The Cycling Thread

Looks fun, did a spot of cycling the last couple of days up north, the weather wasn't as nice as above:

http://c2c2ctimhurford.blogspot.com/

I'm now running a bit....

[maviczap]

Right deleted my earlier posts for a proper write up. Maybe Luckypants will add his side when he gets back, I know he's been posting stuff on Facebook, but here's my weeks ride in the Pyrenees

Sat 12th
Got up at 0345 to get checked in for my flight to Lourdes at 0620, Stansteds a nightmare as the Ryan Air check in is for every flight not specific flights, so its a bun fight between yours and all the other folk. So even a 0500 theres a massive que to check in. Get that done and take the bike to the oversize baggage check in. Job done, then get through security, que wasn't too bad, then just wait for the departure gate to be announced. Its a busy old flight, most folk are pilgrims & preists . Uneventful flight to Lourdes, step off the plane to a nice warm day, brillant sunshine and with a great view of the mountains in the distance




LP collected me from the airport, which was a blessing, as there was no one available to collect me from the guest house.

We were staying 6km up the Tourmalet in Bareges, typical ski resort, with most of the ski shops being shut. But a supermarche up the street and the usual bars and bakers





Its also has a thermal spa. Plenty of cyclists and bikers riding through on the way up and down.

So after a quick cuppa and a pain au choco for lunch, I'd assembled my bike in the scorching heat and LP, his brother and me went off for a little leg stretcher down in Luz and along to gorge road



Wow, the 6 km downhill into Luz was a real eyeopener, mentally fast for me as I live in the flatlands, great couple of hairpins before long straight descents

Riding through down the gorge and then onto a perfectly laid cycle track on a. Then some bright spark said lets turn back and do the Tourmalet. I'd only heard the 'lets turn back bit' .

So riding back along the gorge road, I was melting in the heat, before we got to the start of the climb, so were the others

The first part of the Tourmalet from Luz to Bareges is meant to be the hardest, with the steepest gradients, so combine this with 34 deg temps, I was in trouble half way and nearly went splat into a gutter. There was a stream nearby, so I filled a bottle with cold water and poured it over myself, LP decided to drink it, after I'd said not to No ill effects mind.

So we crawled back up the remainder of the climb to Bareges in the searing heat. Feck this is the first day I thought, what have I let myself in for as I was using my lowest gear to climb.

But after a shower, a snack and a cuppa tea I felt better.

Even better after the evening meal at the guest house.

Day one over, Garmin stats, no HR activity, as I couldn't find the chest strap

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/113308705

[fizzwheel]

I'd seen Mike posting on facebook and admit to being jealous of the three of you, Something one day I'd like to do. Lack of bike mojo is not really helping me much although.

[Luckypants]

Just want to say. Bareges is 7.5km from official start of Tourmalet, measured in my last ride up....

Sent from my HTC Sensation Z710e using Tapatalk

[Luckypants]

Originally Posted by fizzwheel

I'd seen Mike posting on facebook and admit to being jealous of the three of you, Something one day I'd like to do. Lack of bike mojo is not really helping me much although.

Dude, we will be going again, open invite as per usual


Sent from my HTC Sensation Z710e using Tapatalk

[maviczap]

Day 2.

After a good nights sleep and a big breakfast me and LP headed out downhill again Just the 2 of us as his brother had fecked his ankle.

So at the suggestion of the lady propriortor we headed out to Chambasque, which was used for the 1989 TDF where Indurain won the stage and Fignon took back time on Lemond. Its better known as Cauterets, but it actually finishes at the ski lift at Chambasque.

So we rode down to Luz and found the road, once we'd got up the intital steep part, the road to Cauterets was lovely and we were both enjoying the ride. It was also cooler as we'd headed out before the sun got up too high.

The comment of the day was, 'it kicks up a bit after Cauterets' Bloomin right it did, a sharp turn onto the Chambasque road and then the gradient dramatically increased, but no signs to tell you how much. So after a good hour of climbing we reached the ski station



I was relived to find that it went no higher than this, as LP said the road went further, but it was only suitable for MTB's.



On the ride down there were gradient signposting 10%

Then a brief ride to the Pont D'Espange where LP had to call me back from riding to Spain as I didn't have my passport

A nice caffe au laite and a crepe saw me right for the ride back down to Luz, where LP's brother picked us up as we didn't want another episode like the previous day, as it had got very hot again.

Job jobbed and felt much better after doing this ride, as at least I knew I could do the 10% climbs, we'd all been too tired and probably lacking fuel to do the ride the day before.

If you can access my Garmin stats, just look at my HR for the ride up to Chambasque! LP says I'm a freak for my age

Ignore the 220 reading as there was something in Bareges thataffected all the HR monitors

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/113538352#

Day 2 over, food & a beer later luverly.

[maviczap]

Originally Posted by fizzwheel

I'd seen Mike posting on facebook and admit to being jealous of the three of you, Something one day I'd like to do. Lack of bike mojo is not really helping me much although.

Yep noticed you'd not been posting much.

I hope mine & Mikes posts will help inspire you a bit, and as Mike says come along next time, as that Look of yours needs to experience the roads it was made for.

[fizzwheel]

Perhaps thats what I need a long term goal to get my cycling again. I went out yesterday and did 17 miles in just over an hour which wasnt to bad seeing as I havent done anything for two months, but nothing compared to what you guys are doing.

I've always wanted to cycle Alp D'heuz so perhaps thats something for me to aim for.

[fizzwheel]

Originally Posted by maviczap

Yep noticed you'd not been posting much.

Completely lost my enthusiasm for it, what with the accident and the solicitors still not sorted it out, Personal Injury claim is just about there we think, but AXA wont even entertain talking to my solicitor about a value for the Van Nic, even the solicitor is getting exasperated with it and cant understand why they are being so difficult about it.

I would like it done and dusted so I can draw a line under it all. The police have prosecuted the driver and instead of fining him they have sent him on a two day driver improvement course. He was an old man and I felt a bit sorry for him, so hopefully it'll help him not do the same thing again.

I'm going to get some rides in on my own for a bit and then see about joining the local club in the spring I think.

[maviczap]

Well Alpe D'Huez is on my 'To do' list. I know its do able in a long weekend as my neighbour did it, so long as the weather is ok, but I'd also like to do the Telegraph & Galibier, so another week would be required.

It does help to have these goals as a focus, although this trip wasn't fully finalised until July, and due to personal reasons I nearly had to pull out, luckily I didn't but the training I managed to fit in wasn't ideal for this type of holiday.

Next time I'll be a bit better prepared.

My mate has the same mojo problem, as after nearly 20 years of getting up early to compete in TT's he just can't be arsed anymore, so I've planted the seed in his mind to do a trip like this.