This October during our cycling trip to Cote D’Azur in Southern France, I witnessed the entire spectrum of emotions coming to the surface within this group of female riders. Supervised by Captain Rikke Laursen, Team Charlie settled into the very friendly, convenient and family owned Hotel L’Etape in Villeneuve-Loubet approximately 10K outside Nice. It was perfect for bringing a group of women together, not all knowing each other and creating a real sense of team spirit and social engagement.
The female-only cycling group Team Charlie included riders of varied abilities and ages ranging between 30 to 64 years old. More than half of the riders had less than six months of road cycling experience and had never ventured out beyond the flat, familiar and cycling friendly roads surrounding Copenhagen, the capital city of Denmark.
These women have now arrived in Nice, on the beautiful, tropical, sunny and warm coastline of the French Riviera, but also with the paradox mountains rising just behind the shoreline, sending shivers down the spine and making some think; and say out loud: “OMG what am I doing here, on my bike?”. During the next four days the cycling adventures unfolded and we witnessed an astonishing array of emotions from what turned out to be a group of incredibly brave women.
Day One – Coastal Ride
The October autumn Mediterranean temperatures at 23 degree Celcius and blue sky made perfect welcoming cycling conditions for Team Charlie. The warm sun softly touching the skin, the light breeze in the hair and the feeling of freedom on the bike in company with other likeminded women, placed a smile on every single rider in the group. Guided by ex-professional 3x Tour De France and 2x Vuelta a Espana rider Geoffroy Lequatre, eleven excited and slightly nervous but more so happy and fresh faced women pedalled gently along the shoreline through Cap D’Antibes and Cannes. We settled for a beautiful lunch in Theole; helmets off, feet in the cool sand and laughter across the table made for a perfect laidback first day on the bike in Southern France.
Day Two – Col de La Madone Utelle
Already at breakfast, in the same space as the freshly brewed coffee, I sensed the nervousness. Some had hardly closed an eyelid. Waves of tension filled the room and we opened up for sharing concerns and frights in advance of the day ahead. On the agenda, Col De Madone D’Utelle at 1174m did for some rise like an enormous terrifying pinnacle that could potentially lead to severe injury or death, at least in their dreams that was. This was, I am sure, a very normal nervous illusion for the inexperienced rider. Equally I read signs of bravery; for even making it as far as travelling to Nice to the unknown adventures, on bikes. The Captain utilized her incredible people and coaching skills to reassure the nervous riders that they would be safe during their journey through an incredible physical and mental challenge and that the outcome when they will reach the top will be indescribable. Trusting this appeared fundamental for each of the nervous riders.
It was a 35K reasonably flat ride to the bottom of the “frightening” mountain. We stopped for coffee, fuelling and changing and organizing of clothing layers (the temperature cools while elevating). All sorts of last minute worries, but very rightfully questions appeared: Do I wear my arm warmers now? Do I take my gel now? What happens if I want to stop? What if I can’t make it to the top? Can I fall over the edge? The questions continued.
Col De Madone D’Utelle is a 15.3K climb (with a small village after 9K) of just under 6% average (max 8% gradient). For most experienced bike riders, this classifies as quite a pleasant climbing experience. For some of these women, out of their comfort zones and into the unknown, they suddenly felt like the size of an ant in comparison to Col De Madone. At the foot, panic built and one rider broke down in tears from self doubt. Once again, Captain Rikke calmed the field with her empathetic and motivating tone of voice: “Do not worry. You will all be wrapped in love and pain, all the way to the top. You have to feel pain, because that is what it takes to reach your goal. But you can do it! And remember to enjoy the views. We are not in a hurry”.
Five of the more experienced riders powered right to the top and took some well deserved moments to consume themselves with the feeling of accomplishment – the breathtaking views, the absolute sense of freedom as well cleansing of the mind and soul. There is something very unique about standing on the top of a mountain, conquered solely by one’s own physical and mental ability.
The same was applicable for the six riders conquering the 9K climb to the village. The bravery, determination and desire to overcome fears and to complete this challenge were unreal, like nothing I have witnessed before. Sweat, tears, sighs, smiles, laughter, hugs – all riders made it to at least the 9K goal and they all shared the same feelings; and absolute sense of self pride and a gigantic and unique sporting and personal sense of accomplishment. One rider had still not become comfortable with “clipping in” cycling shoes and with a gobsmacking admiration from others, this 64-year old woman, surprised us all when she with no complaints, mastered the climb in her running shoes! (This means there is only pushing power through the pedals and the quadriceps has to work harder while power is lost from the back of the legs; not as effective as riding with clip-in shoes). Another rider came off the bike to rest three times, but with encouragement from the Captain and Geoffroy our guide and a couple of times assisted with a gentle push to ease the constant pressure on the leg muscles, this rider also triumphed the 9K goal in 1hr and 25 mins. With a road constantly going up and no visible signs of the top, the never ending hairpins and constant lactic acid filling those leg muscles, these women with only six months of cycling experience, some never ridden distances longer than 60K, had now not only conquered the majority of Col de Madone D’Utelle, but also crushed their fears and discovered a whole new level of physical and mental ability for themselves — Outstanding.
Day Three and Four – Villa Franca / Monaco / Eze / St. Paul / Vence
With the biggest day on the bike out of the way, we retired to more scenic and cultural rides. We visited a mix of charming, cultural, historical, friendly and peaceful places all set back from the French Rivera and all reachable by bike. Among those, we passed through Saint Paul de Vence – one of the oldest medieval towns on the French Rivera also well known for its modern and contemporary art galleries. We climbed to Gourdon on an isolated rock, in the past once a place of refugee and defence and also offering magnificent panoramic views. And we passed through Villa Franca, one of the deepest natural harbours of any port in the Mediterranean Sea and also known as the urban community of Nice Cote D’Azur. We were on a mission to explore, visit places, add value to our lives, witness beauty and to collectively enjoy each other’s company as well as support and build new friendships.
Mission Accomplished
With 350K in the legs over four days in Nice, these amazingly brave women found themselves riding through thick traffic, climbing a mountain and descending from the mountain; however they accomplished so much more. These are some of the words they articulated and shared with each other: Nervousness, panic, belief in oneself, protection, friendships, care, happiness, pride, empathy, support, personal development, moving beyond personal limitations, space for everybody and joy for others. We all shared smiles, laughter and even tears. And with that we now all share memorable experiences too.
I waved goodbye to this group of amazingly proud women, who all left Nice with a feeling of personal, emotional and physical accomplishment – and even a desire for more. They had been afraid. They had been excited. They felt alive!
Moving Beyond the Edge of Comfort
Within the space of what you don’t know lies a field of possibility. And it’s okay to feel vulnerable when you move into that space. Keep coming back to this edge, as often as you can. At first the fear will be overwhelming, but as you keep visiting your edge, you’ll become more aware of it. And with more awareness comes understanding – and then comfort. And when you are comfortable, you’ll be ready to move beyond again. What was once your extreme limit will become your new comfort zone. In the space of the unknown is where the magic happen. It is where you will grow yourself and live your life to the fullest.
“Never say never, because limits, like fears, are often just an illusion.”
– Michael Jordan
Words By: Helle Bachofen von Echt
Photos By:Rikke Laursen
