One Month to Go

There is no doubt that the most famous multistage bike race in the world is the Tour de France. Each year in July the world's top cyclists battle it out to secure the coveted yellow jersey and the fame and fortune that goes with it.

For three long weeks the riders battle heat, head winds, mighty mountains and pouring rain, before they finally reach the finish on the streets of Paris. Although this year's Tour is only half over, the winner has almost certainly been decided already. Tadej Pogacar has demonstrated over and over that no other rider can match him when it really counts. On the steepest climbs, when all the others are hitting the proverbial "wall", Pogacar simply switches up a gear and rides away.

This year the race had special significance for those soon about to set off on our own version of the Tour. On Stage 11, the tour passed through Decize on its way to the stage end in Nevers, and then on the next stage, it started on the outskirts of Nevers and rode back through Decize for a second time. Since both of these town feature in our own tour, it was a great feeling to watch the race, knowing that we will soon be in that same area, albeit riding at a much slower pace. I wonder if we will be greeted by the same sized crowds when we arrive ? Probably not.

With only a month to go before I climb onto to the big plane that will take us on our way, I have started to get a little serious about packing. Well thinking about packing, at least. I have prepared my list and have started putting important items aside, ready to pack them into my case. I know where my passport is, and I have started buying a few Euros. This year I have even invested in a brand new Garmin Edge 1050 GPS. We have received the GPS tracks from Randovelo and these will soon be loaded in the GPS, ready for our ride. In the "old days" we had to rely on paper maps for navigation. This necessitated frequent stopping to ascertain where we were, followed by much discussion and confusion about where to head next. I have to admit that it is so much easier and better with a GPS.

And, as for the question as to who will be wearing the yellow jersey when we cross the finish line in Le Croisic, the answer is simple. We all will be !Read more