Tough Day, 3 Cols, Hot

Beautiful day....we began by going over the Col du Corbier, again...then up the Valley to Morzine, again...this time, instead to the Avoriazwe turned right onto the Joux Plane, a nasty little climb that had long steep stretches that seemed to go on forever...there was very little of it below 9 percent...we saw Lance and Chris Horner coming up on the way down, on their "rest day"...we descended and ate lunch in a small town...vegetarian food was hard to find...then, gluttons for punishment, we went about 15 miles down a beautiful valley and the descended to the base of the Col du Columbiere...the temperature was 98 degrees when we started up, but the first part of this monster 3200 ft climb was shaded, and temp dropped a bit...I had not eaten enough but felt great till about 5 k from top, the last section was really steep, with headwinds and a thunderstorm moving in...managed to make the top and the van minutes before storm hit....

Tour Watching at Avoriaz

Amazing day in saddle...first Col du Corbier and then long climb through Morzine to Avoriaz...we arrived 5 hours or so ahead of peleton, as roads were closed at certain point...view was great as lead riders came through, got good video of Contador and Schleck...they really fly by...waited fir Lance group..,he had rough day...we then had to ride down back to Morzine amid general chaos...lots if pro riders came down with us..,more later

Tour Viewing on Day 2

Tommorrow on the Avoriaz finish look for the Orbea tents about 2 km from the top...there will be a madman from Rockville unfurling a special flag as the lead riders come thru....we will arrive at the top about four hours before Tour comes by...we have satellite tv in tents and some fridges full of....

The Morgins Pass

First day ride was spectacular! Only 20 or so miles but nearly 3000 feet of climbing over Morgins and then down down into Switzerland...it rained most of the way, but the climbing warmed things up...the climb back through Morgins was 2000 feet and a real bear, but scenery across valley was stunning, with thunderstorms moving in and out...I was in B group, and hear front...A group was mostly a Mexican contingent, great guys...there are some husband wife teams..about 30 total riders...finished with Fischer beer...ahhhhhh

Day 1: Headed Out to Join Thomson Team

Fortified by a breakfast of Muesli, hot coffee, and a dose of hubris, the intrepid cyclist is set to meet up with cycling group at the Geneva Airport. After meetup we head out to France and hotel, check in and then get ready for ride. I will need to add pedals and saddle to my Orca Opal with full DuraAce kit...then we do short warmup ride...tomorrow it is the Avoriaz and other cols as we meet Tour for first time...photos to follow...now, I need to print out those pesky cue sheets....

Arrival in Geneva

Well, it did not take long to get in the spirit, as it seemed half the passengers on the Geneva flight, United 974, were bound for European cycling vacations...there were helmets and gear everywhere, one guy was even already in spandex! Met one guy who was doing the Extreme version of King of the Mountains, which includes one day when they do 4 climbs (Telegraphe, Galibier, Alpe D'Huez and Crois de Fer). He had done the trip last year with different climbs..several other guys were on Trek trips..at Geneva, bike boxes came off the luggage carousel one after another, many had brought their bikes and planned to ship back after if they were staying...shuttled to the airport hotel to get some shuteye and then begin carbo loading for tomorrow: the prologue....

Cycle Art 10: Special Sketch Edition

Here is link to Cycle Art 10: Special Sketch Addition

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2028130&id=1530786583&l=eb0496706c