Report from Sé Weston & Club trip to France

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Support:

Kevin Dolan,Teresa Dolan

Tour De France Experiences

Local inspiration ....matches Chris Froome  winner of the 2013 tour de France.......... People usually take their inspiration from the greatest achievements of others.  The common theme is successfully overcoming challenges, addressing adversity, facing ones demons and being a better human being after the experience. We seek inspiration to drive us to greater heights, to be all we can be, to be a hero for a day and ultimately to change our lives. We usually look to the populist gurus but this story in one where I suggest we look closer to home 100 years ago Henri Desgrange’s newspaper was in trouble and he decided to commence and promote a cycle race calling it the Tour de France.   Since then cyclists of all abilities have derived inspiration from the feats of the cycling gladiators and flocked to the most grueling mountain stages to cheer on their heroes. Cycling is a little different than most sports you see, the venues and the challenges are available to everyone because their battlegrounds are open roads. Unlike most other sports where the greatest proponents face their battles in enclosed stadia, in cycling you can mirror the same challenges that your heroes face before or after you cheer them on.

With this in mind 18 Cuchulainn cyclists (14 men and boys and 4 ladies) headed off to the tour de France on the 12th of July to experience the spectacle, cheer our current heroes Dan Martin and Nicholas Roche and face our own demons by riding the same mountains made famous by the tour. All had trained studiously for the event. Participation in the Tour of Louth, The Wicklow 200 and the Ring of Kerry featured in some training programs but mostly it was hours in the saddle in the long summer evenings. But nothing in the Cooleys can prepare you for the Alps.

This 10 day trip  was organised by club member Dominic O’Brannigan inviting others to be inspired by the professionals in this centenary event of the Tdf. The group ranged in age from 16 to 60, people who cycled all their lives and people who were new to the club and had only bought bikes within the last 18 months. The centre piece of the trip  was to be joining other Irish supporters on the famous Alp d’Huez stage to cheer Dan and Nicholas.  This is our experience.

Our on our first tester cycle Dominic broke the team in gently by bringing them on a 50k spin covering 30 k of minor climbing.  Different abilities were apparent and the group  split into natural climbers, strong climbers and those who would fight the hills all day.  No matter what group you were in you needed support to overcome your personal challenges.  There were no professionals here to motivate, the words of encouragement came from your Cuchulainn team mates, watching others overcome their declared fears developed group and individual determination. Within our team Jason Boyle faced the additional challenge of having a weak right arm and right leg forcing him to do all breaking, gear changes and heavy duty pedalling with hisstronger right limbs.  Different abilities were also apparent when descending and not all the climbers were great descenders. Bike handling at speeds between 60-80 k an hour takes nerves of steel and skills to match.  The day finished with a greater admiration for the professionals from all the crew

The next day we rose at 5 am. from our base near Bourg d’Oisans , travelled 300k to experience Mont Venteux, stage 15 of the tour. We cycled 60k half way up the mountain in advance of the race and set ourselves up to spectate.  We cheered Fromme, the race leader.  We roared at Dan Martin our hero who had won the 8th stage. We bellowed encouragement at Nicholas Roche and we pointed and named other helmeted warriors as the peloton dragged itself up the hill made famous by the bleak wasteland surrounding its peak and the death of Tom Simpson an English professional cyclist 1k from the top.  Then we got back on our bikes to finish the climb and cycle the 50k back to our cars for the return journey.  There may have been a roar when Froome won the stage but it was not like the emotion and good feeling generated when our Jason,  rounded the last corner and mheaded for the finish line.    We admired the professionals but Jason inspired us.  Arriving at base at 3 in the morning everyone was tired but elated at our own ability to succeed and inspired by how everyone faced and overcame their personal challenges.

The next day was a rest day so we only cycled 60k, 10k in the hills to stretch the legs and visit the most picturesque village in the French alps.  On all our travels we were met with breathing scenery of snow topped mountains, jaw dropping valleys and villages that seemed to be painted sensitively into the landscape.

The day before the tour’s  Alp D’huez stage we decided to do the climb to experience its intensity and save our energies for cheering and shouting on the following day.  The day was made extra special by the addition of Karl Dolan(Club Secretary) and Michelle Dolan, who were holidaying in France, joining the group  for the climb. We set off in our different ability groups letting those fighting the hill most, go first.  We planned to meet at the top for the compulsory team photo.  Nothing can prepare you for a hill that recognises your weakness and shouts at you that it is ok to stop.  Nothing can prepare you for the inner battle to fight that voice and continue on. The help comes from your own strength that you did not know you had and the nudges of encouragement from others that you know are fighting the same battles and who have different impediments to overcome.  Again the greatest cheer of the day came when Jason crossed the line. All the Cuchulainn team made it to the top and assembled at the tour finish position for the photo of the week.

On the day of the stage we assembled with the other 1.8 million people on the mountain. They travelled by car, bus, cable car, bike, walking, being carried or being pushed. They watched from every crevasse and vantage point. We marvelled that there was so many camper-vans in the world.  It was a logistical feat that worked smoothly.  We wore the green  Jerseys of Cuchulainn and were greeted by the occasional “ Up the Town” by passing appreciative Irish fans.  We cheered Newry and Banbridge enthusiasts. Again we made our presence felt as the Irish cycling professionals passed and the granted us a nod of acknowledgement and appreciation as they recognized our flags and jerseys.

We cycled every day except that day covering well known peaks such as the Col d’Ornon, Cols du Grand Serre, Col du Glandon,  building to the highest climb of the week the Col de Galibier .  This is a climb that lulls you into a false sense of security and kicks you when you are weakest.  The top 2 kilometres to the summit are a 10% gradient. You will have no tears, you will shed them in sweat.  This was the longest and hardest climb.  The naturals danced up the hill but were challenged and gave respect.  The strong climbers struggled and gave homage.  Those who fought the hill stayed together and came over the   line physically and emotionally drained.  Jason was supported and gave support in return to Debbie and Sandra  all fighting their own personal battles at the edge of their physical abilities.  The team group hug at the highest peak of the week was an emotional one.

We flew home the following day. This was the day that Chris Fromme from the SKY team would be crowned champion of the 2013 Tour De France in Paris.  There will be books written about his achievement and his place in history is guaranteed.  In Dundalk and in Cuchulainn we do not have to look to Chris Froome for cycling inspiration or for motivation in overcoming adversity.  We will look closer to each other for support and take lessons from Jason Boyle about overcoming adversity.

We are all grateful to Dominic for his organisation of the events and for the time he put in to make this an experience of a lifetime for those who participated.

Total height climbed over 7 days cycling   11,000 meters

Mountains climbed: Mont Ventoux, Col du Galibier, Col du Glandon, Col du Grand Serre, Col d’Ornon and the iconic Ape D’Huez

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