By Coralie Rogez

Los Altos Police Chief Don Johnson shared a taste of Tour de France cycling and French food Aug. 14 with the El Camino YMCA’s “Gentle Cycle” class.

Larry Thomson, an Older Adult Program instructor, led about 20 individuals in his morning cycling class, while they listened to a presentation by Johnson, who cycled alongside the Tour de France riders in July.

Johnson typically cycles on Montebello Road, off Stevens Creek Boulevard. However, when he decided to join the “Cycling Ahead 2003 Tour de France Explorer Group,” he challenged himself a bit more and cycled from the Bay Area to Santa Barbara to train for the ride in the French Alps.

“This is a very strategic race,” Johnson said.

Johnson and Los Altos City Manager Phil Rose began their seven-day cycling trip in a quaint, little, mountainous French town, Aix-Les-Bains, located near Grenoble.

The $1,200 tour included all the food and wine the cyclers could have wished for, as well as hotel accommodations.

“At the top of every mountain in France are chateaux where they serve food, wine and even banana splits. You can imagine how nice it was,” Johnson said.

Their tour guide Russell initiated the cyclists with a bike ride down the mountain into Aix-Les-Bains. It was an exhausting and difficult ride following the 12-hour flight into Lyon compounded by jet lag.

The unofficial Tour de France cyclists began the tour earlier than the regular Tour De France participants did. Their goal was to ride alongside the participants, not to race.

The competition began with 200 cars going 30 mph down the road, advertising such things as Gillette razors simultaneously blasting Madonna’s latest song, “American Life.” Floats advertised “Terminator 3,” which had recently hit French screens.

Johnson began the YMCA cycling class with Madonna’s song to recreate the race atmosphere.

In France, Johnson and Rose rode alongside the professionals on 12-foot-wide roads with names such as Col de Portes, Mt. Renard, Col de Granon and Col du Lautaret.

On Col d’Huez, Johnson treated himself to a souvenir. “I bought myself the jersey,” he said, referring to the jersey that he was sporting that morning at the YMCA.

The hourlong PowerPoint presentation included slides of Johnson’s tour beside Lance Armstrong’s group.

“You’re able to get right next to the riders,” Johnson said.

Johnson said he was stopped by gendarmes, the French police, on Col d’Izoard after a sudden weather change. Los Altos’ own police chief ignored the gendarme’s recommendation to go down the mountain.

The slideshow ended with a shot of Johnson hoisting his bike up by the Col du Galiber sign, which marks the Tour de France finish point. A real victory and accomplishment for him.

“It was challenging,” Johnson said. “Hopefully, (we) will get to go back next year.”

The 430-mile cycling journey ended on a royal note after he and another cyclist were bumped up to first class. Johnson presented the first-class kit as well as a Tour de France shirt, hat, key chains and French wine to the “Gentle Cycle” members.

After stretching, Johnson and Thomson invited the “gentle” cyclists to treat themselves to French cheese and sliced baguette.