jongooligan
Legendary Member
- Location
- Behind bars
I think it's age. 18 mph used to be an easy cruising speed for me, now it's eyeballs out. I've got ever so slightly faster since retirement which I reckon is due to getting out more.
Your ride today....
- Thread starter gbb
- Start date
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I think it's age. 18 mph used to be an easy cruising speed for me, now it's eyeballs out. I've got ever so slightly faster since retirement which I reckon is due to getting out more.
Shearwater Missile
Veteran
Thanks for that. Not too bothered but I like explanations, if you know what I mean. If I get an end of term report I am sure it would say "Although he is doing well, he could try harder" !
Reynard
Guru
- Location
- Cambridgeshire, UK
Yesterday's ride - was too tired physically and emotionally to post last night... The 21st July always has that effect on me...
Loaded Wiggy #2, the Chartres, into the car early doors yesterday morning and drove down to Winchester. (Yes, I know, that's a fair way from this neck of the woods - A10, A14, M11, M25, M3) Thanks to some fabby advice from the bods on here, I parked up in the Winnall area of the city and, shortly after snaffling a sandwich and banana, set out to ride to Alresford.
It was actually just finishing spitting with rain at this point, and muggins had no waterproofs because the forecast has said it wouldn't rain... Anyways, once the map was checked and underpass under / over the M3 negotiated, the ride could begin in earnest.
The section of road between Winnall and Easton has a few nasty hilly bits right from the off. Ouch! A bit of shanks' pony required, but not too bad. It does get easier, so I made reasonable time to Easton. Another stop to check the map to make sure I didn't get lost like last time and to remove the arm warmers, and I was off again heading towards Avington. This is a lovely part of the ride, along the Itchen Valley, through mixed woodland. From there the road drops down into the country park - the woods open out and you're greeted with this amazing vista. And a herd of highland cattle!
Exiting the park involved a fair bit of huffing and puffing (and a little more of shanks' pony) but then it's through Avington proper. Another stop to check the map where the road splits by the golf course, and from there it's a nice rolling bimble to Ovington. This is where the ride gets tricky again (I'm from the fens remember, I *don't* have hill legs). Ovington is on a steep slope and there's lots of downs and ups and a really tricky cambered junction to negotiate, and things don't get much easier until you cross the roundabout for the A31 and join the B3047. On the flip side, this bit of the ride is wooded, and it's just so pretty.
From the junction, the drop into Alresford on the cyclepath is straightforward, although I did have to dismount at one point because part of the hedgerow was so overgrown and I didn't fancy neither the nettles at shin height, nor the brambles at face height...
The purpose of my ride... As you can probably guess from my avatar, I'm a big fan of the Warwick brothers. The 21st July is the anniversary of Paul's fatal crash at Oulton Park, and if I can (though it's not always possible), I like to go and pay my respects at his grave. So the outward leg of my ride finished at the gate to the churchyard. It's such a beautiful, peaceful place to sit and be with your thoughts. By then, the clouds had rolled away, the sun had come out and I was really thankful for the shade.
My flowers survived being shoehorned, first in a tupperware, and then in a pannier...
It was lovely to just sit there, in the shade, listening to the breeze rustling in the trees and to remember. A couple of people stopped by, wondering about the slightly nutty female cyclist from Cambridgeshire, but it was nice to talk about Paul and to share memories. If I hadn't ended up being stuck on the M25 for more than an hour on the way down, I would have run into some family as well. Ah well...
All too soon, it was time to leave and head back to Winchester the way I came. Though not after snagging a photo of St John's - though sans Wiggy.
The ride back wasn't too bad. Especially when, once off the main road and heading towards Ovington, you're riding back through this. It lifts your heart, it really does... So different from my home patch.
Each leg took me about an hour and 40-ish, although not getting lost, and not having the pressure of needing to catch a particular train so that onwards connections later in the evening aren't missed, meant I really enjoyed the ride. Yes, it was hard work at times, but the scenery more than made up for it, and it was nice to be able to stop here and there just to take it all in. And my few hours of peace and quiet in Alresford were just lovely. Have to say, the triple on the Chartres was really welcome, and I surprised myself by being able to ride up some of the hills that I had to walk up last time, despite a heavier - and loaded - bike. So am feeling really satisfied about that.
Got passed at warp speed by loads of cyclists, most on road bikes, but there was one couple on a tandem that I saw again in Alresford. Having said that, I wasn't in a rush, and I was the only one riding with a touring set-up.
Was back in Winchester by half seven in the evening and home at quarter to eleven. Though the (inevitable) tears came on the way home as I was negotiating the Girton Interchange. That's because it's precisely where I happened to be on the 21st July 1991 when I found out that Paul had been killed.
On the lighter side, my "blonde moment" of the day was in the morning, driving on the crappy surface of the M25, wondering what that weird musical jingling was inside the car. Well, while riding down one of the less well-surfaced bits of road, I realised that it had been the bell on the bike - the vibrations were making the spring-loaded hammer ting against the dome...
Would I do this again? Yes, definitely. The ride is worthwhile, and a real challenge for someone like me who normally rides on flat fen roads. Oddly, despite my having a railcard, driving was somewhat cheaper than the train - or the train / bus combo that I usually do if I go during the week. Might be worth coughing up to park next year...
There. I did tell you I was crackpot, didn't I?
Loaded Wiggy #2, the Chartres, into the car early doors yesterday morning and drove down to Winchester. (Yes, I know, that's a fair way from this neck of the woods - A10, A14, M11, M25, M3) Thanks to some fabby advice from the bods on here, I parked up in the Winnall area of the city and, shortly after snaffling a sandwich and banana, set out to ride to Alresford.
It was actually just finishing spitting with rain at this point, and muggins had no waterproofs because the forecast has said it wouldn't rain... Anyways, once the map was checked and underpass under / over the M3 negotiated, the ride could begin in earnest.
The section of road between Winnall and Easton has a few nasty hilly bits right from the off. Ouch! A bit of shanks' pony required, but not too bad. It does get easier, so I made reasonable time to Easton. Another stop to check the map to make sure I didn't get lost like last time and to remove the arm warmers, and I was off again heading towards Avington. This is a lovely part of the ride, along the Itchen Valley, through mixed woodland. From there the road drops down into the country park - the woods open out and you're greeted with this amazing vista. And a herd of highland cattle!
Exiting the park involved a fair bit of huffing and puffing (and a little more of shanks' pony) but then it's through Avington proper. Another stop to check the map where the road splits by the golf course, and from there it's a nice rolling bimble to Ovington. This is where the ride gets tricky again (I'm from the fens remember, I *don't* have hill legs). Ovington is on a steep slope and there's lots of downs and ups and a really tricky cambered junction to negotiate, and things don't get much easier until you cross the roundabout for the A31 and join the B3047. On the flip side, this bit of the ride is wooded, and it's just so pretty.
From the junction, the drop into Alresford on the cyclepath is straightforward, although I did have to dismount at one point because part of the hedgerow was so overgrown and I didn't fancy neither the nettles at shin height, nor the brambles at face height...
The purpose of my ride... As you can probably guess from my avatar, I'm a big fan of the Warwick brothers. The 21st July is the anniversary of Paul's fatal crash at Oulton Park, and if I can (though it's not always possible), I like to go and pay my respects at his grave. So the outward leg of my ride finished at the gate to the churchyard. It's such a beautiful, peaceful place to sit and be with your thoughts. By then, the clouds had rolled away, the sun had come out and I was really thankful for the shade.
My flowers survived being shoehorned, first in a tupperware, and then in a pannier...
It was lovely to just sit there, in the shade, listening to the breeze rustling in the trees and to remember. A couple of people stopped by, wondering about the slightly nutty female cyclist from Cambridgeshire, but it was nice to talk about Paul and to share memories. If I hadn't ended up being stuck on the M25 for more than an hour on the way down, I would have run into some family as well. Ah well...
All too soon, it was time to leave and head back to Winchester the way I came. Though not after snagging a photo of St John's - though sans Wiggy.
The ride back wasn't too bad. Especially when, once off the main road and heading towards Ovington, you're riding back through this. It lifts your heart, it really does... So different from my home patch.
Each leg took me about an hour and 40-ish, although not getting lost, and not having the pressure of needing to catch a particular train so that onwards connections later in the evening aren't missed, meant I really enjoyed the ride. Yes, it was hard work at times, but the scenery more than made up for it, and it was nice to be able to stop here and there just to take it all in. And my few hours of peace and quiet in Alresford were just lovely. Have to say, the triple on the Chartres was really welcome, and I surprised myself by being able to ride up some of the hills that I had to walk up last time, despite a heavier - and loaded - bike. So am feeling really satisfied about that.
Got passed at warp speed by loads of cyclists, most on road bikes, but there was one couple on a tandem that I saw again in Alresford. Having said that, I wasn't in a rush, and I was the only one riding with a touring set-up.
Was back in Winchester by half seven in the evening and home at quarter to eleven. Though the (inevitable) tears came on the way home as I was negotiating the Girton Interchange. That's because it's precisely where I happened to be on the 21st July 1991 when I found out that Paul had been killed.
On the lighter side, my "blonde moment" of the day was in the morning, driving on the crappy surface of the M25, wondering what that weird musical jingling was inside the car. Well, while riding down one of the less well-surfaced bits of road, I realised that it had been the bell on the bike - the vibrations were making the spring-loaded hammer ting against the dome...
Would I do this again? Yes, definitely. The ride is worthwhile, and a real challenge for someone like me who normally rides on flat fen roads. Oddly, despite my having a railcard, driving was somewhat cheaper than the train - or the train / bus combo that I usually do if I go during the week. Might be worth coughing up to park next year...
There. I did tell you I was crackpot, didn't I?
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AndreaJ
Veteran
A bit short on time and motivation today but dragged myself out for a short ride, it was getting rather hot by this time and quite windy so started with the wind behind me and turned for Northwood, into Whixall as far as Holiinswood where I turned for Fenns Bank, Fenns Wood and towards Blackloe, over the canal into Alkington and back towards Whixall where I got blown about a bit heading back to Hollinswood, Coton, Braynes Hall, Waterloo where the plan was to go to Edstaston, unfortunately a lorry was completely blocking the lane outside the chicken farm having ignored the sign at the end of the lane telling him it was unsuitable for HGV'S and the obvious fact it wasn't suitable he discovered he couldn't turn up the farm drive from that side and was stuck, couldn't even squeeze a bike past. It didn't look like he was moving any time soon and when they started talking about reversing up the lane I decided to retrace my route and go home a different way, so back to Waterloo, Northwood, turn towards The Moat Shed then back home still being blown about. 20.81 miles at average speed 15.5mph and I was glad I went in the end although it was getting too hot and windy.
gavgav
Legendary Member
A short ride after work, in warm but extremely windy conditions. I had to use the Hybrid, due to an unfortunate incident last week, involving a puncture in the shed, dropping the wheel after fixing and consequently breaking a spoke on the Carbon 
@Rickshaw Phil is currently sourcing a replacement and fixing for me
You really notice how heavy a lump the hybrid is on the around Shrewsbury Town route!
Usual cycle lanes up to Heathgates, then down through Castlefields and along the River Towpath into the Quarry. Did my bit for cyclist/pedestrian relations, by ringing my bell upon approaching a dog walker, with said dog on one of those horrid extendable leads and she turned and expressed with joy “Finally a bell, Finally”!! If I’d have been on the Carbon then I wouldn’t have had a bell to ring
There were plenty of people enjoying the evening sunshine, in the Quarry and outside the Boathouse Pub. I continued on through Porthill, Shelton, Copthorne, Radbrook, Nobold, Meole Brace and home, with nothing much to report other than the strength of that wind. A real battle into it, when heading Westerly, but it helped me nicely during the final few miles.
13.18 miles at a snail paced 11.4mph avg
@Rickshaw Phil is currently sourcing a replacement and fixing for meYou really notice how heavy a lump the hybrid is on the around Shrewsbury Town route!
Usual cycle lanes up to Heathgates, then down through Castlefields and along the River Towpath into the Quarry. Did my bit for cyclist/pedestrian relations, by ringing my bell upon approaching a dog walker, with said dog on one of those horrid extendable leads and she turned and expressed with joy “Finally a bell, Finally”!! If I’d have been on the Carbon then I wouldn’t have had a bell to ring
There were plenty of people enjoying the evening sunshine, in the Quarry and outside the Boathouse Pub. I continued on through Porthill, Shelton, Copthorne, Radbrook, Nobold, Meole Brace and home, with nothing much to report other than the strength of that wind. A real battle into it, when heading Westerly, but it helped me nicely during the final few miles.
13.18 miles at a snail paced 11.4mph avg
Reynard
Guru
- Location
- Cambridgeshire, UK
A quick evening fizz to Pymoor Sidings and back in order to work out the kinks left over from yesterday.
6-ish fun and fast miles on Wiggy #1, the Rouen. And saw a lovely sunset to boot.
Haven't ridden the road bike in a while. That felt a bit weird....
6-ish fun and fast miles on Wiggy #1, the Rouen. And saw a lovely sunset to boot.
Haven't ridden the road bike in a while. That felt a bit weird....
steven1988
Veteran
- Location
- Sheffield
Tell the lad a big well done from me!
I know what the gearing's like on the Rouen, and I'd hate those hills just as much - if not more.
Its not that bad 30 on the back and a 34 on the front. Big differnce from the 46T on the back of his CX bike though
Reynard
Guru
- Location
- Cambridgeshire, UK
I bet it is...
The Rouen's gearing is fine for the flat fen roads in this neck of the woods, but if I need to do anything that goes uphill, I'm reaching for the Chartres, which has a 44-32-22 up front and an 11-34 on the back. I'm a bit of a wimp when it comes to hills...
PatrickPending
Legendary Member
- Location
- Leicester
My ride Sunday, 105Km - Blaby - Countesthorpe -Willoughby Waterlys - Ashby Magna -Dunton Bassett - Ashby Parva - Leire - Frolesworth - Claybrooke Magna - Withybrok - Hopsford - Shilton -Brinkow - Cathiron - Easenhall - Brinklow - Caithron - Easenhall (again) - Pailton - Monks Kirby - up towards Wibtoft back to Monks Kirby - ClaybrookeParva - Ullesthorpe - Ashby Parva - Kimcote - Walton - Bruntingthorpe - Peatling Magna - Wiloughby Waterlys - Countesthorpe - Blaby
Easy route as I haven't done any significant riding (>5km) since last month's 167km but made it around ok - nice ride in the end..
A quick ride out this morning before the rest of the family arrive for a few day while we are on holiday.
No electrics (or at least the Garmin didn't seem to be awake) but it was about 23 or 24 miles. Taking in such glamorous places as Hipsburn, Birling, Morwick Hall, Acklington, Guyzance, Hazon....
I could go on but that's quite enough.
20 odd miles in the sun and fresh air.
No electrics (or at least the Garmin didn't seem to be awake) but it was about 23 or 24 miles. Taking in such glamorous places as Hipsburn, Birling, Morwick Hall, Acklington, Guyzance, Hazon....
I could go on but that's quite enough.
20 odd miles in the sun and fresh air.
jongooligan
Legendary Member
- Location
- Behind bars
Out on our new tandem today. We got it from JD tandems in Gargrave and they made sure we finally got one that fits us. This is our third and the other two were a compromise between affordability and functionality with affordability winning every time. This one has been worth every penny we paid and I just wish we'd gone to JD in the first place.
Anyroad, the route. Into Chester le Street to buy a dog harness (as you do) then negotiated the motorway junction to follow Picktree Lane and Bonemill Lane into Harraton where we got onto the C2C path. Headed West (up) all the way to Annfield Plain (often wondered why it's called that - there's no plains around here).
The thing is, it's uphill all the way. It's not steep but it never goes down so you don't get to stop pedalling for approx nine miles and in this heat we were cooking.
We carried on up to Brooms where we had to make a decision about our onward route. Mrs. jg had never been to Stoney Heap on her bike so that's the way we went. I didn't tell her about the climb up to Hanging Stone that would involve so she was happily unaware of the grunt work coming our way.
By heck we struggled but the tandem has a triple chainset giving us some tiny gears so we spun away as fast as bees wings until we got to the top. A reward was in order so we went to Broom House Farm coffee shop for a sweet potato burger (me), a halloumi sandwich (Mrs. jg) and a Fentimans ginger beer (both). All were absolutely fab.
![20190723_113420[1].jpg](https://www.cyclechat.net/attachments/20190723_113420-1-jpg.476688/ "20190723_113420[1].jpg")
Orbit Velocity at Burnhope.
It was a lovely meal but the downside was that it robbed us of all ambition so we went home the short way over Waldridge Fell. 30 miles with plenty of climbing.
Anyroad, the route. Into Chester le Street to buy a dog harness (as you do) then negotiated the motorway junction to follow Picktree Lane and Bonemill Lane into Harraton where we got onto the C2C path. Headed West (up) all the way to Annfield Plain (often wondered why it's called that - there's no plains around here).
The thing is, it's uphill all the way. It's not steep but it never goes down so you don't get to stop pedalling for approx nine miles and in this heat we were cooking.
We carried on up to Brooms where we had to make a decision about our onward route. Mrs. jg had never been to Stoney Heap on her bike so that's the way we went. I didn't tell her about the climb up to Hanging Stone that would involve so she was happily unaware of the grunt work coming our way.
By heck we struggled but the tandem has a triple chainset giving us some tiny gears so we spun away as fast as bees wings until we got to the top. A reward was in order so we went to Broom House Farm coffee shop for a sweet potato burger (me), a halloumi sandwich (Mrs. jg) and a Fentimans ginger beer (both). All were absolutely fab.
Orbit Velocity at Burnhope.
It was a lovely meal but the downside was that it robbed us of all ambition so we went home the short way over Waldridge Fell. 30 miles with plenty of climbing.
Donger
Convoi Exceptionnel
- Location
- Quedgeley, Glos.
Dropped Mrs D off in town at lunchtime to meet the ladies who lunch. Noticed the car thermometer said "31C" and thought "How hard can it be?". Got home and immediately set off down the lanes on a loop taking in Elmore, Epney, Moreton Valence and Hardwicke to find out. By 'eck it was hot!
As I was approaching Elmore, I joined the main road just in front of a little peloton of orange and yellow shirted cyclists from Stroud Valleys CC, and I kept in front of them until the top of the little hill at Elmore Court, when four of them passed me. The effort brought me out in a real sweat, and I slowed a tad for the next couple of miles. They stopped and I passed them a couple of times, and then we rode together for a mile or so, chatting, before they pulled over again and I carried on. When I got to the waterfront at Epney, I turned around, stopped for a drink, and waited for the club riders to come into shot for nice colourful photo. No sign of them.
Packed the phone away and set off home via Moreton Valence and the A38 when suddenly they re-appeared ...... followed by eight or nine more of them that I hadn't realised had been behind me. It seems that to overtake a club ride you don't have to be faster than the front riders .... just be faster than the ones at the back! At Moreton Valence, the Castle Lane bridge on the Gloucester & Sharpness Canal was closed for a narrow boat to go past.
That was the moment when I realised just how hot it was getting. If you cruise along at 15mph, the air flow keeps you cool, but the moment you stop, you feel the sun scorching you. After a short stint on the A38, I headed for home through Hardwicke and Stonebench, where I pulled over by a shady tree on the banks of the River Severn to gulp down the last of my lime squash .... my HOT lime squash (yuck!).
How hard can it be? Bloody hard work riding in those temperatures. I think it was about 33C when I got back and had a cold shower and an ice lolly ... then sat sweating profusely for twenty minutes. And that was just a 13.5 mile ride.
Won't be repeating that in a hurry. Cheers, Donger.
p.s. Completely forgot to mention in my last post on Sunday that I saw that chap doing the LEJOG on a penny farthing go past in Quedgeley. Apparently he did Land's End to Bristol on day 1 and was aiming to get well into Lancashire on day 2 !!!!! Bet he's hot today.
As I was approaching Elmore, I joined the main road just in front of a little peloton of orange and yellow shirted cyclists from Stroud Valleys CC, and I kept in front of them until the top of the little hill at Elmore Court, when four of them passed me. The effort brought me out in a real sweat, and I slowed a tad for the next couple of miles. They stopped and I passed them a couple of times, and then we rode together for a mile or so, chatting, before they pulled over again and I carried on. When I got to the waterfront at Epney, I turned around, stopped for a drink, and waited for the club riders to come into shot for nice colourful photo. No sign of them.
Packed the phone away and set off home via Moreton Valence and the A38 when suddenly they re-appeared ...... followed by eight or nine more of them that I hadn't realised had been behind me. It seems that to overtake a club ride you don't have to be faster than the front riders .... just be faster than the ones at the back! At Moreton Valence, the Castle Lane bridge on the Gloucester & Sharpness Canal was closed for a narrow boat to go past.
That was the moment when I realised just how hot it was getting. If you cruise along at 15mph, the air flow keeps you cool, but the moment you stop, you feel the sun scorching you. After a short stint on the A38, I headed for home through Hardwicke and Stonebench, where I pulled over by a shady tree on the banks of the River Severn to gulp down the last of my lime squash .... my HOT lime squash (yuck!).
How hard can it be? Bloody hard work riding in those temperatures. I think it was about 33C when I got back and had a cold shower and an ice lolly ... then sat sweating profusely for twenty minutes. And that was just a 13.5 mile ride.
Won't be repeating that in a hurry. Cheers, Donger.
p.s. Completely forgot to mention in my last post on Sunday that I saw that chap doing the LEJOG on a penny farthing go past in Quedgeley. Apparently he did Land's End to Bristol on day 1 and was aiming to get well into Lancashire on day 2 !!!!! Bet he's hot today.
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Noodle Legs
Winging it
- Location
- Coalville, Leicestershire
L’Etape du Tour 2019 (it’s quite a long read sorry!)
Done...... only just!
Sunday was the day of reckoning but Tim, Rob, Will and myself- 2/3 of the self proclaimed “Saga CC” - had arrived in France on Thursday night, staying overnight at Saint-Quentin in what can only be described as the equivalent of Bates’ Motel.... it was basically a panic room with two small camp beds and a kettle and not much else! Was half expecting “mummy Bates” to come pay me a visit in the shower!
Thus, 6am on Friday couldn’t come quick enough and we made the long road trip down to Saint-Oyen where we were to be staying for the duration.
Once we’d arrived and got the bikes set up we ventured out for a short little adventure and a little spot of climbing winding up in a little village called Pussy (yes, we had a good giggle too!). Stopping at a little cafe at the top, Rob and I giggled at each other like schoolchildren coming up with all the village name laden puns, double entendres and innuendos! Two beers drank, we tootled back down the hill towards the digs, stopping off for a couple more beers before finding someplace to eat. After a spot of L’escargot and a half hundredweight of mussels we got back to the digs, completely done in by the travelling and excess food!
Saturday we got up, chucked the bikes on the car roof and set out for another picturesque little drive up to Col de la Madeleine and taking in the breathtaking views at 2,000m before dropping back down the other side, pulling up at the base of Lacets de Montvernier, a stunning looking 2 mile climb with 17 switchbacks!
A quick drink at the top and we made our descent back to the car and headed to Albertville, to take advantage of all the goodies on offer at the event village as well as the free massage in the Rapha tent...
Knowing we had an early start in the morning that was pretty much all she wrote for that day as we needed to get back to prepare for the main event......
And so, we get to Sunday. The day of reckoning. Setting off at 6am, we rolled the 15 miles into Albertville to the start of L’Etape. Originally I was set to start in pen 15- the last pen- almost an hour behind the lads but a clever bit of jiggery pokery enabled Tim and I to grab an earlier pen and for us all to leave together from pen 7. This turned out to be a blessing in disguise as there would have been no way I could have made the cut off times had I left in my original start pen. We set off at 07:52 on our journey into the unknown.....
As our abilities differ, we made an agreement to meet up at the feed stops to check in with each other and make sure we were all good. As it turned out, the first 20km to Beaufort feed stop was quite steady and we largely stuck together.
After a water top up and a bit of food it was time for the first major climb- the Cormet de Roselund. The sun not yet being fully out and lots of shaded bits enabled me to ascend this 12 mile climb in one hit, though we had all become separated on the way up. 1 3/4 hours later, I reached the top at an altitude of 1960m feeling pretty good at this stage. Checked in with the lads as we negotiated the free-for-all that was the feed stop!
Next was a long descent down to the following feed stop, the many switchbacks making it a good challenge and the straighter bits allowed me to hit a top speed of around 55mph.
At the next feed stop I got a puncture and so got the on-site mechanics to sort that out while I filled my face. Setting off again, it was a little climb and then a straight bit for a few miles until we got to the next climb of the day- the shorter but more brutal Col de Longefoy. The sun was by now at full tilt and this made for a difficult climbing session. I’d long lost the others due to my puncture so I settled in and did my thing, getting to the top in around 40 mins or so. A nice descent followed again with some challenging switchbacks but the road surface wasn’t the best so I had to exercise a little more caution than previously. We had to join the closed dual carriageway section into Moutiers where the next feed stop was, but this was downhill into a warm headwind and was surprisingly harder work than I imagined!
Had a little stop at Moutiers which was more farcical than any of the other feed stations with more pushing and shoving than the London Underground in rush hour and just seemed in total disarray. I set off reasonably quickly after arriving and stuck with Tim and Rob as we began the last monster climb of the day.
Val Thorens.
33km of sheer hell. Yes, 33km! Almost 21 MILES! It had just gone 2pm when we started, 62 miles in and as we began the climb, Rob observed the temperature on his Garmin to be 41.4 degrees Celsius! and what is more, there was very minimal shade as we made the long ascent up the damn thing. The intense heat really began to take its toll, Will decided enough was enough about 1/4 of the way up which, though disappointing, ended up being a blessing for reasons I shall explain later. Tim and I were still sort of neck and neck (Rob had long gone) and the cramp and sheer heat exhaustion began to kick in. Three times we debated turning round but somehow we batted on! Suffice to say we were not able to do the climb in one piece and we had to stop regularly to top bottles up, seek shade and stretch out before having another go.
Tim and I became separated and I got ahead of him somehow and never saw him again til the top. It was just carnage- everywhere you looked there were bodies strewn in any patch of shade they could find, quite a few puking up and/or passed out. Ambulances were up and down tending to those just physically done in by the heat. The heat was such that any opportunity to stop for water at local fountains and to be hosed down by locals was not to be passed up. The coldness of the water as opposed to the warm electrolyte I was drinking was just bliss! This occurred quite often on the way up, and I certainly wasn’t complaining!
Eventually I made the last feed station with just under 10 miles to go and I was just contemplating calling it a day when I saw I was 20 mins ahead of the cut off time so I made the (foolish) decision to push on to the top.
“I’ve come so far”
“Push, push, push!”
These were the words I was telling myself as I made a bid for glory. The cramp was really kicking in by now and I was churning out a km or two at a time, stopping for a minute, rinsing and repeating. As I got within 5km to go, I was checking in with the others to let them know I was aiming for the top and the stops became more frequent as the pain became intense. At this stage a friend of mine messaged me some words of encouragement which just gave me the mental edge I so badly needed at that point.
Eventually arriving at Val Thorens, battered and exhausted, and just mustering what energy I had left to do the last 500m summit finish I crossed the line around 1900 ish, with an official time of 10:55:25.
Met up with Rob at the Rapha tent where we downed a couple of well earned beers, collected our bags from the drop off point and ate some food while we waited for Tim to cross the line, some half hour after myself. By now the sun was starting to set beneath the peaks and it was getting cold in the shade. Faced with the prospect of a 25 mile ride back down to the digs, totally exhausted and potentially freezing, Will messaged us to say he’d got the car and was parked up just outside town. At that point I could have kissed the b4st4rd! I knew there was a blessing to his turning round so far up!
To summarise- 83.7 miles (134.7km) over 15,000 ft of climbing, 7716 calories burnt, over 20 litres of water consumed (somehow still not enough) but made it over the line.
This was singlehandedly the most difficult ride I’ve ever done- bar none. And never again will I attempt anything so stupid!
Thanks for all the support, the messages and strava kudos. It was very much appreciated! Apologies for the long winded report but I hope you enjoyed it.
**edit** A little perspective here- my time up Val Thorens was around 4 1/4 hours. The overall winner did the lot in 4 3/4!!
https://strava.app.link/eisZnNlryY
Done...... only just!
Sunday was the day of reckoning but Tim, Rob, Will and myself- 2/3 of the self proclaimed “Saga CC” - had arrived in France on Thursday night, staying overnight at Saint-Quentin in what can only be described as the equivalent of Bates’ Motel.... it was basically a panic room with two small camp beds and a kettle and not much else! Was half expecting “mummy Bates” to come pay me a visit in the shower!
Thus, 6am on Friday couldn’t come quick enough and we made the long road trip down to Saint-Oyen where we were to be staying for the duration.
Once we’d arrived and got the bikes set up we ventured out for a short little adventure and a little spot of climbing winding up in a little village called Pussy (yes, we had a good giggle too!). Stopping at a little cafe at the top, Rob and I giggled at each other like schoolchildren coming up with all the village name laden puns, double entendres and innuendos! Two beers drank, we tootled back down the hill towards the digs, stopping off for a couple more beers before finding someplace to eat. After a spot of L’escargot and a half hundredweight of mussels we got back to the digs, completely done in by the travelling and excess food!
Saturday we got up, chucked the bikes on the car roof and set out for another picturesque little drive up to Col de la Madeleine and taking in the breathtaking views at 2,000m before dropping back down the other side, pulling up at the base of Lacets de Montvernier, a stunning looking 2 mile climb with 17 switchbacks!
A quick drink at the top and we made our descent back to the car and headed to Albertville, to take advantage of all the goodies on offer at the event village as well as the free massage in the Rapha tent...
Knowing we had an early start in the morning that was pretty much all she wrote for that day as we needed to get back to prepare for the main event......
And so, we get to Sunday. The day of reckoning. Setting off at 6am, we rolled the 15 miles into Albertville to the start of L’Etape. Originally I was set to start in pen 15- the last pen- almost an hour behind the lads but a clever bit of jiggery pokery enabled Tim and I to grab an earlier pen and for us all to leave together from pen 7. This turned out to be a blessing in disguise as there would have been no way I could have made the cut off times had I left in my original start pen. We set off at 07:52 on our journey into the unknown.....
As our abilities differ, we made an agreement to meet up at the feed stops to check in with each other and make sure we were all good. As it turned out, the first 20km to Beaufort feed stop was quite steady and we largely stuck together.
After a water top up and a bit of food it was time for the first major climb- the Cormet de Roselund. The sun not yet being fully out and lots of shaded bits enabled me to ascend this 12 mile climb in one hit, though we had all become separated on the way up. 1 3/4 hours later, I reached the top at an altitude of 1960m feeling pretty good at this stage. Checked in with the lads as we negotiated the free-for-all that was the feed stop!
Next was a long descent down to the following feed stop, the many switchbacks making it a good challenge and the straighter bits allowed me to hit a top speed of around 55mph.
At the next feed stop I got a puncture and so got the on-site mechanics to sort that out while I filled my face. Setting off again, it was a little climb and then a straight bit for a few miles until we got to the next climb of the day- the shorter but more brutal Col de Longefoy. The sun was by now at full tilt and this made for a difficult climbing session. I’d long lost the others due to my puncture so I settled in and did my thing, getting to the top in around 40 mins or so. A nice descent followed again with some challenging switchbacks but the road surface wasn’t the best so I had to exercise a little more caution than previously. We had to join the closed dual carriageway section into Moutiers where the next feed stop was, but this was downhill into a warm headwind and was surprisingly harder work than I imagined!
Had a little stop at Moutiers which was more farcical than any of the other feed stations with more pushing and shoving than the London Underground in rush hour and just seemed in total disarray. I set off reasonably quickly after arriving and stuck with Tim and Rob as we began the last monster climb of the day.
Val Thorens.
33km of sheer hell. Yes, 33km! Almost 21 MILES! It had just gone 2pm when we started, 62 miles in and as we began the climb, Rob observed the temperature on his Garmin to be 41.4 degrees Celsius! and what is more, there was very minimal shade as we made the long ascent up the damn thing. The intense heat really began to take its toll, Will decided enough was enough about 1/4 of the way up which, though disappointing, ended up being a blessing for reasons I shall explain later. Tim and I were still sort of neck and neck (Rob had long gone) and the cramp and sheer heat exhaustion began to kick in. Three times we debated turning round but somehow we batted on! Suffice to say we were not able to do the climb in one piece and we had to stop regularly to top bottles up, seek shade and stretch out before having another go.
Tim and I became separated and I got ahead of him somehow and never saw him again til the top. It was just carnage- everywhere you looked there were bodies strewn in any patch of shade they could find, quite a few puking up and/or passed out. Ambulances were up and down tending to those just physically done in by the heat. The heat was such that any opportunity to stop for water at local fountains and to be hosed down by locals was not to be passed up. The coldness of the water as opposed to the warm electrolyte I was drinking was just bliss! This occurred quite often on the way up, and I certainly wasn’t complaining!
Eventually I made the last feed station with just under 10 miles to go and I was just contemplating calling it a day when I saw I was 20 mins ahead of the cut off time so I made the (foolish) decision to push on to the top.
“I’ve come so far”
“Push, push, push!”
These were the words I was telling myself as I made a bid for glory. The cramp was really kicking in by now and I was churning out a km or two at a time, stopping for a minute, rinsing and repeating. As I got within 5km to go, I was checking in with the others to let them know I was aiming for the top and the stops became more frequent as the pain became intense. At this stage a friend of mine messaged me some words of encouragement which just gave me the mental edge I so badly needed at that point.
Eventually arriving at Val Thorens, battered and exhausted, and just mustering what energy I had left to do the last 500m summit finish I crossed the line around 1900 ish, with an official time of 10:55:25.
Met up with Rob at the Rapha tent where we downed a couple of well earned beers, collected our bags from the drop off point and ate some food while we waited for Tim to cross the line, some half hour after myself. By now the sun was starting to set beneath the peaks and it was getting cold in the shade. Faced with the prospect of a 25 mile ride back down to the digs, totally exhausted and potentially freezing, Will messaged us to say he’d got the car and was parked up just outside town. At that point I could have kissed the b4st4rd! I knew there was a blessing to his turning round so far up!
To summarise- 83.7 miles (134.7km) over 15,000 ft of climbing, 7716 calories burnt, over 20 litres of water consumed (somehow still not enough) but made it over the line.
This was singlehandedly the most difficult ride I’ve ever done- bar none. And never again will I attempt anything so stupid!
Thanks for all the support, the messages and strava kudos. It was very much appreciated! Apologies for the long winded report but I hope you enjoyed it.
**edit** A little perspective here- my time up Val Thorens was around 4 1/4 hours. The overall winner did the lot in 4 3/4!!
https://strava.app.link/eisZnNlryY
Been back at work for a day after Holidays so time for a day off . Mum had a hospital appointment early afternoon the reason for the day off so time for an early ride . Target was this month's metric century for the challenge . Needed the letter X for the ABC thread and the village of Exton is 31 miles away perfect distance .Out the door at 0615 and it's already 17 degrees but overcast .Took my normal route towards Rutland which involved the climb up to Burrough on the hill a long steady climb skirted the edge of Oakham found the village of Exton which has no sign so rode around the village to find the school for a photo of the sign . Then basically retraced my route back which meant a rapid descent of Burrough hill . Into Rearsby a female rider caught me up and we rode a few miles together she was quite surprised when she asked how far I been and by 0950 I got 54 miles in the bag . Home by 1030 with 65 miles done just as it's starting to warm up properly so glad I went early just about out of water had drunk 2 750ml bottles . Both targets met . Back to the grind tomorrow 
. Mum had a hospital appointment early afternoon the reason for the day off so time for an early ride . Target was this month's metric century for the challenge . Needed the letter X for the ABC thread and the village of Exton is 31 miles away perfect distance .Out the door at 0615 and it's already 17 degrees but overcast .Took my normal route towards Rutland which involved the climb up to Burrough on the hill a long steady climb skirted the edge of Oakham found the village of Exton which has no sign so rode around the village to find the school for a photo of the sign . Then basically retraced my route back which meant a rapid descent of Burrough hill . Into Rearsby a female rider caught me up and we rode a few miles together she was quite surprised when she asked how far I been and by 0950 I got 54 miles in the bag . Home by 1030 with 65 miles done just as it's starting to warm up properly so glad I went early just about out of water had drunk 2 750ml bottles . Both targets met . Back to the grind tomorrow 
