Stage Distance: 227km
Total Distance: 781km
Stage 5 was our longest stage to date at 227km, taking us from Nice to Marseille. The route was fairly up and down the whole way, including three cat 4 and a cat 3 climb to contend with, covering a total of 2800m of ascent. This all added up to a very long day in the saddle, leaving at 7:30am and not arriving at the hotel until 7pm, a very long day in the saddle; actually 9.5hrs riding time.
This was however a spectacular ride not only for the beauty of Provence which we rode through but also the company of Lorgues cycle club. Lorgues is a small town just over 100km in to Stage 5 of this years tour and the home of one of the Tour de Force staff. Knowing we were coming through his cycling club offered to come ride with us and turned up in force at our hotel bright and early, they were actually there before I woke at 6am. Following breakfast we rode off together.
The first challenge of the day was the grade 3 climb, the Cote de Chateauneuf Grasse. This was a short but very steep climb of upto 11 degree gradient which looked horrible on approach but which I actually loved. I finally did a climb I was happy with, not fast by any means, but I felt good. This put me in good spirits for the other climbs of the day.
This led us onto the second treat laid on for us by Lorgues cycle club. When we arrived at our second feed stop in town, the wives of the club members had set up lunch for us in the town square. This turned out to be a long feed stop as we took advantage of their generosity as the food was so good. Apparently the town mayor was out to greet us too, though I didn’t see him, but it shows how the town is proud to have the tour pass through. Unfortunately we had to leave to finish what was still more than half of the ride.
The rest of the ride was much of the same, rising out of Lorgues then rising and falling for another 120km. Though tiring by the end of it I was still enjoying the climbs. I was however enjoying the descents more, especially the more technical ones, at last I had found my forte. As I told people, there has to be some benefit to lugging 100kg up a slope, and going fast back down would appear to be it.
Finally we rode in to the hotel, just in time to have a snack, a quick massage and change before dinner. After dinner all I had energy for was a quick shower then bed.
I would like to thank the members or Lorgues cycle club, their wives and the town in general for their hospitality, you were the highlight of a great day.
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