L'Etape Du Tour 2009
This years Etape Du Tour will be on 20th July and as always the organisers have not dissapointed us . The stage from Montelimar to Mt Ventoux is a fine challege for any cyclist.
Due to to the fact that the finish is on Mt Ventoux there has been great demand for places and all our places are now gone.
If one wished to ride the 2010 edition early(Oct) booking is advisable.
In the etape du tour cyclists get an opportunity to appreciate how
elite the tour riders really are, something those who watch it from the roadside
or on TV can never full appreciate.
In 2008 we had a wonderful group travel with us and their performance
was to be applauded. It was a pleasure for us as hosts to have such a fine group
of cyclists decide yet again to travel with us to this premier cycling
event. Those who had ridden the event before (some of whom are in the
picture below) yet again did great rides. It was a pleasure to see the new
comers enjoying the fine biking on each of the rides. What stories
and memories they have left all of us who rode the main event .
We were particularly pleased to have had 13 ladies in our 2008 group. We
applaud all, most particularly Fiona Meada (who finished 2nd in ladies section) ,
Fiona Barrett (3rd) and Joyce Wolfe (10th) .We also applaud the efforts of our
Seven Couples who like all good teams showed great loyalty to their team all
staying together in the terrible weather we had on the day.
Of Course as was expected John Murphy was our highest finishing male rider in
a very respectable 339th position (121th in his age category)
The etape du tour is an experience of a lifetime for any cyclist. For
me personally as well as the experience of riding this prestigious event
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.
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.
I have had the pleasure of biking with most over the last few months and look forward to biking with you all again in France.
Slan Go Foill, Sean.
TO SEE PHOTOS OF 2008 Etape CLICK HERE
Photo below is of some of those who have done the etape du tour with us.
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