Le Etape Du Tour 2000

After months of training and preparation the time came to pack our bikes and travel to Ashford to catch the fast train to Avingion, and then the short train journey to Orange which was to be our base for our stay in the south of France. As we sped ever southwards we had time to reflect on some heart searching decisions, do I fit triple chainring, will my 39/26 be ok for that giant mt Ventoux, and what should I drink and eat throughout the 152k race .All would be revealed within the next 48 hours.

Sunday 9th

July We arrived at our hotel, late in the afternoon trying to adjust as best we could, to temperatures hovering around 30 degrees, the four of us Peter Raczka, Gilmour Evans, Aled Williams and Kevin Hughes, set

about putting our bikes together after their long journey in the bike bags. Having nearly lost our bikes at Avingion station when the baggage car was locked and the train threatening to carry our steeds to far flung corners of Europe was only stopped by pulling the emergency lever we were relived that we had at least made it to Orange unscathed. After a refreshing shower we set about finding a good restaurant, to enjoy a good Provencal meal washed down by a few cold beers and finished off by a good bottle of the local rose. Needles to say, that after a long journey of around 1000 miles we were ready for our beds at around 10.30 pm.

Monday 10th July

What a disappointment, the day dawned cloudy and wet, the same weather conditions that we had left behind us in Wales less than two days earlier. But at least it was not cold. After breakfast around a dozen of us assembled to ride the leg loosener to the start village at Carpentras a ride of around twenty miles. We seemed to fly along the flat road in what was steady rain and it was no surprise that within a few miles we had lost three cyclists shot right out the back. At Carpentras the Etape had taken over a sports stadium and I have to say that the organisers had not overlooked anything, even having a secure bike

park for those who arrived by bike. A quick tour of the trade stands showed us what was new and what was likely to part with our hard earned cash in the near future. How refreshing it was to see a range bike bits dedicated only to road bikes, it seems that in Europe most people that have a interest in cycling will only be seen riding quality bikes with expensive components. As we toured the start village it was then that I began to realise just how big the event was. There were literally hundreds of competitors all getting their race numbers and having their transponders checked a process that would take twelve hours to complete. At one end of the ground there was a commentator asking questions in French about various tour winners, having very limited command of the language I thought it very unfair that all these people were having good prizes such as saddles and t d f shirts. After I told him we were from Angletere he quickly beckoned me onto the stage and asked me who was going to win tomorrow's quick as a flash I told him it would be me, the crowd roared with laughter and for my cheek he gave me three polka dot jerseys, I was beginning to enjoy this tour. We made our way back to Orange and after lunch we were bussed back to collect our numbers and all the goodies they could throw at us .An early evening meal saw us load ourselves with pasta in readiness for the mammoth task ahead. By 10 o'clock we were making our way back to the hotel aware that we needed an early night but each one of us knowing that sleep would be a long time coming in view of what was in front of us.

Tuesday 11 th July

As the alarm sounded at 3.45 am, my immediate thoughts were that at this hour you only wake to visit the bathroom, not to cycle 100mls.But,the loading of the bikes was at 4.15am, breakfast at 5.00am,and mini bus depart for start village at 5.30am.We journeyed by bus to the start area, but even at 5.45am they were beginning to close the roads to vehicles. So with about 3mls to ride we set off in the cool morning air to the start holding enclosures. Our race numbers were 5772+, this meant that we were about 2mls from the start proper, with an hour to wait the time just flew by as we watched the enclosure fill up. At 7.30am the race started, but it was another twenty minutes before we crossed the start mat that would record each riders time. There were two other mats on route to record the passage of competitors just in case someone had the idea to cut route and gain an unfair advantage.

Passing through the start at a fairly slow pace, things really began to hot up after only a few hundred yards. With closed roads for the entire route, even so it took me a few kilometres to settle in to what was a good pace on flat roads. I had seen Aled and Kevin move ahead of me at the start but I was wondering where Gilmour was. My question was answered, he passed me after about 20k tagged on to a very fast group, within a few seconds I was behind him and this was how we cycled until we reached the bottom of our first climb, the 627m of the Col de Murs. This climb was not steep but it was long, getting into a good rhythm I got to the summit having enjoyed every minute of the climb, but just at the top the sheer volume of riders stopping to take on water meant that we all had to walk 25yards, never mind I thought, right time to splash the boots!

What goes up must go down and cyclists are no exception, there is no better feeling than hurtling down a mountain with the knowledge that you can use both sides of the road in safety. After a fairly flat, ten or so miles, we approached the next climb the second category Cote de Javon at 730m. I don't know why but I really flew up this one passing fit looking cyclists with every turn of the pedal, but also some even fitter passing me. The view of the mountains was breathtaking and it was a shame that we couldn't take our time and enjoy the scenery. Halfway up this climb the official photographers were busy with their cameras, I wonder if I will ever get to see my photo, time will tell. Bowling along to the feed station at Sault I was filled by the most intense aroma, this turned out to be acre upon acre of lavender, what a wonderful sight, the dark blue of the lavender in stark contrast to fairly barren landscape. On reaching the feed station, what should have been a fairly quick feed stop turned out to be a mad scramble by competitors for sandwiches water and fruit. Hunger had meant that instead of picking up their food and moving on they stopped to eat at the station, resulting in hundreds of cyclists queuing up behind them .I estimate that it took me around 25 to 30 minutes to clear this area .Free wheeling out of Sault I gathered myself for the next climb ,the 2nd cat Col de Notre-Dame-des-Abeilles. As I looked upwards at this monster of a climb I wondered what gear I would need, in no time at all the terrain told me 39/26 I had managed to stay in my big ring 53 until the bottom of this climb , not bad for an old one I thought .Getting into a rhythm I must say in all honesty that it took me most of this climb to get going , but getting closer to the summit things got a little easier and eventually started to flatten out, but to my horror there was still more uphill to go. This last rise served as a reminder to all that this was just a leg loosner before the final climb was to be tackled.

The road down to Bedoin was seriously fast and in no time at all I was making my way through the town, which lies at the foothills of Mt Ventoux to the cheers and shouts of spectators gathered there to witness the passage of a unique cycling event. Moving on to the lower slopes I was feeling pretty good, but after going through the village of Ste Colombe I decided that I was going to have to pace myself for the next 20km if was to reach the summit in reasonable shape. On I went and forever upward with each kilometre, for such a wooded area I have to say that there is little or no shade on this tortuous climb. Within 5km from the last feed station the weather, which until now had been faultless, suddenly changed and rain began to fall. Climbing ever higher it got progressively colder and the rain got heavier until albeit a short spell it started hailing. Talking to myself that whatever it felt like I had to keep on pedalling, as everyone said that once Chalet Reynard was passed then the road to the summit was not quite as steep as the wooded lower slopes. But in contrast it was far more open to the elements and changing weather conditions. At Chalet Reynard, the last drinks station I filled my water bottles, eat the last of my energy bars and set off on the last 5km I had barely gone 500yds when I rounded a right hand bend and to my horror the road was blocked by gendarmes and race officials. The race had been stopped due to the severe weather conditions at the summit, it later transpired that there was at least one fatality and over 200 riders were taken to hospital suffering from exposure. It was here that my race also ended after been asked to hand over my transponder to race officials, it is very difficult to put into words how I felt as I made my way down the mountain having had to turn back within sight of the goal that I had dreamt of for the best part of a year. Back down in the town of Bedoin hundreds of cyclists gathered to wait and ponder as to what might have been if only the weather conditions had been better, some made their way to Malacuene which was the finish village but I headed back to the hotel at Orange a distance of some 40km. Aled and Kevin did manage to complete the ride and they must be congratulated on doing so. Gilmour like myself was turned back and he did go to the finish village to collect his medal. That evening as we reflected on the days event we were all of the opinion that it was probably the most exiting and fulfilling cycling experience we had ever had, that is until next year!

Wed 12th July

Another fine day dawned in Provence and the four of us were in very good condition considering what we had all been through the previous day. Despite the fact that Aled was walking like a man who had ridden a horse for the last 100mls and not a bike was irrelevant, off we all went to do some shopping and buy our loved ones a present to ensure our participation in future events on the continent .In the afternoon Aled and myself went out on our bikes for a few hours to check out the sights around Orange, and I must say that it offers everything for the tourist, a great roman influence all around.

Thursday 13th July

Another early start saw the four of us making our way to the stage start at Carpentras, along with a tour guide who for the life of me I still can't understand why he cycled with us all the way to the start and then left us to cycle all the way back again without seeing the tour. After seeing the tour cavalcade at Carpentras we headed for the foothills of Mt Ventoux laden with all the goodies that we could stuff into our pockets, hats, key rings, Cassettes, you name it we picked it up as we were caught up in tour fever. Having lunched at Bedoin, on first class pizzas we headed for the lower slopes of Mt Venous along with an estimated 250,000 other tour fans. Standing around in temperatures in the mid 30s was certainly a contrast to the conditions we had only two days previous, it just goes to show how things can change. After around three hours we heard the tell tale sound of the customary helicopter and we knew that the riders would be with us within minutes. We did not have to wait very long to see what is arguably the toughest sport in the world, within ten minutes or so it had passed, but the experience and atmosphere will stay with me for a very long time.

Relaxing at a restaurant that evening we were all in total agreement that it had truly been a memorable occasion and something that we all would wish to do again.

Friday 14th July

After the short train journey to Avenging, we had about two hours to wait, and we took it in turns to walk into the town. We were too late to see the tour start from here, perhaps with a little better planning it could have been done. Just before one pm we boarded the fast train homeward and with the best part of 300 miles to travel from Ashford it was very late when we got home .In conclusion I wish to thank the other members of the trip for their help and friendship on what was truly a wonderful week. After E mailing the Tape organisers I am now in receipt of my much cherished medal.

Peter Raczka
SARN HELEN CLUB

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