A very special day.

Matt enjoys a finish line beer.

Team.

In recent years I have taken to writing about my adventures. I do this because some people like to share my experiences but in truth I do it for myself. One day when my body has finally given out I hope to be able to recapture the experiences I have had and the challenges I have faced. I hope above all I will be able to recall the special people I have shared my adventures with.

This episode of ‘View from the Back’ is about a ride ACE took on on Sunday the 15th of July 2018. It was stage 10 of the Tour de France.

Last summer marked the end of my triathlon experiences. A visit to a knee surgeon confirmed what I already knew-‘knackered’. Liz saw the same bloke and she got the good news too. Apparently new knees, although an option, needed to be weighed up against the highly likely event that the recuperation period would prevent us from ever regaining our relative fitness level. The alternative was cycling along with doses of vitamin I. (Ibuprofen). So it was we decided to form ACE.

Now having run a triathlon club for a number of years we knew one thing, get the right sort of like minded people together and sport can be a wonderful thing as it links together people from different backgrounds and at its best creates deep bonds.

ACE is for us about all the good things in life Adventure, Camaraderie and Style (Elegenzia). Now before anyone says anything I know I have no style, a good friend once told me you either have it or you don’t but I, like most of you love stylish people,I can dream.

It was easy to find friends who wanted to be involved in the club, the ‘get it gang’ and soon we were making plans as to what we might do. Liz had our kit designed and Matt Collins came up with the super idea we might link our club to various charitable causes. In truth over time we intend to do this in a small low key way via putting a quid or so in a tin when we ride together just to remind us all how lucky we are. However news of the challenge a former Tri Club members daughter had been dealt encouraged us to make an effort to support her and of course the charity that has been by her side, The Teenage Cancer Trust. The number ‘4’ has become one of our club logos as it signals our desire to do things 4 others. So far we have we have had 3 friends do ‘Ironman races 4 Ellie’ we now have our ‘Ride4Ellie’ and hopefully later in the summer a ‘Swim4Ellie’.

As most will know Liz and I have a flat in France and soon ‘herself’ was plotting a challenge. As it happens this years Tour De France stage 10 took place in the mountains near where we are. No excuses- lets do this. The route from Annecy to Le Grand Bornand. 105 miles and 15000 feet of climbing in old money. I will use kms from here on.

Fast forward to late June this year and Liz and I were making final plans and training hard. We were in France working out logistics. Unfortunately Liz had fallen over in our garden before we left watering my potato patch confirming the idea that most accidents happen at home. She seemed fine if somewhat sore and she easily beat me up a number of the Cols we trained on. Two days later she was in intensive care and from where I stood proper poorly. Clearly she could not partake in the ride but typical of Liz she decided to support others and she became determined to be on hand and drive one of the vans. In truth it was a good thing we had a second support vehicle given just how tough the day was.

We had driven down to France with Lisa Braunton and soon she found out just how tough the Alps can be. Lisa loved the mountains and their spectacular vistas. However much you tell people it is just impossible to appreciate the scale of the Alps and the challenge the various Cols present. Lisa rode the Plateau des Glieres with me in training. It is an absolute beast of a climb a mere 6 km at an average of 11.2% with some horrible steeper sections. It is narrow and unforgiving with a 1500 meter gravel section at the top. Lisa knew immediately she would not be able to complete the whole course given its severity and very sensibly elected to ride part of the course on the day and support others. On the day of the ride this beast of a climb ‘did’ for another of our team.

The rest of the team arrived in France. First of all Nigel looking fit and well trained. We plotted our approach. Then after a drive through the night came Mat and Barry. Things started happening as the duo found ‘problems’ to solve. Soon Rob arrived too, a fascinating man and a typical ACE type. It is he who owns Brighton’s top eatery and he is loaded with interesting observations on life. Like his life long buddy Matt he is genuinely interested in others. Both are great people to be around. The anticipation mounted. Lucy le Coq is always game for a challenge and she was supported by Harry who was not only a god send on the day in his support role but proved to be source of wit and delight wherever he went.

Fred Matysek drove up from his base on the Cote D’Azur. Only two weeks previously Fred had completed Ironman Nice raising funds for the Teenage Cancer trust. Fred is the most excellent of men. One of our team confided in me that if there was one man in the world he would like to be like it would be Fred. Upbeat, cheerful, polite and considerate. If I could buy shares in ‘Matysek enterprises’ I would personally fill my boots.

Finally the ‘London 4’ arrived. As a group they increased our ‘cred rating’ as two of them race for teams and are cat 2 cyclists. The other two are also fine athletes and all of them ‘look good’. Their own relationship is an entertaining mix of banter and bicker. They are all however delightful people and I am pleased to say that Rupert is also my bike technology expert. Tom Elliott proved to be Captain Sensible and briefed us all on the ride and likely eventualities.

So to the day of the ride and we lined up for pics by Lake Annecy. Almost on time too. Our two vans looking splendid in their matching logos. We rolled out alongside the beautiful blue lake. There were the odd late night reveller to watch us go as well as a number of early morning riders and runners exercising before the heat of the day.

The tension began to be released and our team chatted as we formed a Peloton along the cycle path. After 10 km or so London 4 and Fred moved away. Rob gave advice on many matters and made us all wonder why we did not have similar cycle shoes to his. On to the road as we reached the top of the lake. The pace built up and soon we were on the first hill that led us away from the lake. This particular hill was perhaps 3 km long, it did not even merit a mention on the official course guide. I am not sure what thoughts it provoked in others but it certainly reminded me of what was to come. A lovely cool section now of 5km or so before turning on to the Col de Bluffy. This first official climb was 2.2km with an average slope of 6.73 percent with a nasty kicker of 13.7%. We were all moving well now and we made light work of it. Downhill now for 10km and the first incident occurred Nige had a puncture. Matt and Rob were on hand to help. A USA cycle team car came by in close proximity to a twenty man peloton obviously on the route like us. We saw them later coming back not the full course for them.

Next came the relentless Col de Croix Fry. At the bottom our vans were waiting. Barry fussed around us all offering support. Harry quipped some one liners and we all laughed. Off we went. 11.3 km with an average of 7%. On an on it went with an added cruelty of a steepening in its later stages. Matt and Rob disappeared into the distance. Lucy’s sister had kindly set up an extra feed stop half way up the col. (she was holidaying in the region. However due to inevitable confusions, (Lucille?),most missed the opportunity to refuel. The compensation was Barry was able to find the spot and his van carried extra excellent supplies for later in the day. Sorry Anna and Tom and many thanks. After a hiatus of confusion we were reunited and set off on our first proper decent down in to the ski resort of La Clusaz. Riding a bike down hill for 15 km or so quickly takes a lot of concentration. For me it is a mix of elation set against a constant voice of anxiety in my head, I think they call it fear.

We got lost for a moment but Rupert’s technology input saved us as the message ‘off course’ blinked on my computer. Another rendezvous with our support at the bottom of the ‘killing machine’ The Plateau de Glieres. We fed and we had a delightful conversation with a couple from Vancouver who took pictures and wished us well. The ability to monitor team members progress via telephone positioning gave us good news London 4 and Fred were at the top.

Lisa took to the van and Nigel Lucy and I set off. The Col itself is narrow and it never gives up for one second its demanding angle. Nigel had trained hard for the event after a very demanding year. He is no quitter by any means but the 30 plus temperatures began to bite. Lucy cajoled and encouraged. Nigel changed colour and looked distressed. Lucy suggested a rest. Nigel took to the ground breathing heavily. Humour was not far away as he agreed to a pic of ‘man down’. Four fingers were raised in defiance from the prone figure. The four fingers, ‘4’, our club salute. Somehow Nigel got his body up the last cruel 2km which included the merciless final ramp. Next came the gravel section, an extra slap. We later learned that Rob and Mat had staged a detour at the summit to enhance their challenge. Another long decent and the blissful sight of Liz and Lisa and our van. Nigel made the wisest of decisions based on the fact that his now badly cramping legs would not manage the rest of the course. He was loathe to slow the rest of us up. Instead of moping he took on hugely positive attitude and became Liz’s right hand man. Nothing too much trouble and words of encouragement as from now on the ‘Liz van’ would accompany us as we went. Lisa rejoined Lucy and I and we were off again. This was my low point. Nigel had been so supportive in the days before the ride and he was not there to share worries and plot tactics. I felt awful physically. I was dehydrated but pouring liquid down my neck did nothing except bloat my stomach. It was very hot and I did not know how I was going to finish the ride. The Col des Fleuries 5.6 km at 4.52% is not tough by normal standards but on this day it was endless. We reached the valley bottom and we set off along its length. We passed the Macdonalds where others had taken refuge. I was possessed by a desire to get a move on. I had no idea how I would make the final climbs but I needed to confront their challenge and instead of cruising along I drove on. I became bad tempered and irrational too, sorry Lisa. At last the bottom of The Col De Romme 8.8 km at 9%. Good news too as news of the front runners nearing the final summit came down from the ether.

Sometimes in life when all is a dark things happen that change everything. As Lucy and I set off to climb it started to rain. In fact it absolutely poured down. We were instantly cooled and we took temporary shelter in a road-side power station. I took to the floor and sluiced down another gel. Amazingly the handful of crisps Nigel had given me and that old remedy for chronic fatigue, Coca Cola, began to do their work. A good friend of mine who had a distinguished career in the Royal Marines once told me this. When you take on an extreme endurance challenge at some point things will get very bad and you will doubt your capability to continue. If you eat and drink wisely however it will get no worse and despite your doubts you will be able to continue. ‘Right then Lucy lets go’. Slowly slowly we crept up the Col. Sometimes me in the front then Lucy as our energy levels ebbed and flowed. There were many camper vans positioned for the race proper. Most ignored us as they were glued to TV screens watching The World Cup Final. Some did greet us in a myriad of languages. I exchanged hellos and greetings in French of course, but also German,Dutch and Spanish. It was fun and suddenly as if I had taken an ‘additive’ my legs began to work. Lucy just kept pounding it out. Typically she had even made it more difficult for herself because her gearing might be appropriate for The Cheddar Gorge but not the high mountains. She would often repeat her commitment to the cause. ‘Nothing is going to stop me she would announce’, she was awesome. At long last we reached the top where a curious sight presented itself. Like many squares all over France a crowd were gathered around a large TV. We were ignored but as we left the village and started to descend a roar announced good news for Les Bleues.

Lucy does not like descending, maybe because like her gearing her brakes are not all they might be. She followed me down the steep slope into the village of Le Repesoir. The van was waiting Nigel offering supplies. Awaiting us the final climb The Col de la Colombiere 7.5 KLM’s long at a gradient of 7.5%average.

We had some great news London 4 were in a bar celebrating with a beer and Matt Rob and Fred were close to finishing. Off we went. The first 500 meters of climbing takes place out of the village via a road that zigzags too and fro. From below it is almost terrifying. Up we went tap tap tap. Soon the village was below and we pressed on around several bends and finally, perhaps 3 km away, we saw the summit of the climb that would bring relief from our agony. Somehow we stopped too and fro-ing and Lucy and I set up side by side across the road. There was one final twist with a kilometre to go a sort of adrenaline rush came over me. We were going to do this but we still had that last dreaded distance to cover. I became dizzy left the road and crashed into a camper van. Not sure what was going on inside the van as the curtains were closed but the anxious face that suddenly appeared at the window signalled extreme alarm. Rather than explain I got back on my bike and, urged on by Lucy, we finally reached the top. I have taken on many challenges in my life and I have many memories of the final moments of bliss as the finish line is reached. Suffice it to say that the moment Lucy and I reached our final summit will sit with the best of memories. I have to say as I saw the waiting van and Liz I shed a tear of emotion as I knew how much it would have meant to her to be with me.

Lucy and I crest the final summit.

15 km of descent to the finish. New worries, would we make the dinner, what should I eat? definitely chips I resolved. The feeling was pure bliss as the super fast descent in the failing light took on a surreal sort of feeling. At last the finish. A huge crowd, not for us but to celebrate France’s victory. They were all quite mad with joy and we were jostled. I shouted at some youths to let me through. Poor Lucy was knocked to the ground but rescued by a kindly French woman who chided the revellers. I was all for a more violent response but Nigel calmed me down. We had done it!
The dinner was most enjoyable beer and chips and loads of other stuff. Tee shirts were given out and Irish Tom, who we now learned was in fact a professional cyclist, yes honest, was awarded his King of the Mountain jersey. The ‘professional’ (his obvious new nickname) offered some words of thanks to our support crew and finally we all stood and offered a toast to our club and our achievements. Finally we raised our glasses to Ellie and sent our love. Our challenge was a chosen one hers was not.

What will happen next I cannot say. Liz plans to ride the course before the summer is out and I will be there to support her. There was talk of the ‘next adventure’ and I am sure something will happen.

My final words are those of thanks to all involved. Especially our support crew Barry, Harry and of course Liz. There are those who watch and those who do. The greater the challenge the greater the sense of achievement and all that… What I do know is a mountain stage of the Tour de France is a ‘proper challenge’, salute to all those pro riders who do the things daily. Personally I am left with a sense of contentment. It all worked out. I have met some great people and I am sure there will be a ‘future’ with many of them. Our club is up and running and it has already established some excellent benchmarks. Finally having seen the beauty of the mountains I am sure we have all formed a better perspective on life. We also know how lucky we are to be able to do the things we do. ‘Ellie stay Strong’!