July 31, 2009 Departure day
I truly believe I have something wrong w/ my brain that prohibits me from learning any French. The funny part is I find myself knowing what I need to say in German and sometimes even Spanish! So, I did learn some German in HS and college and I must have picked up Spanish along the way. Anyhow, a ‘bonjour’ with a smile seems to go a long way. I will admit I didn’t put much effort into it…oh well.
I’m standing here at a recharge station practicing my typing. I could log in to the internet if Orange didn’t assign a stupid log in and pwd, I wrote it down once and then had firefox remember it, of course I have to access it from another page. Oh well, once I have this all typed I’ll pay to log on and upload so you have something to do today.
I got on the taxi at 8:15…flight leaves at 12:45, didn’t want to take a single chance at missing it! Crap, looked at the meter and it was already at 35 Euros and my terminal is nowhere to be seen (all I have is 40 Euros—thought it would be around 30 to get there)..thoughts start going thru my head, “don’t say anything until you are there.” “don’t panic you aren’t the fiarst idiot to do this.” “wonder if there is an ATM right inside the terminal” So, I didn’t panic, when we pulled up I explained my situation and the driver pulls out a credit card machine! Sweet!
Lug the bike and bag onto a cart, go inside, ‘Oh the lines!’ good thing I’m here 3.5 hours early! Find what I think is my line, move about 10 ft in 10 mins, finally find someone official who tells me I need to be at group 2, u-turn around, find group 2, yippee, short line! Weigh the bags, then I get to haul them to the oversize luggage drop off and go inside another room to pay 80 Euros to ship the bike back. Then thru security. I had to completely empty my camera bag—pull out each zoom, the gps, and of course the laptop. But I got to keep my shoes on! They were extremely nice in the security lines, not scary at all, I didn’t get that ‘you’re too slow feeling’ they even handed out ziplocks for the carry on liquids.
Found a bakery and spent more of my Euros on a macaroon, water & coke. I would so break the caffeine habit if I lived here…most places it is 3 Euros for a 50cl bottle—think that’s about $4.20. Maybe when I get back I need to put a $5.00 bill aside for each coke I drink..I’ll either save a lot of money or stop drinking them (the later would be the best!)
This is annoying can’t see anything about my flight…guess I’ll pay and upload …45 mins til I board, then Amsterdam, then Detroit (hopefully time for a chesseburger or a salad) before I fly into Austin!
Hope you enjoy today pics, I reverted back to my HS B&W fetish days!
It’s been quite an adventure...not sure what I’m going to do next or how I’m ever going to top this trip.
So, they are supposed to start boarding at 12:00, finally start at 12:47 for the flight that was to take off at 12:45, then I swear grandma was driving the plane when getting to the run way…going so slow, even stroke could have run faster than the plane! We taxi for about 20 mins…finally take off, finally land 2:28, taxi for another 15, my flight ‘leaves’ at 3, get off the plane and a lady is holding a sign saying go to T2, about 15 of us get to T2 to ‘transfer’ to the plane, sweet, maybe they are holding it...not so much! Get to T@ only to find out it left! Oh well.
I get re-booked on the 10:20 flight to Minneapolis tomorrow morning(too bad not enough time to se Barb, Lucy & Ellie, I'll wave as I fly over., they give me directions to get a hotel, find that, get the hotel and my ‘clean yourself up before you come back tomorrow bag’, now to go thru customs. I follow the signs saying you aren’t declaring anything, go thru the door and I’m outside by all the stores, no checks, no one to wave you thru, you just leave the baggage area like you were at ABIA. Darn it, no passport stamp. Decide to find the hotel shuttle bus area, find it and about the time I decide to go inside and get a t-shirt, the bus comes…guess I’ll sleep successfully tonight. Meet up w/ Tina from China who is a Piano grad student at Bowling Green in Ohio. We take each others pictures, then get to the hotel, end up eating a great dinner together.
Showered, used the stinky hotel soap, I hope the person sitting next to me tomorrow appreciates it!
Love the dry weave panties—2 mins under the hair dryer and whoa-la…clean underwear, of course I did wash them before drying (the smell good bag even had a tube of laundry detergent!) And the bag contained a XXL white t-shirt! Sweet!
Time for sleep, I really hope there's a good movie to sink my mind into on the way home!
When I booked this flight I thought to myself, you are going to get to spend the night in Amsterdam, only wish it wasn’t so far away! It’s like I’m at one of those road side hotels you see on the interstate in the middle of nowhere and wonder who stays there…now I know. Guess buying new jeans that fit will be put off until Sunday or Monday!
Cool pics are here:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=84353&id=1038297795&l=85bfbcfbf5
20090731
20090730
Paris day 3: 20090729
Day 3 Paris: 20090729
Love the Metro, except for the pushing and cutting, but it is a great mode of transportation and so fun to figure out!
Got up early to eat breakfast w/ D&D, figure it would be funny and it was. Back to bed for an hour.
Finally found the sewer tour, very interesting and informative. Yet another good reason to go to college so you don’t have to work in a sewer! Funny how the sewer tour had the cleanest public restrooms!
Plan was to go to Notre Dame, but when I realized I was w/in walking distance < 2 miles, from the Rodin Museum, off I went. Stopped near the Eiffel tower and ate a power bar Courtney didn’t want to take home. Found a pretty flower garden, so I put my ‘Joyce’ hat on and took some pics. After looking at all Rodin’s sculptures, his models had nice butts…What has happened to the American butt and hamstrings! We all need to do more squats or something. Bring the butt muscles back!
Up next the Orsay, def more of my taste in art museums. Awesome sculptures (not so many weird penises) and an entire floor of Impressionism. Saw many Monet’s that I don’t recall seeing (like the ones of the church building in diff lights) and was able to compare several impressionist painters in the same room (of course their names escape me) but it was neat to see them side by side (thanks Llama for all the art ed on the side!)
Back to the Metro. Decided I would brave finding a restaurant in Bercy to eat at. Honestly, I haven’t been impressed w/ French food, but I never have been a food lover (sorry guys—you know who you are) and since I’m not really drinking, wine doesn’t sound that good, either. Why pay lots for something you don’t enjoy? So, I settled on a panini (one of the many styles of a French grilled cheese!)
I just want to know one thing, WHERE ARE THE VEGETABLES? I’m talking greens!
Here I stop eating all these white carbs in the states and now I’m craving good carbs! Hope it doesn’t take me too long to detox again! Laura, Nanez, & Sean you should be proud…after my cheeseburger in Detroit on Friday, I will be back to the good stuff!
One last day in Paris tomorrow—I’m thinking Catacombs, Notre Dame and something else, then shove clothes into the duffle bag, sleep, then have fun navigating airports.
I have learned so much…I loved the bike tour and can easily travel like that again, but this on your own in a huge city isn’t for me. I’ll have to say I’ve made the best of it, worn myself out daily, saw most of what I wanted to see, ate a crepe (once again, hate to disappoint, but it wasn’t that big of a deal) maybe I’ll stumble on those Macaroons tomorrow.
pics are here:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=84221&id=1038297795&l=2797a6fdc5
Love the Metro, except for the pushing and cutting, but it is a great mode of transportation and so fun to figure out!
Got up early to eat breakfast w/ D&D, figure it would be funny and it was. Back to bed for an hour.
Finally found the sewer tour, very interesting and informative. Yet another good reason to go to college so you don’t have to work in a sewer! Funny how the sewer tour had the cleanest public restrooms!
Plan was to go to Notre Dame, but when I realized I was w/in walking distance < 2 miles, from the Rodin Museum, off I went. Stopped near the Eiffel tower and ate a power bar Courtney didn’t want to take home. Found a pretty flower garden, so I put my ‘Joyce’ hat on and took some pics. After looking at all Rodin’s sculptures, his models had nice butts…What has happened to the American butt and hamstrings! We all need to do more squats or something. Bring the butt muscles back!
Up next the Orsay, def more of my taste in art museums. Awesome sculptures (not so many weird penises) and an entire floor of Impressionism. Saw many Monet’s that I don’t recall seeing (like the ones of the church building in diff lights) and was able to compare several impressionist painters in the same room (of course their names escape me) but it was neat to see them side by side (thanks Llama for all the art ed on the side!)
Back to the Metro. Decided I would brave finding a restaurant in Bercy to eat at. Honestly, I haven’t been impressed w/ French food, but I never have been a food lover (sorry guys—you know who you are) and since I’m not really drinking, wine doesn’t sound that good, either. Why pay lots for something you don’t enjoy? So, I settled on a panini (one of the many styles of a French grilled cheese!)
I just want to know one thing, WHERE ARE THE VEGETABLES? I’m talking greens!
Here I stop eating all these white carbs in the states and now I’m craving good carbs! Hope it doesn’t take me too long to detox again! Laura, Nanez, & Sean you should be proud…after my cheeseburger in Detroit on Friday, I will be back to the good stuff!
One last day in Paris tomorrow—I’m thinking Catacombs, Notre Dame and something else, then shove clothes into the duffle bag, sleep, then have fun navigating airports.
I have learned so much…I loved the bike tour and can easily travel like that again, but this on your own in a huge city isn’t for me. I’ll have to say I’ve made the best of it, worn myself out daily, saw most of what I wanted to see, ate a crepe (once again, hate to disappoint, but it wasn’t that big of a deal) maybe I’ll stumble on those Macaroons tomorrow.
pics are here:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=84221&id=1038297795&l=2797a6fdc5
20090728
Stage 21 in Paris
Wow, the entire city was in a buzz! I would have to equate it to one of the Bowl Championship Series games! People everywhere, security everywhere, party atmosphere, but once again, not as much alcohol as I would have thought.
We rode in on the high speed train from Nimes to Paris, awesome experience other than it was too early in the morning!
Once in Paris we hopped on another bus and went down to the Champs Elysees. They pointed us to the grandstands for those of us who had purchased seats. Thank you Susan for making that possible without it I'm sure I would have been stuck next to some really stinky and rude people, whereas w/ the seats, I was able to view the race around all the white hats. Wish I could have stayed against the rail, but that wasn't the case. I still ended up w/ some decent pics to remember the event by.
While waiting, they were showing some coverage on the big screen w/ Paul & Phil commenting...was so nice to hear English!
The Caravan came by but didn't throw any swag, I never did end up w/ a Bbox hat--Bbox is a telecommunications company in France, hopefully they will be an Affinegy customer one day.
After watching the riders whiz past 16 times (8 laps and I could see both sides) Cavandish managed to get backt to the front after having a flat right in front of us on the last lap to once again sprint to the finish and win the stage!
Then the riders made their way past us down to the buses, the winners rode by again, then back by after the presentations. Then the teams made their lap.
After waiting for Lance to go by, I made my way to the Metro and managed to successfully find the hotel. Quick shower to get ride of Le Tour dew, then Courtney finally made it back ..for some reason she walked w/ Dawn & Deb. someone told them it would only be 45 mins, 1.5 hours and 3 crepes later, they were back.
While I got a paper panama white hat as my souvenir, Courtney was given an official TdF shoe polish kit! Guess what her dad is getting!
Anyhow, pics are posted here:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=84063&id=1038297795&l=4ab88252d3
now to explore Paris! Personally I can't wait to get home!
We rode in on the high speed train from Nimes to Paris, awesome experience other than it was too early in the morning!
Once in Paris we hopped on another bus and went down to the Champs Elysees. They pointed us to the grandstands for those of us who had purchased seats. Thank you Susan for making that possible without it I'm sure I would have been stuck next to some really stinky and rude people, whereas w/ the seats, I was able to view the race around all the white hats. Wish I could have stayed against the rail, but that wasn't the case. I still ended up w/ some decent pics to remember the event by.
While waiting, they were showing some coverage on the big screen w/ Paul & Phil commenting...was so nice to hear English!
The Caravan came by but didn't throw any swag, I never did end up w/ a Bbox hat--Bbox is a telecommunications company in France, hopefully they will be an Affinegy customer one day.
After watching the riders whiz past 16 times (8 laps and I could see both sides) Cavandish managed to get backt to the front after having a flat right in front of us on the last lap to once again sprint to the finish and win the stage!
Then the riders made their way past us down to the buses, the winners rode by again, then back by after the presentations. Then the teams made their lap.
After waiting for Lance to go by, I made my way to the Metro and managed to successfully find the hotel. Quick shower to get ride of Le Tour dew, then Courtney finally made it back ..for some reason she walked w/ Dawn & Deb. someone told them it would only be 45 mins, 1.5 hours and 3 crepes later, they were back.
While I got a paper panama white hat as my souvenir, Courtney was given an official TdF shoe polish kit! Guess what her dad is getting!
Anyhow, pics are posted here:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=84063&id=1038297795&l=4ab88252d3
now to explore Paris! Personally I can't wait to get home!
20090727
Stage 20 20090725
I wanted to ride a short ride up the route to get a better biew of the race, but by the time we got to the vineyard (where we were eating and watching the race) the race directors had called our director to let us know the road to Mt. Ventoux was closed 100 km winds at the top, they weren’t allowing anyone thru, not even just 10 km, so I hung around in the little village near the TerraVentoux vineyards w/ Paula, Tim, Maura & Patrick. This also meant that the riders who signed up for D-day (doing the stage like the pros on the same day complete w/ full support, radios, etc could not do the climb up Ventoux.. bummer for them) Then back to the vineyard to eat our light lunch, drink wine and wait for the stage
Pics are here,
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=83955&id=1038297795&l=49969704b9
Long ride back to the hotel in Nimes. Once there, quick shower then to dinner. At the end of dinner they gave out awards, yellow jersey went to Spencer…pretty hard core rider. Spencer had to give a speech and he was saying how his wife and best friend put this trip together for his 50th and how at one point since they were talking so much he thought they were having an affair. Courtney won the most km award cuz she was always ready to get out there and ride ride ride everyday, then they announced the award for the most determined rider and they gave it to me for my efforts up Cole de Romme. On the way up Romme, I ran into the former pro cyclist, Nick Gates. He wanted to take my back pack for me (it had the camera, etc, cuz I was going to hang out near the top to get pics) I told him that I brought it I will carry it, then I asked him to take my pic of me suffering. Then when I made it back to the bus, he thought to himself, "I'll be damn, she made it to the top! Good for her!" Then I had to give a speech. I was starting to tear up on the way up there, already. I accepted the bottle of wine & yellow TDF shirt w/ “Kim a Unsung Hero, Bikestyles Staff 2009” written on it, then they made me give a speech. So I start w/ “Some of you already know this, but most of you don’t, 20 months ago, I had a stroke and was paralyzed on the left side. I had to relearn to walk, etc.” I look at Dawn (fellow Texan and she’s crying..great). I pause to compose myself and Michelle or Courtney says, “it’s ok, go on” so I tell a little bit more, then about how I was determined to get to the top of Romme. So I end it with and this vacation is my celebration tour. As I walk back to my seat everyone stands up and applauds.
2 days later I still tear up when I think about Romme. As much as I feel that I have accepted the stroke, I don’t think I will ever completely get over it, I mean I can deal w/ the day to day issues (struggling to put my hair in a pony tail, having to constantly backspace when typing, really force myself to smile in pics so my left side isn’t drooping) but, it could be so much worse, so I can’t complain, esp when within the past month, 2 friends of friends have had strokes at very young ages 27 & 34, and I was very lucky. I can have my moments of emotions, just wish they would leave so I can figure out how to get to the Louvre! 30 more mins and I’ll figure it out.
Will update about the white hats and the final stage tomorrow!
Pics are here,
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=83955&id=1038297795&l=49969704b9
Long ride back to the hotel in Nimes. Once there, quick shower then to dinner. At the end of dinner they gave out awards, yellow jersey went to Spencer…pretty hard core rider. Spencer had to give a speech and he was saying how his wife and best friend put this trip together for his 50th and how at one point since they were talking so much he thought they were having an affair. Courtney won the most km award cuz she was always ready to get out there and ride ride ride everyday, then they announced the award for the most determined rider and they gave it to me for my efforts up Cole de Romme. On the way up Romme, I ran into the former pro cyclist, Nick Gates. He wanted to take my back pack for me (it had the camera, etc, cuz I was going to hang out near the top to get pics) I told him that I brought it I will carry it, then I asked him to take my pic of me suffering. Then when I made it back to the bus, he thought to himself, "I'll be damn, she made it to the top! Good for her!" Then I had to give a speech. I was starting to tear up on the way up there, already. I accepted the bottle of wine & yellow TDF shirt w/ “Kim a Unsung Hero, Bikestyles Staff 2009” written on it, then they made me give a speech. So I start w/ “Some of you already know this, but most of you don’t, 20 months ago, I had a stroke and was paralyzed on the left side. I had to relearn to walk, etc.” I look at Dawn (fellow Texan and she’s crying..great). I pause to compose myself and Michelle or Courtney says, “it’s ok, go on” so I tell a little bit more, then about how I was determined to get to the top of Romme. So I end it with and this vacation is my celebration tour. As I walk back to my seat everyone stands up and applauds.
2 days later I still tear up when I think about Romme. As much as I feel that I have accepted the stroke, I don’t think I will ever completely get over it, I mean I can deal w/ the day to day issues (struggling to put my hair in a pony tail, having to constantly backspace when typing, really force myself to smile in pics so my left side isn’t drooping) but, it could be so much worse, so I can’t complain, esp when within the past month, 2 friends of friends have had strokes at very young ages 27 & 34, and I was very lucky. I can have my moments of emotions, just wish they would leave so I can figure out how to get to the Louvre! 30 more mins and I’ll figure it out.
Will update about the white hats and the final stage tomorrow!
20090724
Mt. Ventoux, the day b4 the stage
Mt. Ventoux
I rode all the way to the top! (in the van!) along the way I took pics of others on the tour group, here they are. Those didn’t come out so hot, but once I got to the top and took pics of some of the group finishing. There was no way I could have finished in under 4 hours. Part of me (that damn competitive side) wants to get in better shape and come back and do it for the big 50, but then another part says, “why in the hell do you want to do that?”
When I first read on the itinerary about riding it, I wrote, “ha, whatever” Then somewhere along the way, the more I researched, the more I talked to others, the more I wanted to do it. Guess I wanted to ‘set the record for a stroke survivor’ getting to the top. Gee, even the drive up there was tedious; I can’t imagine being on a bike and doing it. I’m glad I didn’t do it, no regrets in saying no, even though the tour guides had offered to let me take the 6 hours and drive me back down, then they even said they would drive me to the chalet and let me go from there,, tempting, but no. So, I took 500 something pics. They turned out great!
Very impressed!
Be sure to read the captions—there was a 65 yr old man who did it, another lady near 60 who shattered her hip and was told she would never walk again, and a 15 yr old who had part of his liver removed due to cancer. All incredible people, was glad I was able to capture their experience for them!
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=83752&id=1038297795&l=7e125ff2f6
I rode all the way to the top! (in the van!) along the way I took pics of others on the tour group, here they are. Those didn’t come out so hot, but once I got to the top and took pics of some of the group finishing. There was no way I could have finished in under 4 hours. Part of me (that damn competitive side) wants to get in better shape and come back and do it for the big 50, but then another part says, “why in the hell do you want to do that?”
When I first read on the itinerary about riding it, I wrote, “ha, whatever” Then somewhere along the way, the more I researched, the more I talked to others, the more I wanted to do it. Guess I wanted to ‘set the record for a stroke survivor’ getting to the top. Gee, even the drive up there was tedious; I can’t imagine being on a bike and doing it. I’m glad I didn’t do it, no regrets in saying no, even though the tour guides had offered to let me take the 6 hours and drive me back down, then they even said they would drive me to the chalet and let me go from there,, tempting, but no. So, I took 500 something pics. They turned out great!
Very impressed!
Be sure to read the captions—there was a 65 yr old man who did it, another lady near 60 who shattered her hip and was told she would never walk again, and a 15 yr old who had part of his liver removed due to cancer. All incredible people, was glad I was able to capture their experience for them!
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=83752&id=1038297795&l=7e125ff2f6
20090723
Time Trial in Annecy
Words are hard to describe the experience and the pics don't do it justice, People are just so giddy, crowded like Mardi Gras but sans beads, boobs and too much beer.
I didn't ride and I'm really glad I didn't people said it was way to crowded, so I walked around and played photographer, attempted only once to get pics of the guys, dang they go fast! So, I 'concentrated' on more artsy pics.
here are the pics.
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=83740&id=1038297795&l=09df131248
the trip is great just being a tourist experiencing this. there are some other non riders, who are complaining, but they are wound too tight and don't like the tour! it just rocks!
Busy next 2 days, Mt Ventoux, the Paris. prob won't post much until Monday.
;)
--kim
I didn't ride and I'm really glad I didn't people said it was way to crowded, so I walked around and played photographer, attempted only once to get pics of the guys, dang they go fast! So, I 'concentrated' on more artsy pics.
here are the pics.
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=83740&id=1038297795&l=09df131248
the trip is great just being a tourist experiencing this. there are some other non riders, who are complaining, but they are wound too tight and don't like the tour! it just rocks!
Busy next 2 days, Mt Ventoux, the Paris. prob won't post much until Monday.
;)
--kim
20090722
Emotional day
France 20090722
I cried today while riding the bike. Why? Cuz I made it to the top of Cole de Romme—a Cat 1 climb. It wasn’t pretty, I took a hike w/ my bike many times, don’t think I rode an entire km without stopping at least 2 times, but the point is, there are no mountains in Austin and I couldn’t walk on Nov 15, 2007 and I made it to the top of Cole de Romme! You do the math… 8.8 km from elevation of 502 to an elevation of 1297 m! There’s about 3 feet to 1 meter!
I took my pic at 5 km, then again at 1 km, by then I figured I would make it. I did ride the entire last km, stopped at least 3 times! The top was so crowded, I prob inched the bike across. Found someone to take my pic, then went over the line, then started crying.
Race was incredible and in the words of Lance Butler, “…these guys are professional”
Road down about 3 km to a spot above a hairpin turn. I could see the riders coming up (a lot faster than moi) then, I would turn around and take pics. Haven’t looked at the pics yet, but I did get to see the Devil and the Norway chicken. I think overall time was about 2 hours.(I’ll let you do the math on the mph…remember I hiked w/ a bike quite a bit.) It didn’t take me that long to go downhill, ride the brakes the entire time…the thought of road rash to match my 5” x 3” bruise on my butt will slow ya down!
Mt. Ventoux is out of the question, it was amazing how long it took to go 5k and to do that 5 times on a steeper grade, not worth it. Haven’t decided what I will do that day, but it doesn’t include sleeping in, unfortunately, but it does include incredible beautiful scenery and watching Le Tour! Time trial tomorrow! Lots of pics!
Just finished reading an update about Sara, a 27 yr old who stroked 48 days ago, please keep her in your prayers, she's getting better but has a long way to go, but progress is the key and all successes need to be celebrated. Same w/ keeping JD in your prayers. I'm a very fortunate brain injury survivor. Thank you Alison and Mom! love ya!
*****************************************
this is from another Bike Style rider's blog,I decided i needed to post it here, he does a lot better job describing what the ride was like, I just was concentrating really hard to figure out what all was hoing on!
Wednesday, Jul 22 – Leave Chamonix and off the bus at ten something, one kilometer to the base of the Col Du Romme. Then, bang! 13% grade, your legs and lungs are yelling. You look up at the next corner, think, around this, and it will level out a little, around the corner, and no!Just as steep, maybe steeper. These roads go straight for 200 meters, the hairpin, straight, hairpin, switchbacking up the hill. 2 K or so up, and it levels out, if you consider a 10% grade leveling out. Then thru a quaint little hillside village, locals with picnic tables set up in the yards, set with bottles of wine and linen, or sometimes just some guy in a folding chair leaed up against his porch.. Its only 4 or 5 percent, you’re breathing easy now, then, bang! Back up to 9 or 10. I pass Nick, the pro who rode for Silence-Lotto, sitting on a fences looking over a 500 foot drop, talking on the phone, and he smiles. “Only 3 more kilometers, mate!”, he calls out, and I feel better. 4K later, seeing a 3500M to go sign, I realize he lied. Later I find out he said that to everyone, joking with us. Oh well, it helped. The pros say, never think of the whole climb, break it up into pieces, just get to the next corner, then deal with what comes after that.
About halfway up, the thunderstorms start. Riders head under alcoves or beneath trees. Not me, I’m happy. The heat and humidity has been an enemy. The cool rain and wind brings down my core temp, and I feel more power in my legs. I hop out of the saddle and slog on, up, up, up, up. Around the corner, there is the polka dot sign, “1 Km”. This means the peak, where the King of the Mountain points are awarded is one klick off. Thank God. The crowds are heavy alongside the road, and some cheer you on, “Allez, allez” they yell, and you smile back.
It’s surreal on the top. A Swiss alpenhorn trio is playing, beautifully by the way, in a little café.The wind is now howling and bands of rain are pounding down. There is even some hail rattling the roofs and tinkling off the street. Then, suddenly a hot wind comes through. It’s weird up here, as bunches of riders hit the king of the mountain finish , leap off their bikes, and take shelter in doorways, under alcoves, wherever they can. I see some of our new friends. he is wrong about this next part...it was Michelle, I was maybe at the 5 km mark! [Kim arrives, a woman who had a stroke ten months ago, but has willed herself up this brute of a hill], and I huddle in a doorway with her and Dawn and Deb, a pair of Southern Californians we have met here on the tour. It’s freezing, and I pull on a fleece, rain jacket, and tights, to try to warm up.
Later Gordon, Dee and I link up and discuss whether to descend down the back of the Romme and tackle the Columbiere. We all agree, it’s too dangerous in these conditions, plus to get back to the bus we would have to go back the way we came which means climbing back up the back side of the Romme again. The road which we were going to use to leave form the Columbiere has been unexpectedly closed.
So, we go back down the mountain, stopping near the bottom, where we stand next to a truly scary drop down to the valley floor, and as the Caravan, then the Tour, come through, we run over to the mountain side of the road, so we aren’t bumped off by an errant car or bike. Lance rides by with Contador, but this killer of a climb eventually causes him to drop a couple of minutes. Both the Schlek brothers and Contador get time on him. We pack our booty of polka dot hats and Vittel water and bags of candy and sausages into our backpacks, and descend through the crowds back to the bus.
Col du Romme, 8.8 kilometers, average grade nine percent. Nastiest hill I ever climbed.
I cried today while riding the bike. Why? Cuz I made it to the top of Cole de Romme—a Cat 1 climb. It wasn’t pretty, I took a hike w/ my bike many times, don’t think I rode an entire km without stopping at least 2 times, but the point is, there are no mountains in Austin and I couldn’t walk on Nov 15, 2007 and I made it to the top of Cole de Romme! You do the math… 8.8 km from elevation of 502 to an elevation of 1297 m! There’s about 3 feet to 1 meter!
I took my pic at 5 km, then again at 1 km, by then I figured I would make it. I did ride the entire last km, stopped at least 3 times! The top was so crowded, I prob inched the bike across. Found someone to take my pic, then went over the line, then started crying.
Race was incredible and in the words of Lance Butler, “…these guys are professional”
Road down about 3 km to a spot above a hairpin turn. I could see the riders coming up (a lot faster than moi) then, I would turn around and take pics. Haven’t looked at the pics yet, but I did get to see the Devil and the Norway chicken. I think overall time was about 2 hours.(I’ll let you do the math on the mph…remember I hiked w/ a bike quite a bit.) It didn’t take me that long to go downhill, ride the brakes the entire time…the thought of road rash to match my 5” x 3” bruise on my butt will slow ya down!
Mt. Ventoux is out of the question, it was amazing how long it took to go 5k and to do that 5 times on a steeper grade, not worth it. Haven’t decided what I will do that day, but it doesn’t include sleeping in, unfortunately, but it does include incredible beautiful scenery and watching Le Tour! Time trial tomorrow! Lots of pics!
Just finished reading an update about Sara, a 27 yr old who stroked 48 days ago, please keep her in your prayers, she's getting better but has a long way to go, but progress is the key and all successes need to be celebrated. Same w/ keeping JD in your prayers. I'm a very fortunate brain injury survivor. Thank you Alison and Mom! love ya!
*****************************************
this is from another Bike Style rider's blog,I decided i needed to post it here, he does a lot better job describing what the ride was like, I just was concentrating really hard to figure out what all was hoing on!
Wednesday, Jul 22 – Leave Chamonix and off the bus at ten something, one kilometer to the base of the Col Du Romme. Then, bang! 13% grade, your legs and lungs are yelling. You look up at the next corner, think, around this, and it will level out a little, around the corner, and no!Just as steep, maybe steeper. These roads go straight for 200 meters, the hairpin, straight, hairpin, switchbacking up the hill. 2 K or so up, and it levels out, if you consider a 10% grade leveling out. Then thru a quaint little hillside village, locals with picnic tables set up in the yards, set with bottles of wine and linen, or sometimes just some guy in a folding chair leaed up against his porch.. Its only 4 or 5 percent, you’re breathing easy now, then, bang! Back up to 9 or 10. I pass Nick, the pro who rode for Silence-Lotto, sitting on a fences looking over a 500 foot drop, talking on the phone, and he smiles. “Only 3 more kilometers, mate!”, he calls out, and I feel better. 4K later, seeing a 3500M to go sign, I realize he lied. Later I find out he said that to everyone, joking with us. Oh well, it helped. The pros say, never think of the whole climb, break it up into pieces, just get to the next corner, then deal with what comes after that.
About halfway up, the thunderstorms start. Riders head under alcoves or beneath trees. Not me, I’m happy. The heat and humidity has been an enemy. The cool rain and wind brings down my core temp, and I feel more power in my legs. I hop out of the saddle and slog on, up, up, up, up. Around the corner, there is the polka dot sign, “1 Km”. This means the peak, where the King of the Mountain points are awarded is one klick off. Thank God. The crowds are heavy alongside the road, and some cheer you on, “Allez, allez” they yell, and you smile back.
It’s surreal on the top. A Swiss alpenhorn trio is playing, beautifully by the way, in a little café.The wind is now howling and bands of rain are pounding down. There is even some hail rattling the roofs and tinkling off the street. Then, suddenly a hot wind comes through. It’s weird up here, as bunches of riders hit the king of the mountain finish , leap off their bikes, and take shelter in doorways, under alcoves, wherever they can. I see some of our new friends. he is wrong about this next part...it was Michelle, I was maybe at the 5 km mark! [Kim arrives, a woman who had a stroke ten months ago, but has willed herself up this brute of a hill], and I huddle in a doorway with her and Dawn and Deb, a pair of Southern Californians we have met here on the tour. It’s freezing, and I pull on a fleece, rain jacket, and tights, to try to warm up.
Later Gordon, Dee and I link up and discuss whether to descend down the back of the Romme and tackle the Columbiere. We all agree, it’s too dangerous in these conditions, plus to get back to the bus we would have to go back the way we came which means climbing back up the back side of the Romme again. The road which we were going to use to leave form the Columbiere has been unexpectedly closed.
So, we go back down the mountain, stopping near the bottom, where we stand next to a truly scary drop down to the valley floor, and as the Caravan, then the Tour, come through, we run over to the mountain side of the road, so we aren’t bumped off by an errant car or bike. Lance rides by with Contador, but this killer of a climb eventually causes him to drop a couple of minutes. Both the Schlek brothers and Contador get time on him. We pack our booty of polka dot hats and Vittel water and bags of candy and sausages into our backpacks, and descend through the crowds back to the bus.
Col du Romme, 8.8 kilometers, average grade nine percent. Nastiest hill I ever climbed.
20090721
Stage 16!
A picture is worth 1000 words! Here are some of the 250 pics I took! Aren't you glad the wi-fi sux here!
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=83502&id=1038297795&l=9125e8d2bc
France 20090721
Race day! Rest day!
Finally we get to watch a stage! Since it’s rest day for Kim, I decide I’m going to take the bus to St. Pierre where there was the second sprint of the day. By the time Paula, my caboose companion saw the mountains, she was all about option 2--watching the stage. We picked out our spot just past the hairpin turn just past the sprint. Go back down to the center to find a grocery store…no HEB here! What we thought was a convenience store was the grocery store. OMG the size of the grocery store was half the size of the back storage at Artisan, 1/3 the size of the classroom in McCAllum, maybe the size of the conference room at Affinegy. Anyhow, ordered some meat & cheese from the deli, found other necessary items (bread, chocolate, coke), now to scope out bar to watch the rest of the race once it passes. First 2 bars didn’t have a TV (one had signs for the TV that lead us to a basement with no TV. Oh well back to our spot.
I think the pics say it all about my first watching experience!
Before the riders get there, there’s the Csravan! I long parade of cars and floats that throw swag to the people on the street. Complete w/ music and announcers saying stuff I don’t understand! This is where the crowd gets the red polka dot hats and the green PMU hands…I’m now the proud owner of 2 hats and 2 hands!
Highlight of the day had to be when a lady from the US on a trip for her 20th wedding anniversart was the proud new owner of an Astana water bottle thrown to her by Lance. I hear this ‘hey Texas! Lance threw me his water bottle!” We talked about how it needed to replace the wedding picture on the mantal. Finally I asked to see it, her picture is somewhere.. We talked about never washing it, then I asked it I could touch it. Not only did I get to touch it, but she poured some of the water in my hand and I drank it!
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=83502&id=1038297795&l=9125e8d2bc
France 20090721
Race day! Rest day!
Finally we get to watch a stage! Since it’s rest day for Kim, I decide I’m going to take the bus to St. Pierre where there was the second sprint of the day. By the time Paula, my caboose companion saw the mountains, she was all about option 2--watching the stage. We picked out our spot just past the hairpin turn just past the sprint. Go back down to the center to find a grocery store…no HEB here! What we thought was a convenience store was the grocery store. OMG the size of the grocery store was half the size of the back storage at Artisan, 1/3 the size of the classroom in McCAllum, maybe the size of the conference room at Affinegy. Anyhow, ordered some meat & cheese from the deli, found other necessary items (bread, chocolate, coke), now to scope out bar to watch the rest of the race once it passes. First 2 bars didn’t have a TV (one had signs for the TV that lead us to a basement with no TV. Oh well back to our spot.
I think the pics say it all about my first watching experience!
Before the riders get there, there’s the Csravan! I long parade of cars and floats that throw swag to the people on the street. Complete w/ music and announcers saying stuff I don’t understand! This is where the crowd gets the red polka dot hats and the green PMU hands…I’m now the proud owner of 2 hats and 2 hands!
Highlight of the day had to be when a lady from the US on a trip for her 20th wedding anniversart was the proud new owner of an Astana water bottle thrown to her by Lance. I hear this ‘hey Texas! Lance threw me his water bottle!” We talked about how it needed to replace the wedding picture on the mantal. Finally I asked to see it, her picture is somewhere.. We talked about never washing it, then I asked it I could touch it. Not only did I get to touch it, but she poured some of the water in my hand and I drank it!
Day 3: France Givency to Cuny
France 20090720
No sleep last night…ugh, but decided to ride the 50 km ( 30 miles) anyhow (stop shaking your head Marilyn & Llama!) Ride was totally worth it! Prob ranks in the top 5 of rides, but I have no idea what the other 4 are.
The ride was on an old railroad track from Givency to Cluny that had been paved over, thus nice and FLAT! Paula (from California) and I decided that we are the caboose! Terry, a master cyclist from OZ was our guide. He kept telling us when to get over (cuz of other cyclists, skateboarders and roller bladders). He also helped Paula learn how to navigate the ‘obstacles’ to slow the cyclists down when they came to a major intersection, Paula fell at one of the obstacles, Terry’s comment whe he saw her skinned up elbow was “looks like you only lost a little bit of bark.” Thank goodness she was ok, she had shoulder surgery last October and is very tentative on the bike right now. One time Terry got a phone call, and he said, “why I’m having a beautiful bike ride w/ two beautiful women.” Gotta love Terry, no wonder he takes the caboose everyday.
Along the route, we would come by all the old railroad stations that were very cute! Paula & I would stop for photo ops, yes I’ll get the pics posted, once I get Wifi.
Once into Cluny, we found out we weren’t the last riders in! Yippee! Ok, so the other riders got lost! Changed into street clothes, went into Cluny to see what was there! Then onto the bus, for a 5 hour ride to Chamonix!
Courtney, Dan & Michele were late at getting back to the bus, but for good reason, they actually found a grocery store, Courtney bought a bottle of wine that was $150, they also bought 3 wine glasses, a cork screw, a baquette, cheese and a nectarine.
Once at the hotel, the stroke residue (ok, so I was tired!) kicked in! Fell on some wet steps by the hot tub. Thank goodness, just a bruise on the left butt cheek. Then couldn’t find anything that I needed in the duffle bag, tried to get online only to find out no Orange wifi in this hotel…I’m hoping I can find a solution tonight.
Anyway, went to dinner great conversation, food not so grood. Oh well, pop an Ambien, put the iPod on Enya and crash for 8 hours sweet!
Pics are posted here:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=83495&id=1038297795&l=a0d7dc15a9
Total mileage so far, about 78 miles, maybe 600
No sleep last night…ugh, but decided to ride the 50 km ( 30 miles) anyhow (stop shaking your head Marilyn & Llama!) Ride was totally worth it! Prob ranks in the top 5 of rides, but I have no idea what the other 4 are.
The ride was on an old railroad track from Givency to Cluny that had been paved over, thus nice and FLAT! Paula (from California) and I decided that we are the caboose! Terry, a master cyclist from OZ was our guide. He kept telling us when to get over (cuz of other cyclists, skateboarders and roller bladders). He also helped Paula learn how to navigate the ‘obstacles’ to slow the cyclists down when they came to a major intersection, Paula fell at one of the obstacles, Terry’s comment whe he saw her skinned up elbow was “looks like you only lost a little bit of bark.” Thank goodness she was ok, she had shoulder surgery last October and is very tentative on the bike right now. One time Terry got a phone call, and he said, “why I’m having a beautiful bike ride w/ two beautiful women.” Gotta love Terry, no wonder he takes the caboose everyday.
Along the route, we would come by all the old railroad stations that were very cute! Paula & I would stop for photo ops, yes I’ll get the pics posted, once I get Wifi.
Once into Cluny, we found out we weren’t the last riders in! Yippee! Ok, so the other riders got lost! Changed into street clothes, went into Cluny to see what was there! Then onto the bus, for a 5 hour ride to Chamonix!
Courtney, Dan & Michele were late at getting back to the bus, but for good reason, they actually found a grocery store, Courtney bought a bottle of wine that was $150, they also bought 3 wine glasses, a cork screw, a baquette, cheese and a nectarine.
Once at the hotel, the stroke residue (ok, so I was tired!) kicked in! Fell on some wet steps by the hot tub. Thank goodness, just a bruise on the left butt cheek. Then couldn’t find anything that I needed in the duffle bag, tried to get online only to find out no Orange wifi in this hotel…I’m hoping I can find a solution tonight.
Anyway, went to dinner great conversation, food not so grood. Oh well, pop an Ambien, put the iPod on Enya and crash for 8 hours sweet!
Pics are posted here:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=83495&id=1038297795&l=a0d7dc15a9
Total mileage so far, about 78 miles, maybe 600
20090719
France day 1 20090718
First day in France adventures.
As expected I arrived sleepy. Got off the plane, went into the line to get the passport checked. No forms to fill out. They stamped it (the important part). Now to get the luggage. Where is the bike? I know it’s a big bag, but I didn’t see anywhere where they could be unloading the oversized luggage. Decided to walk around and see if I could find a it. Right by the exit there was the oversize luggage Yeah! Put the bike on the cart (thanks again NW lady for not charging me for it!) I think customs is next, but wait there’s a skinny door to push all this thru, first try fail, back up, wiggle bike bsag, try again, fail, try moving bag w/ dead left arm, doesn’t work, great. By now the buzzer is going off, even better! Finally some guy jumps from behind the rope and pulls me though. No customs lluggage check> I see lots of people holding up the name signs…can’t turn the cart around to see if Bikestyles is that way, oh well, stay observant and look for a red Biketyles shirt. Quickly finde one and it turns out to be Eric (Deb’s friend) Deb is a lady who lives in NC who wqas supposed to be on the trip, but she broke her foot (big bummer). Anyway, glad Io ran into him. Find the rest of the guys and one other chick on the tour Courtney. Quick 15 min ride to the hotel. Get checked in and it turns out Courtney is m y roommate. She’s been on a bike style tour before (2005) so hopefully she’ll be a good resource (so far she has). She even gave me my bloo thinner shot (I figurd since she was a Cancer surgeon she could handle it. Of course that brought on the on slought of questions, no big deal. I think she was shocked to hear I wasn’t on any regular medicine (the rat poison stuff whose name I can’t remember).
Went downstairs into the garage to put the bike together. That was easy, the BS guys did it! Oh no, causalty. .broom stick(flag pole) broke…but since they are taking the bike bags to storage, I decided to leave the broom stick in the hotel, I’ll prob regret that later. Guess the Texas flag will make a great cape. Now that I’m sitting on the bus, I could have put it in the overhead compartment, oh well, cape and green tape it is!
Instead of taking a nap, I went in search of a coke…no mini marts in sight, no machines, si 2.90 euros later, I get it from the hotel lobby. now off to explore.
See the pics….
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=1199740&l=9195e0afeb&id=1038297795
://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=83327&id=1038297795&l=8cdd263b78
First ride…
They annouce the fast group is going to go out w/ an ave pace of 30 kpm…quick multiply 30x .6 18mph! I knew I was the slow group, but did not expect the ave of the slow group to be 15 mph. OUI! I’m going to be in trouble! It didn’t help hearing horror stories from Courtney about the 2005 first ride when someone fell twice causing one person to break his wrist and another a collar bone! I end up falling of he pack (meaning being in the back and losing them quite often. One of the guides pushed me to get caught back up (hope he feels sorry for me on Ventoux, too! Then another guide tells me to catch is wheel and he pulls me back, now that was cool, but still kinda humiliating. It didn’t help that I chose not to do any group training rides during the past 6 months, so I’m a little cautious…I gottta keep telling myself “don’t panic, ride your own ride” Guess I’m only used to Diane’s butt, sorry D, but these guys butts are a lot cutter!
Other than the falling behind, the ride wqs great. We went thru two small villages and many round a bouts and even a short section of cobblrstones (scary & painful). Think we even rode by the Concorde Memorial, but didn’t stop to look (darn it).
On the bus on the way to Beaune. We’ll stop 50k outside of Beaune and ride in. Hope we have a tail wind and it doesn’t rain! More on that ride tomorrow!
Funny stuff that happened yesterday:
Ran back up to the room to get the camera for the ride, Had punched 4, so when the elevator doors opened, got off, walked 200m to the room (it was a maze to get there) key doesn’t work…finally realize I’m at room 114 not 414. funny thing was there was another girl in the lobby who just did the same thing!
Panic after the ride when I couldn’t find my passport and credit cards that I put in a plastic bag in the back of my bike jersey…it had to have been in the garage (fell out when I took out my arm warmers, I’ll go down after the shower. Took off my jersey, duh, there it is, in the back left pocket (once again, good looker poor finder) stupid left hand can’t feel shit only 16 more months, gotta concentrate on hand therapy when I get back.
There’s a great room key holder near the door of the hotel room where Courtney keeps putting her key. Mine didn’t fit, so I just put it my the coffee machine. Courtney leaves to go to the meeting when I’m drying my hair. 2 mins later, pop, no electricity. Great, going to the meeting and dinner w/ wet bushy hair, it’s cold and windy and I haven’t found a sweatshirt shop yet! Deal w/ it. Standing in line at the front desk to talk to them about my blown circuit…start talking to one of the tour guides and he informs me that the ‘key holder’ turns on the electricity for the room! Love the idea! Hate the fact that I didn’t know that!
Went to get back online last night to find some English coverage of the tour. My ID and pwd combinations never worked for Orange (the wifi access. No panic, I’ll go downstairs and use the Mac to access hotmail and get my ID & pwd! One computer is down, line for the other. Being a computer nut, I decide to reboot it…ah ha, it works
(as it usually does..laughing that I had to reboot a Mac, then laughing even harder that it’s running windows in order for it to run the hotels guest software.. log in, try to go to www, but wtf, where is the W! the keyboard is all messed up! Had to shift to to a “.” Now that’s hosed and where is the @! Extremely painful exercise esp going on 4 hrs sleep, I will take a pic of the keyboard. Turns out Orange assigns you an ID and pwd (at least I wasn’t nuts) sure hope firefox remembered it or that I don’t lose that sheet of paper again.
Time to look at more country side, 2 hours til we ride.
As expected I arrived sleepy. Got off the plane, went into the line to get the passport checked. No forms to fill out. They stamped it (the important part). Now to get the luggage. Where is the bike? I know it’s a big bag, but I didn’t see anywhere where they could be unloading the oversized luggage. Decided to walk around and see if I could find a it. Right by the exit there was the oversize luggage Yeah! Put the bike on the cart (thanks again NW lady for not charging me for it!) I think customs is next, but wait there’s a skinny door to push all this thru, first try fail, back up, wiggle bike bsag, try again, fail, try moving bag w/ dead left arm, doesn’t work, great. By now the buzzer is going off, even better! Finally some guy jumps from behind the rope and pulls me though. No customs lluggage check> I see lots of people holding up the name signs…can’t turn the cart around to see if Bikestyles is that way, oh well, stay observant and look for a red Biketyles shirt. Quickly finde one and it turns out to be Eric (Deb’s friend) Deb is a lady who lives in NC who wqas supposed to be on the trip, but she broke her foot (big bummer). Anyway, glad Io ran into him. Find the rest of the guys and one other chick on the tour Courtney. Quick 15 min ride to the hotel. Get checked in and it turns out Courtney is m y roommate. She’s been on a bike style tour before (2005) so hopefully she’ll be a good resource (so far she has). She even gave me my bloo thinner shot (I figurd since she was a Cancer surgeon she could handle it. Of course that brought on the on slought of questions, no big deal. I think she was shocked to hear I wasn’t on any regular medicine (the rat poison stuff whose name I can’t remember).
Went downstairs into the garage to put the bike together. That was easy, the BS guys did it! Oh no, causalty. .broom stick(flag pole) broke…but since they are taking the bike bags to storage, I decided to leave the broom stick in the hotel, I’ll prob regret that later. Guess the Texas flag will make a great cape. Now that I’m sitting on the bus, I could have put it in the overhead compartment, oh well, cape and green tape it is!
Instead of taking a nap, I went in search of a coke…no mini marts in sight, no machines, si 2.90 euros later, I get it from the hotel lobby. now off to explore.
See the pics….
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=1199740&l=9195e0afeb&id=1038297795
://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=83327&id=1038297795&l=8cdd263b78
First ride…
They annouce the fast group is going to go out w/ an ave pace of 30 kpm…quick multiply 30x .6 18mph! I knew I was the slow group, but did not expect the ave of the slow group to be 15 mph. OUI! I’m going to be in trouble! It didn’t help hearing horror stories from Courtney about the 2005 first ride when someone fell twice causing one person to break his wrist and another a collar bone! I end up falling of he pack (meaning being in the back and losing them quite often. One of the guides pushed me to get caught back up (hope he feels sorry for me on Ventoux, too! Then another guide tells me to catch is wheel and he pulls me back, now that was cool, but still kinda humiliating. It didn’t help that I chose not to do any group training rides during the past 6 months, so I’m a little cautious…I gottta keep telling myself “don’t panic, ride your own ride” Guess I’m only used to Diane’s butt, sorry D, but these guys butts are a lot cutter!
Other than the falling behind, the ride wqs great. We went thru two small villages and many round a bouts and even a short section of cobblrstones (scary & painful). Think we even rode by the Concorde Memorial, but didn’t stop to look (darn it).
On the bus on the way to Beaune. We’ll stop 50k outside of Beaune and ride in. Hope we have a tail wind and it doesn’t rain! More on that ride tomorrow!
Funny stuff that happened yesterday:
Ran back up to the room to get the camera for the ride, Had punched 4, so when the elevator doors opened, got off, walked 200m to the room (it was a maze to get there) key doesn’t work…finally realize I’m at room 114 not 414. funny thing was there was another girl in the lobby who just did the same thing!
Panic after the ride when I couldn’t find my passport and credit cards that I put in a plastic bag in the back of my bike jersey…it had to have been in the garage (fell out when I took out my arm warmers, I’ll go down after the shower. Took off my jersey, duh, there it is, in the back left pocket (once again, good looker poor finder) stupid left hand can’t feel shit only 16 more months, gotta concentrate on hand therapy when I get back.
There’s a great room key holder near the door of the hotel room where Courtney keeps putting her key. Mine didn’t fit, so I just put it my the coffee machine. Courtney leaves to go to the meeting when I’m drying my hair. 2 mins later, pop, no electricity. Great, going to the meeting and dinner w/ wet bushy hair, it’s cold and windy and I haven’t found a sweatshirt shop yet! Deal w/ it. Standing in line at the front desk to talk to them about my blown circuit…start talking to one of the tour guides and he informs me that the ‘key holder’ turns on the electricity for the room! Love the idea! Hate the fact that I didn’t know that!
Went to get back online last night to find some English coverage of the tour. My ID and pwd combinations never worked for Orange (the wifi access. No panic, I’ll go downstairs and use the Mac to access hotmail and get my ID & pwd! One computer is down, line for the other. Being a computer nut, I decide to reboot it…ah ha, it works
(as it usually does..laughing that I had to reboot a Mac, then laughing even harder that it’s running windows in order for it to run the hotels guest software.. log in, try to go to www, but wtf, where is the W! the keyboard is all messed up! Had to shift to to a “.” Now that’s hosed and where is the @! Extremely painful exercise esp going on 4 hrs sleep, I will take a pic of the keyboard. Turns out Orange assigns you an ID and pwd (at least I wasn’t nuts) sure hope firefox remembered it or that I don’t lose that sheet of paper again.
Time to look at more country side, 2 hours til we ride.
20090718
Kim arrives in Paris
Not much to say. Flight to Detroit was uneventful. Detroit Airport was kinda cool. Flight to Paris was also uneventful.
My bike and all bags made it. I think I slept 4 hours...could use a nap right now...bike ride is planned for 4 pm..right after blood thinner shot (last shot until I fly out--i take one the morning of, then 24 hours later to keep clots from forming). Not sure why clots like airplanes, think it's all the sitting and something to do w/ the cabin pressure. Anyhow, I'm keeping them away. one clot was enough.
Tonight my roommate is Courtney. She's from Salt Lake. Has lived in Wisconsin & Houston. Went on the same tour in 2004 and is back for more. She's sleeping right now. After the ride there will be a welcome dinner to meet everyone.
The Novatel Hotel is very modern, but the hair dryer looks like it is from the 70's w/ it's long hose. We are staying near the airport, so nothing too exciting to look at.
That's all for today...
Tomorrow:
First real bike ride 50 k and we stay in Beaune, we are working our way down to Chimonix --in the middle of the Alps.
My bike and all bags made it. I think I slept 4 hours...could use a nap right now...bike ride is planned for 4 pm..right after blood thinner shot (last shot until I fly out--i take one the morning of, then 24 hours later to keep clots from forming). Not sure why clots like airplanes, think it's all the sitting and something to do w/ the cabin pressure. Anyhow, I'm keeping them away. one clot was enough.
Tonight my roommate is Courtney. She's from Salt Lake. Has lived in Wisconsin & Houston. Went on the same tour in 2004 and is back for more. She's sleeping right now. After the ride there will be a welcome dinner to meet everyone.
The Novatel Hotel is very modern, but the hair dryer looks like it is from the 70's w/ it's long hose. We are staying near the airport, so nothing too exciting to look at.
That's all for today...
Tomorrow:
First real bike ride 50 k and we stay in Beaune, we are working our way down to Chimonix --in the middle of the Alps.
20090713
getting excited
So, I'm getting way too excited about the trip!
I just read this on the official Le Tour website about the tour group I'm going with:
"Only the Tour de France and its 2009 official Tour Operators can provide you VIP access to the “Village” of the Tour de France and to the private areas along the arrival. With them you can also meet the most famous people of the Tour, you can discover the road of a mythical stage just a few hours before the riders, cross the finish line and step on the podium, just like a pro…"
Wonder what all that means! I would love to see the "village" on the ITT day in Annecy. I just read on itinary on the website "A good place to watch the Time Trial is in a bar." whatever, I didn't come over here to sit in a bar..I'll walk (taxi?) to the starting area and push my way to where I need to be! I can watch the highlights later on tv!
I have decided that I'm going to watch stage 16 from Pre-St. Didier close to the final climb (Col de Petit St. Bernard Cat 1 climb)--whatever that means, I might have to walk a bit up the mountain, hope it will be a good picture day! Prob will watch stage 17 from somewhere, too, thinking I can ride to Col de Romme (fourth out of five climbs for that day to watch it, its a cat 1 climb) (just won't have the good camera w/ me...but you never know --wonder if I can handle a small backpack for 12 miles?)
All this of course depends on how tired I am, how much Jet lag has screwed w/ me and what the tour operators say is happening. Looks like there will be 3 groups going out each day from the tour group. First group will the the "die hard's" that want to ride fast and hard, second group will be those that just want to ride at a leisurely pace, take pics, etc., third group will be those who are just watching the race. I will particpate in both the second group and third groups activities!
I'm cracking up, cuz after each ride description on the itinerary, it says: Don’t forget a day pack for after the ride. "You can change into your casual clothes to go see the race and for the drive afterwards. Don’t forget a chamois towel to have a bit of a clean up after your ride." I really hope people bring that Chamois towel so they can clean up, nothing is worse than stinky people on a bus!
I took my last 'training ride' this morning. Taking the bike apart tomorrow and packing it up. 3 more sleeps til I get on the plane!
I just read this on the official Le Tour website about the tour group I'm going with:
"Only the Tour de France and its 2009 official Tour Operators can provide you VIP access to the “Village” of the Tour de France and to the private areas along the arrival. With them you can also meet the most famous people of the Tour, you can discover the road of a mythical stage just a few hours before the riders, cross the finish line and step on the podium, just like a pro…"
Wonder what all that means! I would love to see the "village" on the ITT day in Annecy. I just read on itinary on the website "A good place to watch the Time Trial is in a bar." whatever, I didn't come over here to sit in a bar..I'll walk (taxi?) to the starting area and push my way to where I need to be! I can watch the highlights later on tv!
I have decided that I'm going to watch stage 16 from Pre-St. Didier close to the final climb (Col de Petit St. Bernard Cat 1 climb)--whatever that means, I might have to walk a bit up the mountain, hope it will be a good picture day! Prob will watch stage 17 from somewhere, too, thinking I can ride to Col de Romme (fourth out of five climbs for that day to watch it, its a cat 1 climb) (just won't have the good camera w/ me...but you never know --wonder if I can handle a small backpack for 12 miles?)
All this of course depends on how tired I am, how much Jet lag has screwed w/ me and what the tour operators say is happening. Looks like there will be 3 groups going out each day from the tour group. First group will the the "die hard's" that want to ride fast and hard, second group will be those that just want to ride at a leisurely pace, take pics, etc., third group will be those who are just watching the race. I will particpate in both the second group and third groups activities!
I'm cracking up, cuz after each ride description on the itinerary, it says: Don’t forget a day pack for after the ride. "You can change into your casual clothes to go see the race and for the drive afterwards. Don’t forget a chamois towel to have a bit of a clean up after your ride." I really hope people bring that Chamois towel so they can clean up, nothing is worse than stinky people on a bus!
I took my last 'training ride' this morning. Taking the bike apart tomorrow and packing it up. 3 more sleeps til I get on the plane!
20090710
7 more days!
7 more days and I’ll be heading out to the airport to being my Tour de France!
Getting excited and nervous as well! Will I have everything I need (I don’t think Sam Walton has penetrated Europe yet) I’m sure I’ll take too much even though I’m trying to cut back..yes, the Texas flag and the broomstick must go—they will fit in the bike bag!
Looks like I’ll probably do 5 rides, the biggest of them being the climb up Mt. Ventoux. The ride (ha—crawl is more the word) will be 24 kilometers or 14 miles at an AVERAGE of 7% grade! From your geometry class that means for every 100 ft of horizontal distance, the road rises 7 ft http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grade_(slope) or if we switch to the metric system for every meter of horizontal distance the road rises 7 cm, doesn’t sound like much, but if you stretch that out 24 kilometers it’s quite a lot—like over 1610m worth or 5282 ft or just a tad over a mile. (now I’m getting scared again!) From what I’ve read, there’s a 10 k section thru the trees that’s steeper (yikes) and then the last 6 k (from the restaurant up) is ‘easier’. Plan is to huff & puff my way up, sing “She’ll be coming around the mountain when she comes” in my head in both English & French. Stop every 10, 15, 20 or so mins or whatever it takes to rest and bring the heart rate down. And hope I can take the bus down to the bottom so I don’t have to ride down…left hand doesn’t like braking lately. Since we are riding it the day before the tour gets there, maybe there will be some crazy Europeans who feel the need to give me a push!
For more info on Mt. Ventoux, go here: http://www.steephill.tv/2007/mont-ventoux/
My bike is a Le Monde Zürich women’s specific design. It weighs about 21 pounds w/out the water bottles and rider. It is part carbon fiber, part steel, the carbon fiber is in the parts where it will help soften the road. Shimano Ultegra components. It has a 52/42/32 crank (yes it’s a triple—I’m old and don’t need to win any testosterone race about riding in the big ring!) and I just switched the back gears to a 27/12 from a 25/12. The bigger (more teeths in the back) the easier it is to pedal. It is amazing how much 2 teeths make a difference—hopefully enough to get me up that Col without being put into ‘great difficulty’. Thanks Erwin and Chang Bikes for all your help on the gears! I remember one time when we were studying ratios in Algebra there was a lesson on bike gear ratios, it was so above my students heads when I tried to explain the problem that I blew it off, now to find that lesson again or I can just google it! The way I see it, I’ll be riding in the 32/27 combo all the way up Ventoux. Meaning for each turn of the pedal, the back wheel will go 1.18 revolutions. If I’m riding 700 mm wheels, each revolution I’ll travel 826 mm at this point I don’t even want to know how many times I’m cranking the pedals (t-shirt if you can figure out the answer..I’ll count my revolutions and if you match, you win). Enough about the bike cuz as Lance says “It’s not about the bike”
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