Goals

Ben: Killer asked what my goals were for this little ride. Simple, very simple: Col de Aspin/ Col du Tourmalet combination on 7/19 which is part of Stage 16. I have always wanted to climb the Tourmalet (Ventoux too, but next year). And the Col du Soulor/Col de Aubisque combination on 7/21 also a Tour stage (17).

The Tourmalet day is 3 days into the trip. Jet lag will, hopefully, be behind me and it's early enough that exhaustion shouldn't have set it. The Solour/Aubisque combination follows a relative rest day and is the last big scheduled climb of the trip.

This isn't a race. Just getting to the top and back down with a solid effort equals a successful ride. If the bike is good, if I'm good, if the weather is good then everything else is secondary.

Oh, and as I am regularly reminded by my spouse, taking the time to look around and enjoy the view is good too.