Brian's results was interesting!! He wrote:
I thought that this year was the best for me so far, with a superb
route and support in the villages. On reading the results later, I found
that I had finished one place ahead of a one G. Lamond. I did not know
at the time, but I remember passing a rider in the last kilometre!
Kevin's ride was exceptional despite the odds!
we had a ton of problems to sort out -
the airline lost our bikes and all the clothes etc that we needed -
we ended up buying cheap bikes from Go Sports. I crashed on the seconds descent
and broke my wrist - I finished in 9 hours and a few minutes
(but rode with Greg Lemond and Olano for a while!!)
but Fabrice who I was with when I crashed, did a brilliant ride to end up 125th!!
Cinda did a 11 hours and a few minutes which is great considering she did the Ironman
in Nice only a couple of weeks before.
The etape was enjoyable even for those who did not catch Mr Lemond! Gavin wrote:
I managed to get round - I finished just after the elimination time unfortunately -
but if I'm being honest I was thoroughly delighted just to finish the course in one piece.
I wasn't really able to climb out of the saddle on my bike because of my fingers so it was a bit tough.
But it was a fantastic event - crossing over the top of the peyresourde and swooping down into Loudenvielle
was a truly magical feeling.