Our ride to Stage 10 finish at Carmaux

What a day. On the bikes at 9 am
and arrived back at the hotel at 9 pm and in between, a solid 90 kms ride, lunch in a mediaeval village and a stage finish with plenty of pics.

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/98737715

Our day started with travelling on the bus to Rabastens, a short 30 mins drive away where we rode along past pastures of corn and other crops.

First big climb and it was on. You know that feeling when you are trundling along enjoying the view at 29 kmh and you try to climb a 5% gradient at early 20s and your HR just keeps climbing. Hung on about 3rd wheel to the top blowing a bit but not redlining where our former pro rider Eric checked who was on and who wasn't. Think of it as a bit of test and sorting out process !!

After a few more rolling hills and fast descents, the other cycling guide Peter came forward and had a short chat with Eric. Next thing we know, we were travelling at a nice and solid high 30s pace. Looks like we decided to split the bunch and Alex and Dare were of course, as you would know, sitting on the front !! Just like back at home riding up and down hills heading to our first stop at the 50 km mark. We rode through this beautiful little village town of Gaillac where the intermediate sprint point will be held on the next stage. Gardeners were out everywhere as were council workers polishing street furniture and generally beautifying the whole joint. We passed a really picturesque market square and I was hoping that was a coffee stop but nope, we rode through to meet our support van on the other side of town by the side of a poplar lined archetypal french country road. Gorgeous. 

The riding on the right hand side of the road becomes rather interesting too when approaching roundabouts. Dialogue on the bus this evening revealed it wasn't just me confused about where to look as it all unfolds in a split second. The french drivers are amazingly tolerant of cyclists. We stuffed things a few times and they simply waited at roundabouts without swearing, getting on the horn or exhibiting any aggressive behaviour.

After our refuel we had to cross back over the small mountain range and Eric decided it was time to establish just who was top dog. A nice little 4% climb about the same height as a Waterfall climb with plenty of false flats and he just sat on the front progressively winding it up. HR kept climbing but I dug down and just kept it up and stayed on hitting 176 and a high for the day. However we were duly rewarded with that climb as we rolled along the plateau for a few kms through classic TdF fields of sunflowers. We plan to stop the next day for a group shot in front of one of those fields according to my plan !! This little move split our bunch again and established yet again the pecking order going forward with Eric firmly on top followed by Alex, Dare and a couple of others with Yvette and I also in the mix up front.

For our efforts of climbing up that hill and along the plateau we were duly rewarded with a great winding descent into a village. Everyone was in the tuck position and I hit 69.3 kmh down that hill. Bit blustery with some tight corners so you couldn't let it run out completely. Plenty of that to come in the days ahead with the upcoming Cols.

That valley descent took our breath away when we looked up to this mediaeval town perched on the hill and were duly informed we would have lunch up there.

 

Once we got moving again, it was only a 25 km ride along valleys to the finish line. By this time I couldn't hide any longer. We were riding along a nice little 1 to 2% gradient into a headwind and Eric and co had all had enough of sitting on the front and called for backup so Gav would be proud of my snookering play up until that time. Came around and sat on the front for a few kms of the paceline and then alternating with Dare and Alex to finish off the ride into the TdF Stage 10 finish at Carmaux.

Just like something you see on the tele when watching the TdF. Picture market square, barriers, tour caravan, bars with the tele showing the race live, crazy Nowegian spectators. Loved winding them up. Walked past and mentioned Thor to a racous cheer.

The camera got a good workout with all the festivities of the caravan, the spectators and of course the race into town. We sat on a corner about 500 m from the finish and snapped the GC riders and sprinters all lining up to finish as high as possible. Will upload the rest of the pics as time permits.

Cav with Greipel (winner) on his wheel

All the GC contenders

After the finish, we made our way back to the Coach on a high and lo and behold, we'd parked right where all the team cars and buses had to pass. We simply stood in one lane and snapped away as they all came past with Alan Peiper (team boss of HTC Highroad and an Aussie) stopping to say hello.