I’m here in Annecy, France with my friend, architect, and riding buddy, Tim Quigley, to ride in L’Etape du Tour de France. For those of you who are not bicycling aficionados, this means that we will attempt to ride one of the mountain stages of the Tour de France. The actual race with the actual riders will take place on July 20th. We, along with 14,000 other riders, will try tomorrow, Sunday July 7th.

The ride is 81 miles (128 km) long and includes 6 ascents totaling a climb of about 9,500 ft. The hills are 3 category 3, 1 category 2, 1 category 1 and an HC (which means beyond category). The category 1 hill, Mont Revard, is 16km (10 miles) long with a gradient of 5.4% and the final hill, Semnoz (HC), which starts at mile 74 averages 8.3% for 11 km (6.7 miles). These are major efforts. If you want more details about the route go to L’etape du Tour.

Tim and I looking at Mont Semnoz. Worried.

My bib number is 11151. The bib numbers were assigned based on results in previous etape’s or other amateur races. Since many of the riders haven’t ever raced, we self-reported our typical riding speeds. Based on this, the organizers expect me to be the 11,151st rider to finish out of the 14,000. Tim is 9,072.
A few facts about the riders: There are 1,211 riders born in 1953 or earlier (Tim’s age, 60), 553 riders born in 1949 or before (my age, 63). There is one 80 year old rider.

I have four goals for the ride: 1st Finish the ride, 2nd Finish in a time of 8 hours or less, 3rd Place above my bib number of 11151, and 4th come in somewhere in the middle of the 60 plus age group.

My fear is that I won’t be able to finish. There are two ways to not finish. One can withdraw, that is just get too exhausted to continue. I won’t do that. Even if I have to get off the bike and walk at times I will keep going. The second way, and my real fear, is that I will be swept up by the race “Timetable Car.” A car follows the riders and crosses each point in the race at specific times. If the car passes you, you are eliminated from the race. This year there is a staggered start. With my high bib number I am in the last starting group. This puts me 1 ½ hours closer to the timetable car from the very beginning of the race than I was expecting. I’m worried. I really, really want to do this.

The final climb, Semonz, is a little behind and above the tallest point visible.