Stage 14 is our first big mountain stage in the Pyrenees, and it's a tough one! The riders have a pretty flat course for the first 130 km, but then it's time to hold on to the handlebars as they tackle the HC Port de Pailheres and the Cat 1 Ax-3 Domaines. More mountains are on the menu Monday. Mama mia! Click for more stage background

This stage has been used three times in the last eight years, which is rare for the TDF route. The one-two punch of the climbs near the end will make for one tough day in the saddle!

Start Time: 12:00 p.m. Central European Time.

Stage Type: Road Race. Explain

Riders start simultaneously with the winner being the first at the end of the course. Members of teams together to work to give advantage to their fastest riders or to their rider best placed in the overall standings.

Stage Distance: 185 KM or 115 miles. How far is that?

185 km is the same as 115 miles. That's a long distance for sure, but today's route is not so much about the length as it is about the MOUNTAINS! 

Estimated Length of Time:5:15 How long is that?

The riders will be on the bikes for over five hours today. In that time, Tennessee and I could watch TEN episodes of SAMURAI JACK!

Terrain: mountainous.

Number of Climbs: One Cat 1, One HC climb. What does "cat" mean?

"Cat" is short for "category." The climbs are rated according to how long and hard they are. They are ranked Category 1-4, with 4 being the "easiest" (I'm not sure they're so easy!) and 1 being the "hardest." But wait- there's even a harder one! Climbs that are rated "Hors Categorie" (above category) are longer and steeper than a Category 1. That sounds HARD!

Estimated Calories: 6000 How much would you have to eat?

The racers will be burning some serious energy today, riding for 115 miles and over some HUGE climbs near the finish. They won't want their stomachs to be too full when climbing, but come dinnertime. LOOKOUT! I want seconds...

The route of the Tour de France goes up and over many big mountains each year. This is often where the race is won and lost. The climbs, as they are called, are rated according to how long and hard they are. They are ranked Category 1-4, with 4 being the "easiest" (I'm not sure they're so easy!) and 1 being the "hardest." But wait- there's even a harder one! Climbs that are rated "Hors Categorie" (above category) are longer and steeper than a Category 1. That sounds HARD! The road to Arcalis is this year's first HC climb, and it comes at the very end of Stage 7. Time to climb!

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Are you hungry?

By Mari Holden at Velo Betty

It's really important for the cyclists to eat and drink while they are on the bike. In a race like the Tour de France the riders can barely keep up with replacing the amount of calories that they burn. So, they have to make sure that they eat while they are riding. Normally they will carry some small bars and gels in their jersey pockets. But, they can go back to their team cars in the caravan to get more food and bottles. There are guys on the team who are designated to help the other riders, and they will make many trips to the car. Their job is really important because they are helping the other riders on the team. There are also areas called "feed zones" where each team has people waiting by the side of the road to hand their riders bottles. They normally hand the bottles to their riders in "musettes which are like cloth purses for food and bottle. That way each rider can get a couple bottles and some food all in one bag. The cyclists have to eat so much every day that they actually get tired of eating and have to work hard to get their calories. So, sometimes the teams add some of the riders favorites in their musette bags... Things like small sandwiches, and cookies are favorites...

 

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