What goes on tour, stays on tour………..Le Paula Tour that is…….

 

With this in mind I will fast forward todays antics/adventures to about 7pm when the tour comes to town.

Mike and Oscy, when you see these pic’s you’ll wish you never left!

I arrived at the Arc de Triomphe with about 20min until the Boys on Bikes came through on their first lap. With a million people camped out I muscle in and use my best French ‘pardon moi’ to secure myself a spot (100mts) on the approach to the arc about 5 people back. Good position I think. With crazy short fat man yelling behind me (serena you would have been in heaven) and the drunk Aussies beside me I can just see over the people to see the first lap. As fast as they came, they were gone. ‘This is no fun’ I think and take off to find me a better possy. Walking around the Arc de Triomphe was a very cool experience – normally this roundabout housing the most famous arc is home to 5 lanes of traffic and I think the rule is give way to anything already on the roundabout…… Death wish if you ask me. But today it was car/bike/bus/crazy taxi driver free and home to about 1,000,000 tour spectators. The day had been about 38 degrees and the tar on the road was melting……CRAZY

Somehow I manage to get up to a barrier about 150mtr around the arc which was a million dollar view.  Oscy, hold onto your pants……..check these bad boys out!!!!

 

 

 
 

The day wouldn’t be complete with an update on some cute boys – this pic is for the ladies….. Seriously the French have it sorted when it comes to men in uniform.....

 

Lastly great food day had again today, although still not feeling 100% but pushing through with as much jambon, fromage and champagne as one can eat and ordering yet another crème brulee scoring just half a pigs trotter.

Last free day.... and no Alpe d'Huez

I know... Alpe d'Huez with 2 ascensions was a key part of the plan... but sometimes plans need to change, and today, Alpe d'Huez was just not on the cards.

MissP's war with water seemed to have accelerated overnight, and she declared herself out of action for the day.... and after the giant day yesterday, it was just too much .. too far... for this organiser to face.

So... in honour of our last free day (tomorrow we will be flat out cleaning, driving, bike packing and airport checking in to scratch ourselves!) I decided to take time to potter around, and enjoy the mountains.

Lunch up on the mountain above the chalet was a perfect location to contemplate. These mountains sure are amazing... the views just can't be captured.

All in all it's been an amazing trip. 3 totally different team members with very different backgrounds experiences and objectives learning to work together and compromise... complicated. We've done so many super amazing things, it's been unbelievable, and yet at the same time, like reality always is.... somehow it's also been kind of normal. Wonderboy commented that it's all so different but also kind of the same. Yep... that's the amazing world we live in. I know we've changed all our perceptions and added a huge set of life experiences... and in the end that's what it's all about in my book (as well as some super cool rides!!).

Tour de France – Stage 17 – Embrum / Chorges

Today was one of the big days. In the Tour this was always going to be pretty awesome. A time trial through very hilly terrain. Something rarely done in the tour. A decisive stage (the organisers are hoping).

Unfortunately, for today’s Tour adventure we were a team member down. MissP having drunk some dodgy water was down for the count. Being very supportive team mates… we left a bottle of water (Volvic) outside her door and disappeared!

We drove to Embrum… about 200k away, but on the other side of way too many mountains.  As soon as we arrived I dropped of Wonderboy to watch the action and headed off in search of a climb!

These TT's take hours. With around 200 riders going at 2 minute intervals, the things lasts 7 hours.. it's nuts.

I headed back to Guillestre and decided to climb Risoul. I'd been reading about a cyclosportif next weekend called "La Risoul" and thought it worth finding out what this climb was all about.

The answer.. its a 13k climb averaging 7% up to a ski resort (Risoul) above Guillestre. And it's nice, with amazing views up the valley towards Briancon and up the other valley towards Izoard. Knocking it over in just over an hour.. left me just enough time to race back to Embrum, park, and ride to the TT course, to see the last 10 riders go. It's amazing how they look on a bike, and interesting to see the cautious and steady way they took the start of the course.... 6l of 6% right from the bottom of the start ramp.

After all the riders had gone ... Wonderboy and I met up and headed down the 200m to the start and watched the finish on the big screen. Then I rode back up the course to try the slope myself. It was steep but not too steep... something you could easily overcook and blow up.,.. cool.  Wonderboy then borrowed my bike, shoes and helmet to try it for himself!  Very cool fun!

Next it was back in the car for a 2.5 hour drive though some pouring rain... not fun... but dinner in the Pizza place (where I'd been with the cluster years ago) in Briancon added a welcome smile to my face!

 

I know... but I really was happy to be there!

Contador

Zoom zoom Froome ... and MissP not here!

 

L’Hydrospeed

Today, wonderboy arranged something different. Something Cool... very cool.... freezing in fact!

L'hydrospeed

It's like rafting, on your own with a boggie board. But before you go... ooooh awesome. It was in the river running from Mont Blanc... yep that's the one.. Mont Blanc with the snow all over it. But... they said... don't worry the water was warmed up to about 6 degrees by the time it got the 20k to our rafting spot.

Yep... you heard me right... 6 degrees.

OK... now that I've terrified you (if not... read it again in  bath tub full of ice cubes!)... before we jump in the water we get a full wet suit meets motor cross kit put on us. Serious temperature and rock protection.

The rafting itself was awesome fun... with lots of competitive dumking and crashing going on (even the guide flipped wonderboy over to MissP and my amusement!).

It was cold... but ok... and it was super fun (going 6.5k down stream ..taking about an hour). I say go for it if you get the chance!

We left wondering if there was a bigger river we could try with my action... of course...that's how we roll!!

After that we headed back to the chalet and up the hill passed the chalet to a restaurant right at the top of the hill about 10k up passed tha chalet (our champagne friends told us about it). Unbelievable... it was awesome. And of course, someone flew in in a helicopter for lunch... what the!!???

Then more relaxation... a small ride from Wonderboy and dinner in the pub in Flumet (where I am now).

An awesome day... MissP gave it 3 pigs trotters... WOW!!

 

The blue things in the front are the "board"

 

A top French soccer team arrived to go rafting ... they heard we thought it was cool!

 

Cormet de Roseland

For the last 5 years I've been raving about the sandwich shop in Beaufort. Yep... the place the cheese comes from. In Australia it's $120 a kilo, here... well... in Beaufort to be exact... you can get a sandwich jambon beaufort for 5 euros, with a big chunk of Beaufort cheese on it.

And.... right out of town, starts the Cormet de Roseland. It's called the most beautiful climb in France. I must admit, I wasn't that super impressed when I rode it 5 years back with the Cluster Northern Alp days, AND ... I wasn't at all impressed when both Stuey and Mick Rogers crashed on the descent when Mick was in the virtual yellow jersey.

But despite this, I was keen for some cheese and to give it another chance to win me over. So, MissP called it a "sleep in day" and Wonderboy and I jumped in the car and headed to Beaufort. Yes, I know the Falc rode it from here, over Saisses, climbed the Cormet and then back over Saisses. But... well... I wasn't up for that!

So... we started with the Cormet... and wow... I think all is forgiven. I'm locking it in as the most beautiful climb. You climb through spectacular views, then along a lake and finish with a climb to the summit. It's bloody awesome!

Then of course there are the obligatory photos and chat with other cyclists at the top (I think the summit of all climbs is like a cycling neutral zone.... friends are made... bikes admired... and then..bang were back to racing each other down passing each other with barely a "bonjour").

Then... the descent... quick with some nice corners. Not Col d'Izoard but a very nice descent.

Cormet de Roseland - Tick!  2 thumbs up!

Then Sandwich Jambon Beaufort.... I must admit it didn't blow me away... but hey... I've been eating delicious cheese in Champage country, so a sandwich isn't going to anyway. But it was GREAT!

Wonderboy went for his starndard - Croque Monsieur - he gave it a "good good good" but refused to award and gu gels. A very tough critic (though he now says 8.9 out of 10!!).

After that, we spent the usual laze around time, and then headed in to Menton St Bernard for an awesome dinner on the shores of lake Annecy, with the special work guests that appeared in an earlier post!  Superb!

 

14 Juillet

14 July - Bastille Day… the French national holiday. And for us, it was a team holiday! (and transition back to Flumet)  Ventoux would have to wait for another time!

After a leisurely start to the day we packed up, said our goodbyes (for now… were stopping in on Friday on our way to the Airport). MissP got an invite to stay over Friday night, as she has accom in Paris from Saturday.  

Then it was lunch in Epernay, Tour watching stop in Dijon (though Ventoux had just finished by the time we found a bar with a TV), dinner and fireworks in Sallanches and then home to Flumet.

It’s amazing the sense of freedom and adventure that is here in the mountains!  Till tomorrow.

A girl and her Champagne!

Dinner view of Mt Blanc



Party time in Sallanches

 

Blood is thicker than water, but wine (especially Champagne) tastes better than both!

Back in the Batiment, after our assault on the Cobbles, the day started super relaxed.

MissP decided it was time to get on her bike and go adventuring. She grabed her backpack and headed out!

I decided to head up to the house and catchup with the family. Supergal and my, dear friend Sophie (the daughter of our hosts) returned from living in Brazil for 2 1/2 years just yesterday. After much hugging and introductions to the 3 children (the 6 year old speaks fluent French, Portugeuse, and a little English!!) I got myself invited to lunch. Being the awesome team leader I am, I headed back to the batiment to find Wonderboy awake and invited him up for lunch. Of course, knowing the sort of food on offer he jumped off the couch!

After a delicious lunch we headed back to the Batiment and met MissP returning from a major Champagne tour ride!

We had just enough time to clean up, do a little shopping and then back up to the house for dinner, and wow what fun!

After a zillion trips to France I’ve now discovered that the 14 July fireworks happen the night before. So, before dessert we headed out in the Renault Espace to park in the middle of the vines and watch the fireworks from Reims and all the villages around. Amazing!!

Wonderboy decided it was time to go crazy and disappeared into the dark vines… aiming I think to return and scare MissP … or maybe just to run wild… It’s one of those mysteries that may never be solved. This time there were no black berries or stinging nettles… so it all ended well and he reappeared before we drove away!

Of course, once back at the house we had to finish the meal with a yummm dessert and of course some of Claude’s spirits to aid digestion (of my intestines I think!!)

Just a super fun day.. and night… but.. our planned race down to Ventoux tomorrow is Off! I just couldn’t walk away from such a great night!

MissP heads off on an adventure

3 generations of culinary awesomeness!

The batiment - Home!

Papi Claude (Showing me how it's done!)

Multilingual games!

Lunch... course 2

Lunch ...course 4 (more Clafoutis)

Having a pre dinner glass of Champagne or 2

MissP finds a friend!

Paris Roubaix and Tour of Flanders... all in one day!

Some days... you just wonder ...what did you do to be so lucky... today was one of them! (We've had so many on this trip).

MissP called it a day out... and Wonderboy and I grabbed our bikes and the car and headed north west. That's right, to all things "Spring Classic".

First stop was the Arenburg Forest... sacred ground for cyclists, and the key sector of Paris-Roubaix. Its hard to describe... and I've tried before in this blog. It's a beautiful forest with an amazing ancient road running straight through it. It's like something out of Lord of the Rings. And then.. there's the pave... the cobbles. They are so rough.. It's hard to imagine how the pro's make it through with a bike still in one piece. I explained to Wonderboy the day the Chicken watched Paris Roubaix here. Amazing.  After much giggling and racing on the Pave we headed out in Paris Roubiax land for lunch and then back through the Forest. Super cool!

After this we headed to the Roubaix velodrome. The location for the finish of the race. Wonder boy and I did 1/4 of a lap before we were explained that it is "interdit" - forbidden. Truth is.. I did read the sign.. but what a thrill to be riding on the velodrome (I didn't get to do this last time).

Next... we headed to Belgium to "Flanders" - to ride some of the great climbs of the Tour of Flanders (Ronde von Vlaanderen to the locals). First we did the Aude Kwaremont, the 2 repeats of the Paterberg (2nd time to get some pics) and then 2 repeats of the Koppenberg. These climbs are amazing... big cobbles at 15-20%... its tough but so much fun!

Wonderboy gave the day 3 gu gels of approval! (I think that's about the equivalent of 2 pigs trotters from MissP, but I'm not sure!).

 

Wonderboy takes on the cobbles at Arenberg Forest!

 

Velodrome action!

 

Paterberg... Tick !

 

 

Koppenberg - Tick!

Champagne

Sometimes even crazed cyclists need a day off. Yep.. it’s true. Other than the crazy TGV day and the Watch the Tour and drive to Flumet day, I’ve ridden every day so far. But today.. Non… Pas du velo!

Wonderboy of course, with his “ride alone licence” headed off for a TT training ride. I knew his introduction to France was complete when I got this txt message from him “im heading back ur way now. I will stop for a croquet monsieur in the next village”.  Awesome!

After sleeping in, reading, lazing around and a little lunch we headed into Epernay to visit the Nicholas Feuilatte champagnery (as named by MissP). In some ways it takes the romance out of Champagne, as it’s a modern and seriously automated world, totally unlike the Cave here. But, Champagne is big business and that’s very clear at NF.

After a snack and wifi stop in Epernay we headed back home just in time to head up for dinner with Claude & Laurence. And there it was… the piece de resistance, Clafoutis. As we were eating it, Claude explained that he picked the cherries off the tree near the cave 2 hours ago, incredible.

Afer dinner, a big treat, Remi took us into Reims to a light and sound show at the catherdral. Starting at 11:30pm. WOW… it was amazing. Wonderboy declared it to be the most awesome thing he’s ever seen.

 

Croque Monsieur - Ham and Cheese Toasty.. with extra yumm!! 

 

 

Clafoutis

 

Finding our feet in Champagne

Today was a day of getting ourselves oriented and in our new environ. Wonderboy and I headed off to get him “ride alone” ready. It’s so easy to take a wrong turn and get lost here. The good news is that the “Route Touristique de Champagne” goes right passed our place, so if needed just following those signs will find the way home.

MissP decided to head out on her own, and on completing our ride we txt’d her to find her in a café in the centre of Reims… nice!  This lead to us driving in and enjoying some shopping and down time.

Before dinner we then went on a tour of the Cave (where they make and store the Champagne). Amazing stuff… not only the insights into Champagne but also the Cave itself,  it’s been there since 1872 and used to shelter people during 2 world wars.

The day finished once again with an amazing dinner at our hosts. Many laughs were had, possibly my favourite was when MissP was showing Claude her new cycling jacket. I said, I’m not sure I could cope with the complexity… Claude’s response (In French)… “You have enough trouble with the pedals!”  Somehow everyone understood his French perfectly!!

 

 

 

 

Villers-Allerand

Today it was time to farewell our little piece of heaven in the Alps (for now… we will be back on the weekend!).

But… first things first. Wonderboy and I headed off to ride the Col des Saisses. It’s a lovely 13k climb just outside Flumet.

After that we packed up the car, and headed to Annecy for a swim. Then back in the car for the run to Villers Allerand (near Reims).

After a long drive, the end came very quickly, and next thing we’re in the courtyard with Claude and Laurence eating BBQ sausages and laughing! Life really doesn’t get any better than this!

(For those of you new to this blog world… Claude and Laurance are friends that live near Reims and make Champagne… yep… it’s a tough life!).