Greetings from France! For those of you who were not aware, myself and Stef signed up for the 18th Étape du Tour which was celebrating the centenerary of the Pyrénées by completing the ‘queen stage’ of the Tour. It seemed like rather a good idea last September, being part of arguably the toughest Étape to date. Something to tell the Grand Kids perhaps?

I arrived early Thursday, found my bearings, short spin around Pau, got very lost – nothing new there then. Met a group of cyclist from Brazil that night who filled me with horror stories of the pending climbs which they had been practicing all week. Thought I better at least check the Marie-Blanque out, which was the nearest to Pau and would be our first climb of the day. This brilliant idea nearly buggered my whole race up! In true ‘Skelders’ style, I had no idea where I was going or indeed how far I was going! Fortunately the signs for the Sunday were already out so the directions were fine. The 85 mile round trip with the most ridiculously steep climb I have ever encountered was probably not the best ‘tapering’ prep though. The last 5K’s of the climb were nothing below 10%, with 2K’s to go it was average 13% peaking at 19%.... Saturday was a rest day!!

So suitably cr@pping myself, Sunday arrived and I actually felt OK. The ice bath & compression tights had done the trick! Managed to meet up with Stef and his mate Paul (those who did the Chiltern 100 would have met him there) as we were in the same starting pen. As with these type of events, its pretty difficult to stay together once we were off so the ‘blue train’ of three got split up early on. Pace was punchy to start, clearly know one else had practiced the Marie-Blanque or they wouldn’t be in such a rush I can tell you!

I’ve told you about the Marie-Blanque, and although I really thought I had blown it on the Friday, psychologically it had worked, I shot up it… well shot being didn’t stop to gag as per Friday - apart from a bottle neck forcing all to dismount (pleasingly at the 14% stretch!) that is.

So one, down two to go. Next was the Soulor, which my Brazilian friends had told was ‘easy compared to the MB’. And to my relief they were right. Much longer but only about six sections of plus 10% 8-} the views were stunning, oh and by now it was getting warm. At the summit it was truly amazing. As the roads were closed most of ‘the Tour’ supporters were already in place so on approaching the final 100 or so meters you really felt like a pro! The lift all the cheering gave me was brilliant, so of course I put a good show on for them, out of the saddle and sprinting for home… huge roars of appreciation !

By now I was not only enjoying it but knew I would complete the event. Onto the Tourmalet. I realise I am waffling now so I will try & cut it short. The Tourmalet is everything you read about, relentless, cruel, psychological nightmare, and long…. Oh so long. I saw grown men in tears, throwing up, or just past out at the side of the road (2 of which I witnessed being put into an ambulance!). So yes it was tough but I actually loved it! I had read a report last year (see link) and the guy advised to split the climb into three. I did this, it really helped – as well as the hoards of people pouring water on my head! Stopped a couple of times to have a munch on yet more bananas and also to scrounge a cup of coke from an English cutie ;-)

The last 2 K were really nasty, +10%, but still managed a sprint finish while screaming at the sorry souls ahead of me ‘a gauche, a gauche’ which I had by now worked out meaning - I'm coming through on the left boyz, get out of the way!!!
Amazing, amazing, amazing! You’ve got to do an ÉTAPE!

TIME – 9.38 8-)
110 miles; 10,850 calories burnt!; max spd 44mph; 14,000ft of climbing; av spd 12 mph

GET INVOLVED!

http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/latest/431266/etape-du-tour-2010-preview.html
http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/blog/427335/riding-the-2010-etape-du-tour-route.html

Great to read your report Skelders, wish I'd been there too. Delighted you had a good time and, hell, you rode a fine time. A gauche!
Daniel

scary Tim.........that's a really great effort and I know a few will be buckling at the knees when you return to show them how to climb.....chapeau and great write up...always amusing

Another Epic!!! enjoyed reading that..well done to you all..OUCH!!

had to be done James.... an English Rose, stranded she was.....

Well done all Etappers - I'm Hushovd in envy.

Truely epic and a great write up; I've definitely got a serious case of altitude envy - well done guys. Should anyone organise such a biblical event next year, count me in.

Daniel,

are you suggesting that at the sight of every photographer/video camera I would jump out of the saddle and put a dig in??? mois, playing to a camera? never!

Quick update on 'Skelders European Tour'. I arrived in Portugal to catch up with the family holiday. Bit run down from the Étape so seem to have picked up every bug going. However, still managed to link up with the local club, who are also celebrating their tenth year. The 'Montanelas' are club of about 35 ish, they meet on a Sunday and have two groups. Nasties & club run. Most of them are nasty boyz though and are bloody good riders! Feeling a tad delicate (stomach not quite right) I opted to stay with the club runners. The club all starts out together and at a convenient point – the first steep hill - all the nasties bugger off.

Not long into the ride (prior to the split) we had a very near miss of a fatal accident though and quite disturbing. We were a peleton of about 20, travelling fairly quickly on the hard shoulder of one of their main roads outside Faro when a car ploughed into us!!! It hit one guy who took out two more. His bike was destroyed but somehow escaped with road rash.... I think he was very lucky as were we all, a gentle reminder that cars always come off better than us cyclists!!!! Anyway, in true 'European' fashion, once the police arrived and we had established he was OK, we were back on our way to Tavira. The rest of the ride was uneventful, thank God, beautiful countryside, a couple of great climbs, rather hot and although what I have badged the club run, still a fairly punchy pace. We completed the ride with 71 miles on the clock at 18's.... difference here is the roads are as smooth as silk and with such a great climate it is easy to rattle along at a comfortable but quick pace :-)
I highly recommend Portugal for great riding but would definitely advise the country roads!! Ironically, the drivers are usually very considerate to cyclists, apparently the driver (an old chap) said that the sun had blinded him and he didn’t see the brightly coloured kit of the 19 riders alongside him!!!!!
Onwards an upwards, hopefully squeeze one more hilly in before returning to the UK.

See you all soon…

Well spotted Daniel,
few other times for the record,
Alain Prost a regular Etaper, 7:23, climbed the Tourmalet in 1:42
Martin Corry, former England rugby captain, bumped into him twice at the start village, 9:29, Tourmalet 2:31.... so skelders and I both beat him up the Tourmalet...
By the way the winner was depressingly a cat C like me, ie over 40. A former Pro apparently and regular etaper. The chap who came in second was a youngster probably
looking for a pro contract... bet he was gutted. last years winner Dmitri Champion rode the Tour as a pro this year for ag2r.
deserving a special mention is Magdalena de saint jean, the fastest woman by 20 mins at 6:30. and cat g so over 35 years old. noticed her name last year as well, think shes a regular.

Been refreshingly without internet access for past week in Pyrennees, but belatedly echo all Tim's comments above, amazing day, but definately the toughest Etape of the 3 I've done by a long way...
After riding first 10 k's with Tim., I waited for Paul, who had a few chain problems, and we rode first half together. then was feeling good on the Soulor so we split up. Enjoyed the climb though blimey it was hot. Still felt good 2 k's from the top so "attacked" and enjoyed the feeling of climbing past people. Realised I'd overdone it on the descent when shoulders, back etc all locked up... met Jane, Claire and the kids in Argeles at the bottem so stopped for a few mins to get some cold winter. Afterwards they said I looked green...

Rode on up the dispiriting 20 km steady climb to the base of the Tourmalet, trying to mentally prepare myself for the 18 km climb. Really hot now. After a few km's got into the climb and started to "enjoy" it. Scenery was stunning. Support was excellent too. Witnessed riders requesting cold water poured on their feet, and one on his backside...sure that was a mistake. Had 4 or 5 shout outs of "Go Ashwell" or similiar which was brilliant.. really appreciated. Got to about 4 km's to go and aware that I was getting close to going over 10 hours, "attacked" again.. about the same spot Contador had a little go at Schleck. Worked a treat for a few km's and got some good shout outs as I cruised past people... then blew up with 2 km's to go and staggered home... the video cam at the finish shows me weaving around trying to pass people but simply not having the legs. Completely shatterd at the finish,.. fell against a rock wall and stayed there for a while. Another chap came up next to me looking worse than I felt. Thought to myself "he looks like a Brit", after a while he turned to me and said simply "f**king hell".. when we'd both got our composure back we discussed the attractions of 10 mile time trials and never going near another mountain again... The medics approached us to confirm we didnt need treatment... it was touch and go...
final time a few seconds over 10 hours annoyling.. about 20 mins behind skelders who took the stage victory for cca riders comprehensively.. well done Tim. I have to mention though that according to the timing matts I did climb the Tourmalet a whole 44 seconds faster than Tim!

how do i know it was the toughest of the 3 etapes i've done.. ? well i've never been fitter and equally never been so knackered at the finish, more quantitively, i finished half an hour slower than last year (similiar distance) but was placed over 1200 places higher, and over 2000 places higher than 5 years ago. also loads more people were eliminated (over 3000) and it took the pro's a lot longer than last year too. finally i saw the pro's come over the tourmalet on thursday (more of that later) and they had the decency to look in real trouble too..

attempting to add some photos to prove Tim not the only one who can pose... altough he is the master of course!





hi-res

hi-res2

a fantastic event.. definately recommend it..

well done stef - great pictures!!!

quality words Stef.... so on to next year :-)

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descending the Marie-Blanque



ascending the Soulor

Skelders / Stef, I know you will be looking for more hill training before next years etape, have a look at this - www.montventouxwebcam.com/about.html and click on the ventoux masters, should make a nice weekend before the event.