The Tour Participants

We had a great time in France for many reasons, one being the people that we met on the tour. In no particular order....George and Cathy Howcraft from Brisbane, both injured while training, and both did a little riding while on the tour.  Super fun to be with.

Michael Kluger and Sophie Ricketts from Melbourne, both doctors and super riders.  Sophie was queen of the mountains.  Michael rode a sweet pinarello dogma with dura-ace Di2.  I spent many hours chasing these two guys up the hills.

Stuart Hastings and Michelle Harris from Melbourne, both doctors and super riders.  Stuart was a very strong rider and king of the mountains.  Michelle is in the middle below, and Stuart on the left below.

Chris Taylor from Brisbane.  Fast on the flats and downhills.  This is Chris after the long and steep climb up Port de Bales.

Michael and Karen Tiedje from Alberta, Canada.  Both strong riders.  Mike (aka Captain Canada) is an excellent climber for his size.

Kim Sinclair and Kirsten Shouler from Auckland, NZ.  Super fun to be with.  Kim rode a sweet Colnago C50.  Kirsten won the "Joan of Arc" award for her biking advocacy work in Auckland, and for putting up with Kim.

John and Sue Graham from Newcastle, NSW.  John is very strong climber (passed me a few times) and Sue won the "tough mudder" award for being so darn determined to climb the steepest of mountains.

Stuart McDonnell and Mandy Hargreaves from Alice Springs.  Stuart and Mandy were avid supporters of the Aussie pro riders on le Tour and the Orica Greenedge cycling team.

Michael Hanna from Melbourne (via Ireland).  A strong rider with a good sense of humor.  Michael was with me when I got blown across the road on Mt. Ventoux.  Lot's of fun to be with.

Mark Nugent from north Queensland (a small town south of Cairns).  This was Mark's first trip out of Australia.  He is a musician and new to cycling.

Alan Serborne from Perth.  A super fun guy to tour with, won the "most improved in french" award for his suave style of ordering desserts.

Glenn and Jenny Matthews from the Blue Mountains area near Sydney.  Glenn is a super good athlete, he has finished the iron man triathlon, for example.   Jenny is a sports management teacher.  Both are good riders and lots of fun.

Joining us late in the tour were Troy Howard from Brisbane, Ian Cooper from Darwin, and Justin Hennessey and Kelly Campbell from Brisbane.

And of course the Pike's.  I was awarded the "mostly likely to get lost award" for a wrong turn at the top of Col du Soulor (thanks to Cathy, Mark & Linda for getting me back on track).  Linda was awarded the "top supporter" of the tour for her support to the riders and never-ending enthusiasm and encouragement.