Tour de France 2014

This year the Tour de France did not have a mountain top finish on Alpe d'Huez, but luckily (especially for Piet) the circus was still 2 days in the area. On the first day the stage finished in Chamrousse, the ski resort near Grenoble, and the second day the peloton cycled though the valley, on the way to Briancon, and further.

Chamrousse was difficult to reach due to all the closed roads. Fortunately there is a small road going up from our valley, to the famous Col Luitel, ending up on the Tour route some 8 kilometers from the stage finish, halfway the the Chamrousse climb. Piet went by himself, left the car in the valley and cycled up to Col Luitel. Unfortunately it was the hottest day this summer, with temperatures going above 35 degrees. With the steep road this meant a real struggle to cycle up, and Piet was not the only one. Many people had thought of this shortcut, and everybody was overheating..... No complaints, as the Tour cyclists had almost 200 km that day, and Vicenzo Nibali took the stage and full control over the race.

The following day we divided our efforts. Mary and Paula watched near our house on the flat valley road, and Piet and Dorien tried to cycle up toward Col de Lauteret to see the cyclist on a steeper section. Unfortunately the police was very strict this year, and we were not allowed to cycle anywhere. In the end we had to walk almost 5 km (with our bikes) and found a good spot at the start of the climb. A large breakaway group passed first, followed a few minutes later by the peloton, led by Nibali's Astana team. 

As always the spectacle was very enjoyable, and next year the Tour will start in Piet's hometown of Utrecht: very different scenery!

 Michael Kwiatkowski, left behind by the race leaders on Chamrousse

Brice Feillu is struggling up the Chamrousse climb

Sylvain Chavanel is leading a small group up Chamrousse

Dutch talent Tom Dumoulin

Belkin's Steven Kruiswijk is leading the breakaway group on the Col de Lauteret

 The Astana's are leading the peloton on the first slopes of the Lauteret

La Marmotte

It is summer again, but this year we have a complicated schedule due to the late start of school holidays and Paula's early start of her new life at university. To get the ball rolling we all drove to France, including Beau. Then we got Beau settled into his new temporary life in the garden, especially with the large number of flies, horseflies and mosquitos. He reunited with his old friend Image, the village pony, and the unlimited amount of grass to eat. Paula started her summer job in the local restaurant La Romanche as waitress and dishwasher, making use of her tri-lingual skills. And of course Mary got all her tools out to work in the garden.

But the main event in the first few days was La Marmotte, the cycling tour Piet has been training for this spring. Unfortunately he was unable to get a race number, as the online registration was sold out in a single day (when he happened to be in Cape Town), and there were no last minute options. His cycling mate Renaat did manage to register, and he and his wife Ans drove over for the event. Piet joined as a gate crasher.... 

On the day most roads were closed, but with careful planning Mary, Dorien and Ans managed to get ahead of the pack, and drove up Col du Glandon to wait. As there were 10000 participants it was tricky to pick out the boys, but luckily Piet had a very distinctive jersey. Renaat was a bit more difficult to recognise. The next meeting point was on top of Col du Telegraphe, and all was still going well. The weather was perfect, not too hot, with bit of sunshine during the day. Then on the Col du Galibier both started suffering. The last 7 kilometers are very steep, and it was a real struggle to the top (at 2645 m), with several rest stops required for both. They were not the only ones, and although there were hundreds and hundreds of cyclists it was dead silent on that stretch of road. On the top they filled up with apple pie, chocolate and sports bars, before the 45 km descent down to Bourg d'Oisans. 

The last climb of the day was Alpe d'Huez, and although they could take it relatively easy during the descent they had already cycled 160 km when the road started to go up again. Helped by his intimate knowledge of the climb Piet managed to cycle up without major problems. Both managed to finish the event, with more than 9.5 hours on the bike for Piet. 

Back at the house there was food and football, the World Cup quarterfinals. First Belgium got beaten by Argentina, and then the match between Netherlands and Costa Rica was not broadcasted by French television. Renaat (he is Belgian) decided for bed, but Piet went to Paula's restaurant to watch. Luckily they won, and exhausted Piet fell into a coma in his bed. The next morning Piet and Dorien drove back with Renaat and Ans, as school and office were still waiting, unfortunately.

Piet has arrived on Col du Glandon

Many, many cyclists on Col du Glandon

Arriving on Col du Telegraphe

Renaat and Piet taking a rest on the Col du Telegraphe

Col du Galibier: beautiful setting in the Alps

Piet managing a smile on Col du Galibier

Near the top of Col du Galibier: still plenty of snow around

Dorien and Piet: well fed and ready for the descent towards Bourg d'Oisans

Recognition

Today was a special day for the girls. They were lured to The Hague city hall under a false pretext, and received an award "Haags Jeugdlintje", recognising them for 4 years of voluntary work as teenagers, at the Madurodam Stable for the Handicapped. Every Saturday morning they have turned up to muck out stables, take care of the horses and help handicapped during their riding lessons. They have been very reliable these years, not only by just turning up, but also due to their pro-active attitude, looking for tasks to do.

In the city hall they were surprised so see their grandparents, and all of them were received by the whole The Hague "participation" team, who organise voluntary and other community work. The team leader gave a speech, clearly expressing his appreciation, and ended by handing Paula and Dorien a ribbon and framed award. 

 Mary and her dad

The girls with their grandmother

 Dorien receiving her ribbon

Paula as well...

The girls with their award

Limburgs Mooiste

In preparation for La Marmotte, probably one of the hardest one day cycling events around, Piet and Renaat participated in Limburgs Mooiste, a large event in Zuid Limburg, the hilly part in the far southeast of The Netherlands. They were joined by 4 friends from Utrecht (and some 10,000 other participants), and rode the Red Loop, some 175 km, and about 25 short, steep climbs. The weather was great, 18 degrees, overcast, but dry, so perfect for cycling. In the end they spend 7 hours on the bike, and with a few stops they managed to complete the ride easily. At the finish they were welcomed with a beer, and after some french fries it was time to drive home again.

In a few weeks La Marmotte will take place, also 175 km, and just four climbs, but serious ones: Col de Croix de Fer / Glandon, Col de Telegraphe, Col du Galibier and finish on Alpe d'Huez. Preparation is almost done!

Piet cycling up the Dode Man, one of many steep climbs in the area

Ernst, nearly 60 and still cycling strong

Renaat is very strong, and always arriving first at the top of each hill

The bunch taking a break: Bart, David, Renaat, Piet, Jochem and Ernst

Paula's long holiday

Paula is enjoying a long break after her final exams, preparing for a summer job in France, and her university study in Delft afterwards. She planned a trip to our house in France with 3 of her friends; but unfortunately one had to drop out due to illness at the last moment. So three girls took the night bus to Grenoble to spend a week chilling, hiking and cooking. It was "Alps-light", as the other girls are not used to long hikes or more challenging outdoor activities (like Via Ferrata or cycling up Alpe d'Huez). Paula took them to Lac Lauvitel and Refuge de la Lavey, which are two of the most beautiful spots in the area. They all really enjoyed the stay, and are planning to come back!

A few days later Paula joined another group from school for a mountain bike outing in Brabant. One of her classmates drove, they rented bikes, and did a tour of some 30 km. And there are many more events planned......

 Paula and Kelly in Bourg d'Oisans

 Kelly and Paula on an "Alps-light" hike

 A rest in the valley of Lavey

 Kelly and Paula in Lavey

Sarah and Kelly cycling near the house

Paula on the MTB in the Loonse en Drunense Duinen 

Nice single trail riding

Flat tire repair training

For her Silver International Award Dorien organised a 3-day 2-night bike trip, like Paula did 2 years ago (see post of 25 June 2012). Together with 4 friends they planned a route starting in The Hague, going north along the coast, then crossing to the east, passing north of Amsterdam, and ending up in Utrecht. There they took the train back home. They did some meticulous planning, a training ride and flat tire repair training with Piet. In the end they took off during the long Whitsun weekend, and had great weather all the way, despite a heavy thunderstorm during one of the nights. They had to put up tents, cook their own dinner and find the route, which they all did without any problem. Their companion from the Award organisation looked disappointed at first, thinking girls are whining softies, but in the end he had to admit that this was a fun group to supervise! Dorien even managed to fix two flat tires, all part of growing independence...

Dorien is having fun at one of the campsites 

 A beautiful spot at the edge of the IJsselmeer

They enjoyed this spot, and took most of their pictures here

Prom and hockey

The end of Paula's secondary school life was celebrated with a Prom, an American-style party, which also seems to be common in The Netherlands nowadays. All the kids dress up in suits and dresses, and even Paula joined in. She wore a dress for the first time since she was 5 years old.... The party was held in Madurodam, the miniature town in The Hague. For some unknown reason the parents were also invited, but had to leave at 10 pm. We had some speeches, dinner and left. Early in the morning Piet picked up Paula, for the start of her real holiday. One of the first things she did was go to Amsterdam with a few friends. And next week she will go to our house in France for a week, with 3 other friends.

In The Hague the world championship hockey is being played these weeks, and we took the opportunity to see some matches. The football stadion of local club ADO and the area around it has been transformed into a hockey temple. We saw an exiting match between Belgium and India, with the Belgian men scoring the winning goal a few seconds before the final whistle. The final match of the day was between the Dutch ladies and Japan. With 15,000 spectators in the stadium (unique for a hockey match), beautiful early summer weather and an easy win (6-1) it was perfect end to the evening. 

Mary and Paula ready for the Prom

A unique picture: Piet in a tuxedo and Paula in a dress

Paula and friends at Madurodam

 Paula meets Gandhi at Madame Tussaud in Amsterdam

 The Dutch ladies team at the start of their match against Japan

 Piet, Dorien and Paula are "orange" fans

Final score