Tour de France Stage 10: The Day My Body Said No

I’m absolutely gutted. I had to stop riding after only 17 km. My cold has turned bronchial—I can’t take a deep breath, which is a serious problem when you’re trying to climb.

The first significant climb of the day was Côte de Loubeyrat. It started off gently but quickly turned ugly. It’s a 5 km climb with a wall-like stretch.

I took it slowly and paced myself, but soon I reached the wall and started struggling to breathe. I felt dizzy. I pulled over. The ride had barely begun—my day was just starting—and I was already in a full panic. I couldn’t get a deep breath, which meant I couldn’t get oxygen to my muscles. I was done.

Today is a mountain day—4,500 meters of climbing in cold, wet, and windy weather. I had to make the call. I sat down on the side of the road and cried—the ugly kind of cry you hope no one sees. But within minutes, Jen and Jessica were at my side. I pulled myself together and calmly told them I was finished for the day. I just couldn’t risk riding in this condition. With the weather and my breathing, I knew I was doing my body more harm than good.

I spoke with two doctors (there are quite a few traveling with the group), and both recommended I also take Stage 11 off—right after our rest day tomorrow. I don’t want to. I really don’t. But I guess I’ll cross that bridge when I get there.

If I’m still struggling by Stage 16, Drew—my husband—will be nearby, having arrived in France with hopes of climbing Mont Ventoux with me. I hope this isn’t bronchitis. I hope I’m just too sick today to ride, and that with a day of rest, I’ll be able to carry on.

I walked for a bit, in complete denial. When I felt a little better, I got back on the bike and continued climbing. But it wasn’t long before the same sensation returned. I couldn’t breathe. I pulled over again.

I spent the rest of the day in the sweep van with two other riders—one battling saddle sores, the other also feeling unwell. Both men. We helped break down food stops after the riders passed through and collected the street arrows once they were no longer needed.

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