Caragh McWhirr and Chiin Hooi Tan are trading in their suits in favour of lycra as they prepare to take part in the 16th edition of L’Étape Du Tour Mondovelo in France, in other words, the most coveted amateur bike race in France.
Along with 8,998 keen amateur cycling enthusiasts, Caragh and Chiin will be following in the tracks of some of the cycling world’s greatest and biking through the Pyrénées Atlantiques and the Hautes-Pyrénées following the same itinerary as the 10th stage of the 2008 Tour De France.
The course is designed for the cycling elite with the bikers facing the biggest summit of the Pyrénées, the Col du Tourmalet via la Mongie, a climb of more than 23km at a 7.5% gradient, followed by the ascension towards Hautacam, a climb of more than 15km at a 7.2% gradient.
After the gruelling 165km course, Caragh and Chiin will finish up on a hill-top in Hautacam, a winter sports resort of spectacular natural beauty with extraordinary views of the Pic du Midi and the Val d'Azum – something they tell us will make all the pain and exhaustion worth it!
Certainly not an expedition for the light-hearted, Chiin, a triathlete, and Caragh, a keen cyclist, are taking on the challenge of the Étape Mondovelo well prepared having recently taken part in the Étape Caledonia, an 81 mile round trip with a 1,950m total ascent. With resounding success, Chiin finished in 5th place in her category, giving her a top 10% finish and Caragh finished in the top 25%, beating her target time by nearly an hour.
Despite their recent success, neither Caragh nor Chiin are resting on their laurels and both women are training hard in preparation for their French cycling debut. Currently on secondment for a major international operator, Chiin is living and working in Pau where the race begins, and has even been spending weekends training on the Pyrénées.
Good luck to you both for the big race!
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