Col d’Aspin to Col du Tourmalet, aka part of stage 7 of the Tour de France Femmes 2023.
You really get the potential of bike racing when you experience it with the people of France, Belgium, Catalunya, Basque Country and even some Castilians.
Two adorable young ladies who cheered for video and the crew of the LeClerc van, whom I inadvertently was behind a good number of times and offered as many times to burden me with hats and shirts.
I did see LesAmisduTourdeFrance again at the avalanche guards. They got stickers and I met the mother of one of the Belgian racers. Was totally gassed and forgot to take another picture. Great folks though.
The fans and especially the Catalans love their heroes and pretty much anyone with the gumption to climb the cols. They invite all to join their dance/cheer/love fest.
Rodrigo Otero, of Otero Bicycles, his partner “Pumpkinhead79” cuz I can’t remember her name, and his happy friend. On the right are two Basque women, one of which promised to plant a sticker at the Top of the Tourmalet.
They celebrate the silly, historical and pioneers. We had Maria Antoinette with us who was pardoned by the gendarmerie and a “cabgross” of Rosalia Segarra i Pont, pioneering woman bike mechanic from Tarrega.
There was a trumpet player who came up to play songs for us. Our hosts Ada and Anna brought us to this world and it was so wonderful. Serena may not have joined the throng but I’m sure she would appreciate the love and acceptance.
It was so fun cheering every single rider coming through on bike, folding bike, e-bike; wheelying, unicycles, shouting, you name it. At one point we sang “Sweet Caroline.
The event is really so important that the Vice President of Catalunya was there, Albe Vergés Bosch. She reached out to me because she heard that I was standing for LGBTQIA+ rights and she told me that they had legislation in Catalunya I would like to read. I still need to find it.
There’s a shared camaraderie in the effort. The miracle of the bicycle unites.
I don’t know if it’s the sport, the setting, or the people, the fans don’t fight each other, and the athletes don’t feign injury. There’s love on the road, and grit on wheels. Thank you Kate Veronneau, Zwift and all the amazing women who rode the men’s Tour route all those years to open the eyes of (or shame) Prudhomme that they can do it.
and thank you my sweetheart Brenda for having the idea for this trip. I love you.
The Pangolin Posse in the World 