View from the Back
Ramblings of a retiree in France
Back in support
Early this year my beloved signed up via his club to take part in this year’s L’Etape du Tour scheduled to be held the weekend after the Tour de France 2020 start in Nice. While COVID has moved the Tour’s start forward two months, it’s had a similar effect on L’Etape and with under two months to go until the event, my beloved is ramping up his training and I’m back in my support role.
This year’s stage, its 30th running, covers 175km (110 miles) with an elevation gain of 3,600 m (12,000 ft) in the beautiful Niçois hinterland.
The course starts with a rising false flat – don’t you just hate those? – most probably into a headwind, in the first 50 km (30 miles) which will help everyone warm up and spread out the peloton which will most probably number less than 5000 participants. It’s also likely that masks will have to be worn up and until the start.
The riders then tackle the first challenge of the day, the Col de la Colmiane. After going over the top, a 20 km ( 12 miles) descent will give the riders’ legs a break prior to climbing the major difficulty of the day, the Col de Turini (profile below).
Riders will however need to leave something in the tank to avoid mistakes on the extremely long descent that will take them back to Nice. It’ll also be chilly at the top so they’ll need to wear a light vest or jacket for the descent. The (in)famous Col d’Èze, set against the backdrop of the superb view from the Moyenne Corniche, is ideally positioned near the end of the course. This is where they should burn their final reserves before heading (gratefully) to the finish line where I shall be waiting for my beloved.
My beloved has been steadily building up his mileage and on Sunday decided to tackle the Col de Turini which he’s never ridden before. When you see the elevation and the photos you may understand why!
The scenery is breathtaking! My beloved, despite his pained expression, was grateful to reach the summit in relatively good shape and before the afternoon onset of rain.
He’s previously tackled both La Colmiane and Col d’Eze, he just has to string them all together now and hope that everything goes ahead as planned. If not, at least he’ll be in great shape!
View from the Back 
Wow!!! :O hurray and congratulations, that’s marvelous, I’m in my 20s and have a hard time finding the will to even exercise a bit. Haha! But look at you guys ~ very lovely! Keep safe and stay healthy! 💛
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Use it or lose it!
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That’s very impressive, good luck and all the best.
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Thank you
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Good luck to him 🙂
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Thanks
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Ambitious! Je lui souhaite bonne chance!
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Merci beaucoup
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Hope he has a great ride.
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Thanks Susie
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That is a lot of ups and downs ! Best of luck on the run.
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Thanks
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Best of luck! The ride looks very challenging.
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It is but I know he’ll be able to do it on the day.
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Wish him luck for me!
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Will do and thanks!
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Wishing R luck — and a big slice of cake baked by you, after. 🙂 The scenic route must be a big reward by itself. x
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Thank you!
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And for some reason, I am unfollowed by wp on your blog. I do not care for this wonkiness! x
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It’s so bizarre isn’t it. And the happiness engineers have not been able to come up with a solution.
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It is annoying.
As are other problems I am facing. Like being consigned to spam consistently on some blogs I follow.
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Yes, have that one too!
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very impressive! good luck! 🙂
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I’ll pass it on, thank you.
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Impressive. Wishing him the best in the race. 🙏
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It’s not a race, not for him. He just has to complete it within the allotted time. Thank you and I’ll pass on your best wishes.
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Do you guys live in France and have any more info on details about the event on the re-arranged date, you mention 5000 riders and wearing masks. You reckon it will be cold at the top in Sept as well?
I’m completely in two minds as to whether to still do it.
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We do live in France, near Nice. All the info is on the Letape website. If you’ve signed up for the event you should have received updates. I suspect that because of when it’s being held, there will be no more than 5000 riders and you will have to wear masks until it starts. Yes, it will be cold at the top of Turini. If you decide not to do it you get an automatic entry for next year’s event.
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