Where to begin?
With the reason for going.
L'Etape, the amateur stage of the Tour de France, in which Son-in-law was participating.
The weather was terrible on the day. Down where we were waiting at base camp it was grey but dry and mild; at the top of the mountains it was wet and freezing. Son-in-law wasn't really prepared for that and because of that and a couple of other problems he didn't do as well as he had hoped.
A couple of days later we drove up the mountain in good weather - although the top was still above the clouds - to see what he'd had to do. All I can say is that anyone completing the event deserves a medal and as much praise as they can get. They probably need straitjackets as well but that's just my opinion as a non-cyclist.He told us that on the way down Tourmalet, the highest mountain pass in the Pyrenees, the weather was so bad, he could only see 5' ahead. It's a good job Daughter didn't know he was cycling not only furiously but blindly down edge-of-mountain roads; she was stressed enough without that information.
His final time put him in 2,046th position out of nearly 9,000 entrants, and we think that's pretty good.
24 comments:
That is pretty good and I love your photos :-)
We now have a cycling connection too!!!
I believe that's excellent!
Gosh he did the Tourmalet? Great job.
I don't think being in the top quartile of that group is to be sneezed at.
Welcome back Liz.
That is wonderful! I am glad he was safe and that you all had a good trip!
Welcome back! We missed you.
I can't imagine driving up one of these mountains, let alone cycling around it. Son-in-law did extremely well; he does deserve a medal.
Hey Liz...he did do well. He didn't fall off and actually completed the course. More than I could do in a month of Sundays and beyond!
Sounds like biking hell - but rather like the Marathon, to finish at all is brilliant. Rescue Dog says hello to George.
Welcome back.
2046th out of 9000 is in the top 25% of entrants so that's a brilliant achievement and he's to be congratulated on his bravery.
Lovely photo's.
Gary
Bodge's Bulletin
Well done the son in law. Just to complete is a great achievement. To be in the top quarter is a gerat result.
Good on him !
I think that's pretty good, too. More than pretty good! I'd be over the moon if I could even complete the course. I'd need to do it on foot and take several days!!!
Did George miss you?
Fabulous indeed, Liz. Hope you are rested.
Son-in-Law did so well and the pic of the cloud was amazing!
So pleased that you are back.
Wendy (Wales)
that photo is fantastic :0)
sil did really well.
Hope you had a wonderful time - family and scenery, lovely for you all.
That is AMAZING! Congratulations to him on his great accomplishment! Glad you're back and we're all ready to hear more about life and such. By the way, did George miss you?
We regularly see cyclists headed up to Mt. Rainier. They ahve to be nuts. Congrats to the SIL on his completion of the event.
Sounds brilliant especially in those conditions.
Yes, well done SIL!
Cherrypie, what's our cycling connection then?
It is, Nick.
THanks, jmb.
Susan, we did have a good trip. More posts about to follow tomorrow!
Rose, when we drove up it, I was sitting in the back with my eyes closed and I was squeaking a lot!
Robyn, I'm with you there!
Hello, rescue dog and lindsay!
Thanks, Gary. He is indeed.
We think so, jams. We just have to convince him!
Thanks, aileni and dragonstar. Did george miss us? Um. Well he was pleased to see us but he had a good time with younger Son in charge.
Sort of rested, james, but a holiday usually leaves me feeling in need of a holiday!
Thank you, wendy, hippy mama and lola.
There'll be more soon, leslie!
katney, i agree, Totally nuts!
suburbia and welshcakes, yes, he did brilliantly in grim conditions.
Pretty good! Bloody super I'd say. Well done to him.
I had a busy weekend so I am catching up with blogs. Son in law did well out of 9000 entrants!
Family members are into cycling in a big way and have been officials in the Tour of Britain!
Post a Comment