Success!! It was a hard day in the saddle but we did it!! We were based in Notre Dam de Cruet which was great since we could ride from the back door. We did a couple of training rides including the Col de la Madelaine and on Wednesday 30th May we set of for Col de la Croix de Fer and Alpes D'Huez.

The day dawned bright and clear - it was going to be a scorcher. We set off at 7.30am and eased our way along the valley to St Jean de Maurienne. The climb starts before leaving the town centre and is pretty unrelenting for 18 miles to the summit of Croix de Fer. The average gradient is about 6% with sections of 10%. Croix de Fer is a beautiful climb and the scenery is stunning. About 2 hours from St Jean we reached the summit feeling pretty good. Hot chocolate and food hit the spot and then we wrapped up warm and headed down the other side - very exhilarating!

There was a surprise climb before we hit the valley bottom and then we headed towards Alpes D'Huez. By this time the temperature was around 27C. At the bottom of the climb sat a couple in the shade who when we went by said "Good Luck" in a 'you will need it' kind of way. Althought we had driven the route a couple of days before, there are a few things that surpised us. Firstly, the distance to Bend 21 is further than you think, or remember, and starts off at 10%. We had heard the ramps on the first two or three bends are very steep - they aren't. In fact all the bends are flat as a pancake and gave some relief to the legs and an opportunity to drink. This was a welcome surprise but the climb up D'Huez is a hard slog. We had also heard that the gradient eases towards the top - it doesn't!! From Bend 2 the gradient is at least 10%, which after climbing for almost two hours is not funny. The finish line in D'Huez is somewhat disappointing and most unattractive. However, to have cimbed an icon of the Tour is a great feeling and to have completed the whole challenge is very satisfying.

Norman climbed strongly all day, I struggled in the latter stages of D'Huez but never doubted I would finish and the support through the day from my wife Jean and Norman's wife Annie really helped to keep us going.

So after years of thinking, dreaming, hoping and planning the challenge, I had achieved it. And it feels very good I can tell you!! So much so that I wrote a poem about it. I hope you enjoy it. 

Thank you everyone who have donated - you are all amazing and I know Magic Breakfasts are deeply appreciative.

 

Ode to D’Huez

Riding a bicycle

Is harder than riding a tricycle

Bike versus trike

My bike is what I like

 

To climb those hills

Without taking pills

Is good for the soul

And makes me feel whole

 

Heart pumping

Chest thumping

Thighs burning

Pedals churning

 

To climb with ease

On the slopes of D’Huez

Is the ultimate dream

No matter how hard it seems

 

Patani, Armstrong have conquered and how

Others have tried

And left with heads bowed

 

The Tour is never won

On those iconic slopes

But the Tour can be lost there

And crushingly dash hopes

 

My bike and I need to be as one

To pay my respects to heroes long gone

Twenty one bends of breathtaking size

To climb them with ease is the ultimate prize

 

So let battle commence with a smile on my face

Success will depend on a sensible pace

I have dreamt of this moment for many a year

Now is the moment to choose the right gear

 

My Everest, my Eiger, my much acclaimed challenge

To the uninitiated may seem beyond range

So slap on the lycra, helmet and bum cream

For a day in the saddle to fulfil my dream

 

Grab life with both hands, keep doubt firmly closed

Work as a pair, keep calm and composed

Both climbs for the taking in one glorious day

Ease doubters minds and the need to prey

 

We enter D’Huez

with a sense of trepidation

Will we still be in one piece

When we reach the ski station

 

The numbers count down with each turn of the crank

Please let my legs work and not seize up with cramp

Ten, nine the corners count down

And then we spy the elusive town

 

Three, two, the end is in sight

And we cross the line with a whoop of delight

A dream achieved as we hold back the tears

Hugs all round for we’ve rolled back the years

 

But we are not through yet

There is still more to do

To descend D’Huez

On our tyres made of glue

 

We both set off at a furious pace

Who will become the descending ace

Eyes fixed ahead and hands near the brakes

The wind whistles by and makes our faces ache

 

We reach the bottom and look back at the sight

We’ve conquered the icon and it feels just right

Our legs are spent, we couldn’t have given more

I think a glass of cold bubbly is now called for

 

To family and friends I lift up my glass

Without them my dream would not come to pass

To Norman and Annie for all their support

But without Jean and the girls this would all be for nought

 

A toast to all cyclists

A toast to the Tour

A toast to all optimists

We can always do more

 

So Vive D’Huez

And likewise sportives

We will remember today

For the rest of our lives