A short 9km prologue was the order of the day today. Just under 13mins of pain would be the best description. More on that later.
Yesterday was a lazy day. A couple of hours easy riding into France and a couple of small efforts to stretch legs to make sure they knew what was coming was on tap. Enjoyable riding on quiet country roads.
Last night we caught up with Leslie Mittendorf and Tracy Ross, who Leah and i knew from our US days. They are over here riding at the moment and were in Annecy. After a couple of FB messages we managed to work out that we were nearby, and had a great catch up and meal last night at Cafe Papon. Good food, fun company and plenty of stories. A fun evening.
I am sure the nice hotel had not bargained on this!
Leah enjoying the sunshine and an easy leg spin in France.
Today was a different story. A little more serious as it was registration, bike inspection, drop off bike bag as it goes straight ot Nice, and then pick up the offical bags. One big duffel that goes from hotel to hotel, and a smaller day bag that will be at the finish line waiting for us, and finally the prologue.
The prologue was a short out and back course along CLOSED roads along the Lake Geneva waterfront. We felt like pros as we biked out and pre-road the course on the closed roads. Yesterday we biked out this way and it was heavy traffic. Today it was OURS, and the side streets were crazy. We enjoyed it while we could.
Leah was first off, then 20 seconds later Peter and I was last 20 seconds after that. After some cheap sledging directed at Peter, saying I was going to mow him down, and eat him for lunch, that was the last I saw of him as he first caught Leah then disappeared into the distance. At the turnaround point he had me by 10 seconds and in gained another 4 seconds on me to come in 14 secs fatser at 12:26. I did a 12:40 and Leah did 14:08.
The best place in their age groups is Leah who is 2nd in her age group. Pete is 8th in his agre group and 24th overall and I am 20th in my age group and 51st overall. The 40+ age group is fast and competitive that is for sure.
Fastest overall was a time of 11:35! Now that is fast. First women was Emma Pooley, 2 seconds faster than Pete.
Tomorrow the real race begins. From Geneva to Megeve. After a 25km neutral section out of Geneva, the timing begins, and the climbing starts 25km later. On the menu for tomorrow at Col de la Colombiere, Col de la Croix Fry and other smaller climbs for 130km and 3,100m climbing.
Leah is still smiling and talking to me and fingers crossed she will be doing the same this time tomorrow, ("but is not likely", from Leah). Until tomorrow..........
Before the start. All smiles.
In the start chute. Pete has his race face on.
That looks like rabbit food!
Claud The Butler is following the race and offering some special packages. I do not think Leah is feeling well, as she declined the Gold Package.
