July 18th and L’Alpe D’Huez
Written by Michael on July 17th, 2006Is it just a coincidence that this year’s stage to L’Alpe D’Huez is on July 18th? I think not. Clearly, it’s the Tour organization’s way of saying thank you Michael for your patronage and worship of the world’s greatest mountain. I hear you Henri, I hear you.

I take comfort in the knowledge that tomorrow’s winner will have asked himself “what would Michael do” upon his arrival in Bourg D’Oisans and will have answered the question correctly when he rounds the bend of the 21st switchback ahead of the pack.
Carlos Sastre? Damiano Cunego? Denis Menchov? Either way it’s going to be a great stage on an already great day.
Fast Facts:
| Start town : | Bourg d’Oisans |
| Starting Altitude : | 719 metres |
| Distance : | 14 kilometres |
| Vertical Climb : | 1120 metres |
| Gradient : | 7.7% average – 12% maximum |
If you care, you can follow the stage live HERE.
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HAPPY BIRTH DAY SWEETIE!! AMY TOO. Hope you have a nice day even though you are having trouble with the car. Next year you will be as old as your young Mom. I am now just 33 :)!
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Happy Birthday Michael and Amy! We hope it is a great one. We sent you both a card / gift. Please let us know when they get there! Sorry to hear about your car!
Love ya Michael! Happy Birthday!
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Hi Michael
Sorry about your luck with your car – am I surprised? NO!! that is ‘just your luck’ or shall we say LACK of LUCK!!! Hope you have a wonderful Birthday anyway, and hope Amy had a great birthday yesterday, she and Aunt Terry share the same birthday!! And of course Logan’s birthday is Thursday (his party is Saturday) can’t believe he will be ONE already!!!
We had an absolute WONDERFUL time at the Ranch with the Horse drive and cattle drives – what a challenging adventure!! I’ll fill you in more later!
Love ya Nance