My THANK YOU card sent to my sponsors and posted on the Cycle for MS blog:
It has taken me a lot to get to this day. I like to thank my sponsors with a card. Last year I had some people tell me that it wasn’t necessary for them to receive a card but it was necessary for me to send it. Writing out a card and mailing it gives me a personal connection to each sponsor.
It was harder this year. I looked at clicking purchase on my order. Did I really want to spend $200 to thank my sponsors? Wouldn’t an email and multiple shutouts on Facebook be enough? Did I really want to spend any more money on this trip? And I clicked purchase.
It was harder getting to this day because this was to be a day of celebration and of thanks. I am still thankful but the celebration never came. I am left to think what if? I put this day off because of lack of energy. Or enthusiasm. Thanking my sponsors is closure and it was hard to accept closure without a trip to France. But I finally got there and look forward to sending out the cards to my sponsors.
I remained in the WhatsApp group chat and was able to follow the progress of the group each day. It was where I was supposed to be riding each day. Part of me knew that most climbs were ones that I have done before so in that regard I wasn’t missing out on new climbs.
And then came the first climb to Luchon. I didn’t mind missing it so much, except that it went into Spain for four miles or four kilometers. I missed riding in Spain, which I never have done and don’t plan to do. That hurt. I could have added another country to my list.
The second climb of the day from Luchon was up to a ski resort at Superbarneres. Adrian and I rode on a chilly, cloudy day that turned to rain. I would have liked to have done the climb on a sunny day.
Their second day was from Luchon up the Col de Peyresourde, down to Louderville, up the Col d’Azet, down to near St. Lary to Aurrua, and then the beautiful climb of the Col d’Aspin.
In 2010 I went on the road over the Col de Peyresourde in both directions. In rain. I would have loved to see the climb from Lucon on a clear, dry day.
In 2010, I rode over the Col de Azet from St. Lary and down to Louderville. This year’s route would take the reverse approach. After descending and riding to Arreau the group would climb the scenic Col d’Aspin. I’ve climbed this side once (in 2010) but the other side twice (2010 and 2011). On the side from Arreau it is open with beautiful vistas. The road down the other side is heavily forested. Pretty in its own right but now without the wide open vistas.
The third day would be the Queen stage. The Col du Tourmalet. This is the climb that I would miss the most. I have climbed from Saint Marie Campon side twice and once from the other side. I would have liked a photo with the statue when there weren’t thousands of fans gathered around.
Well, that is all in the past. I hoped it would be in the past as one month ago, but it was 15 years ago. And there it shall remain, memories of many years ago.
