Tour de France July 18 2012

July 19th, 2012
mountainbug
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After weeks of build up and excitement, the Tour de France whizzed through Bareges yesterday, on a hot and sunny afternoon, heading up the formidable Col du Tourmalet.

The build up in the village over the last few days has been tangible. People from all nations are gracing this little village’s streets: Australians, Brits, Americans, Belgians, Dutch, Singaporeans, Irish, Canadians, French, Spanish, Basque…they were all here for one thing. To watch the greatest cycle race of them all.

First, the Caravan came. This is a procession of the race’s sponsors, throwing out goodies as they pass.

Then, as the day got hotter and hotter, we retired to the Hotel du Tourmalet’s outdoor terrace, right on the road the race would pass, and bar to watch the progress of the race. We all knew they were on their way. our cyclist guests recognised each bend, ascent, descent and straight of the route up to Bareges. Seeing the mountains we know and love so well as viewed from a helicopter was amazing – it brings home how majestic they are.

First, the head of the race came through. Then we started to hear the press helicopters. Then we saw up to four helicopters appear above the bottom of the village’s entrance road. Then the police motorbikes. Then we could see the spare bikes piled up on the team cars. Closer, closer..WHOOOSH! The Peloton was here! Much to the amusement of the other nationalities, all Brits present went nuts cheering on yellow jersey wearer Bradley Wiggins. He had a look of savage concentration and focus on his face as he headed up the road to face the final 1000metre ascent up the Col.

Then the rest of the peloton and race followed. Everyone dashed in to the Hotel’s bar to watch the torturous climb up the Col on the bar’s TV.

After the Tour had crested the Col and were whizzing down the other side, enjoying some descent before tackling another Col, the cars, campervans, cyclists and hikers started making their way back down to and through the village. Our guests came back tired and happy.

Meanwhile, the Hotel du Tourmalet staff worked from 7am until 23.30, serving drinks and food to a hungry and thirsty crowd. The restaurant had to stop taking bookings by 8pm as at one point it was serving 40 people, spread over the restaurant and terrace, with more drinking in the bar. The team kept up the pace, with the quality of the chef’s excellent food never faltering and the great service continuing. All in all, a very exciting, tiring, and memorable day.