Cluster Events: Tour de France – Stage 17

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!