17 July 2008: Stage Eleven: Two Derailleurs Down, Twelve Days To Go
Today has been a page out of some bike race other than the Tour de
France--sunny but not too hot; hilly but not murderous; knees in pain
but not feeling like Uncle had just went to work on them with the
grubbing hoe. Finished a few minutes ahead of schedule, thanks in part
to Art Vierhouten, a pro rider and three-time TDF racer who slowed down
to talk me through the last 25 km (see attached photo). Best of all, CJ
was waiting at the 1 km mark with bread and cheese.
Only non-knee problem so far today is bent derailleur number 2. Though I
still have my easiest gear, and after Saturday, I probably won't be
using the rest anyway.
Now 70 km to Quillan, the 42 km mark of tomorrow's course. We are trying
to get far enough ahead to finish Alpe du Huez before noon on the 23rd.
Numbers update: today's stage--168.8 km, 7 hours, 24 minutes. Total km
for the first 12 days: 2244.
Art Vierhouten (left) and Jesse Czelusta (right).
