Cycling the Tour de France

[chris__P]

thank you to everyone offering support and encouragement, it is greatly appreciated.

i have read paul howards book and also geoff thomas's. they are useful for getting an idea but i dont think anything will be able to prepare me!

with regards to my original Q, does anyone have any suggestions bike-wise. the guys i am cycling with have Bianchis and Geoff Thomas team all used them to do the tour without problems. any thoughts?

 

[4F]

thank you to everyone offering support and encouragement, it is greatly appreciated.

i have read paul howards book and also geoff thomas's. they are useful for getting an idea but i dont think anything will be able to prepare me!

with regards to my original Q, does anyone have any suggestions bike-wise. the guys i am cycling with have Bianchis and Geoff Thomas team all used them to do the tour without problems. any thoughts?

What's your budget ?

 

[4F]

Actually I would add that if your collegues are on Bianchi's then that could be the best option for you as then you will be able to minimise on the spares carried on the back up truck if you are all riding the same.

Good luck

 

[chris__P]

What's your budget ?

probably £1000 top end

 

[saty]

WOW... and I thought I was doing loads of miles on the below charity ride!!!
Good Luck Chris and defo keep us posted..

 

[Arch]

I assume you've also read French Revolutions....

I know nothing about racing kit, but I'd have a prety poor opinion of a bike that couldn't hold together for 2000 miles/3 weeks - assuming you don't try to ride it through a bog or the sea.

 

[summerdays]

i also broke my arm last week which has messed up my training plans somewhat - was meant to be training in the peak district last week. anyway, i'm not fast, but i keep going

Having broke mine a few weeks ago ... it has really knocked my confidence ... it will definitely set you back when you get back on the bike, I can't fully straighten my arm yet, and its definitely weaker and gets tired easily.

Good Luck - it sounds a mad caper to me.

 

[rich p]

I would guess that if you need spares and repairs on the road in France then Shimano would be easier to obtain than Campag, but don't quote me on that!

 

[chris__P]

Having broke mine a few weeks ago ... it has really knocked my confidence ... it will definitely set you back when you get back on the bike, I can't fully straighten my arm yet, and its definitely weaker and gets tired easily.

Good Luck - it sounds a mad caper to me.

sorry to hear that - how long is a few weeks and how bad was the break? i have only a slight fracture of the radial head so i should be ok to ride again in a couple of weeks.

confidence in traffic might be an issue seeing as i was taken out by an idiot driver but what can you do, not gonna let it stop me

 

[summerdays]

sorry to hear that - how long is a few weeks and how bad was the break? i have only a slight fracture of the radial head so i should be ok to ride again in a couple of weeks.

confidence in traffic might be an issue seeing as i was taken out by an idiot driver but what can you do, not gonna let it stop me

End of Feb - elbow fracture but not sure which bone. Hospital said I could get back on the bike when I felt like it (stupid thing to say to a cyclist), so I tried after a week - I could bearly get on the bike - didn't realise that you grip the handlebars to get on. I just rode the bike up and down our close that day. Couldn't use the brake or change gear on that side.
Gradually its getting better, the speed is going up - slowly. But I don't like doing more than a 4 miles in one go yet. And sharp braking hurts. And my friend cycling behind me commented on how that elbow sticks out when I'm cycling.

Not entirely sure why I came off - hit something on the road I think causing me to lose control. Now I am paranoid about bumps/manhole covers etc. I've not yet cycled in busy traffic as I'm still off work (I'd go back if they let me).

 

[DLB]

i take my hat off to you chris for even considering doing the ride.

And I really do admire your sense of adventure

 

[TheDoctor]

Riding the whole route, a few months from now, you haven't got a bike yet and you've just broken your arm?

You are completely insane. And I'm envious. So, so envious.

Best of luck and have a great time.

Oh - the bike? I'd go with a triple, which probably implies Shimano. Seriously, if you've not done Alpine climbs before you can't have too many low gears.

 

[dubhghall]

WOW! That is fantastic!!

Good Luck! Have you thought of raising money for a charity? Perhaps more than enough to do with organising the Tour and a broken arm, but worth a thought . . . .
Keep us up to date

 

[jimboalee]

http://www.geoffthomasfoundation.or...=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=4&Itemid=37

Have a read of this.

 

[HJ]

The closest thing you will get to an Alpine pass in the UK is the Bealach na Ba, if you want some serious training.