MallyG
07-13-2004, 03:02 PM
Hi guys! Just got back from France, where I completed the 2004 Etape du Tour. It was the most amazing, toughest, exciting, hardest, unbelievable thing I've ever done! As many of you will know. we rode this year's Stage 10 from Limoges to St Flour, which is 150 miles of energy-sapping up-and-down riding, reaching the oficial mountains after about 100 miles, where the legendary Puy Mary (Pas de Peyrol) awaited us. At 17%, it would have been a tough climb after any distance, but after that long in the saddle, it was excrutiating, made tougher by having to steer at 4mph between the riders who had all taken the infinitely more sensible option of dismounting and walking.
My top speed was 44mph on one of the amazing descents, and I finished an hour and a half ahead of schedule in eleven hours and was placed 5417 out of over 8,000 riders.
I saw three other Serottas en route (thanks to the American guy on the Otrott who gave me an encouraging 'Go get 'em Serotta' on Peyrol as I climbed ahead!), and it was great to feel part of some exclusive club.
What was also great was that, at the pre-race registration, I was introduced to Ben Serotta, who was incredibly charming and friendly (I'll post the photos later in the week). A friend of mine who was riding a Trek 5500 was blown away by the fact that I actually met the man behind the decal ("Can't imagine I'll meet Mr Trek," he said).
Anyway, the entire day was fantastic and I suggest that anyone with a love of cycling takes advantage of the opportunity to race in the Tour with the full backup, spectacle, atmosphere and competition that the Tour provides and enter l'Etape next year. Sure it's intense. Sure you have to train for a minimum of six months. Sure it's nervewracking. But you will never, ever regret it.
Thanks to all those on this board who wished me luck in the days and weeks leading up to the event. I appreciate it! Now I can watch the whole stage tomorrow as ridden by Lance et al and say to myself.... I DID THAT!!!!
My top speed was 44mph on one of the amazing descents, and I finished an hour and a half ahead of schedule in eleven hours and was placed 5417 out of over 8,000 riders.
I saw three other Serottas en route (thanks to the American guy on the Otrott who gave me an encouraging 'Go get 'em Serotta' on Peyrol as I climbed ahead!), and it was great to feel part of some exclusive club.
What was also great was that, at the pre-race registration, I was introduced to Ben Serotta, who was incredibly charming and friendly (I'll post the photos later in the week). A friend of mine who was riding a Trek 5500 was blown away by the fact that I actually met the man behind the decal ("Can't imagine I'll meet Mr Trek," he said).
Anyway, the entire day was fantastic and I suggest that anyone with a love of cycling takes advantage of the opportunity to race in the Tour with the full backup, spectacle, atmosphere and competition that the Tour provides and enter l'Etape next year. Sure it's intense. Sure you have to train for a minimum of six months. Sure it's nervewracking. But you will never, ever regret it.
Thanks to all those on this board who wished me luck in the days and weeks leading up to the event. I appreciate it! Now I can watch the whole stage tomorrow as ridden by Lance et al and say to myself.... I DID THAT!!!!