My OH took part in the Etape du Tour yesterday, and what a ride it’s been! Another event blighted by the weather: drizzle, rain, cold wind, mountains in the clouds, bad visibility, 201km and over 5500m of climbing in very hostile conditions, not what anybody would expect in the middle of July! It was Brian’s first Etape and his longest and most difficult ride ever, but he made it to the finish in Bagneres de Luchon along with only 3819 others from over 8000 riders that had started in Pau. Quite an achievement! Needless to say that I was very proud of him, but also glad that he made it back in one piece!
Here is his own take of yesterday’s event, the pros are going to do the same route as stage 16 of the Tour de France on Wednesday, 16 July.
http://www.ciclobyron.com/le-etape-du-tour-act-ii-2012