It cost an arm and a leg, and I wouldn’t go with a tour group again, but it was amazing to see all of the people following the race and climb through the mountains on the same roads the Tour has used with Merckx, Hinault, LeMond, and Armstrong. Cool.
The Alps & the 2004 Tour de France
A view from the bus on the way to our first stop over.
Time to put the bikes together and start riding.
On the way to L’Alpe D’ Huez. A cat 2 climb to warm up first though.
Joy’s first Cat 2 climb. What a trooper.
L’Alpe D’ Huez is on the horizon. Watch the road or fall 800 feet straight down.
Sheer cliffs all around in Bourg d’ Oisans.
Joy taking a break on the way up L’ Alpe.
Just a few more switchbacks to go. Ha!
Looking down into Bourg d’ Oisans.
Proof of getting to the top.
I spent more time taking pictures than riding that day.
Looking down from the top of L’Alpe D’ Huez. Day of the big time trial.
Mobile cheese!
The crowds were huge. Estimates were as high as 1 million fans lined the 13k.
Rik Verbrugghe and that awesome Eddy Merckx bike. Must purchase.
What’s this guy’s name?
Floyd Landis during the time trial up L’Alpe D’ Huez.
George Hincapie looking thinner and thinner every year.
Americans watching the time trial on TV! It was live out the window!!!
Joy gets a souvenir.
Another great day in the Alps.
Joy leading the charge on the way to a brutal day of climbing.
Joy climbs the Col de la Croix Fry.
The smiles wouldn’t last for long. Still miles to go.
It was 95 degrees, but no humidity. And still 5 miles to go. 5 miles straight up.
Taking in some shade. Notice the people walking their bikes up.
I would spend the next four hours without water, in the sun, waiting for the race.
Lance telling Floyd Landis to slow down the pace.
The new French hero, Thomas Voeckler.
All traffic must yield to cows in France.
Col des Aravis. This was the best descent of the trip.
Another great shot of the Col des Aravis.
Bike shop in France.
One of the roads in Beaune.
Laurent, on the left, one of our guides. This guy was super strong.
Joy enjoying the wine country around Beaune.
Cruising through the small villages is so cool. No sidewalks!
T-Mobile in Paris after the final lap.
