EPIC! That's how Rob describes it. Rob has been wanting to see the Tour de France for ages and he's gotten me excited about it too. Several of Rob's biking buddies, Jared (our brother-in-law, married to Rob's sister Tiffany) and my parents came out for an amazing week of biking and Tour-watching. We spent the week at the home base of Tignes, France, a picturesque ski resort in the middle of the French Alps. Rob and the gang's biking schedule included some of the most famous Tour de France climbs in the Alps -- Col de Telegraph, Col de Galibier, and the Alpe d' Huez in the same day! I got to go on several rides with my dad, thanks to the generosity of my mom, who watched the girls every time! Thank you Mom! After all this climbing in the Alps, maybe I'll aim for LOTOJA next year!
Dad, Rob and me ready to ride.
THE ROAD TO STAGE 8
Here is the gang of crazy cyclists at the top of Cormet de Roselend. They rode essentially most of Stage 8 (110 km and loads of mountain passes) the day before we watched the real thing. From right to left: Randy, Tom, Jared, Rob. (Rob's friend John from HBS missed the first day because his bike got lost in Paris. He made up for it two days later when they rode Col de Galibier and John took a 3 hour deviation into Italy.)
Jared - our optimist brother-in-law.
Tom - the amazing triathlete (and the guy who braved Alpe d'Huez with crash injuries).
Randy - Rob's good friend from his BYU cycling days.
Stopping to refuel along the way. The whole ride was full of Tour fans cheering them on.
Man, is this nuts or what?!
On the way to Cormet de Roselend.
Jared getting cheered on by the Devil (a famous follower of the Tour)
Here I am -- future Tour de France champion -- riding up the road to Tignes just a few hours before the Tour cyclists arrived. It was motivating to have the crowds cheer for me as I cycled past.
Almost to the top! Don't ask me why Rob was taking photos of my behind!
THE TOUR DE FRANCE--LIVE FROM TIGNES!
Watching Stage 8 of the Tour de France. The big screen kept us informed of what was going on below. We were at the finish line in Tignes.
My parents at the Tour de France. I have no idea why there were hippos on the big screen at this moment!
Grandma and Grandpa and the family.
This is Rasmussen, who won Stage 8 by a wide margin. (This put him in the maillot jaune but he was later disqualified on suspicions of doping, like a bunch of other guys in this drug-stained Tour.)
On Daddy's shoulders, Anna Claire got the best view of us all!
Mariah got to be a "placesaver" in the crowds -- who would cut in front of a baby in a stroller? -- she didn't enjoy the role very much.
I'm much happier here -- on the couch.
GRENOBLE
Our little trip to Grenoble. This Alpine city is completely surrounded by mountains. My mom spent a couple months of her mission here -- 40 years ago.
Sightseeing with Grandma Tia. You may be wondering how I can do all this biking without the girls. I owe it all to my fabulous mom, who took care of the girls every time! Thank you Mom!
The view of Grenoble from our dirty cable car.
ALPE D'HUEZ
Halfway up Alpe D'Huez. Stunning views make the climb worth it!
The top of Alpe d'Huez (The actual Tour finish is 1km up, but it's a big construction area right now. Isn't it amazing that my 61-year-old dad completed this epic climb?
Come on guys, you can do it! (Rob and Jared on the ride up to Alpe d'Huez.) This was the final leg of a grueling day for them, including climbing Col de Telegraph and Col de Golibier.
COL DE L'ISERAN
At the beginning of the Col de l'Iseran climb (a steep 20km climb in Stage 9 of this year's Tour). See how energetic we look!
At the top of Col de l'Iseran. Not so energetic--I'm tired and freezing at this point. Note all the glaciers around us. We biked up this just a few hours after the Tour went through and you could see messages written to the cyclists in the glaciers.
The views from the top of Col de l'Iseran.
Halfway down and feeling much better. This is the view into the Vallee d'Isere. Again, stunning!
CORMET DE ROSELEND
Me, huffing and puffing up Cormet de Roselend (a 20km steep climb).
My dad at his usual steady pace.
Rob zoomed up then zoomed back and forth between my dad and me. I can't believe I have such an athlete for a husband! He's in AMAZING shape!
At the top of Cormet de Roselend: John, Dad, me, Rob, Randy
Rob kept blowing out his tires, which can be very dangerous on a steep descent. Here he is with his friend John.
The views on the way down. Check out my fashionable arm-warmers (borrowed from Rob)!
Bye-bye guys. It was fun!
BIKING BACK IN SWITZERLANDOur fabulous week ended with some bike riding back in Switzerland. Randy and John watched the girls while Rob took me on a romantic ride through rolling hills, roses and sunflowers. Now that's my kind of bike ride!
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