The trip proper started with a bang. Péguère is normally considered too steep for the Tour given its gradients of over 14%, but Prudhomme was probably feeling a little vindictive when he included it this year. The locals call it Mur de Péguère, for good reason.
http://app.strava.com/rides/13492635
After completing the ascent, we positioned ourselves in a sunny section about 1km from the top of the mountain to watch the peloton. Not surprisingly, the boys were a little late given the savagery of the climb. 2.5hrs standing in cycling clothing at 7 degrees Celsius made me glad I had carefully preserved my unshorn legs while the naked goosebumped pins of those more vain shivered around me.
The breakaway group smashed past us with tongues hanging from the corners of their mouths. It was good to see even the pros hurting after the pain we had just endured. Somewhere uphill of us a misguided miscreant prepared his thumbtacks to disrupt the beauty we had all come to witness.
The locals
Le Caravan
Le Gateau
If anyone says they weren't feeling cold...
Hincapie
Gerro
Cavendish
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