Pat Bate
It was Tuesday 18th July and I had woken early in anticipation and excitement for the day ahead. For this was to be the highlight of our 3 week holiday in France. Stage 15 of this years tour de france – from Gap (very close to our twin town) to Alpe d’Huez and we would be waiting on Alpe d’Huez to see the cyclists arrive. Oh yes just one hitch we first had to cycle up this famous 11 miles climb with 21 hair pin bends mountain (at 1850m high) on tandem. Well we had done it before and I knew it would be hard work but so worth the effort.
We joined the snake of fellow enthusiasts, cycling, walking all carrying enough food and drink for the day. Passing by all the campers who had been there for day to get a really good spot. Why do we do it you may ask? So let me set the scene – a beautiful mountain side in the Isere department of France is the host, now think of the best party you have ever been to combined with the best carnival you have ever seen, surrounded by friends from all over the world and in party mood, add a beautiful hot sunny day and you almost there.
We spend the day cheering and encouraging each other as we make the ascent, make new friends and hear their cycling stories of their pilgrimage. Then finally our long wait and effort is rewarded by the arrival of the “Cavalcade” of sponsors themed vehicles throwing out goody bags that we all dive for like children. Followed by the team cars, tour officials, media vehicles. Now our excitement mounts because we know once the entourage has arrived the riders will not be for a behind. The first signs are the arrival of half a dozen helicopters circling overhead, we all wave frantically because some of these are TV cameras and who knows we may be on tv. later.
The long wait is rewarded and our heros arrive to the cheers and appaulse they deserve for competing in one of the worlds most demanding sports. Three weeks of greling cycling covering nearly 200 kilometres a day in blistering heat over the length and bredth of France, not to mention the time trils, sprints and king of the mountain competitions.
Each year for us there have been many different stories to tell and this year the highlights are the people we met on” Bend No. 6” (from the top). This is where we spent over 4 hours partying alongside fellow Brits, Belgians , Dutch, Americans, Australians. ( The newspaper Le Dauphine Libere the next day reported “La vraiestar, c’es tle public de Alpe, over half a million spectatiors of all nationalities were in good humour.) The singing competitions assisted by an accordion player left us hoarse and exhausted. The young Dutch lady who on taking on interest in the tandem earlier in the day at a bar stop was invited by Jeremy to have a go. She declined saying it would be too dangerous downhill. I replied that I was o.k because I either closed my eyes but mostly just had trust in Jeremy. On our descent she fliew past us at over 40 mph, recognised us and shouted “I see you have the trust”!!, and vanished down the mountain. The guy from Bristol who had cycled from Nice to be at the tour whom we had met earlier in the week and low and behold there he was again on Bend no. 6 with stories of his travels since we last saw him. And many many more characters.
Finally, I would like to pay tribute to the 2 young lads from Leicestershire who spent all day holding up their St. George’s flag marked up in memory of their dear friend who had died last year, in the hope that his friends and family would see it and know they all still care. See www.pobstrophy.co.uk So guys even if you didn’t get in the national press all was not in vain your fame has spread to Wirksworth. Good luck with all your fund raising efforts.
Cycling is a wonderful sport for all ages and all abilities and living in the Peak District is so convenient to experience the pleasure. The High Peak and Tissington Trails are a wonderful starting point and we have quiet country lanes to explore. So go on “get on yer bike”!!
