L'Etape Du Tour 2012
THE Tour the
Those who like myself were lucky
enough to have ridden many of the etape du tours to date will
not only fully appreciate how great these warriors on bikes are but are also how
fortunate we are to share the experience that these riders had as they fought battles on the famous
alpine, Pyrenean, central massif and other routes
ridden over the past 100years that the tour has visited the alps.
The etape du tour is an
experience of a lifetime for any cyclist.
Up until last year for me personally the experience of riding
this prestigious event and meeting a guy with only one leg on
the first col of the 2007 race was a moment I will always remember .. The
thought that went through my head as I passed him, patting him on
the back (a gesture he acknowledged) was.."What a privilege it was to be
biking with a person of such character" .Thus if I was to sum up what I
like about this race is that... the etape du tour is an event in
which cyclists of great character both male and female, of all ages get to bike
together on a typical Tour de France stage.....and most of all what a privilege
to be able to be one of them.
Above , at the start of last paragraph I said "up until last year"
. I now have to add that the experience I had watching the development of some
of our new participants from first meeting them at our Kenmare weekend in April
to seeing them cross the finish line at top of col du Tourmalet in 2010 has equaled the
feeling I got in 2007 seeing the guy with one leg (no prosthesis) climbing the
col de Port. Equaly the performance of our group both on pre etape rides and on
the etapes of 2010 was amazing .Again, I say from my heart what a privilege it is to know and bike
with these guys and girls.
Long may we all have good
enough health and spirit to do this and other such events.
We would like to extend our best wishes to all those who will be travelling with
us this year and previous years.
We have had many individuals both guys and ladies but also couples (seven in
2008) and father/daughter /son in
2009 and again a father and son in 2010. I hope some day to join this
very fortunate group and share this experience with one of my own children.
Many have been travelling
with us since we first started taking groups to the etape in 2006 when we had
over 50 take part . In 2008 , 2009 and 2010 we had over 70 travel with us, quite
a sight on rides and on start line..
It was particularly pleasing in 2010 to have 100% of our group reach the
finish at top of the Col du Tourmalet after a long day in the mountains.
I have had the pleasure of biking with most over the last few months as well
as on the etape du tour and look forward to biking with you all again in both
Ireland and in France.
Due to the high demand for participation in this event , over 10000 in 2011
the organizers A.S.O. have decided to offer two stages for 2012 . One in the
We are presently taking bookings for our packages from those who wish to ride the epic Pyrenean stage from Pau to Bagneres de Luchon.
As is the case every year we expect to have some great stories and personal achivements to salute to again next July.
Not only can one expect this stage of the Tour De France to be full of drama but also for all those who tackle it on 14th July.
Being the penultimate stage of the Tour in the mountains and the fact that the etape is on Bastile day one can expect great crowds along the route.
We have a package available to this etape with many already signed up and have some plans to do the first subject interest.
I look forward to biking with all who sign up for either or perhaps both .
If one wished to ride thie stage in the Pyrenees of the etape then early booking is advisable. .
To find out more information email me at,
soleary@trail-seekers.com
TO SEE PHOTOS OF A PREVIOUS ETAPE IN THE PYRENEES . CLICK HERE
Also If you would like to see photos and links to videos from our last trip to next years mountains in the Pyrenees follow links below.
link to photos.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/53601467@N07/sets/72157624974844751/
