Re: Col du Tourmalet, anyone?
 

Indeed, it wa quite common during the 80's / 90's for heatlhy fit young cyclists to die in their sleep from heart attacks. To much EPO thickens the blood and the heart cant cope with it and then the heart fails.

Re: Col du Tourmalet, anyone?
 

Yes, and because of this and the improvements in the detection of EPO, they all started saving their own good blood in the off season, but having pints saved up by a nice Spanish Doctor.:rolleyes:

Both have the same effect of introducing fresh oxygen rich blood cells. So mid Tour when you need a bit of a boost, along comes El Doctor and gives you a blood transfusion. Hey presto you feel as good as new :rolleyes: Without the risk of waking up dead :rolleyes:

Oh and add a dash of human growth hormone, plus the 'new' EPO - CERA and all of a sudden a whole host of wonder cyclists :(

Who do they think they were they kidding, I'm glad many of them have been found out.

Re: Col du Tourmalet, anyone?
 

I've read the wiki article on this now - blimey what a challenge that sounds. I've never been into cycling but this is really interesting. You're going to have to lose some flab, me duck:smt037 But it sounds well worth it. If I can run marathons at 50, you can do this at 47:cool::D

Re: Col du Tourmalet, anyone?
 

It's the history and myth of Le Tourmalet that interests me, even though there are harder climbs on the Tour routes.

Trouble is that if I do it it will probably be a day taken out of a family holiday and therefore I'll be on my own. At least the Dragon Ride has 3,500 others in it and I have eight local friends to ride/train/practice with :-)

Cheeky git :smt037

I don't have a lot of flab, tbh, and the "love handles" have gone already. I don't think I'd feel too good at much below 12.5st so that's the target. Will get there by more exercise, better diet and less alcohol.

Let's see how the combination of 46 and the Dragon goes first :thumbsup: