Messages from the team - week 2 in Europe

Report for July 18, 2005 – Macon

We started the day with an extra 40 kilometer loop (accidentally went the wrong way out of Pesmes – whoops), Our total kilometers for the day were over 180.  This time, we made it in before dark.

We had a lot of rain when we started, after we had the wind. Head wind.

It was a sad day for us because Shawn Emery (our photographer) left today for home.  We are going to miss his wonderful help through this awesome journey.

Report for July 19, 2005 – Lyon

Rocky, Gretchan & Sara navigated this leg without the support of the van.  They were very skilled in getting to Lyon by themselves.  The van was restocked with fuel and supplies and met them at the Hotel Artistes in the middle of Lyon .  Finally Mayor Anderson and Tracy Lyon arrived with fresh legs ready to negotiate the Alps .  Tomorrow is a rest day.  Maybe we will have some time to see some of this beautiful city.

Report for July 20, 2005 – Lyon

We had a great rest day in Lyon .  We spoke to several locals about the Olympic Message.  Lyon is a great city.  Chores are done and we are ready to hit the Alps !!

Report July 21, 2005 – Voreppe

Rocky Anderson and Tracy Lyon were able to experience the art of French navigation.  We departed Lyon on very busy roads and were successful in getting onto the open road without any casualties.  Our journey today totaled 100 kilometers (second longest ride of Mayor Anderson's riding career). 

We hooked up with a French cyclist and with much difficulty we explained our mission and gave him a translated copy of the Message.  He said he would check our website and monitor our progress.

Great start day for Rocky and Tracy .

Report for July 22, 2005 – Les Deux Alpes

OK, the party is over.  These mountains are huge.  Celia and Bill detoured to climb Alpe  D' Huez.  They met a cyclist named Gijs from Holland that had a major blowout on one of the turns during the descent.  Because of his expert cycling skills, he was able to maintain control of his machine. He was very appreciative of the help in changing his tire. 

Bill & Ceila then joined the rest of the team to climb to Les Deux Alpes.  Celia and Bill climbed a total of 8,000 ft today.  Sara was awesome.  She “cleaned” the climb to Les Deux Alp.  Rocky and Gretchen survived the climb as well. They summitted just as the sun was going down.  Nice work! 

After biking about 70 k – actually substantially more, since the team (sans Bill and Celia a.k.a. “navigators extrordinaire”) (the last part of which was very steep, including through two tunnels), Rocky and Tracy (Tracy was, of course, up the road a piece from Rocky) were convinced (it didn't take much convincing at that point, at least for Rocky!) to hop in the van for the last 10 k to the hotel at Les Deux Alpes.  Rocky reported that it was probably the most physically challenging ride of his life (not that he's had that many rides).  The ride was stunning and the motorists were all very observant and considerate.