One of the traditions for my indoor cycling classes is to simulate stages of the Tour de France during the 3 weeks of the tour. This year we did stages 6, 14 and 17. After the last stage and Tour was over, my riders were left a bit wanting for the European style rides (or races), so I promised them a TDF highlight.

As promised, I presented a class focused on the Col du Tourmalet. A feature of our stage 17 ride, I thought I would present it as our entire class. We warmed-up and spent 40 minutes climbing the Tourmalet. It was more of an emotional ride as we experienced the climb from the perspective of 4 types of riders found on TDF teams.

As the peloton shattered, we followed the challenges of the “domestiques”, the servants of the team as they spiraled backwards when the climb got steep. We rejoined the front group again this time as “lieutenants”, with a role of setting tempo for our race leader. We continued to experience their pain and emotion as they were relieved of duty and dropped from the leaders.

Finally, we followed the leaders and made one last distinction. Are you a “mere climber” or a CHAMPION!

It was a fun ride with many people exclaiming that they initially thought they could never make it. However, this morning I received some news that would make any indoor cycling instructor smile ear to ear. A rider in class came up to me and said that she was so inspired and encouraged after the Tourmalet ride that she attempted to climb this very steep road the leads to her house. She has never made it to the top before and was always force to get off the bike and walk. Knowing she had successfully climb “our” Tourmalet, she found the courage to stick the climb to the top. She made it all the way to the top for the first time. Wow! What an accomplishment.

As a cycling coach, I’m always hoping our indoor classes will encourage people to ride outdoors. It is moments like this that fuel my passion for indoor cycling.

Go for it!