Le Tour-Inspired Climb
It happens every year during the Tour de France, which this year has been delayed until September due to coronavirus.
This morning I watched an exciting Stage 8 finish, the first of the big climbing the riders have done in the three-week race.
After watching the stage and seeing sunshine outside my window, what choice did I have other than to get out there myself, all inspired by what just transpired in France?
Off I went to climb the climb at High Cliff State Park.
But on this ride I had visions of Le Tour dancing in my head as I danced on the pedals.
When a car goes by me on the left, that's not just any car. That's a team car, with a team driver ready to hand me out a water bottle and an energy bar.
When I ride past some people in their yards, those aren't just people in their yards. Those are diehard Tour de France fans who are there to admire my efforts on the bike and cheer me on!
As I rode up the big climb I could almost hear Bob Roll saying, "Oh Phil (Liggett) look at the effort being put in here by the big Italian."
And Phil Liggett was answering, "Bob, he's doing a tremendous job this Cianciola. He's over 60 years old Bob!"
(I have quite an imagination)
When I got to the top of the climb, no kidding, a helicopter flew by overhead. That wasn't just some helicopter, that was a Tour de France TV crew taking shots from high up of castles, vineyards and me at the front of field pacing my team up the climb!
Now to check in with Mr. Reality.
On the way out, when you are riding in quiet conditions, just noodling along and glance down at your computer to see you're doing 18's with no real effort that means two things;
1--tailwind
2--you are going to suffer on the way back
I tried not to think about. I tried to think of Le Tour instead, and the beauty of the stage I had just watched.
As I headed back home I was prepared for the worst.
It never came.
The wind was kind of at an angle coming at my right shoulder. It was a mix of that and headwind, rather than all headwind. Noisy? Yes. Tough? Yes. But I surprised myself with how good my legs felt. I surprised myself with the amount of effort I was able to put into the 12+ miles homeward bound.
I actually felt strong at times.
I think this just goes to show you how inspiring the Tour de France can be.
RIDE ROUTE
High Cliff Climb
29 miles
Average Speed= 13.5
WINDY! 15+ mph, partly sunny, 72
(I wore a wind vest today!)
2020 SEASON MILES
Indoor: 125.6
Outdoor: 1,497.4