Etape 2009 – stage 20

The day of the penultimate stage and the riding by the pro’s of our stage. I had a change of heart and opted to not go to Ventoux with the coach group. Instead I headed out to the start at Montelimar.

I did this mainly because I still hadn’t explored the Ardeche Gorge but also the thought or another long day before Paris didn’t appeal. It wasn’t long before I was doubting this option as the head wind down the valley ground me down. At one point I started shouting out in anger.

I arrived in town just before the crowds swelled and managed to get a spot a couple of meters from the start line. The start was further back than where we started from, in the main avenue.

With the bike locked up I setup camp. Next to me a French family were intrigued by my Etape jersey. I think they confused me for someone as they asked me for my autograph. Space got a little tight as people rushed in for the caravan but a line of bushes behind me helped me keep my spot.

After the caravan all the pretty people strolled up and down the start with this bags of goodies. Then a few riders stretched their legs. Hincapie stopped right in front of me.

Just after 11 the riders made their way up to the line. The crowd went wild as people scrambled for photos. My position was superb and easily got shots of the front row. Most people were cheering for Contador so I called out for Bradley Wiggins. I told him not to worry about Ventoux; as I’d managed it so he should fly up.

As the peloton departed I spotted Armstrong further back, chatting with fellow riders. The whole start seemed a very relaxed event but once they were off you could see their faces change.

I took advantage of the closed roads as I headed out of town. Part of it was the way I came so the wind became my friend as it pushed me along at a pace. This brought the smile back to my face. A 15k climb through Bidon to the Ardeche Gorge took it away again. It was well worth it though as I ate my lunch on the roadside looking down the gorge.

The ride back was tougher than I expected as the road rolled along the top of the Gorge. I ran out of water but found a fountain in a small village. A local was filling bottles and told it was good to drink.

Back in Pont St Espirit I found a bar just in time to see the riders start climbing Ventoux. They made it look far easier than I did. As I watched them I felt as though I knew every curve and rise in the road. Unfortunately Wiggins faded at the end but he did himself proud.

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