Stage of the week?

[garysol1]

Next week, the week of the 23rd I have been given the job by our local bike club to organize a viewing / pizza party for one of the stages. Pick a stage for the week of the 23rd that you think will be the most exciting to watch.

[reef58]

I would pick stage 16

Richard

[acape]

If you could do it Sunday for Stage 14, I think that would be most exciting. The day after the TT we should know a lot more in terms of who the real contenders are. Two HC climbs including a summit finish...I bet Stage 14 will have some serious attacks.

If Sunday doesn't count as "next week," I'd have to go with Stage 16 on Wednesday. Two Cat 1 climbs and two HC's with a summit finish again.

[reef58]

The interesting thing about #16 is it comes after a rest day. There will be major destruction.

Richard

[Randomus]

I am also going to vote that stage 16 is the one to watch. :)

[merlinextraligh]

Stage 16 will likely decide the TDF, being the last mountain top finish.

The Marie Blanque is hard. There's a section of 13%.

And the Aubisque is one of the true epic climbs in TDF history.


The average grade listed for the Aubisque is deceptive, the lower portions are pretty tame, but it kicks up considerably after that. It's up there with L'Alpe de Heuz, the Galibier etc.

I road the portion up the Marie Blaque and across the Aubisque in the 2005 L' Etape so I'm deifinitely looking forward to Stage 16.

And give a prize to anyone who shows up dressed as Wim van Est.

[aham23]

As much as I'd like to tell you that either stages 17 or 18 (te two stages I rode in May) are the ones to watch, it's pretty obvious that the ONE stage worth getting folk together for is stage 16 - mountaintop finishes FTW.

http://www.letour.com/PHOTOS/TDF/2007/1600/PROFILVIGNETTE.gif

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v223/botto/France/aub_04.jpg

some of us boys from the states, midwestern section, have 2009 earmarked for the year we traverse and trudge something similar to what you have captured here. a great picture.

now, where were we, oh yes, stage 16 is how i cast my vote. later.

[garysol1]

Looks pretty unanimous for stage 16. That was my initial choice as well.
Thanks all...