TdF 2005 - En France

July 18, 2005
Bonjour, people we know!

We made it safely to Lyon, rented our Peugeot and set off on a four-hour drive across the south of France with two hours of sleep (thankful that every rest stop sells espresso).

Yesterday we caught Stage 15 just before the 5km to summit banner on the Col de Val Louron-Azet (the second to last climb of the day and fourth of five mountains that they climbed during the stage). Parked the car precariously close to the edge of the mountain with the help of two older French couples we eventually befriended with our broken French throughout the day. Angel and I decided to walk to the top since we had a couple of hours to spare but made it just over a kilometre before turning around and heading back down with Angel wondering how the riders were ever going to make it over. Good news, the Tour expanded the caravan this year to include more sponsors and thus booty. Did well collecting items on our first day out and got everyone in our area of the mountain excited to participate.

The stage was amazing as the riders were getting tired and, while still moving quite quickly, were slow in comparison to the speeds they normally travel. George Hincapie (Lance's #2 man on the Discovery Team and yesterday's stage winner) looked at Angel as she was screaming for him. Lance powered by us in another break (above photo corresponds to Stage 15 video below) without any sign that we were there, but Sheryl Crow, who was riding in the passenger's seat in one of the team cars waved to both of the crazy Americans (a.k.a. us). The stage was so difficult that the field of 170 was spread out over 30-40 minutes with some riders having to complete it without any support vehicles. When Angel yelled words of encouragement to one rider from the Rabobank team he asked her if she would push him (for those Tour aficionados you know this is illegal but without anyone watching it sure happens a good bit). Five hours on the side of a mountain with some kind French couples was a great way to begin our Tour de France.

En route to our Chambres d'Hotes last night we had to drive over the Col d'Aspin. Angel kept her eyes closed most of the way up (as did I). The mountain was climbed in last year's Tour and still had visible remains of the white painted names of the riders on the road surface all the way up. By the time we reached the top we were in clouds surrounded by wild cows. Even though there were signs posted to watch out for cows in the roadway, we nearly collided with one as we were driving down the mountain -- I rounded a corner only to find a huge white cow walking straight toward us.

We had breakfast at the B&B this morning with some pilgrims who came to Lourdes to worship where the virgin Mary was spotted several times. Headed into a cave (literally) right now before moving on to Nay, birthplace of the French beret, to have café with some old French guys.

Best wishes from the Pyrenees.