One Week in: stages 4 - 9
Stage 4 provided a stark contrast to the previous stages – not only because we left the aggressive Italian drivers behind, but because we also entered into the glorious high mountains of the Alps. The Col du Lauteret and infamous Galibier provided the kind of spectacular scenery we’ve come to know and love on tour, even when the road sides are still deep in snow!
Once down into the valley bottoms of stage 5 we returned to sunshine and a great stage to head back down from the mountains and towards the wine country of Burgundy. Here we were joined by the fabulous fun and enthusiasm of the Alitex Peloton and others riding the Tour de France Adventure and Middle Mountains Loops. Nothing beats some fresh energy (and legs!) on tour and it was great to have them with us.
We were also joined by young Tristan from WWMT-supported charity Football Beyond Borders (FBB). Tristan has a little bit of experience riding bikes and so was eager to ride as much of the stage as possible. He ticked off an incredible 130km of stage 6 – a huge achievement! In the evening he talked to the group about his experience growing up on a tough estate in Salford. Thanks to being teamed up with a ‘Trusted Adult’ from FBB he re-engaged with school and turned the trajectory of his life around. He’s an impressive example of how the funds our Loopers are raising can make a huge difference to young lives. As the fundraising tops £475,000 and is still rising, Tristan gave us a wonderful boost, encouraging everyone to raise as much as we possible we can. The goal is to exceed £500,000! WE CAN DO THIS!
We said goodbye to the Tour de France Adventurers in Dijon – they did a cracking job! Bravo!
Our riders are starting to feel the effects of those tough first few stages (yes, we’re talking saddle sores) so the slightly easier stage 6 and then Time Trial of stage 7 provided much needed time to recuperate. But there’s no peace for the wicked, so off we set again in the sunshine for the lovely stage 8 through pretty countryside and charming villages. This was a chilled stage to really enjoy.
Mercifully, the predicted rains didn’t arrive until we’d completed the stage and were on the transfer buses to our hotel for the night. But when the storm hit, it really hit! Trees were brought down onto the roads, causing our transfer coaches to have to negotiate debris amid the tempest. We all breathed a big sigh of relief that we weren’t still out on the bikes!
Arriving in Troyes we settled in for one of our rare 2 night stays in the same hotel. The prospect of not having to pack all our bags again in the morning for yet another relocation is a luxury to be savoured on tour. But given the amount of rainfall, we all knew that stage 9 was going to be an altogether different sort of challenge!
Our signing car was out early, clearing as much debris from the route as they could – the overnight storm having ravaged the landscape. Stage 9 introduced an entirely new concept for us – the Chemins Blancs – or agricultural unpaved roads.
In hot weather, these are dusty, dirty, fun tracks. After heavy rain, they’re a chalky muddy quagmire! We began in the rain which made this really tough going – but the sun did eventually come out and promptly baked the mud onto all the bikes and riders. Type 2 fun? There may also have been a few punctures (be ready to watch this one next week when the pros tackle them). For our Mountains Week and First Half Loopers this was the grand finale – what a stage to end on! They’ll be dining out on this for years to come! Chapeau to every rider who completed this stage with a smile and a gallic shrug. It’s all part of the adventure, right?
And so we arrived, at last, at our first rest day of the tour. We’re sorry to say goodbye to a brilliant bunch of riders who’ve helped to make this first half of the tour so much fun! Congratulations to you all – you’ve been superb!
A rest day, then a couple of stages with just the Grand Loopers out on the road before the next influx of riders arrive. We’ll be back with another update in a few days time from the Pyrenees!!
Vive Le Tour!
