The Great Cycle Race

Yesterday evening my guest arrived having driven down from Paris. This is the third year he has stayed at this time of year. Unpacked and installed in the apartment he then assembles a very expensive black racing bike from the boot of his car. A test run up and down the street returning to attach his entry number 1040 to the front of his bike. This morning (30/06/2018) he departs at 07:00hrs, the weather is cool and dry but it will not take long for the sun to burn through the mists surrounding the mountain peaks. It promises to be a very hot day and a challenge for the some 5000 competitors in this great cycle race, L'Ariégeoise 2018.

I rose and took a few photographs of the many individuals and teams passing my gate. Rooms are fully booked throughout the area and the 10 km or so ride to the start line at Tarascone is treated as a warm up. It is a colourful site as they pass by in team or individual colours. Of course the shirt underneath will match as, each year, the official shirt is issued. A collectors item for those competing. It cost 50 Euros to enter. For this they have the privilege of a gruelling mountain race taking in Axe-Les-Thermes, Les Cabannes finishing in the heights of Plateau de Beille. As you can see competitors vehicles already occupy the verges. I shall tricycle up to the village shortly, the roads will be closed later this morning, and try to capture some of the race for you.

Mounting my trust tricycle I set off towards Les Cabannes approaching the village checkpoints are already in place. It is fortunate that I was not driving though it does prevent viewing different parts of the race. I cannot see myself cycling the 19km up to 4,400 metres where the finish post lies. Waived through the checkpoint crossing the river I find that the home stretch into Les Cabannes is lined with temporary fences to prevent the spectators interfering with the race. To my left the casualty centre has been established along with a plentiful supply of water after the finish line. The sports field has taken on a carnival atmosphere, mainly geared to cycling enthusiasts. Cycling at this level is an expensive undertaking and the French are mad about it.

I proceed into the centre of the village, traffic cones mark the route riders must take. The local cycle shop is doing well as is Le Mioure and other establishments surrounding the village square. A stop for a coffee then I return to explore the finish line. My tricycle is access all areas lol. I am somewhat confused, there is the hill climb up to the finish at Plateau de Beille. To access this route you must turn left at the small roundabout in the village as I have now determined that the riders are approaching from the direction of Axe-Les-Thermes. I thought that Les Cabannes might be a staging post but one or two of the lead riders, well ahead of the field, pass me having completed the race. I take up station near the finish post, "Arrivée".

I try to capture some of the atmosphere, the joy, the agony, the family and carnival spirit of the event as I take photographs from around the finishing post for indeed it is a festive occation. There are four groups in the race. Two will persevere and complete the hill climb to the finishing post at Plateau de Beille and two will complete the race here where I am standing outside the sports field in Les Cabannes. It has to be said that, due to the high temperatures, fewer completed the hill climb than is usual in this event. Sensible I call it!

I spent an hour and a half from 11:30 until 13:00 hours taking photographs around the finish line before I decided to retreat to the pub for refreshment. I should have worn a hat. I was feeling light headed and I wasn't racing. During this time I took many photographs, too many for the album. I saw the elation and the heartache as one man carried his cycle and ran, barefoot, to the finish line. I saw young and old, I saw a tandem and a fancy dress entrant, I saw the competitive but co-operative spirit amongst riders. This is not just a race for the enthusiast, it is a family affair. I may enter my tricycle next year.

As I approached the mini roundabout in Les Cabannes I spotted cyclists turning left to enter the hill climb. I followed the road to the bottom of the hill passing and cheered by two very enthusiastic girls who motivated the hill climbers for hours with their routine. I watched as groups of riders prepared to tackle the road up into the mountains. A climb over 19 km., very steep and winding in places, to the finish line at the plateau, 1,958 metres above sea level and 1,406 metres higher than Les Cabannes. It was interesting to watch as the cyclists put their back into the climb as others sped down the slope having triumphed and returned.

I sat outside in the sunshine leisurely enjoying my steak and a beer. The pub is doing a brisk trade and the staff need as much stamina as the cyclists working in the excessive heat of the day. Around me weary cyclists arrive in the square seeking well earned refreshments or just to chat with fellow competitors. Throughout the afternoon I watch as more contestants cycle through the village on their way to the finish line or breaking off to compete in the hill climb. I wander around taking photos as I go then back to the shade of the pub. It is strange as the crowd does not seem to be that great until I venture inside and discover that France are playing Argentina in the 2018 World Cup. Nothing competes it would seem.

At about 17:15 hours there is activity on the stage. No doubt the program of events is being announced. We are about to be entertained by the Bliss-Duo. An excellent way to end the afternoon, good music in the pleasant sunshine. It is very informal here groups of people drag tables and chairs to suit themselves, whilst others lounge on benches or sit on the floor enjoying the music and refreshments. Bliss-Duo give an excellent performance with a wide repertoire of songs sung with a beautiful vice accompanied by a very skilful guitarist who proved popular with young and old alike. After they perform their first set it is time for the awards ceremony.

The dignitaries and committee are called to the stage. The all important vests, bouquets and trophies are presented to group and stage winners. There is a photo of a 17 and an 83 year old receiving awards together. There are winners from Catalonia and further afield.  I hope that I may receive comments in the album with names and awards. I have included all of those receiving awards in the album whereas I had to leave out many photographs of competitors at the finish line and hill climb. There are probably half the photographs included in the album but I hope that they reflect the day as a whole from the point of view of Les Cabannes. I almost forgot look out for the winner of the tombola!

Oh yes my guest, Fabien Deycard from Paris. He completed the race finishing at Plateau de Beille in 8 hours 44 minutes.

Here is the link to my L'Ariégeoise 2018 @ Les Cabannes  photo album. I hope that you enjoy and,perhaps, see faces you know.