Who: 510 riders.
What: Stage 5 (Saint-Lary Soulan - Cap De Long). 100km. 3,700m vertical.
When: August 24, 2016 (Blake’s 4th bday!)
Why: Love riding our bikes in Euro-land especially these epic Grand Tours!
Today on paper was the “queen stage” (most challenging). We broke protocol today; no partners, every man for themselves. Another words, we were “free to fly”…
Every night we’re lucky to have the 4th liner read the next days stage in detail so we’re informed and can plan accordingly. Nice to know what’s coming. TL has done many endurance events and knows how to prepare and what it takes. This 4th liner has potential...
Excited to clip-in and get rolling a quick selfie of the grand tour veteran was in order. The other two clowns were back a starting block.
Back Story. GD has completed 5 of these events over the past 6 years. When he makes up his mind and registers, he trains hard, does the prep and takes it seriously. His sixth is imminent.
Below is a training ride I was privileged enough to join him on in the British Properties back in West Van. Chartwell Drive hot laps.
Colin aka. Buster went "ka-boom" yesterday as most rookies do. Not out of the norm. Not knowing what would come today he thought “taping” his knee would be the answer. Not so much. I give him full props for getting this tough stage done and keeping himself in the tour. Climbing European mountain ranges ain’t easy people.
Finish shot of TL and Buster at the top of Cap De Long (a long 21km climb to finish today’s stage). GD and I descended after finishing and the saw the boys riding up to complete their day. Buster’s face looked like Ferris Bueller when his buddy drove his dad’s vintage sports car off the back of the garage and over the ravine. #stunned #blank #nobodyhome You get the idea. Keep going Buster!!
I rode most of this stage by myself (without partner). Why? Great question. Le Directeur in my opinion should be riding with me or at the most #dietrying We came here to race bikes and this potentially may be his last tour. We rode together Stage 4 (previous day) and at one point I mentioned that we should pick the pace up a bit….he looked at me like Hillary looks at Trump (that’s not happening buddy)… So we continued to ride “safe” to the finish. Total BS in my mind. I let him know how I felt at lunch post ride…hoping it wasn’t the beer talking. He responded with “you’re right, I’m in!” Looks like we’re going hard tomorrow. We’ll see how this goes.
Lastly, shameless plug for Cannonade (this bike is doing all the work for me in Pyrenees!!) Thank you Cannondale for this amazing bike!
Over and out.
Does the Cannondale have a motor in the hub. Better break out the electronic doping equipment!
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDelete