I am sitting outside my hotel room, which backs onto a
grassy court. The sun has just set, the sky still has an azure hue, but will
turn to black very soon and the stars will start to appear. It is warm and the insects are beginning to bite. My
bag is packed, my kit is laid out and I am ready to jump out of bed the second
my alarm clock goes at 0500.
Tomorrow is the longest stage of the whole tour. 242kms,
which in itself hold no fears, but at the end of the day, after our legs have
been tenderised and boiled in the all day Provencial sun, we will head up The
Ventoux.
This mountain has gained mythical status. Tom Simpson (after
whom this blog takes its name), died on its slopes, the great Eddie Merckx
needed oxygen at the summit and countless others have floundered on its steep
slopes.
Before the route had been announced, I had hoped that the
Giant of Provence would feature on the itinerary. It does, and I cant wait to
get started.
It's late and I have an early start. Wish me bon chance and
bon courage. Its gonna be stinking hot tomorrow – I might need all the courage
I can get.
From Lyon,
N
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