Jacqui C
07-23-2003, 05:11 AM
Very disapointed with my performance in the Etap du Tour. I made it up and over the Soudet inside the time (I'd ridden over 5 hours at this point). The climb wasn't bad, I didn't have to walk at all, unlike many others. However, I was slow! :( I would not have been able to get to the next check point without being eliminated so I abandoned at the bottom. My dear, dear husband (who could have finished the ride easily) waited for me at the Soudet sumit and as a consequence he abandoned with me. I was very emotional at his point and wished I had more in my legs.
Those who finished said it was the hardest thing they have ever done. Out of the 8500 that started apparently less than 3500 finished. This is the stage that is being ridden today and Eurosport are showing the whole of this stage live, so I'm going home tonight to watch how the pro's do it.
On the positive side, it was amazing starting with all those other guys and being only 1 of 200 women I got so much support from the crowds along the way. The first 35 miles were fast and some of those guys, wow! they are unbeliveable even as amatures. They descent like nutters, my max speed was about 40 mph and most of the gyus were flying past me.
We went the follwing day to watch a stage and then the ITT.
Mighty Mitre, how did your man get on in the etape?
Jacqui C ( in need of lots more training if I want to try this again!)
Those who finished said it was the hardest thing they have ever done. Out of the 8500 that started apparently less than 3500 finished. This is the stage that is being ridden today and Eurosport are showing the whole of this stage live, so I'm going home tonight to watch how the pro's do it.
On the positive side, it was amazing starting with all those other guys and being only 1 of 200 women I got so much support from the crowds along the way. The first 35 miles were fast and some of those guys, wow! they are unbeliveable even as amatures. They descent like nutters, my max speed was about 40 mph and most of the gyus were flying past me.
We went the follwing day to watch a stage and then the ITT.
Mighty Mitre, how did your man get on in the etape?
Jacqui C ( in need of lots more training if I want to try this again!)