Next and last stop NICE
To start Stage 7 we had a 32k secured convoy before the official timing start. Paul was in the first secured convoy and I was in the second, he was in sight. Once the flag was dropped and the hill climb started it was time to ride. I’ll cut to the chase, I did ride with an entirely different group going up Col Saint Martin (1500m), a faster one than normal. I didn’t stop for long at the refreshment area at the top of the mountain and I did pedal my little legs off down the hill. NOTE - Paul is trying to break the World Speed Record in Sailing - read - he likes a bit of speed and descends like a bat-out-of-hell! I was thankful that a group gathered in the valley and we could work together through the flats, Paul wasn’t in that bunch. At the finish I ran into Paul’s girlfriend and mentioned that “I was sorry that I didn’t know where Paul was” and also regaled her with the story of my 4am wake up. I met Paul soon after, had a laugh and chatted about another fantastic day of the bike, for both of us. 
| Name | Josie Heade |
| Where From | Windsor England |
| Age Bracket | 36 |
| Why Haute Route | It is a challenge and it gives Stuart (husband) a rest from running. Also I enjoy cycling in France, we’ve done an Etap and done some cycling ourselves in the area. We wanted to ride and not in UK conditions, such as potholes, rain, snow, sleet and in whats more in summer cycling attire. I’m not expecting to be competitive, it's more about the event. |
| Bike | Felt FW2 - 2008 - a Christmas present because we were signed up for the Etap in 2009. |
| Secret for Haute Route | Just showing up, I’ve had a copy of the route pinned at my desk for the last eight weeks, this is all the time that I have actually trained, to encourage me to get on the bike, rather than get the train home (from London). |
| Top 3 Excuses | I’ve had the wrong gears all week, my smallest gear was a 25, if I was to do it again it would be min 28. In reality I’m a runner not a cyclist. |
| Name | Paul Larsen |
| Where From | Healesville VIC - now lives on a boat somewhere between London and Namibia. [Note: Paul's is currently going for fastest sailing record - check out http://sailrocket.com/ for more information.] |
| Age Bracket | 41 |
| Why Haute Route | The Sun Tour use to come through Victoria and we’d host riders in our house. I use to watch the TdF, Phil Anderson, on Wide World of Sports and the Haute Route was something that I could sink my teeth into. To ride those winding roads which are used in the TdF, I see it as an honour and to be in that arena is just amazing. This (riding) is something that we do on the side of sailing. I had a crash today and I know exactly why I crashed. I even feel satisfied that I crashed because now I have had the whole experience. I can now appreciate the professional riders that much more. I was fascinated watching the TdF and now even more so. I can now sit there, bore people, and say "I’ve been there" and "I know what’s coming up". |
| Bike | Chris Boardman - Team Carbon Pro |
| Secret for Haute Route | I've been training hard, we came here a few weeks before, I wanted to do the Haute Route justice and I wanted to enjoy being the fittest I had been ever in my life. |
| Top 3 Excuses | No excuses |
| Name | Martin Litterst |
| Where From | Heidelberg Germany |
| Age Bracket | 48 |
| Why Haute Route | Because I like races over more than 1 day, I did Tour Trans-Alp for four years. Now I’ve done Trans-Alp and Haute Route in one year. This region, I’ve been here, once but haven’t done every Col, it is the col’s of the TdF, the famous ones, specta mountains. Tour Trans-Alp, people from all over the world, very international. I get to meet people from other countries which is very nice. |
| Bike | Canyon Ultimate 2009 |
| Secret for Haute Route | It is all mental - if I have someone I can fight against that helps me mentally, that makes me stronger, especially in the last climb. Todays sprint HR 170bpm. I am also riding with my friends, I do not want to let my three friends down in Team de Lux (England, Belgium, Germany and Lux - total # in TdL 20 riders) |
| Top 3 Excuses | If I don’t sleep enough, not good food. Also if it is raining! |
The official review of the Haute Route Stage from today is below. Also, to see video footage from each days stage at the Haute Route check here, there is some great footage. 
The official review of the Haute Route Stage from today is below. Also, to see video footage from each days stage at the Haute Route check here, there is some great footage. 
| Name | Lynn Girdwood |
| Where From | Glasgow |
| Age Bracket | 37 |
| Why Haute Route | It was Jo’s fault (her teammate - interviewed Jo on first day). It is also a challenge, I’ve only done a few sportifs, I was over in Annecy (France) last summer and did some of the Cols from the TdF and wanted to do some more. |
| Bike | |
| Secret for Haute Route | My gloves - I’ve used the same ones each day, I’ve also got two pair of shoes but only using the one set. NOTE - Jo and Lynn are currently in first place in the Womens Duo standings |
| Top 3 Excuses | I don’t do excuses. |
| Name | Graham Edwards |
| Where From | Bath UK - two from the Bath Club |
| Age Bracket | 46 |
| Why Haute Route | Done the Etap three times, Marmot twice and I suppose I’ve done a lot of one day events. I originally planned to do the coast to coast ‘Pyrenean Raid’ but once I saw this, I couldn’t resist. It ticked all the boxes, it was timed, it was 6 sportifs back to back, had a TT hill climb and in the mountains. What’s better than riding the classic mountains. |
| Bike | Focus Izalco - bought through Wiggle |
| Secret for Haute Route | I read up a lot more on recovery, compression tights and protein recovery drinks. I bought some carbon wheels, tubulars, and have no regrets in buying them. They are fantastic, best bike investment I’ve ever made, Olympic Gold, Jan Ullrich’s wheels. |
| Top 3 Excuses | Not really an excuse but I was concerned of failure, doing 7 days riding on the trot and really wondered what the level of competition would be like. |
| Name | Simon Kenyon |
| Where From | London England |
| Age Bracket | 42 |
| Why Haute Route | The Haute Route seemed like a good idea when it was announced, and it still seems like a good idea. Originally entered as a solo but now as a team of 4. Surprising we are winning (the team classification) by miles. |
| Bike | BMC Pro Machine - 2010 |
| Secret for Haute Route | Recovery - including eating, staying off feet and compression gear (currently not wearing due to smell). |
| Top 3 Excuses | If I do have an excuse it would be due to not eating pre ride, mainly due to be unorganised. Thank goodness, it hasn’t happened while at HR. |
