Coach Rob and I have been campaigning in the background a little to try and build our team for next year’s Haute Route, and I’ve been, for the first time, allowing myself to look into it more deeply. I must admit, it’s looking more and more like an event that I should attempt.
I knew it was going to be tough, but I somehow had the thought that the majority of riders would be men of a certain age with a certain amount of disposable income, who ride their bikes on the weekends (when it’s not raining). I’m wrong, I’m happy to say. The event appears to be taking itself very seriously, with strict cut-off times each day (just like the Tour de France and other stage races), leaving hundreds, after only 3 days, already off the list of Official Finishers. Why this gets me excited and not depressed is unknown, but I’m finding myself very motivated all of a sudden!
And so I present you with video diaries from the first three days. If you like what you see and think you’d like to take on this awesome event (even if you are of a certain age, etc.), let’s talk!
The Vicious Cycle 
Let’s ride!
Ladies and Gentleman, we have our first ‘definite’ – Meet Aaron West, aka Mr. Steepclimbs! Except for me, this team is looking strong already…
The profile for stage 3 looks familiar!
I was thinking the same thing, Erik. The had a slightly harder finish, but what we did was very similar.
Welome to the “Team” Aaron. Great blog you have by the way. I’ve ridden the Skyline Drive / Blue Ridge Parkway enroute from Toronto Canada to Ft Lauderdale Florida many years ago. Beautiful part of America for riding.
Once we have all 9 people for our team, we’ll have to come up with a catchy name that’s representative of the group we assemble.
Thanks for having me! I’ve been looking for an excuse to get to the Alps. You and Gerry gave me a good one. Yes, I love the riding down here, and I imagine I’ll be doing quite a lot of it over the next year. Looking forward to it!
Gerry, Rob, Aaron…Woooohoo! I think it is very cool to think of the three of you, none of whom I’ve met, riding as team on the Haute Route. I’ve read a bit about it in the past two years and it promises to be amazing and from what I read by each of you, right up your alleys!
And the best part, Suze, is that they’re going to have a Pyrenees addition next year. Interested…?
Bet you can guess the answer to that! Now just to find a group of riders in my gender/age category, hmmmmm.