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!
Saturday, 30 August 2008
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.
19/8/08
Last ride on the bike before packing it up ready for the alps! I wanted to try everything out before going- I put some new bar tape on, new chain and wanted to make sure I wouldnt have any accidents with the new pedals!
I decided after work that I would ride out to Cragg Vale and up the hill to the White house pub- this is the longest continuous inclide in England supossedly, so would be a nice test without going too far from home.
Everything running very smoothly. Only a few adjustments needed. I even managed to avoid the rain- which came down after I got home, for a change! The last half an hour was in darkness which I didnt expect and only had a rear light, so was risking things a bit.
I now have to see if the bike will fit in its bag and my clothes in the case, and make sure I don't forget anything important- like passport or savlon!
I decided after work that I would ride out to Cragg Vale and up the hill to the White house pub- this is the longest continuous inclide in England supossedly, so would be a nice test without going too far from home.
Everything running very smoothly. Only a few adjustments needed. I even managed to avoid the rain- which came down after I got home, for a change! The last half an hour was in darkness which I didnt expect and only had a rear light, so was risking things a bit.
I now have to see if the bike will fit in its bag and my clothes in the case, and make sure I don't forget anything important- like passport or savlon!
Webcams
I've added a link to a Val d'Isere webcam on the right hand side. There are lots of webcams in the ski resorts where I will be cycling and its a nice way to see what the weather is like and whats going on in the mountain resorts. This one is good as its very wide angle and you can see any storms approaching!!
Tuesday, 12 August 2008
Pedals- 9/8/08
I don't know if I'm losing it, or if there is a strange theif operating in my area- 2 things have gone missing this week- a seive (which I needed to make some cake) and my pedals!! I actually think I left the pedals in the car park in Staveley after my training ride, but I am sure I put them in the car boot!
Anyway Mark M came out cycling with me on Saturday- I didnt want to cancel so used some old pedals instead- I have several pairs. The only problem is that the old pedals are rubbish and my feet kept slipping out of them, and when I set off from a junction my feet wouldnt go back in!!
Somehow I did manage to make it through Holmfirth and up Holme Moss, back via Thurstonland and in the rain through Huddersfield. In all just under 50 miles. Not sure if Mark was amused or frustrated at having to wait every now and then, but we seemed to get through ok.
We also managed a sort of car chase with an annoyed old man!! At a junction we almost hit the bonnet of a car which was pulling out in front of us!! Having shouted at the driver we carried on, but then realized he was annoyed at us- why I am not sure (maybe he doesnt like having his driving skills examined?) For some strange reason he overtook us- shouted a bit, and then put his brakes on and went slow in front of us for about a mile- we thought it was quite funny and was wondering what he might do next. He decided to turn at the next junction but before he did he managed to shout something bad mouthed at us, which we had a laugh about.
not many training rides left now- will be going to France on 23rd, so last minute preparations! watch this space for more details.
Anyway Mark M came out cycling with me on Saturday- I didnt want to cancel so used some old pedals instead- I have several pairs. The only problem is that the old pedals are rubbish and my feet kept slipping out of them, and when I set off from a junction my feet wouldnt go back in!!
Somehow I did manage to make it through Holmfirth and up Holme Moss, back via Thurstonland and in the rain through Huddersfield. In all just under 50 miles. Not sure if Mark was amused or frustrated at having to wait every now and then, but we seemed to get through ok.
We also managed a sort of car chase with an annoyed old man!! At a junction we almost hit the bonnet of a car which was pulling out in front of us!! Having shouted at the driver we carried on, but then realized he was annoyed at us- why I am not sure (maybe he doesnt like having his driving skills examined?) For some strange reason he overtook us- shouted a bit, and then put his brakes on and went slow in front of us for about a mile- we thought it was quite funny and was wondering what he might do next. He decided to turn at the next junction but before he did he managed to shout something bad mouthed at us, which we had a laugh about.
not many training rides left now- will be going to France on 23rd, so last minute preparations! watch this space for more details.
Monday, 4 August 2008
Eventful weekend part 2
Part 2 is Sunday morning- after a few bottles of beer on Sat Night I decided to join some of Halifax Harriers for a run on Sunday am. One of Raymond's specials- about 22 miles. I thought it was a bit too much for me, but decided to go anyway and take it steady. Following a missed turning we added a few miles- not sure if this was Ray taking the 'no pain no gain' a bit too far or a genuine mistake!
The last half hour getting back was quite tough and after about 24 ½ miles we made it back- I feel a bit sorry for Mark's dog Green, who ran with us, although she didnt seem bothered and was chasing a stick as we collapsed in the car park.
Well- a good weekend for training if nothing else!
The last half hour getting back was quite tough and after about 24 ½ miles we made it back- I feel a bit sorry for Mark's dog Green, who ran with us, although she didnt seem bothered and was chasing a stick as we collapsed in the car park.
Well- a good weekend for training if nothing else!
2/8/08 Eventful Weekend
Having sold my car on Friday night the first challenge was to find transport to get me and my bike to Staveley for the Guide Dogs training run, on Saturday. Luckily my good friend Mark offered me his Saab for the day which was excellent. In my usual style I was rushing around at 730 trying to pump tyres up, find tools and clean cycle clothing in time to get going. Eventually I got the bike and everything else into the car and went- a bit late. We were due to meet at Wheelbase cycles at 930. When I saw signs for Kendal 8 miles and it was about 925 I did panic a bit, but managed to get there before everyone set off.
Then came a slight problem- I had attached my bike lock to the frame, but couldnt find the key for it!! I searched in the car, in bags, in my shoes, in the glove box, but could not find anything! I then realized in my hurry that I left the keys in the kitchen- oh dear. There was no way I could cycle with the lock on the bike- so we kindly asked the bike shop if they could help- they reckoned it might take them an hour with an angle grinder or maybe longer! In the end they tried a car jack to prise it off- wearing safety goggles and a scared look on the faces the workshop boys gave it their best shot- but it appears 2 tons is not not enough force- maybe 5 would do it?
Anyway the other option was for them to lend me a demo bike- so 10 minutes later a guy turned up with a £2500 Trek Madone and put my pedals on it! All the staff then seemed to have a scared look on their faces! I was told- just make sure you don't break it! And they promptly took my credit card details in case I did break it. (they didnt realize that I only have £600 limit on it!)
To cut a long story short I took the bike and went- I needed a lift in a land rover to catch up the other guys who were about 6 miles up the road- but from then on the day went well. I was comforted by the fact the other riders were of a similar attitude and level as me- and the ride was really relaxed with lots of breaks.
Even though I didnt do the full ride I still got something out of it and feel pretty excited about going to France now. I did feel guilty about taking a muddy trek bike back to the shop and not being charged anything! I am going to make a donation for the amount that I should have paid for the hire and the labour of the guys at Wheelbase.
A succesful day in the end and I even got well fed (cheese scones, chocolate, nectarines, raspberries,) and taken to the pub for a real ale afterwards. Not sure if that will happen in France?
Then came a slight problem- I had attached my bike lock to the frame, but couldnt find the key for it!! I searched in the car, in bags, in my shoes, in the glove box, but could not find anything! I then realized in my hurry that I left the keys in the kitchen- oh dear. There was no way I could cycle with the lock on the bike- so we kindly asked the bike shop if they could help- they reckoned it might take them an hour with an angle grinder or maybe longer! In the end they tried a car jack to prise it off- wearing safety goggles and a scared look on the faces the workshop boys gave it their best shot- but it appears 2 tons is not not enough force- maybe 5 would do it?
Anyway the other option was for them to lend me a demo bike- so 10 minutes later a guy turned up with a £2500 Trek Madone and put my pedals on it! All the staff then seemed to have a scared look on their faces! I was told- just make sure you don't break it! And they promptly took my credit card details in case I did break it. (they didnt realize that I only have £600 limit on it!)
To cut a long story short I took the bike and went- I needed a lift in a land rover to catch up the other guys who were about 6 miles up the road- but from then on the day went well. I was comforted by the fact the other riders were of a similar attitude and level as me- and the ride was really relaxed with lots of breaks.
Even though I didnt do the full ride I still got something out of it and feel pretty excited about going to France now. I did feel guilty about taking a muddy trek bike back to the shop and not being charged anything! I am going to make a donation for the amount that I should have paid for the hire and the labour of the guys at Wheelbase.
A succesful day in the end and I even got well fed (cheese scones, chocolate, nectarines, raspberries,) and taken to the pub for a real ale afterwards. Not sure if that will happen in France?
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