Day 8 Wednesday 7-20-2011 Col d'Ornon to Alpe d'Huez
Day / date / Location:
Miles on bike: Col d'Ornon 1 hr 40 mim Elevation gain: 2240
Total miles today: 18.39 Total miles for trip: 342.37
$ toward Pledges at 0.026 per foot gained: 17,215 x 0.026 = $447.59
Highlights:
After checking out of the hotel, we made it back by bus to GAP to be in the VIP starting area before the race began.
Tim and I went back to the internet café first for 1 hour, then back to the start area and view bikes and riders. Good pictures taken and I scored an autograph from George Hincape (big George) who is the elder statesman doing his 16th tour. His bike has a gold # ‘16’ engraved on it.
Sunny today and windy. Then a 2 hr bus ride to our bike start up Col d’Ornon. Tim made it to the top; he outrode me. 2 in our group rode all the way up to Alpe d’Huez by a brutal route which totally wasted them. Tim and I took the bus up the famous 21 switchbacks.
On Friday we will ride our bike up those 21 turns. I almost wish I hadn’t seen it. It looks VERY intimidating.
We checking into the hotel which is tucked into the mountain side at 6400 foot elevation and the most stunning view of mountains I have ever seen. Rick, one in our tour who lives in the Colorado Rockies, says there is nothing this stunning back home. We are all truly grateful to be here. The fresh snow on all the peaks adds to the beauty.
Our room has a balcony over looking the TDF final ½ mile. All the riders will pass right below us in two days. How cool is that. AND this hotel has very good internet connections. What a praise!
Another good 3 course dinner; I’m gaining weight! And early to bed for a change.
Till tomorrow…
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