Haute Route 2011 Count Down

Friday 19 August 2011


Pre Haute Route Race Prep


Sadly I depart from my temporary home of Macon and head for another adventure in Geneva, la Haute Route. 


Of course travelling always brings out the best of people and today was no exception. Even though the train had eight carriages I decide to sit in the one with a man that isn't so stable, well this is according to the ticket collectors. They called the Gendarmerie and at the first stop they board the train and have a 45 minute 'conversation' with him. The moral of the story is if you stand your ground, as this man did, you get to stay on board and continue on your merry way. 


It was hot when I arrived into Geneva and it will continue to be so for the next few days! 


Saturday 19-33 
Sunday 21-35


The day was spent meeting and assisting the team that will be the backbone of the Haute Route team. There are some 80 people involved in this race. Just like in a 'real' professional race they have everyone from a race director to motorbike drivers, great caterers and the list goes on. 


With 300 riders participating there was plenty of work to be done, bags to be packed, flags to be put up, banners and even flowers to be arranged around the village which is in Stade du Bout du Monde, a few kilometres outside of Geneva - note they have a pretty amazing BMX track here as well. There was also a chance to head out along the Lake towards to France and get a little ride in, keep the legs fresh. I rode with Peter, a Frenchman whose company was done all the clothing for the Haute Route. He is one to watch out for, he is fast and built like a whippet. If I was in the race to try and win, let me state now, I have no aspirations to try and win, or even get in the top 50, I'd be aiming to stick to his wheel. 

On another interesting point, I was slated to be racer # 51, a pretty good number. While assisting in getting the bags ready I was shocked to find that my race number was # 2. Now there is no # 1 - that would be pretentious but I'm am thinking about putting a 5 back in front of the 2 ... 


The end of the evening saw a very nice meal in the village with the team. It was great to hear all the stories from the OC ThirdPole team. More info on the organisation below but they put on all types of events, all over the world. When they put on an event such as this, they bring in their staff from the different offices. So it is like a reunion of sorts catching up on how life is in their neck of the woods and what is on the horizon for them. 

The time to head back to the hotel. Lucky me I had befriended Gerald, a Gendarmerie motor biker, 16 TdF's to his name and he offered me a lift back to the hotel. How can you say no on a lovely, almost balmy, Geneva night. Off to bed and rest up before the day before the Haute Route.


Just a brief review of who OC ThirdPole is - they are a global sports marketing and events company specialising in professional sailing and outdoor events ranging from running, cycling and biathlon, to more extreme sports including adventure racing and trail running. The company can be found in every outdoor arena: oceans, lakes, mountains, deserts and city centres. Operating from bases in the UK, France and Switzerland, OC ThirdPole is an award-winning and leading event management company and rights holder, it manages competitive teams and athletes and provides consultancy to global brands, host venues and other event organisers. In 2011 this international team will organize more than 80 days of competition, across 17 events in 11 countries.