137KM. 4900M.
Epic day on a bike. The kind of day that we'll be talking about for years to come. Table was set with the marathon stage, climbing Col Madeleine, Col Glandon and Alp D'Huez.
For the cycling nerds, the first two climbs were each 20KM - 25KM with about 1500M gained. The last was only 1050M over 19KM.
Day started slightly more civilized. Ribs turned some heads at breakfast.
Full rain day. Quite the mellow harsher. Donned all the winter gear we brought with us. Jamie still happy. He's always happy.
6KM roll down from our hotel to the start line. Two problems. During the pre-race ride, White Lightning chose to pack it in again. In addition, TL's carbon wheels and brake setup decided not to provide sufficient stopping power. After a bike switch and a wheel change, we were ready to go 20minutes post race start. 24KM neutral roll out off the mountain to the base of the Madeleine. As we had to cross some major roads and were off the back, race director "forced" us into the bus to be driven to the start of the first climb.
Not many photos today. Wilbur was the official photographer and he failed miserably. Wilbur claims it's hard to take photos when your hands don't work. So many stories. Fred Flintstone bike stops. Telling bus drivers to "f-off" so that TL could get out and ride.
Lots of DNFs today. Sag wagon full. We all finished. JA and I rode quite strong. Top 35 out of the field.
Rain capes handed out at the top of the Col Glandon. Not sure their purpose, save making a rider look like a total clown.
Though Wilbur look like quite a clown today too. Desperate times call for desperate measures.
Time trial up Alpe d'Huez tomorrow. Venue of many famous Tour battles. Some say Le Tour is won or lost on the Alpe.
Likely another yellow bike tomorrow. Good recap of the day with video and images on the Haute Route site.
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