The Cycling Thread

Looks awesome. The goals which I set at the beginning of the year were shattered and its been a very disjointed summer for me. Looks like I'll now have to look to next year. Plan on getting another trainer to sort out the winter months so I can get a base for the better weather.

[maviczap]

Originally Posted by robchester

Looks awesome.

Yep, everyone agreed it was their favourite climb at the end of the week

Day 4 Bareges - Hautacam - Barages

Same weather as the previous day, so an early start. Luckily we didn't go out with the guided group as they ended up doing over 90 miles rather than the 75 planned.

So headed down the hill again always a good start to the day and rode down the gorge road at a brisk pace to the start of the Hautacam.

Now Hautacam doesn't start easy and doesn't get any easier, the inclines are long and there are few switchbacks, so its hard climbing all the way.

Well I say no hairpins, there was one I remember as it had a great view of the valley below, which I was admiring, untill I went round and was faced with a long climb. The sun was fully out by now and it was getting hot, so as I saw the climb ahead my head started to go. For me this was the hardest part right up to a cattle grid and if I remember correctly this was the steepest part.

But the summit was insight and the road wasn't quite so steep, plus I was following our guide, which helped my pace.

No Garmin data as it'd taken the day off.

Got to the top with good views again

Our guide says that during this years Etape they'd had to close the road up for competitors, because the ques at the finish were so large and the weather was so bad they were getting hypothermia

It wasn't a problem for us





The downhill was a bit more tricky than Luz Ardiden, as you couldn't see through the bends, but still good.

We rode back to Luz, but we got picked up by the broom wagon, as 4 pairs of legs were completely fried. In hindsight we probably could have rode back up to Bareges, but at the time it was a different mater.

Hors catagorie climb number 2 done

[maviczap]

Day 5 - rest day

Took a drive up to the Pont D'Espange to go and see the waterfall properly





The pictures don't do it justice



After 4 days hard riding a full fat coke is allowed



Which helped wash down a nice steak & chips, with garlic & herb butter.

We did try and go to the top of the Col d'Aubisque but when we got to the top of the Col du Solour which forms part of the climb to Aubisque it was in the clouds, so we turned back as driving was distinctly dodgy.

Looks like a mega trip guys, can't wait for LP's Ventoux pictures, that is the one I would love to attempt. Such an eerie looking mountain coupled with the history of it

[maviczap]

Yep mega trip

Day 6 - Bareges - Tourmalet loop.

well after the rest day I was nervous about this ride, for good reason. No downhill start or warm up but straight up the hill to the top and its not an easy start either. So a big breakfast of cornflakes & crossiants at out ready to go at 9. Well I started off with the idea of taking it easy, but a lorry up my **** in the one way system in the village put paid to that as I had to get a wriggle on to get out of his way. So huffed and puffed my way out of town until my HR settled down.

Long slog up the hill until we turned off the main Tourmalet road to the 'la Voie Laurent Fignon' which is the original & proper climb of the Tourmalet. The plus side is that the road is blocked by boulders to stop any cars going up or down, so nice and safe, the downside is that the sheep & cattle leave loads of stones & debris on the road, I wouldn't like to go down this way with all this stuff on the road.

The climb up wasn't too bad as it was nice and cool, but the last part of la Voie Laurent Fignon was steep before it re joined the main road. Stopped for a energy gel & a drink here, then proceeded up the last part, which in the last 3km really kicked up steep. Whats worse is that you can see how far up you've got to climb to get to the cafe at the summit

But its a good target to aim for as well

Well 1hr & 10mins is what it took me to climb from Bareges to the summit






LP started off after me, so I was able to capture his moment of glory



The highest paved road in Europe I'm told, my legs agreed





Like two peas in a pod

So after a few snaps, we headed off down the other side of the Tourmalet through La Mongie ski resort and down past the forge where Bobet fixed his broken forks but was later disqualified. We were meant to stop there, but we'd all wizzed past before our guide could stop us.

The road down this side was pretty pants, lots of pot holes and bad bits, plus lots of cars who can't do the speed we were doing. At least a Swiss car allowed us past on a steep downhill section. Plus there was a massive poo in the middle of one bend where i had to change line to avoid it. Probably lama poo, yes lama poo, there's a herd of them on this side of the mountain roaming free Didn't see any mind.

A nice rolling road to the coffee stop although pretty busy with traffic

A quick caffe au lait and back out on the road. Our guide Rob took us down a nice country lane which led to another climb of 4k to get back to Luz. Very similar to UK country lanes except therewere no cars.

This connected up with the lovely cycle path, and with a warm tail wind me and LP started to team time trial it to the lunch stop, until we dropped one of the group and Rob slowed us down. Good job as by the time we got to our rendevouz I was pretty hungry only to find no jambon only fromage at the cafe stop

So back up the Luz gorge road and the ascent of the bottom part of the Tormalet, no one bottled it and we all made it back to Bareges. LP won the stage as he dropped me on the climb.

Garmin had recovered from its hizzy fit and worked fine all day



62 miles doesn't sound much, but 5 hours ride time at an average HR of 159 is pretty tough

But another Hors catagorie climb done

[maviczap]

Rob our guide told us that the giant cyclist at the top of the Tourmalet is taken down every winter and then taken back in a special parade

In this years event where they reopened the original climb of the Tourmalet they got Miguel Indurain to turn up.

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xj5...nt-fignon_news

Long video, but goes to show how much cycling is part of the culture in France, which is how we found it, plenty of old and youing and male and female cyclists doing the climbs.

[Luckypants]

Ventoux was ticked off yesterday



It was tough but I made it in 2:10 and Ian in 2:30. View from the top was amazing, we could see the Alps and Mont Blanc was quite clear. More when I'm back...

Great write up Mav.

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[maviczap]

Photo works LP, well done both of you, I'm dead envious

Just got our last ride to write up.

Day 7 Bareges - Gavarnie - Bareges

Yet another beautiful morning bright sunshine, although everyone had a bit of a lie in following the previous days exertions, well Lp's brother went back to bed

So me and LP decided to take an easy ride out to Gavarnie, as it had been recommended as a nice coffee ride, which was what we wanted.

So down the hill again, LP disapearing off in the distance, I clocked 46 mph after switching my Garmin on, LP hit nearly 50mph! Extra gravitational pull and aero rims accounted for the extra few mph

Then out of Luz and out toward Gavarnie, nice reasonable gradient, but I was feeling the affects of the previous days ride and the whole weeks exertions, as I couldn't hold LP's wheel and he went off at his own pace, although I'd felt fine lower down the climb.

Still it wasn't bad and it wasn't too long before we got to Gavarnie, plenty of cyclists there, lots of lady cyclists too.



Gavarnie is on the same latitude as Greenwich so why are they one hour ahead of us ?
Its marked on the plinth behind LP


We decided to cycle up to find a better shot of the Cirque De Gavarnie and we're both glad we did. Here's the view from lower Gavarnie



After we'd go up a little bit further





The pictures can't do it justice.



View down the valley from the cafe

So after a coffee we headed back down the valley


Stopped at the Pont Du Normandie, this is where the Tour passes over either on the way to Luz Ardiden or the Tourmalet

Amazing construction, with a massive drop to the river below. How do they do things like that?


This French cyclist took our picture, top bloke



But despite having one of LP's energy gels I was over hungry so we stopped in Luz for food & drink. Luckily LP's brother turned up as he was on his way to find us. I wasn't feeling to good, so I got a lift back to Bareges. LP carried on, but I'm glad I didn't as he had a really tough time on the climb back, and nearly called his brother to come and collect him too!!!!!!!



http://connect.garmin.com/activity/114975480

I felt sick most of the afternoon, so the Tourmalet ride had taken a lot out of me.

But after a bit of grub and cups of tea I was ok again

So thats it for my week as I flew back from a wet and horrible Lourdes to a warm and sunny Stansted.

Top week, top company and no punctures.

If you don't cycle it, then take your bikes as the roads are good and usually the weather is good. We hit the right week.

If not go skiing there, I'm tempted.

I can recommend the place we stayed, good food & accomodation and run by Rob & Rachel who were heplful and knowledgeable hosts.

http://www.lessorbiers.co.uk/

[Luckypants]

Now I know photos work...

Here's Mav having coffee at Gavarnie



And the one with the helmet hair I've been dying to post LOL




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[Luckypants]

Originally Posted by maviczap

Day 2.

So after a good hour of climbing....

Funny how you slowed down when you caught that nice young lady on the MTB...

I still couldn't catch you though!


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