Balmoral Abroad
 
History: Since 1992 the ASO has organised a non pro race over one of the mountain stages of that year’s Tour du France 2008: This year the race is 169.2 km from Pau to Hautacam. It takes in two legendary climbs - Col du Tourmalet and Hautacam Date: July 6 Starters: 9500+ Warning What is it
LINKS www.letapedutour.com www.letour.fr www.classicgetaways.com www.mapmyride.com www.climbbybike.com www.steephill.tv Our Road Trip  The etape and backhttp://www.etdedutour.comhttp://www.letour.frhttp://www.classicgetaways.comhttp://www.mapmyride.comhttp://www.climbbybike.comhttp://www.steephill.tvFrance%20Road%20Trip%20July.htmlshapeimage_5_link_0shapeimage_5_link_1shapeimage_5_link_2shapeimage_5_link_3shapeimage_5_link_4shapeimage_5_link_5
Danger
 
Set your goals...... In the cold grip of the English winter and contemplating the deteriorating state of my physical fitness I needed to find something to motivate me to get out in the cold dark mornings. London Marathon, Paris Marathon both too close. New York Marathon too far away. A triathlon - too much swimming not something easy to train for in London. Finally Nick mentioned the etape. Yes this was it. I am a keen follower of the Tour and the etape offered the chance to ride across the same course as the Pro’s - tackling the same mountains under the same conditions they were going to be doing a week later. And better yet it was within the timeframe for training and even better slotted in perfectly with the kids school break. Initially we had a lot of other starters but as the time drew closer it came down to Nick and I. So many cold mornings later, one car accident and two new bikes later we both arrived in Pau for registration on July 4th. This was a great event despite the abysmal weather. The beautiful sunny skies and warmth of the previous week were replaced by 12 degrees and constant rain on race day. We went from worrying about overheating and dehydration to concerns about hypothermia. 8 hours and 169.2 kms later I dragged my tired body across the finish line. The tour riders would do the same ride in 4:30 hrs the following week. Luckily I have a day job, CSC will not be calling anytime soon. Yes Mum I got run-over by a car.!! At 40 km there was not much left of my bike but luckily the insurance company bought me a new one.