49 but it was much harder than I had anticipated. Coming from South Africa we just don't have mountains like you do in Europe. We just can't simulate the length of the climbs. I have run ultra marathons before (Comrades Marathon 89km) and I reckon yesterday's Etape was harder.Having said that it was an incredible experience and if I get the opportunity I wll be back to try again.
Fred Ricketts, UK
Superb day. What an event. All the people who supported along the roadside made you feel very special. The climbs up the last two mountains were extremely difficult but the motorhomes waiting at the top made it feel like a tour ride. Their support was incredible. Took 25 minutes to get going but remembered Ged’s advice from another thread to remain chilled. It was a relaxed start in any case just mingling with an international collection of cyclists. Really enjoyed getting over Col de Port and descent into St Girons. Got onto the back of a group which really pulled me along. The next two climbs were difficult but was ahead of the broom wagon by about 50 minutes by the time I got to St Beat.
Superb day. What an event. All the people who supported along the roadside made you feel very special. The climbs up the last two mountains were extremely difficult but the motorhomes waiting at the top made it feel like a tour ride. Their support was incredible. Took 25 minutes to get going but remembered Ged’s advice from another thread to remain chilled. It was a relaxed start in any case just mingling with an international collection of cyclists. Really enjoyed getting over Col de Port and descent into St Girons. Got onto the back of a group which really pulled me along. The next two climbs were difficult but was ahead of the broom wagon by about 50 minutes by the time I got to St Beat.
I was really pleased I’d recce’d the route in May because the climb up Bales was tough with all those miles in your legs. Knowing the mountain made it mentally easier to cope with. Seeing so many people walking made me more determined to get over the difficult bits. Peyrousorde was as difficult as I expected and more so because once again all the miles beforehand really told. Once I got to the top though the feeling of elation was incredible. I was ahead of the broom wagon and it was downhill all the way.
What a difference closed roads makes because I enjoyed all the descents but the last one was extra special. Riding into the finish was truly memorable (why no official photographer?!). My time was 11:20 and I finished with 20 minutes to spare. My computer told me I had cycled for 10:40 so I had 40 minutes of stops along the way. Didn’t walk once however.
Again as Ged had warned the tears started as soon as I crossed the line! As did the celebrating…which has still to stop.
Again as Ged had warned the tears started as soon as I crossed the line! As did the celebrating…which has still to stop.
Acknowledgements
Firstly, to Simon Jones who originally challenged me a year ago to do the Etape - he didn't think I would accept! His support over the past 12 months with equipment and coaching has been amazing. Thanks for kicking my butt in to action. I need to learn to descend for next year!
Thanks also to the guy's at British Cycling for letting me join their group for the Etape trip - I am honoured and it was a real privilage to be part of the group with such a wonderfully diverse group of people.
To my club mates at Bicester Cycling Club who have put up with me over the past year on those long weekend club rides and shared a few sportives; much respect to the hard core!
My family have had to endure my moods and an absent husband/father/son while I have been out on the bike for up to 15 hours a week. I love you all and your support has been increadible. Kelly, my wife has endured the most and without her I could not have done this; getting my bike for my birthday, putting up with my aches and pains and the alarm going off at 5.30am so I could get a ride in before work - let alone the weekends. Thank you babes, I love you with all my heart.
Finally, two very special people have been my inspiration over the past 12 months. My brother Stuart who faces challenges bigger than this everyday, with a generous heart and a smile on his face. And Sam, my sister-in-law, your grace and courage gave me the strength to never to quit.
