Each year for the past few years we have
pedalled up one of the climbs taken that year by the Tour de France. We've done
it in the Alps, the Vosges, Provence and in the Pyrenees. Climbing the classic
routes in the wheeltracks of the mighty, seeing their names painted in the road
as we near the top. It’s emotional. We can do it too, albeit slower.
These climbs all have their own moments of
history which come to life as we struggle upward. Rounding the last bend on the
Alpe d'Huez, Pantani's collision with an over-zealous amateur photographer
becomes almost real. Topping the Ventoux, the agonies of Tommy Simpson's
collapse. Other great moments come to mind. Indurain's amazing breaks on Pyrenean
climbs. The exhaustion, the exultation, the pain, the disappointments.
Take a look in Wikipedia. You will see the
importance of the Tour to these small Pyrenean towns and communities. Most
entries are limited to location, the decline of population and history which
largely amounts to: 2008 Tour de France stage 18 start. 2011 Tour de France
passed through. Their whole history is related to visits by the heroes of cycle
racing.
This year we chose the Col de la Core. Not one
of the toughest category climbs but the Peloton passed through in July on its
way to Plateau de Beile - much higher than our 14km, 1395m pass. 835m
higher than the start at Castillon.
We have different ways of dealing with the
process of getting to the top. One of us, the mathematically minded, counts
pedal revolutions, measures the remaining distance to the next kilometer
marker, notes the angle of climb (and sometimes groans), calculates the
altitude climbed and how much remains. The other thinks about what should go in
the day's blog, looks out for photo opportunities - blanks out all the
distances, heights and angles.
Col de la Core has a maximum angle of 7.5% and
though it isn't particularly high, breaks out above the tree line, giving it
the feel of a much higher classic Tour pass. As we ride, the muscley-legged locals
spin past with "bonjour", "allez" and "courage"
and before long some are whizzing by in the other direction, but always
greeting our progress.
It is easy to picture the Tour caravan here, the
cars and motor caravans lining the road. The fans in all sorts of fancy dress
and undress. The pungeant smell of hot bodies and sun lotion. Flags.
Shouts. Clapping. Passion. The riders punching their way through what looks
like a wall of humanity. There's hardly a soul as we reach the summit.
Round the final bend, it's almost flat, the sign
comes into sight, the finish line! And as one of us arrives, a small round of
applause from the local cyclists. It is such a great feeling!
Back in Castillon, a double espresso in the only
bar sets us up for the drive back to Foix.
Log
33km. 898m climbing
You said it!
“It’s just a bike race after all” – Miguel
Indurain after winning his fourth Tour de France
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| The view back to the start in Castillon |
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