The Cycling Thread

[maviczap]

Originally Posted by Sir Trev

The Monkey set off on her London to Paris ride this morning. Texts so far report tired legs already but I dare say she be carried along with the other 200 or so uni students. Should be close to Pompey by now where they get the overnight ferry to Caen, after which the terrain should be easier than today's crossing of the South Downs. Shame she'll be arriving in Paris late Sunday as I feel it may be a bit full of footie fans...

Chapau monkey!

[Sir Trev]

Have been a bit busy so did not get around to saying that Joan finished her epic ride on Sunday. Bit of an anti-climax though as they were not allowed anywhere near to the Eiffel Tower, the usual finish line, due to the football. They managed to find a spot a half mile or so away where they had some pics taken with the Tower in the background but we haven't got them yet.

She reports it was hard work but a great experience. Some lunatics were on pretty heavy hybrids and basic shopping bikes but even they made it eventually. Her investment in a simple road bike sounds like it was worth it though and I'm sure she'll get plenty of miles on it over the next few years, assuming it does not get nicked from campus when she gets back there in September.

[Sir Trev]

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[maviczap]

Chapeau du la Monkey!

[pookie]

Well done Monkey.. on my list of things to do on two wheels

[Sir Trev]

We've got the pics now. Many thanks to all for the encouragement, advice and sponsorship - Joan was very grateful for all of it, as were we.

At the finish by Trevor Laight, on Flickr

[chris8886]

well done for finishing!!

[carelesschucca]

Guys, I've just finished reading Laurent Fignon's and David Millers books...

Where should I go next?

[maviczap]

Did youy read Robert Millars book? If not thats good, as is Sean Kelly's

I've just finished Chris Boardmans Triumph's & Turbulence and I'm just into Alistair Fotheringhams End of the Road, although I'm stuck as its getting a bit bogged down in the story.

I did Geraint Thomas's book, that was ok. Slaying the Badger is a good read

Or for a non racing read French Revolutions

[maviczap]

Blimey its a bit quiet in here, so here's a load of boring waffle about my Alps trip.

Hadn't planned to go, but it was in the back of my mind to go. Then I realised that if I didn't go this year, it'd be another year before I'd get the chance, and perhaps I'd do the same thing next year, and so on. Main thing holding me back was I'd be going on my own this time, but I said sod it.

I'd been doing steady miles all year, but I did a few hard turbo sessions in August to try and get the legs used to long hard efforts. It never replicates it for real, but then what can, without a grands worth of Tacx Neo turbo.

So flew out to Turin from Gatwick, as the BA flight was as cheap as Easy Jet to Lyon, with the baggage allowance BA give you. Plus the flight times are pretty good too, no early morning or late evening slots.

So first day, its pizzing down in Briancon, but looking at the rain radar, its going to clear. Which it does, but its now 1 o'clock.

P_20160916_104111 by maviczap, on Flickr

So trying to ride to Galibier & back isn't really feasible, plus I didn't know what the weather would be like there. So bunged the bike in back of the hire car and drove to the Lauteret, and conditions were fine, damp & cold, not raining and the pass was Ouvert!

P_20160916_155152_PN by maviczap, on Flickr

Once on the climb, I felt fine, overtook a couple of Belgian cyclists, and only in the last Km did I find the going a bit tough. Once I got to the summit, the other side which I'd tried and failed at the previous year, was completely fog bound and not very nice. So I'm glad I hadn't climbed from that side.

P_20160916_154032_PN by maviczap, on Flickr

Maybe its a bit of a cheat to not do the whole ride, but this guys blog was useful in just doing the 8km from the Lautret summit to Galibier. Plus a gentle start to the week. Plus I'd done a lot of the climb from the other side last year, so this was stage 2

http://www.cycling-challenge.com/col...complete-look/

P_20160916_153957 by maviczap, on Flickr

P_20160916_155117 by maviczap, on Flickr

I took it easy on the descent, as I was very cold, it was damp & I didn't want to bin it on the first day. The road surface wasn't as good as the Telegraph on the other side, very bumpy and uneven. Not good for the confidence!

Still I was please to have got to the summit, apart from wanting to punch a rather fat rude Dutch cyclist who wanted me out of the way whilst he had his photo taken.