Audlem cyclists in Etape du Tour

On Sunday, Audlem Online reported how a group of Audlem Cycling Club riders had tackled the toughest stage in this year's Tour de France in a special event, the Etape du Tour, a 107 mile race for enthusiastic amateur riders. Today, we bring the real life story from one of the participants, Philip Hesketh:

A week ago, four of us took part in the Etape du Tour. The race started in Montelimar in Southern France and followed the route of Stage 21 of this year's Tour de France.

The race started at 7.00am and those alongside us on the grid included the national road race champion of France; Green jersey winner of the Tour de France, Erik Zabel and our own world hour record holder and Olympic champion Chris Boardman.

The ride was 170km and took in some wonderful countryside on the way to the classic Mont Ventoux. As the huge peloton snaked out of town, we all had to steady ourselves not to go too fast early on.

The ride served up four smaller cols as hors d'oeuvres before the huge entree that is Mont Ventoux. From 20km out, it's possible to see the summit, with its sinister radio mast perched on the top. It was as if there was some invisible tracker beam winding you in, each pedal revolution bringing you a metre closer.

The route, in contrast to the gradient, was beautiful; we passed the picture postcard lavender fields and through the small villages that line the route. School children lined the route chanting the customary "allez allez" to the lycra clad hordes who sped through their villages.

The route circumferences the entire mountain, allowing you to refuel in the village of Bedoin. This was the last chance to take on board more energy drinks. So with bidons brimming with liquids, and chomping on the 5th banana for the day, we set off to attack the mountain.

What a contrast to the earlier kilometres where the riders shared some gentle banter exchanging stories since the pulse rates were in control. The peloton, now strung out, had plunged into silence except for the gentle whir of riders who still had the strength to turn the gears with enough force to move them forward at a decent speed. To the side, riders stood broken, their gleaming machines stationary as they tried to compose themselves for the next kilometre.

After 16km, the forest ends abruptly where the trees give way to rocks, the bald mountain now revealing itself as the summit is still some 5km away. Camper vans, parked here to see Contador dance on his pedals up the 10% gradient, were now witnessing a line of cycling refugees plodding upward, eyes fixed on the radio mast up the road!

The Tom Simpson memorial is only 1200m from the summit, and provided the final boost to get over the line – even that was on a slope. Once reached, there was no energy left or indeed speed, to manage the two handed salute to welcome victory. Each rider had fought their own battle to get there or even attempt the day. It's a tremendous experience for all who take part and one that lives in the memory for a long time.

Ed, Tim and Philip all finished well ahead of Chris Boardman:

• Philip Hesketh in 7:30
• Ed Chatwin in 7:40
• Tim Reeves in 8.01
• Rob Valentine stopped 6km from the end after having earlier serious mechanical issues that delayed him.

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