The 100 Years of the Pyrenees

This is just a fun video for you to watch. You’ll find this fascinating if you are just completing a Tour de France program in your indoor cycling classes or even if you didn’t do TDF profiles but are simply a fan of the Tour or of history. I wish I had seen this video before the Tour! It’s a celebration of 100 years of the Tour in the Pyrenees. The old time footage is amazing. You don’t need to speak French to understand  the drama, to see the pain of the riders’ faces, a couple of them in tears. Can you imagine riding up those monster climbs on unpaved roads? Notice the crowds at the top of the Tourmalet, even back then. It shows Greg Lemond finishing in front of Bernard Hinault – though Hinault managed to keep the maillot jaune (not sure of the year or the mountain, maybe 1980?), Miguel Indurain arriving first on Luz Ardiden (1990), and it shows the crash of Fabian Casartelli on the Portet d’Aspet in 1995 (who later was pronounced dead); finally, watch as Lance Armstrong climbs Luz Ardiden in 2003 and is taken down by a fans musette.

The first image is of the former rider Eugene Christophe who talks about riding the 1913 Tour de France. He points out where he fell, and describes how he had to descend on foot.

One Response to “The 100 Years of the Pyrenees”

1. diane davis says:

   July 25, 2010 at 7:41 am

   jennifer – love all you insight, wisdom and help – taught your suitcase of courage ,stages 6, 9, 15, 17 and 19 this year ending with everyone in class getting a glass of perrier!! so love being a part of this race each year in our indoor cycling program. it is mainly possible from master instructors (you) who share music ideas and profiles. you make me such a better instructor. you have that special gift!
   thanks!!!!
   diane