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Tim and George satisfied at last
THE RIORIDGE STORY

In 2004, on the slopes of the Alps at the Tour De France, an idea was born. On Wednesday, July 21, at 2:30 AM, a small peloton of fifteen riders raced the empty roads from Villard-de-Lans to Bourg d'Oisans — the start of Stage 16 of the now-famous time trial up the 15.5km road to Alpe d'Huez. Our feeling of urgency
Chalet in Aux d'Oisans
was sparked by past encounters with roads closed to all traffic by strict Gendarmes.

Adrenaline-driven, we pedaled through the passes with a fast-flowing river to our right and a chill in the air until we reached the last steep climb to our Alpine chalet in Aux d'Oisans.



Our first visit to Le Tour in 1999 and two more in later years had created memories we still treasured. Cycling like this with old friends and meeting new ones was what kept us together. Making very difficult climbs, racing each other, watching the pros each day, we all felt the magic atmosphere and vibration of the mountains, the river, and quiet solitude of the road before we reached
Breakfast on the road
the starting point for each day's stage. The buzz of excitement in the clean environment would motivate and inspire us before setting off to ride the next grueling stage. Back at our chalet after a hard day's riding to reach a vantage point and watch the pros speed through tranquil forests or climbed lofty mountain peaks, our minds and imaginations were onfire. We talked for hours about the day's experiences.


We talked at dinner and over croissants and coffee at breakfast, the two meals of the day. What made these experiences magical? The atmosphere and feeling of sanctuary, solitude, and solace. A community of like-minded individuals with a passion for outdoor cycling. Feeling truly alive in the presence of these big mountains — whether riding up the switch backs of the Col du Galibier or plunging down narrow, twisting, alpine roads at 80 kms. The desire to share these ideas, thoughts, and emotions with a worldwide online community through photos, video, and blogs — to keep everyone connected and informed — inspired us to form Rioridge.

Ozzie Bar high up in the Alps
Riding to the start of stage 16
Villard-de-Lans to Bourge d'Oisans