18 July, 2009: Tim's Journey Starts in Two Days
For me, the 2008 Tour was a grueling, perfect experience. Only one thing was missing--Mont Ventoux. Ventoux is arguably the most feared if not most famous beyond-category climb in Tour history. The argument is probably summed up best by the case of Tom Simpson, a British Tour rider in the 1960s. Shortly before--literally--dying somewhere near the top, he left us his last words: "Put me back on the bloody bicycle."
I am hoping Tim Home will not pull a Tom SImpson with his attempt to ride all of the high mountain stages (and a few flat ones) of this year's Tour. A two-time Ironman triathlete (and a fast one at that), with a knack for levitating up hills, I'm sure he's up to the task. But I am also hoping that he will reach the summit of this year's final, potentially decisive, mountain with the sense of pride and accomplishment that comes from pushing one's self to the limit, and then pushing farther.
This year's Tour is a climber's classic. After several stages of almost ridiculously difficult mountain passes, the Tour will (effectively) finish at the top of Mont Ventoux. A group of us will be supporting Tim on his ride, and we'll be at the summit eagerly awaiting his arrival. If he pulls it off, he will be one of very few solo riders to have ridden such a difficult stretch of the Tour (and probably the only one to do so this year).
I have my laptop in my panniers this year, and will be attempting to blog about the Tour and about Tim's attempt. Once again, stay tuned to RicksRide.org, and keep the donations to the kids coming. And thanks to Tim for carrying the torch!
