Le Tour '11 - Stage 19 - Galibier Descent

After the previous day's Izoard stage, we drove back to our base camp in Vars, a small ski resort village at about 1,900m elevation. With no bikes in hand, I started the day with a morning run. My first ever Alpine run was cold (~40F) and slow. For me, riding in the high Alpes is infinitely more enjoyable than running in them. Nonetheless, it was quite memorable given the surrounding scenery. After our morning croissants and coffee, we gathered the troops and headed north to the Col du Lautaret, which is where the riders would be descending off of the Galibier and making a hard right on the highway that would eventually take them to Bourg d'Oisans and the final climb of day - L'Alpe d'Huez. With road closures starting the night before, getting anywhere near L'Alpe to watch the final ascent would be near impossible.

After driving down the mountain from Vars, we found ourselves in the valley going through Briançon and on the road used during the prior day's Stage 18 which led the riders to the Galibier finale. As I was driving on this road, the Walter Mitty in me surfaced again, as I kept imagining I was Andy Schleck, yesterday's stage winner, racing to stay ahead of the chasers. In another moment, I was Tommy Voeckler, with the weight of French pride on my shoulders, racing to keep the yellow. Cars coming around me were no longer "passing", they were "attacking"! I would quickly accelerate to get in their draft. Despite being in a car, I would lean into the turns, try to accelerate out of corners, and exceed local speed limits wherever possible, as I imaginary raced to the base of the Galibier. Oh what a fun and memorable drive!

We have arrived! Without a doubt, the most stunning scenery I have ever seen at a race. What TV can't convey is just how big and majestic the mountains are in this area!

The family gets ready for another day in the mountains cheering on Big George and Cadel.

Le Tour is like no other race. Hundreds upon hundreds of RVs/Campers literally line the mountain roads.

Here we go!! This is racing at its best, as cycling's ultimate prize is on the line at this very moment. Costa, Riblon, Contador, and A. Schleck are the first ones down the Galibier and within seconds will make a hard right that will put them en route to L'Alpe D'Huez. Notice Andy trying to refuel as he comes out of the corner. These guys were flying down this hill.

Sammy Sanchez chasing hard and demonstrating his renowned descending skills. His efforts and insane speeds will pay off, as he will wear the polka dot jersey at the end of this stage. If you look closely in the background above, you can see the little road where the riders came down and around the mountain. We could first see them as little specs up there and then a minute or so later they would be racing past us at lightning speeds.

Tommy V. being led by his boys...desperately trying to hang onto the maillot jaune. His train blasted by us just inches away from where we were standing. Needless to say, my hairs were standing on end at this moment.

Thor, Cav, and others...just trying to survive.

Bis später!