Update July 2011

I successfully completed the Etape du Tour on Monday 11th July, staying ahead of the elimination times and the infamous 'broom wagon'.  It was a gruelling day that I will never forget, constantly drawing on memories of Martin to keep me motivated.  

The last climb was the most challenging and where I had to dig the deepest.  The temperature had risen to 30 degrees but still had to cycle up 1127 metres / 3700 feet in just 14 kilometres / 8 1/2 miles.  The climb had an average gradient of 8.1% and it was as steep as 10.6% in places.
 
The Day of the Ride
 
The day started at 4am French time as we had to get up early to get to the start and be in our starting pens by 7am.  With over 7000 cyclists taking part, I did not cross the starting line until just after 8am.  After the fast downhill start out of Modane, we quickly arrived at the first climb; the Col du Telegraph. This was a 856 metre / 2800 feet climb over 11.8km with an average gradient of 7.3%.
 
There was a short rest of just a few kilometres downhill before starting the even more famous Col du Galibier climb.  This was a 1245 metre /  4100 feet climb over 18km with an average gradient of 6.9% but gets steeper towards end, rising to 10.1% at the summit.
 
After reaching the summit of the Galibier at 2645m / 8650 feet, there was a fabulous descent.  The first few hundred metres were like a goat track, single track but the road surface was recently resurfaced (probably for the Tour).  I found the downhill sections almost as challenging as the ascents.  You really had to concentrate because of the speed involved and also the bends.  Braking was challenging as all your weight is constantly transferred through your arms and your hands soon start to ache with all the braking work.  A white knuckle ride!
 
After the long descent, a little bit of flat and a couple of very small bumps, we reached the last feed station and the base of Alpe D’Huez.  This is where all the fireworks started!  We still had 1127 metres to climb in 14km with an average gradient of 8.1%.  The first 2km were over 10% gradient, it was a brutal start to the final climb.  The air was completely still with no breeze at all.  The temperature was 30 degrees, people were walking and looking for shade wherever they could to try & keep cool.  People were even jumping in the little waterfalls by the side of the road to try and cool down.  I was hoping to complete the climb non-stop as I had managed on the first two climbs, however, I had to stop at hairpin number 13 for a short breather and a good drink.  My feet seemed to be on fire in the relentless heat.  In the end I had to succumb to a mountain waterfall and put my feet (still with shoes on) in to try and cool them down - it provided some (temporary) respite.  As  I continued on I was hosed down twice with cool water and also had a bottle of water poured over my head (my choice!) by people running along side cyclists.  It was a massive relief to get to the finish, that cruelly was slightly uphill.  Needless to say, but I did not have the energy to do a Mark Cavendish and sprint for the line, just rolling over the line was good enough for me…  Just after the finish I was presented with the coveted “Etape Medal”.
 
The four of us in our group all did really well, all making it to Alpe D'Huez.  We did not always stick together throughout the whole ride, but we all had a day we would never forget.

Thank You
 
A final ‘thank you’ for all your kind wishes and very generous donations. Macmillan are a great organisation and I am thrilled to have raised some money for them by undertaking this challenge in memory of Martin.  

 

I will be leaving my page open for a little while longer just in case others may still wish to donate.  Please contact me directly if you would rather make an 'off-line' donation.
 
Thank you.
 
Matthew
July 2011.

 

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In Memory of Martin Anderson

I am taking part in an organised cyclo sportive event (l’Étape du Tour) that allows amateur cyclists to race over the same route as a Tour de France stage. On the 11th July 2011 I will be riding an Alps mountain stage of this year's Tour from Modane Valfrjus near the Italian border to the legendary Alpe d'Huez ski resort. The Tour de France will be doing the same stage for real on the 22nd July 2011.

Martin lost his life to cancer on the 8th June 2010.  I still think about Martin a lot and thought I would like to do this ride for him in his memory.  It also occurred to me that it might be an opportunity to raise some money for a charity too.   Having discussed this with his wife Sarah, we settled on Macmillan.  I do not have a particular target I am obliged to raise (I am funding the whole trip myself) and anything you are able to donate would be much appreciated. 

Martin was a very special person who touched many people’s lives.  I am hoping he will be with me every pedal of the way, urging me on up those challenging mountains...  He has already been helping me with the training!

 

I'm doing the ride with three close friends; Kate & Gary Hillman and Lukas Webb. There is no doubt we will be counting on each other for "domestique" support, or in Kate's case "super domestique"!

 

Thank you

Matthew Crannis
May 2011