Saturday we were picked up by the tour company and taken to Clermont-Ferrand, the start city of the Tour de France Femmes. It is at the base of the old volcano, Puy de Dome and surrounded by old volcanoes. Our first ride to get used to our bikes was around it and it passed some amazing countryside.

We saw the train that spirals to the top as it lined larger.

We climbed our first col. It was nit a “big” one but it was challenging and I worked way too hard to climb it. It has a cafe at their and a sign with the elevation. I was overcome with emotion as I realized this was the first summit and I could plant a sticker.

There was a memorial to a fallen partisan from WW2.

Evidently this was the home of Vercingetorix, Gaul leader who defied Rome. He lost but history remembers him kindly. Don’t let the bastards win, here or in Florida.

The rest of the day we watched the start of the race, had lunch and then the finish.

Avoir until next stage.