22 July, 2009: Le (Mis)Aventure del Rosso e La Bianca
So TIm has made it to Annecy. I have five minutes to write this quick update....
TIm arrived in Martigny, sporting a new (used) bicycle from Firenze. The shop owner referred to the bike as "il rosso," and the name has stuck. Fitting that my bike is white, and that we were in Switzerland the first day...
No problems with the first kilometers of the ride, and a perfect day at Verbier. We rode to the summit, and scaled a large boulder to wait near the big screen to wait for the finishers. The American couple next to us had been camped out since 5:30 AM, so apparently we managed to squeeze ourselves into some prime real estate to watch Contador drop everyone in what looks like it will be the decisive stage of this year's Tour.
A beautiful ride across the border into Italy,
pizza at Il Pirata in Sarre (the owner said that he hoped Lance
Armstrong would crash in front of his restaurant for publicity's sake),
camped near a monument along the route, lots of photos....
Next day back into France. Sans problem for Tim, who rode out early and whose legs were still fresh. For Jesse, who didn't think they would close the first mountain pass of a day's stage at 8 AM, it was a little tricky...first Italian cop made the "turn around and park" gesture (ignored); second italian cop was sympathetic when i told him that I had a friend who was all alone with his bike on the other side of the mountain, and attempting to ride the whole stage. Thought I had dodged a bullet. But then, just as I was crossing the summit into France, an adamant and red faced Gendarme gave me a "police order" to park the car. At which point all of my French dissappeared and I continued to weave the Passat through the crowds. The second set of gendarmerie were engaged in conversation with two females, so at that point I knew I would make it...
Met Tim halfway up the next climb, and he looked strong. Polished off 150 km, including three Cat 1 climbs--not too shabby! Camped last night at Plaz sur Arly, headed out this morning for Le Grand Bornand. Met Tim about 4 km from the summit on the downhill side of today's final climb, then we descended in the rain, made it to the car before road closures, and on to Annecy, the site of tomorrow's TT...
Now TIm is sleeping (and hopefully refueling in the park). The fatigue seems like it may be starting. Good thing that tomorrow is only 40 km...
But after that, things are going to get VERY challenging, especially since we will be short a driver...anyone in France and want to drive a car to Ventoux on the 24th?
Stay tuned...
