Thanks for the kind support and advice my friend. Yes I have a reasonably good idea how tough the severe climbs will be, and am not I suspect going to tackle the higher category climbs terribly well, perhaps at a hugely reduced rate (or next year!). What I will attempt is certainly the lower category climbs and these should prove to be more than manageable, as well as flatter stages.
I will as always be extremely cautions and I will keep close eyes on brakes/bike/tyres (obviously not whilst riding!).
With regards to eating, yes naturally I will be taking plenty of higher energy food with me. With regards to hydration, I naturally don't need huge amounts of water however hard I am exercising, but as you rightly point out there needs to be sufficient fluid going in to replenish the body.
Plenty of sunblock also, even though my skin is not pale and the fact I can endure very hot sun you can quite easily sunburn as you mention. I found out whilst doing a long hot ride (about 8 hours) in July, where on arrival back home realised my arms were sunburnt!
Just one quick question, you say you have done a portion of the Pyrennees and Alps yourself, do you recommend wearing a hat? Secondly I hear that at the very steep climbs and with lack of trees in that terrain there can be slightly more difficulty breathing in enough oxygen, did you encounter any of this, and to what sort of degree?
Yeah, I have been fortunate to do routes through the Pyrennes, Alps and I have done several Etapes de Tour (Etape is the actual route of a TDF stage).
I've done routes like Mount Ventoux
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mont_Ventoux
Alpe D'Huez, Col du Galibier, Col de Telegraph, Cormet de Roseland
http://www.steephill.tv/2006/alpe-d-huez/
http://www.cycling-challenge.com/cormet-de-roseland/
I would strongly recommend wearing a helmet at all times - especially as the descents can be extremely steep and if you have an accident (hopefully you won't), you will at least have some protection.
In terms of the terrain on the more steep climbs, many climbs lose their vegetation as you ascend them.
Ventoux is notorious because half way up the climb to the summit, you are completely exposed there is no vegetation and if it is sunny the heat literally
bounces off the exposed road back in to your face.
It is an inhospitable climb.
In terms of heat, France can be deceptive.
I cycled from Limoges to St Flour - across 2/3/4th category climbs.
The temperature was lovely 21 degrees but the humidity was very high.
And as you climb the higher climbs, oxygen does start to thin and the effect of this is more pronounced if you're suffering anyway.
What I would suggest is that you climb the mountains at your own pace.
Try to ignore the speed at which other people climb.
Your body as it's own capacity - and it is always best to listen to your own body rather than trying to climb at someones elses tempo.
I don't mean to be too serious about all of this : these events should be enjoyable.
However it would be folly to think that these routes are a piece of cake.
They're not.
But going at your own rythmn, you should be fine.
Enjoy!
