DVD: L’Etape Du Tour

Last year we looked at the DVD from Cyclefilms of the three BIG Grand Fondo’s, (The Trilogy) now the same production company have released “The Road to Mt. Ventoux” which takes an inch by inch look at this year’s L’Etape Du Tour that finishes up the monster “Giant of Provence” the Mont Ventoux. Follow in the footsteps of the Pro peloton and ride the Giant!

The L’Etape Du Tour has followed one of the great stages of the Tour de France every year for 17 years, and this year it’s stage 20. There could be over 8,000 other cyclists taking the challenge of the 172 kilometres from the home of Nougat, Montelimar, to the lunar landscape finish of the Mont Ventoux, with 3,000 meters of climbing this is a ride of epic proportions.

“The Road to Mt. Ventoux” DVD doesn’t just show you the route, it explains all you need to know about riding a big sportive and much more. We start the reconnaissance with tips on what equipment you need, this covers everything from the bike set-up, spares selection to clothing and what nourishment you need to carry, there are feed stations on the route on the day of the ride, but you still need to look after yourself and taking what your body needs is very important. Your equipment could make the difference between finishing or not, so this section could give you the edge.

Our guide, Michael Cotty, takes us sight-seeing in the start town of Montelimar which will be very useful for finding all the necessities for the ride, and then he goes on a tour of one of the Nougat manufacturers, explaining how it can be used as excellent ride food. This section is very helpful if you plan on doing the ride at another time either solo or with a group friends, where the hotels, restaurants and other amenities are situated will set you up for a great start.

Michael Cotty is one of the best Sportive riders on the circuit and he passes on his expertise on the route from the tricky start through and out of the town and into the Provence countryside. Before we hit the Mont Ventoux there are five other climbs to cross, from the start you are climbing towards the Cote de Citelle, which is not so steep, Michael gives some great advice on road conditions and what the weather may do, the sort of info you can only get from an experienced L’Etape rider.

Next we are taken over the Col d’Ey, the Col de Fontaube, Sault and the 996 meter Col de Notre-Dame des Abeilles and we still have the Mont Ventoux at 1912 meters to tackle and there is so much information on the course and how to ride a mammoth like this. The DVD is tiring, let alone doing the ride! You can appreciate the toughness as it unfolds on the screen.

Fast forward to the Mt.Vontoux, this mountain is a legend, there has been many a battle over this climb in the past, this is where the great British cyclist; Tom Simpson pedalled his last as he died on these slopes. Lance Armstrong is quoted as saying; “it’s a tough mountain, a really stiff challenge, probably the most difficult climb in France.” So that’s the history and it’s not a mountain to take lightly. Michael gives us the low-down on the climb and he sets off on the 22 kilometre climb from the line in the town of Bedoin.

We can see the top from the town and it looks like it has snow on it, but this is because it is bare lime stone rock, but the camera shows us first how pretty the area is and then you see how domineering this mountain is on the surrounding countryside. As the climb kicks upwards it passes through forest and then as the trees thin out at 6 kilometres to go, you can see why a 34 tooth chain ring is a necessity. The Tom Simpson memorial is set in the middle of this lunar landscape with only 2 kilometres to the top and the finish in sight, this is where you need to be fit to finish the L’Etape du Tour. With the help of this DVD you would have a better chance of succeeding than going without all the inside information that can be gleaned from what is a very interesting, beautifully filmed and above all a very informative film.

If you are serious about riding this year’s L’Etape Du Tour this DVD is a must and if you want to aspire to this kind of riding then the DVD gives so much information not just on this ride, but many great tips on any long ride, organised or solo.

Our Vote: 9.9/10, a great watch if you are riding the L’Etape or not.

As Cyclefilm say; “Don’t dream it, do it!” www.cyclefilm.com