THE EVENT

L’Etape du Tour (French for ‘stage of the Tour’) is classified as a ‘Cyclosportive’ – an event open for everyone who feels fit and brave enough to endure the pain of cycling the same distance usually reserved for the pros. However, 
if you skim across the line-up at the start, you’ll be surprised to see a wide selection of abilities. The field is divided into several categories. 
In pole position are 100–200 riders made up of aspiring amateurs, cycling ex-professionals, and VIP riders such as retired Formula One star Alain Prost and other bike-loving celebrities. The following sections are divided into holding zones of 500–2,000 riders. The better your time in a previous L’Etape, the farther forward you are placed. If you are 
a L’Etape ‘virgin’ and your tour organiser hasn’t negotiated preferred start numbers, expect to have at least 5,000 cyclists in front of you.
 

THE PREPARATION

The day before L’Etape is best spent picking up your start number and goody bag from the Village Depart, doing one last bike/gear check, and relaxing at your hotel. The Village Depart is a cycling exhibition, organised with the help of the local tourism board and usually located at or very near the site of the actual start. It features the sponsors as well as music and food. Your goody bag generally includes a T-shirt, other cycling-related items, your timing chip and race number, and coupons to attend the pre- and post-ride pasta party. Although classified as 
a ‘party’ don’t be fooled into believing there’s a lot of partying going on. The pre-event vibe is one of sombre excitement. You don’t have to look far to see worried faces discussing the task at hand in the morning. You’ll be well advised to make it an early night – it’s going 
to be a short one.
 

THE RIDE

As the carbohydrate- and adrenalin-fuelled peloton rolls away from Pau – hopefully under clear skies and fresh 7am summer’s air – it’s here that the focus turns solely to the road ahead. In keeping with the start of any mass participa-tion sportive, you can certainly expect 
a fair amount of nervousness within the pack as riders try to find their position and settle into a rhythm.

There’s adequate time to get warmed up before the first ‘obstacle’ of the day, the Col de Marie Blanque at 47.5km (30 miles), but in reality the lead-up to this is unlikely to spread the peloton out enough to avoid bottlenecks. For those not close to the front at this point there’s a fair chance you could 
be off the bike involuntarily and walking uphill for a short time – 
a sight that’s not at all uncommon for L’Etape.
 

With a long way still to go it’s best not to get over-excited too early; 
try to relax and find the climbing pace you are comfortable with. 
Also, make use of the first feed stop that is rumoured to be at the top. Not fuelling up early on could 
come back to haunt you on the 
final ascent up the steep slopes 
of the Tourmalet.
 

It’s now time for gravity to come 
to the fore as you plunge down between the ribbon of tarmac that unfolds before you. With early parts of the descent sheltered by trees, caution should be taken on road conditions that can change from dry to damp in less than a pedal stroke. Also be aware of the riders around you, and use your group riding skills to avoid trouble. 
It’s on those narrow, steep descents that nasty accidents tend to happen.
 

As you enter the valley section in the approach to the next climb, it’s worth trying to seek shelter from the wind by slipstreaming. Cycling two or three riders back in a small group saves you up to 40% in energy. 
As any professional rider will tell you, energy conservation in a race over four hours is as, 
or even more, important than energy output.
 

The second climb is the picturesque 
Col du Soulor. It’s an ascent with a rhythmic gradient and smile-inducing views, including the neighbouring Col d'Aubisque, not to mention the reward of a second feed stop 
by the top. At this point the 9,500 riders 
will have truly spread out over a distance 
of several miles. No doubt, the elite riders 
will crest the Soulor while most of the weekend warrior crowd will not even have reached the foot of the climb.
 

Pure exhilaration hangs in the clear mountain air for the descent towards Argelиs-Gazost. Fast, free-flowing turns carve their way off the mountain in quick succession before the fun ends all too early, and the road begins to climb again through another valley section. It’s time for your final challenge to start.
 

The Tourmalet is an icon, a jewel in the Pyrenean crown some might say, initially starting off at a gentle 5% gradient, but its unrelenting straights can make progress seem slower than reality. With just about half of the 19km (12 miles) covered, the road pitches up to a serious 9% and then stays at 
a constant 8%, which, although mentally 
and physically tough, is kind enough to allow some sort of rhythm to be established. With 5km (3 miles) to go, you get a first glimpse of the summit, fully exposed to the natural beauty of mountain scenery in all directions. Emotions will be running wild as your pain threshold meets raw Pyrenean mountain bliss. One final, lung-searing, muscle-burning dig will have you crest the Tourmalet summit and cross the finish line with a tear in your eye – your challenge completed.
 

THE AFTERMATH

The organisers have learnt a trick or two with their mountain-top logistics, this time having you crest the summit and descend 4km (2.5 miles) to the event village at La Mongie, where you can pick up your finisher’s medal, relax with a coke and bowl of pasta, and exchange stories from the road with your ‘battle-hardened’ comrades.
 

PREVIEW

If you are still eager to find out more, a detailed 90-minute reconnaissance DVD, covering every kilometre of the route, 
tips and tricks on climbing/descending techniques, adequate clothing, and nutrition, is available from Cyclefilm. Visit cyclefilm.com for details.

Pau - Tourmalet: The Stats