Saturday, July 17, 2010

The Day Before -- showtime Tomorrow!

Last day of prep today. Trying to get everything dialed in for tomorrow as well as trying to relax.

We're doing the hardest stage of the Tour de France this year -- three climbs over the col du Marie Blanque (very steep last 3km at 10%+, up to 14%), col du Soulor (long, long climb), then 20+ miles up the gorge and then onto the Tourmalet, 18 miles up to the highest point in the Pyrenees.

That's got everyone a bit nervous, so to lighten the load, we headed into the Farmers Market (picture the Waitsfield farmers market x10 in a town about the same size). The mission -- euro capris for the guys who can pull those off (I'm not in that category). Needless to say, a lot of laughs.

Next, to Lourdes for holy water. Lourdes is an international pilgramage site for Catholics. Legend has it that the Virgin Mary appeared to a shepherd girl, and then to her priest, telling them that the waters from a spring had healing powers.

The town has a pretty special vibe and we visited to pray in the chapel and rub some of those healing waters onto our legs. The Mayor demonstrates in the video below:



Lastly, a 45 minute spin to loosen up the legs for 8 hours plus tomorrow and then pull everything together in advance of the 4a wakeup call. Big day tomorrow -- say a prayer for us!

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