More than 8,000 Tour de France wannabes are expected to show up on their bicycles in Foix on July 16 to get a taste of what it's going to be like for the peloton to ride the 121 miles to Loudenvielle about a week later.
Here's a 3-minute trailer of a reconnaissance bike ride video of the L'Etape du Tour by last year's top British finisher, Bill Cotty, produced by UK-based Cyclefilm.
Basically, the L'etape du Tour is the day that citizen cyclists attack the most difficult stage of that year's Tour de France. In 2007, it will be the Stage 15 through the Pyrennes. After the recreational riders attempt it on July 16, the peloton shows up on July 23 to tackle the route.
Apparently a lot of riders want to know what they're facing, hence the pre-ride video from Cyclefilms. A full DVD will be available on its website.
The video company was launched last spring to film cyclosportives, rides in which large gatherings of recreational cyclists are timed as they follow traditional bike racing courses.
The cyclo-sporties in July will face in l'Etape five mountain passes — Col de Port, Col de Portet d'Aspet, Col de Mente, Port de Bales, and the Col de Peyresourde. Here's a cross-section of the route:
If you're still interested, check out the l'Etape du Tour website or my summary at “2007 L'Etape du Tour bike ride announced.”
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