le Tour

woke up around 5:30a to watch some of the great stage 16 action in the alps. They were mid stage, on the ascent up the Col de Lombarde. What an incredibly beautiful climb. About as wide as a bike path, lush green forest, towering jagged rocky mountains above. 222km climb. That's a huff. Then they have another giant climb...the climb to the Cime de la Bonette averages 6.2 percent for a daunting 26.7km — and the most difficult part is at the top. The final 9km average 9 percent, with the maximum grade of 10.2 percent continuing for a whole kilometer. From the 9,193-foot summit (the highest in France), the survivors can look forward to a rapid 22km downhill on a recently resurfaced road to Jausiers (population 1,100) and 1.5km of valley roads before the finish line. Can't wait to see the action unfold tonight, thanks to DVR. I don't care for the prime time broadcast format nearly as much.