UPDATE: "Les Trois Texans" were featured in a French newspaper, Sud Ouest. "Geoffrey, Doug and Neil come straight from Texas. This is the third time the three friends crossed the Atlantic together in order to ride one day. Of course, they do not lack motivation. If the idea of riding the same mountains as the heroes of cycling is already attractive in itself, it must be added the pleasures of food and French wine," the article states (in the translated version from French).

Three Houstonians are in Pau, France for the Etape du Tour cycling race on Sunday.

It's a Tour de France-organized cycling event that provides amateur cyclists the opportunity to ride an actual stage of the three week-long Tour de France bike race. (In fact, L’Etape du Tour translates to “Stage of the Tour.”)

This year’s Etape course will also be stage 17 of the 2010 Tour de France on Thursday. It is frequently the most crucial stage of the Tour, determining the overall GC, or Grande Categorie, winner of the Tour de France. (Texan Lance Armstrong won that GC title a record seven times.)

Thousands of international cyclists participate in this event, just like their pro-biking idols, with closed roads, police protection, feeding stations, crazed fans, press coverage and medical assistance.

Usually I accompany my husband, Doug Knaus, and his Houston cycling buddies, architect Geoffrey Stait and Neil Bremner, co-owner of Houston’s Bike Barn stores. My role is sort of a hybrid team mom. I’m the driver, tour guide, French interpreter, water-boy, activities director and cultural attachée.

Since 2006 we’ve “done” various Etapes from “switchback city” Alpe d’Huez in the French Alps, other dizzying Pyrenees peaks, to Provence’s windy Mount Ventoux. It is an impressive sight to see these riders haul up the sides of immense mountains that I can barely navigate in a small automobile.

However, this year, other commitments kept me stateside, so my three Houston Musketeers are off on their own to brave the 108-mile Pyrenees Mountain course.

Historical roots inspire the 2010 Etape route as it is the 100th Anniversary of the Tour’s racing presence in the Pyrenees. Cyclists will pedal over hallowed cycling ground on this grueling mountain stage.

Admittedly, my husband and his biking buddies train a year before this strenuous race. As part of their long distance riding, they participate in other Texas and Colorado rides, including the MS 150, Hotter n’ Hell 100, The Rockies’ Triple Bypass, Leadville 100 and Aspen/Snowmass Ride for the Cure. The Colorado events provide ample opportunities to improve their mountain climbs and descents.

These weekend warriors return annually to the Etape for the camaraderie and the glory of riding in a Tour de France stage. The Etape has a strict time limit, so the guys have to be super-speedy to finish- I’m proud to say these three Houstonians have completed each of their Etape races.

Last year’s race winner was the French Road Race Champion, Dimitri Champion, who completed the 112 mile race in 5 hours, 11 minutes. Our Houston boys finish the race anywhere from eight to 10 hours depending on the climbs, weather and pure luck, not bad considering these guys are all in their 50’s. Wish our Three Musketeers luck for this Sunday’s Etape. Bon Courage!