A beautiful, mild morning greeted us in Argelès Gazost for the start of Stage 6. 131kms ahead of us with 2700m of climbing provided by the ascents of the Col du Soulor, Col d’Aubisque, Col de Marie Blanque and then a fast and lumpy run in to the finish just outside Pau. The neutralised section … Read more
Stage 5 was the Individual Time Trial, the ‘race of truth’. Riders against the clock. Starting at 20 second intervals. One hill. No hiding. For many in the event it would be regarded as an easier day, certainly a lot less time on the bike, a bit longer in bed, a bit of respite from … Read more
The Stage 4 route somehow managed to cram in a whopping 3250m of climbing into just 82km. 3 classic and contrasting climbs: Col de Peyresourde, Hourquette d’Ancizan and then the Col du Tourmalet. The weather forecast was shocking, heavy rain for the duration of the stage and cold conditions particularly at 2115m atop the Tourmalet. … Read more
Stage 3 was our first full on mountain stage with climbing from the off. 131kms and 3600m of climbing. Port de Balès, Col des Ares, Col de Menté and finishing on the vicious ramps of the Hospice de France. Just 2km of neutralised lead out today and the flag went down as we left Bagnères … Read more
Stage 2 was a big one. 137km from Pau to the top of the Port de Balès. 2900m of climbing to keep us occupied on another stunning, sunny day. The stage was very much about two jobs to do: the 118km lumpy journey from the start and then the 19kms of the Port de Balès … Read more
Stage 1 took us from the centre of Pau right up to La Pierre St Martin close the Spanish border. 96kms and 2700m of climbing destined to keep us busy. We woke to a stunning clear day in Pau with the mountains around our summit finish in sight at the start and providing a dramatic … Read more
By John Thomas, 15th August 2019 The long chain of the Pyrenees is just coming into sight as we head towards Pau, the start town for a massive 2 weeks of bike racing for me and a few other nervous souls. I’ve done the Haute Route 7 day events several times now, they are … Read more
By John Thomas 22nd July 2019 Albertville to Val Thorens – 135kms – 4500m climbing This was to be my 14th consecutive Etape du Tour having first discovered this event in 2006. Like every year that I’ve participated in this amazing event I was nervous, excited and so looking … Read more
By John Thomas July 14th 2019 Individual Time Trial 15kms Bourg d’Oisans – Alpe d’Huez The final stage of this 3 day event was the tough but uncomplicated task of climbing against the clock up the famous hairpins of the Alpe d’Huez climb. After a 1km run in to the climb we would … Read more
By John Thomas July 13th 2019 Bourg d’Oisans – l’Alpe d’Huez Stage 2 was to be a relatively short affair, just 70kms but squeezing in 2800m worth of climbing over three main climbs. We would ascend the first few bends of Alpe d’Huez to la Garde and then continuing upwards along the spectacular Balcon … Read more