If we do nothing, nothing will change

July 18 - Stage 14  / July 19 - Stage 15 / Rest Day / July 21 - Stage 16 / Tour Scenery / July 22 - Stage - 17

July 23 - Stage 18 / July 24 - Stage 19 / July 25 - Stage 20 / July 26 - Stage 21 / Photo Gallery

July 22 - Stage 17

Today was regarded as the queen stage because of all the categorized climbs, although the Tour will still not be finalized until the TT in Annecy tomorrow and the climb up Mont Ventoux. We looked over the profile and decided to be on the next to last climb, the Col de Romme, instead of the Col de la Colombiere, for a couple of reasons. The Colombiere is more well known and famous I suppose, which means it's going to be more crowded. But the Col de Romme, is steeper grade and starts immediately instead of a gradual climb. We only had a one hour drive based on our plan, which often needs adjusting because of crowds or road closures. The rain started on the drive, which was also a bad sign. We ended up driving close to where we had planned and parked, illegally of course, although I'm not sure there is illegal parking during the Tour. Anyway, we loaded up the tandem and began our ride in the rain through the cute little town (Angie's description) and up the Col de Romme. As with other climbs, we're the only tandem in site, which gets lots of comments, cheers and the same joke in every language - She's not pedaling on the back, Ha Ha Ha!

Based on the profile we wanted to get about 1/2 way up the climb, because that's where the steepest grade was. The profile was painfully correct and but we did make it all the way, in the rain. As we started to unload and setup, the sun came out. For the next hour it was back and forth from rain to hot sun. Finally it evened out with just clouds, perfect. We met several folks today. A couple of guys from Utah, one of who's mother had just died of cancer. We talked to him about getting involved with the Lance Armstrong Foundation, so he was going to check online when he got home. Another couple that ended up staying with us all day was from Milano, Italy. They were Huge Lance fans!. Simon sang Sweet Home Alabama to us when we told him where we were from. They were really nice and even though neither of us spoke the others language very well, we figured everything out through the day. They are going to look for us at the TT tomorrow in Annecy.

We had the typical crazy fans stop by and chat, cheer or whatever. Guys dressed up riding ostriches, vikings, you're likely to see anything along the Tour route.

The riders were on us with the Schlecks, Kloden and Contador together and Lance and Wiggins about 1:30 minutes behind them.

Lance gave us a look, as did several other riders.

I guess when they turn the corner and see Lance's giant face looking at them....they look back. The funniest one is Popovich. He is usalyy smiling anyway, but when he sees the big banner he bursts into laughter.

George Hincapie was bleeding from the knee from his earlier crash. He twittered that his collarbone was very sore and was going to be looked at, so we hope he is able to finish the Tour.

Big day for the TT tomorrow!