Stage 15
Posted: Mon 18 July, 2005 Filed under: Health 5 Comments »To Herself’s slight despair, I’ve been watching a fair amount of the coverage of this year’s Tour De France. I do tend to do so every year, but she’s not overly interested in it. Personally I think it balances out some of the stuff like “Sue Thomas, F.B.Eye” and “Judging Amy” that she watches, but hey, that’s domestic bliss for you.
Anyway, yesterday’s stage was generally billed as the toughest of this year’s Tour, and if you look at the profile you’ll see why. Five climbs, four of “Category One” (which in layman’s terms equates to “Fuck Off, I’m not doing that!”) over 205.5km (about 128 miles), and the winner completed it in six hours. That’s riding at an average of 20mph through the entire stage, including the uphill bits.
I’m in awe of the TDF competitors at the best of times, but to ride at that speed for six hours – and to have done so after two weeks of riding similar distances every day – is, to me, nothing short of superhuman.
UPDATED : Geoff Thomas writes in his diary about completing Stage 15. Another superhuman effort, as I’ve written before.
Why not visit http://www.geoff-thomas.com. Geoff is an ex-footballer, famous for his miss against France, who was diagnosed with leukemia a couple of years ago. He is in remission and he and a band of supporters are tackling the full TDF a few days ahead of the main event to raise money for charity. Well worth a look for his diary of ‘the Tour’ and you may be moved to make a donation.
They are nuts. There was also the ‘hors category’ climb (last of the day, just to be really sadistic), which is more severe than a category one. The mind boggles… I could probably just about make it up a category 3, but only in about 24 hours, with frequent stops for tea, sticky buns and an oxygen mask.
Andy – I’ve already written about his riding the TDF, and think he’s doing a fantastic job of it!
I must confess empathy here Lyle – similar situation this end with the cricket. The way I see it, it balances out against her watching Hollyoaks and CSI and suchlike *shudder*.
As I see it there are enough nutters out there as it is with out giving them bikes. Still at least they are in France and not giving me stress.