And the Alpes adventure begins! Michel and I drove from Lunel to Annecy this afternoon and met our 16 VIP guests at the Imperial Palace Hotel (which is just as palatial as you might think). We got everybody set up on bikes and briefed them on the rides and Tour de France experiences they're about to enjoy. This group has folks from all over the world; lots of Americans, from Portland to Florida, a South African, and four Aussies (although one lives in Singapore)! We got to know each other a little better over a 3-hour (!) dinner at the Imperial Palace terrace, which overlooks the lake and the mountains. Absolutely gorgeous.
Tomorrow, we'll be up bright and early to get on the bikes, take a spin around most of last year's Tour de France time trial course and climb Col de la Forclaz, about 9 kilometers of steep that reaches a grade of about 13 percent at the top. From the top, you can see Mont Blanc off in the distance. Then, of course, the descent will be the pay-off, always is. Everyone is very excited about getting on bike in France.
More to follow!
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