Some photos uploaded from the trip- at following link-
(I havent edited them at all so some might be wrong way round etc.)
http://www.box.net/shared/maop4qxlm8
Tuesday, 9 September 2008
Final Stats
Due to popular demand- final details worked out from the week- (I have worked these out from my bike computer and maps and I dont have GPS, so they arent 100% accurate, but probably not far off.)
Over the 6 days:
Total distance- 579 kilometres (291.5 miles)
Total ascending of roughly 17,000 metres (about 57000foot.)
Day 1- 85k 1697metres ascent
Day 2- 69k 1810 m ascent and an hours run (about 11k)
Day 3- 97k- 2074 m ascsent
Day 4- 83k- 2285 m ascsent
Day 5- 122k- 4050m ascent
Day 6- 123k- 5580m ascent
Over the 6 days:
Total distance- 579 kilometres (291.5 miles)
Total ascending of roughly 17,000 metres (about 57000foot.)
Day 1- 85k 1697metres ascent
Day 2- 69k 1810 m ascent and an hours run (about 11k)
Day 3- 97k- 2074 m ascsent
Day 4- 83k- 2285 m ascsent
Day 5- 122k- 4050m ascent
Day 6- 123k- 5580m ascent
Saturday, 30 August 2008
29th Aug - Day Six
Finished!!!
Last day - set out from Briancon, 20k up to the Lauteret then the famous Galivier - hard and steep near the top but incredible views down both valleys.
Had my only scary moment of the week on descent. Nearly went into the back of a Renault but managed to escape OK in the end.
Lovely long drop down the valley to Chambon Barrage apart from the tunnels! Decided to climb 2 Alpes and pay respects to Mr Pantani. Nice quiet climb up and descent back to Barrage. Met some of the others for lunch before going down to Bourg d'Oisans and final climb up Alpe d'Huez. Agony all the way up due to heat and gradient, but made it with the support of the team sat cheering at a bar near the top!
Timed myself at 1 hr 18. 76 miles for the day. A coke then a few beers to recover after whilst watching every one else finish!
Last day - set out from Briancon, 20k up to the Lauteret then the famous Galivier - hard and steep near the top but incredible views down both valleys.
Had my only scary moment of the week on descent. Nearly went into the back of a Renault but managed to escape OK in the end.
Lovely long drop down the valley to Chambon Barrage apart from the tunnels! Decided to climb 2 Alpes and pay respects to Mr Pantani. Nice quiet climb up and descent back to Barrage. Met some of the others for lunch before going down to Bourg d'Oisans and final climb up Alpe d'Huez. Agony all the way up due to heat and gradient, but made it with the support of the team sat cheering at a bar near the top!
Timed myself at 1 hr 18. 76 miles for the day. A coke then a few beers to recover after whilst watching every one else finish!
Thursday, 28 August 2008
28 Aug - Day Five
A crazy day for cyling, very hot, sunny and humid! 38 degrees when set off from Susa.
13 miles climbing at 9.2 per cent. The final 5 miles of the climb were on a gravel track - madness! Refreshed with madelines and bananas. We went up valley to Sestriere for pizza and over the Montgenevre into France and descent to Briancon.
While the others went to shower and chill I went up the Col d'Izoard to try out another legendary tour climb - tough but incredible scenery and some nice Dutch cyclists took my pic at the top. Lovely descent to Briancon again and dinner with beer.
Today 76.86 miles. Not sure how much climbing, will have to work it out, probably over 3k metres. Last day tomorrow - Galibier and Alpe d'Huez. Hope also to do 2 alpes.
No beans on toast yet but some great food.
13 miles climbing at 9.2 per cent. The final 5 miles of the climb were on a gravel track - madness! Refreshed with madelines and bananas. We went up valley to Sestriere for pizza and over the Montgenevre into France and descent to Briancon.
While the others went to shower and chill I went up the Col d'Izoard to try out another legendary tour climb - tough but incredible scenery and some nice Dutch cyclists took my pic at the top. Lovely descent to Briancon again and dinner with beer.
Today 76.86 miles. Not sure how much climbing, will have to work it out, probably over 3k metres. Last day tomorrow - Galibier and Alpe d'Huez. Hope also to do 2 alpes.
No beans on toast yet but some great food.
27 Aug - Day Four
Another incredibly hot sunny day. Hard climb from Val D'Isere but not long. Good descent into the beautiful Arc Valley. Then up the difficult Col du Mont Cenis for lunch of tartiflette overlooking the spectacular lake. About 25k fast descent into Susa. Very hot and humid in Italy. Search for ice cream and pizza!
Tuesday, 26 August 2008
26 Aug - Day Three
A hard day's cycling. Albertville to Cormet De Roseland - 44k uphill. Then down the valley for a quick lunch and climbing up to Hauteville which was a killer. Up to Val d'Isere to finish us off!
The hardest day cycling I've ever had and very hot but amazing scenery. Tomorrow into Italy and another 100k with lots of up hills. Still haven't seen a marmot or beans on toast!!
The hardest day cycling I've ever had and very hot but amazing scenery. Tomorrow into Italy and another 100k with lots of up hills. Still haven't seen a marmot or beans on toast!!
Monday, 25 August 2008
25 Aug - Day Two
A short stage, so a few of us took a diversion up the Col de Croix Fry which was really nice but a bit tough at 9 o'clock straight after breakfast.
Rest of the day was nice without being too hard. Really nice descents although one guy did fall and damaged his face on a wall. Luckily he is ok. Got back early so went into town for lunch - Albertville. And then went for a run up to a medieval village and church.
Rest of day spent in pool and preparing for a long day tomorrow. Forecast is good. Tan is building, but some stripes!
Rest of the day was nice without being too hard. Really nice descents although one guy did fall and damaged his face on a wall. Luckily he is ok. Got back early so went into town for lunch - Albertville. And then went for a run up to a medieval village and church.
Rest of day spent in pool and preparing for a long day tomorrow. Forecast is good. Tan is building, but some stripes!
Sunday, 24 August 2008
24 Aug - Day One
Amazing hot weather and lovely rolling roads. 63 miles from Annecy and over the Col de la Colombiere to Le Grand Bornand. The Colombiere started off OK but got harder and worse at the top. 18k. Had to stop for sandwich and coke and the top.
Passed through a puppet festival in a village on the way down and here there is a games and music festival in the streets.
Hotel is fantastic. Pool, spa, sauna etc. Room has two balconies and amazing views. Hope people are donating as we are sweating blood up the hills here!
Passed through a puppet festival in a village on the way down and here there is a games and music festival in the streets.
Hotel is fantastic. Pool, spa, sauna etc. Room has two balconies and amazing views. Hope people are donating as we are sweating blood up the hills here!
Saturday, 23 August 2008
23 Aug
Not even day one yet and it's been a challenge for some people already. Our plane landed at Geneva OK but all the other flights were diverted to Lyon due to a problem. So we waited ages for others to arrive before getting to Annecy. Even now at 11pm some have only just got here to the hotel.
Food is good, but the view from the window is platform 4 at the train station! Hoping tomorrow goes smoothly.
Weather forecast is good so far.
Food is good, but the view from the window is platform 4 at the train station! Hoping tomorrow goes smoothly.
Weather forecast is good so far.
Thursday, 21 August 2008
22/8/08 Radio Leeds
I've been asked to be interviewed on BBC radio Leeds in the morning- so have to be up early and travel over there. I need to get some notes together so that I can publisise my cause and make sure I'm not sidetracked and end up talking about the gulf war or the credit crunch or something.
If anyone wants to listen I think I'm on at about 930- 10 o clock ish.
If anyone wants to listen I think I'm on at about 930- 10 o clock ish.
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