Photos courtesy of Velorbis, handbuilt bicycles - Danish design, made in Germany.
Pack Your Bags, We're Moving!
4 years ago
Wednesday 12 August 2009
Performance, that's the name of the game...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vn29DvMITu4
"A word of advice to all of you hipsters
Go and get yourself some brakes and some shifters."
"A word of advice to all of you hipsters
Go and get yourself some brakes and some shifters."
Crystal Palace - August 11th
My second attempt at Palace but first with a full licence. Attempt number one I made it through 10 laps before getting spat off the back, doing another 10 solo before getting lapped and deciding that was enough punishment. It's a beautiful, sunny evening and I definitely have more in the legs than last time so hopefully I can do something better.
The Race
After a warm up lap I make my way to the start but I'm right near the back - this is a mistake! The flag drops and the pace is hellish from the off. It's really congested and you're at the mercy of other riders not slicing you up. After the deadman's curve we hit the ramp and riders are dropping off already. The pace for the first 6 or so laps is relentless but I just about hold on to the back of the lead group. At about lap 20 there are only 20 or so riders left in the lead group but as we hit the ramp I lose touch and the gap soon engulfs my chances. I plug on and soon there are three of us (including a E/1/2 rider who's been dropped) making our way round. We pass lots of dropped riders but I'm near the rivet. At about 8 laps to go I find a bit more stamina and I eventually drop the other two and complete the race having not been lapped. I'm delighted when I discover I finished in the Top 20 (err, 20th).
The Race
After a warm up lap I make my way to the start but I'm right near the back - this is a mistake! The flag drops and the pace is hellish from the off. It's really congested and you're at the mercy of other riders not slicing you up. After the deadman's curve we hit the ramp and riders are dropping off already. The pace for the first 6 or so laps is relentless but I just about hold on to the back of the lead group. At about lap 20 there are only 20 or so riders left in the lead group but as we hit the ramp I lose touch and the gap soon engulfs my chances. I plug on and soon there are three of us (including a E/1/2 rider who's been dropped) making our way round. We pass lots of dropped riders but I'm near the rivet. At about 8 laps to go I find a bit more stamina and I eventually drop the other two and complete the race having not been lapped. I'm delighted when I discover I finished in the Top 20 (err, 20th).
Monday 10 August 2009
Dunsfold Cycle Race Results
Surrey League racing at Dunsfold Pk on August 9 and hosted by VC Meudon
4ths - 30 miles
Pos Name Club/Team Cat Time
1 Alan Strang Dulwich Paragon CC 4 01:19:05
2 Ian Russell Kingston Wheelers 4V
3 Morgan Lewis Brighton Mitre 4V
4 Nick Gasson 34th Nomads 4
5 Rupert Burbidge Redhill CC 4
6 Cliff Steele Brixton Cycles 4
7 Richard Whitworth AD Cycles RT 4V
8 Benjamin Marks Private Member 4
9 Christian Rudolf De Laune CC 4
10 Tom Knight Medway Velo 4
11 Mark Brown Dulwich Paragon CC 4V
12 Paul Hamnett Army CU 4
13 Alex Jump Dulwich Paragon CC 4
14 James Trigg Redhill CC 4
15 Dominic Clegg Redhill CC 4
16 M Beckingham CC Basingstoke 4V
17 Nick Bonneson Addiscombe CC 4
18 Claire Leonard Brighton Mitre 2W
19 Ben Ware Dulwich Paragon CC 4
20 Roger Richards Dulwich Paragon CC 4V
21 Mark Orphan Dulwich Paragon CC 4
22 Kris Dunn Dulwich Paragon CC 4
23 Robert Wills Dulwich Paragon CC 4
24 Barnaby Sharp Private Member 4V
25 Ashley Baker Private Member 4V
26 David Jones Private Member 4
27 Matt Coshing VC Meudon 4
28 Tony Longhurst Redhill CC 4
29 Jeremy Hudson Private Member 4
30 Henry Burrows Bognor Regis 4
31 Stuart Hamilton London Dynamo 4
32 P Thatcher Sydenham Wheelers 4
33 Martin Bouty Brighton Mitre 4V
34 Simon Wroxley Hounslow & District Wheelers 4 @ 0:14
35 James Curry British Airways CC 4 @ 0:20
36 Joe Saville Private Member 4V @ 0:37
37 Richard Bremner North Hants RC 4
38 Simon Pemberton London Phoenix 4
39 Gareth Welch Dulwich Paragon CC 4
40 JP Saville Private Member 4
41 Trevor Montague AD Cycles RT 4V
42 N Killne AD Cycles RT 4
43 Warren Low Dulwich Paragon CC 4
44 Simon Deefholts Redhill CC 4V
45 Jason Doe Private Member 4
46 Dave Wilsher Redhill CC 4
47 Graham Rees Brighton Excelsior 4
48 R Hicks Redhill CC 4
49 Chris Eccles Sid Valley CC 4
50 Paul Butler Sydenham Wheelers 4
51 Stuart Grieg Redhill CC 4V
52 Christopher Merryfield-Day Worthing Excelcier 4
53 Christopher Perkin Private Member 4
54 Gareth Richards Roy Pink Cycles RT 4
55 Nick Holmes Private Member 4 @ 1 lap
56 P Lourgsour Private Member 4V
57 Gavin Lowery Velocity Bikes CC 4
58 Andrew Duffin AD Cycles RT 4V
59 David Youngham AD Cycles RT 4
dnf Kelvin Arterton Medway Velo 4
dnf Matthew Castle AD Cycles RT YA
dnf Nick Upshall VC Meudon 4
dnf Ralph Swallow South Western RC 4
dns Matthew Chard Pearson Cycles 4
dns Nicholas Busst Private Member 4
4ths - 30 miles
Pos Name Club/Team Cat Time
1 Alan Strang Dulwich Paragon CC 4 01:19:05
2 Ian Russell Kingston Wheelers 4V
3 Morgan Lewis Brighton Mitre 4V
4 Nick Gasson 34th Nomads 4
5 Rupert Burbidge Redhill CC 4
6 Cliff Steele Brixton Cycles 4
7 Richard Whitworth AD Cycles RT 4V
8 Benjamin Marks Private Member 4
9 Christian Rudolf De Laune CC 4
10 Tom Knight Medway Velo 4
11 Mark Brown Dulwich Paragon CC 4V
12 Paul Hamnett Army CU 4
13 Alex Jump Dulwich Paragon CC 4
14 James Trigg Redhill CC 4
15 Dominic Clegg Redhill CC 4
16 M Beckingham CC Basingstoke 4V
17 Nick Bonneson Addiscombe CC 4
18 Claire Leonard Brighton Mitre 2W
19 Ben Ware Dulwich Paragon CC 4
20 Roger Richards Dulwich Paragon CC 4V
21 Mark Orphan Dulwich Paragon CC 4
22 Kris Dunn Dulwich Paragon CC 4
23 Robert Wills Dulwich Paragon CC 4
24 Barnaby Sharp Private Member 4V
25 Ashley Baker Private Member 4V
26 David Jones Private Member 4
27 Matt Coshing VC Meudon 4
28 Tony Longhurst Redhill CC 4
29 Jeremy Hudson Private Member 4
30 Henry Burrows Bognor Regis 4
31 Stuart Hamilton London Dynamo 4
32 P Thatcher Sydenham Wheelers 4
33 Martin Bouty Brighton Mitre 4V
34 Simon Wroxley Hounslow & District Wheelers 4 @ 0:14
35 James Curry British Airways CC 4 @ 0:20
36 Joe Saville Private Member 4V @ 0:37
37 Richard Bremner North Hants RC 4
38 Simon Pemberton London Phoenix 4
39 Gareth Welch Dulwich Paragon CC 4
40 JP Saville Private Member 4
41 Trevor Montague AD Cycles RT 4V
42 N Killne AD Cycles RT 4
43 Warren Low Dulwich Paragon CC 4
44 Simon Deefholts Redhill CC 4V
45 Jason Doe Private Member 4
46 Dave Wilsher Redhill CC 4
47 Graham Rees Brighton Excelsior 4
48 R Hicks Redhill CC 4
49 Chris Eccles Sid Valley CC 4
50 Paul Butler Sydenham Wheelers 4
51 Stuart Grieg Redhill CC 4V
52 Christopher Merryfield-Day Worthing Excelcier 4
53 Christopher Perkin Private Member 4
54 Gareth Richards Roy Pink Cycles RT 4
55 Nick Holmes Private Member 4 @ 1 lap
56 P Lourgsour Private Member 4V
57 Gavin Lowery Velocity Bikes CC 4
58 Andrew Duffin AD Cycles RT 4V
59 David Youngham AD Cycles RT 4
dnf Kelvin Arterton Medway Velo 4
dnf Matthew Castle AD Cycles RT YA
dnf Nick Upshall VC Meudon 4
dnf Ralph Swallow South Western RC 4
dns Matthew Chard Pearson Cycles 4
dns Nicholas Busst Private Member 4
Sunday 9 August 2009
Dunsfold Victory!
Early Start
An early 6am alarm call this morning and out the door at 6.30am. Despite the impromptu disco last night in the flat below I feel OK. First to arrive outside Gareth's house but I'm soon joined by Mark B, Mark O and Chris. All five bikes loaded in the back of Gareth's Pargon wagon and we set off for Dunsfold for the race.
The Circuit
Dunsfold is an airfield so as you would imagine the course is pancake flat. It's also famous for being the Top Gear test circuit. Thankfully Clarkson's not doing donuts in a hot hatch when we arrive. After signing up and pinning our numbers we do a quick circuit - it's more or less a giant 'O' shape and very exposed. Thankfully we have perfect conditions, very light wind, dry and mild.
The Race
The flag drops and we're off. The first corner is neutralised but once the official car turns off, the pace doesn't really pick up. Infact apart from the slight increase in speed on the corners it's a relatively stately procession. There are a couple of breaks but the peloton closes these easily. Another break of three goes off and puts a 100m on the pack - no Paragons so the blue train organises a superb chain to bring the escapees back.
Trouble
At the far end of the circuit the curve is sharp but badly marked. Not ideal. At the near end there's two giant airplane size Cateyes and a great big hole to be avoided. Not entirely sure what happened but I end up going wide and my bike fixes itself on a collision course with a plastic cone. Smack - I hit it right in the middle but amazingly I'm still upright. My chain is off however and suddenly I've moved from near the front to near the back. The racing gods have smiled on me today though, I'm able to re-engage the chain and power back to the front of the group. A close shave.
and we're off...
Out of the blue the pace doubles - is this the last straight? There's 20 or so ahead of me and half are racing to the line! I dig deep and cross the line, no idea what position and then we hear the bell! This is the last lap. I find myself in third wheel, the leader is setting a good pace - there's no way he can keep this going and I'm just cruising in the slipstream. Just before we enter the last corner two or three riders come by and I jump onto their back wheel. Final corner - no incidents.
The Final Straight
I must be in fifth. I follow the wheel of a Redhill CC rider and suddenly it's just me and him with 100 metres to go. I'm well within the zone in his slip but shit, he's angling to the right exactly where I am. This takes me out my stride so I step out my saddle and make my move but earlier than planned. I feel like I'm riding like Djamolidine Abdoujaparov, the power's on and I'm tearing to the finish line. I punch the air! Victory - welcome to Cat 3 hell!
An early 6am alarm call this morning and out the door at 6.30am. Despite the impromptu disco last night in the flat below I feel OK. First to arrive outside Gareth's house but I'm soon joined by Mark B, Mark O and Chris. All five bikes loaded in the back of Gareth's Pargon wagon and we set off for Dunsfold for the race.
The Circuit
Dunsfold is an airfield so as you would imagine the course is pancake flat. It's also famous for being the Top Gear test circuit. Thankfully Clarkson's not doing donuts in a hot hatch when we arrive. After signing up and pinning our numbers we do a quick circuit - it's more or less a giant 'O' shape and very exposed. Thankfully we have perfect conditions, very light wind, dry and mild.
The Race
The flag drops and we're off. The first corner is neutralised but once the official car turns off, the pace doesn't really pick up. Infact apart from the slight increase in speed on the corners it's a relatively stately procession. There are a couple of breaks but the peloton closes these easily. Another break of three goes off and puts a 100m on the pack - no Paragons so the blue train organises a superb chain to bring the escapees back.
Trouble
At the far end of the circuit the curve is sharp but badly marked. Not ideal. At the near end there's two giant airplane size Cateyes and a great big hole to be avoided. Not entirely sure what happened but I end up going wide and my bike fixes itself on a collision course with a plastic cone. Smack - I hit it right in the middle but amazingly I'm still upright. My chain is off however and suddenly I've moved from near the front to near the back. The racing gods have smiled on me today though, I'm able to re-engage the chain and power back to the front of the group. A close shave.
and we're off...
Out of the blue the pace doubles - is this the last straight? There's 20 or so ahead of me and half are racing to the line! I dig deep and cross the line, no idea what position and then we hear the bell! This is the last lap. I find myself in third wheel, the leader is setting a good pace - there's no way he can keep this going and I'm just cruising in the slipstream. Just before we enter the last corner two or three riders come by and I jump onto their back wheel. Final corner - no incidents.
The Final Straight
I must be in fifth. I follow the wheel of a Redhill CC rider and suddenly it's just me and him with 100 metres to go. I'm well within the zone in his slip but shit, he's angling to the right exactly where I am. This takes me out my stride so I step out my saddle and make my move but earlier than planned. I feel like I'm riding like Djamolidine Abdoujaparov, the power's on and I'm tearing to the finish line. I punch the air! Victory - welcome to Cat 3 hell!
Saturday 1 August 2009
Cinglés des Mont Ventoux and the Tour
Off to France
Lugging a bike bag with bike, kit and civilian gear is hard work. Especially at 5.30 in the morning. Heading for the Eurostar to join Mark and Mal in Provence for some post Etape riding and to see the pros ride the Ventoux stage of the Tour de France. The landscape through the heart of France is fairly unremarkable - flat farmer's field after flat farmer's field but then, still miles out from Avignon, Mont Ventoux looms on the horizon.
Mormoiron
Our villa for the week is just outside the little town of Mormoiron. Nestled amongst the vineyards of the Cotes du Ventoux it's a very pleasant spot. Time to unpack the bag, build the bike, watch the Tour stage highlights and then off to town for dinner/carb loading. Tomorrow morning we take on Ventoux.
Les Cinglés des Mont Ventoux
It seems I'm skipping the frying pan stage and jumping straight into the fire. My first day on the bike in France and I'm taking on the Giant of Provence - not once, but three times, and hopefully adding my name to those in Le Club des Cinglés (the Mad Club...).
Mark is eager to take this on after his seat post bolt disaster forced him to pull out of the Etape. Mal has 'saddle comfort issues' after his successful Etape. Having done the Quebrantahuesos in June I'm happy with the climb - it's the heat that worries me.
First Assault - Bedoin (21.5km, 7.5%)
We're tackling the route which lies ahead for the Pros on Saturday first. This is regarded as the toughest. We set off just before 8am from Mormoiron, a 10 mile cycle to the town of Bedoin. There are dozen of cyclist in the town - this is a real velo Mecca. We head towards Tourist Information and stamp our Cinglés card - the first of 6 stamps that will show we've completed each ascent. The skies are fairly clear, it's not too windy, the temperature is about 18C. We spin by quite a few cyclists on the way (loads of MTBs as well!) and pass the sign marking the start of the climb. The first 6 kilometres and fairly gradual (c4%) but as the road takes a sharp kink we enter the forest and the gradient increases. Encamped along the side of the road are first wave of fans here to see the Tour. The Dutch are in abundance. Mal and Mark drop the pace a little and soon I'm ploughing a lonely furrow through the forest. I'm a bit underwhelmed by the climb at this stage. It's a hard slog but quite monotonous and without great views - sacrilidge I know! With about 10km to go Mal is suddenly passes me. After a bit on his wheel I decide to shift back to a slower pace. As I reach Chalet Reynard, Mark's also on my tail. We pull in together to see if Mal's around. No sign, so I continue leaving Mark to natter to Team Rapha.
The Moonscape
Chalet Reynard marks the end of the forest. There's 6km to the summit and from here there is no vegetation, just the harsh, grey rockface. From here the views across Provence are magnificent. The weather station that sits at top the mountain also comes in to view - it's like the tower on top of Mordor. The wind really picks up now I'm out of the shelter of the the trees and it gets more forceful as you near the summit. The final hairpin and the finish line is in sight up a steep little ramp directly into the powerful headwind so it's out the saddle for the final push. It's a busy little place with the tourist shop doing a brisk trade. Mal's waiting with a cold coke in hand. Time to admire the view and get the all important stamp on the Cinglés card.
The Descent
A very over used word but the descent is truly AWESOME! The first kilometre or two are a bit gnarly as the wind tugs and heaves you towards the abyss below. There's also quite a few cautious cyclists to negotiate. Soon though it's full throttle, aero position and Mal and I are rocketing downhill at 55+mph. It's 20 minutes of thrills (fortunately no spills) and we arrive in Malaucene.
Second Assault - Malaucene (21km, 7.5%)
After refuelling at a local café and getting our cards stamped at Tourist Information we set off just after 12pm. As we make our way up into the forest the heat is stifling. The views from this route are much more interesting as the Ventoux National Park opens up all around us. This is tough though, it must be about 30C and with about 8km to the top I have to stop. As Mal continues upwards I take my last slug of water, take a few pictures and then plough, slowly onwards. Actually, the gradient seems to ease off just after this point and I'm soon cycling throught the desert again, pleased that the wind offers some respite to the temperature. At the summit it's time to fill up with some ice cold water before the descent to Sault. This is a good descent but we're having to peddle most of the way - the winds in our faces and the gradient on this route is less severe.
Final Assault - Sault (26km, 4.7%)
We refuel in Sault. An ice cream goes down very well. On the final climb as we pass through the lavender fields the wind is well and truly on our side and we're tanking it up Ventoux at 16mph. It's just before 5pm now and the sun is lower but the air is really dry leaving you gasping breath but we're making great progress. When we enter the moonscape, the gradeint ramps up and the wind is truly fierce now. On the final ramp we jump out the saddles and make a kick for the summit. Card stamped, refuelled with water, coke and nougat we make the final descent back into Bedoin. Awesome, awesome, awesome! We arrive into Bedoin just before 7pm or beer o'clock to be more precise. Cinglés done! We both agree there's no need to attempt this again.
Cycling in Provence
The next day I take a deserved rest until the late afternoon. Chris, Loti and I decide to do a pre-BBQ bimbe to the Gorge de la Nesque. What a stunning ride! This has to be one of the world's greatest cycle routes. The road is virtually car less and winds along through the scrub at a pleasant, steady gradient. As we enter the gorge the views are breathtaking. The road carves through the rock face and plummets to the gorge below. At the top we turn round and head back to the villa - a great descent.
On Friday Mal and I take a spin out to Gordes. Another good ride with the picture postcard town of Gordes to enjoy.
The Tour de France
Mark and Sally have headed up Ventoux the evening before in the car. Mal and I are going to take on the giant again but this time we're going to be lumbered with a rucksack full of food, water and warm clothing. We're taking the Bedoin route and the road out to Ventoux is mobbed with cars and cyclists. Mal takes off with about 10km to go but I catch him up with about 2km to the summit. The wind is ferocious. At the summit it's getting quite chaotic as the final prep is made for the Tour. We cycle back down to Mark and Sally's camp spot about 2km from the summit on the second last curve lighten our loads then take off 8km down the hill towards Sault to pick up more provisions from Mark's car. On the cycle back up the police have blockaded the roadwith about 2.5km to go so we duck over the railings, rejoin Mark and Sally and then bed ourselves in. Thank heavens we have brought the sleeping bags - it's freezing!
Le Caravan
It turns out Mark has staked a great spot for seeing the Tour but not quite so good for grabbing the freebies thrown from the Caravan. Pretty much everything that's thrown towards us ends up getting grasped by the wind and scattered down the road. I do manage to get a pen, a keyring and some Festina clappers. A sixty year old lady who was standing next to me made a superman dive to try and get her hands on this! I pipped her to the post! None of us manage to get any Haribo...
The Pros
The excitement is building. Mark has twitter updates on his phone so we know there's a three man break ahead of the yellow jersey group. The motorbike outriders swarm by and then the crowd starts cheering as Garate, Martin and then Pellizoti swing by swiftly followed by the Schleks, Contador and Armstrong. Wiggins then come into view and we shout encouragement for all we're worth. We later find out he's managed to keep 4th by 4 seconds!
Final Descent
Post Tour we cycle back down to the car and unload our kit. Mal and I decide to try and weave our way through the madness on the Sault route. It's crazy for four of five kilometres but soon we're motoring past everyone and everything. It's a stunning descent. At the base of the giant we decide to take the route back to Mormoirson via the Gorge. We do a superb bit of paceline, smoking every cyclists on the route - great fun.
Lugging a bike bag with bike, kit and civilian gear is hard work. Especially at 5.30 in the morning. Heading for the Eurostar to join Mark and Mal in Provence for some post Etape riding and to see the pros ride the Ventoux stage of the Tour de France. The landscape through the heart of France is fairly unremarkable - flat farmer's field after flat farmer's field but then, still miles out from Avignon, Mont Ventoux looms on the horizon.
Mormoiron
Our villa for the week is just outside the little town of Mormoiron. Nestled amongst the vineyards of the Cotes du Ventoux it's a very pleasant spot. Time to unpack the bag, build the bike, watch the Tour stage highlights and then off to town for dinner/carb loading. Tomorrow morning we take on Ventoux.
Les Cinglés des Mont Ventoux
It seems I'm skipping the frying pan stage and jumping straight into the fire. My first day on the bike in France and I'm taking on the Giant of Provence - not once, but three times, and hopefully adding my name to those in Le Club des Cinglés (the Mad Club...).
Mark is eager to take this on after his seat post bolt disaster forced him to pull out of the Etape. Mal has 'saddle comfort issues' after his successful Etape. Having done the Quebrantahuesos in June I'm happy with the climb - it's the heat that worries me.
First Assault - Bedoin (21.5km, 7.5%)
We're tackling the route which lies ahead for the Pros on Saturday first. This is regarded as the toughest. We set off just before 8am from Mormoiron, a 10 mile cycle to the town of Bedoin. There are dozen of cyclist in the town - this is a real velo Mecca. We head towards Tourist Information and stamp our Cinglés card - the first of 6 stamps that will show we've completed each ascent. The skies are fairly clear, it's not too windy, the temperature is about 18C. We spin by quite a few cyclists on the way (loads of MTBs as well!) and pass the sign marking the start of the climb. The first 6 kilometres and fairly gradual (c4%) but as the road takes a sharp kink we enter the forest and the gradient increases. Encamped along the side of the road are first wave of fans here to see the Tour. The Dutch are in abundance. Mal and Mark drop the pace a little and soon I'm ploughing a lonely furrow through the forest. I'm a bit underwhelmed by the climb at this stage. It's a hard slog but quite monotonous and without great views - sacrilidge I know! With about 10km to go Mal is suddenly passes me. After a bit on his wheel I decide to shift back to a slower pace. As I reach Chalet Reynard, Mark's also on my tail. We pull in together to see if Mal's around. No sign, so I continue leaving Mark to natter to Team Rapha.
The Moonscape
Chalet Reynard marks the end of the forest. There's 6km to the summit and from here there is no vegetation, just the harsh, grey rockface. From here the views across Provence are magnificent. The weather station that sits at top the mountain also comes in to view - it's like the tower on top of Mordor. The wind really picks up now I'm out of the shelter of the the trees and it gets more forceful as you near the summit. The final hairpin and the finish line is in sight up a steep little ramp directly into the powerful headwind so it's out the saddle for the final push. It's a busy little place with the tourist shop doing a brisk trade. Mal's waiting with a cold coke in hand. Time to admire the view and get the all important stamp on the Cinglés card.
The Descent
A very over used word but the descent is truly AWESOME! The first kilometre or two are a bit gnarly as the wind tugs and heaves you towards the abyss below. There's also quite a few cautious cyclists to negotiate. Soon though it's full throttle, aero position and Mal and I are rocketing downhill at 55+mph. It's 20 minutes of thrills (fortunately no spills) and we arrive in Malaucene.
Second Assault - Malaucene (21km, 7.5%)
After refuelling at a local café and getting our cards stamped at Tourist Information we set off just after 12pm. As we make our way up into the forest the heat is stifling. The views from this route are much more interesting as the Ventoux National Park opens up all around us. This is tough though, it must be about 30C and with about 8km to the top I have to stop. As Mal continues upwards I take my last slug of water, take a few pictures and then plough, slowly onwards. Actually, the gradient seems to ease off just after this point and I'm soon cycling throught the desert again, pleased that the wind offers some respite to the temperature. At the summit it's time to fill up with some ice cold water before the descent to Sault. This is a good descent but we're having to peddle most of the way - the winds in our faces and the gradient on this route is less severe.
Final Assault - Sault (26km, 4.7%)
We refuel in Sault. An ice cream goes down very well. On the final climb as we pass through the lavender fields the wind is well and truly on our side and we're tanking it up Ventoux at 16mph. It's just before 5pm now and the sun is lower but the air is really dry leaving you gasping breath but we're making great progress. When we enter the moonscape, the gradeint ramps up and the wind is truly fierce now. On the final ramp we jump out the saddles and make a kick for the summit. Card stamped, refuelled with water, coke and nougat we make the final descent back into Bedoin. Awesome, awesome, awesome! We arrive into Bedoin just before 7pm or beer o'clock to be more precise. Cinglés done! We both agree there's no need to attempt this again.
Cycling in Provence
The next day I take a deserved rest until the late afternoon. Chris, Loti and I decide to do a pre-BBQ bimbe to the Gorge de la Nesque. What a stunning ride! This has to be one of the world's greatest cycle routes. The road is virtually car less and winds along through the scrub at a pleasant, steady gradient. As we enter the gorge the views are breathtaking. The road carves through the rock face and plummets to the gorge below. At the top we turn round and head back to the villa - a great descent.
On Friday Mal and I take a spin out to Gordes. Another good ride with the picture postcard town of Gordes to enjoy.
The Tour de France
Mark and Sally have headed up Ventoux the evening before in the car. Mal and I are going to take on the giant again but this time we're going to be lumbered with a rucksack full of food, water and warm clothing. We're taking the Bedoin route and the road out to Ventoux is mobbed with cars and cyclists. Mal takes off with about 10km to go but I catch him up with about 2km to the summit. The wind is ferocious. At the summit it's getting quite chaotic as the final prep is made for the Tour. We cycle back down to Mark and Sally's camp spot about 2km from the summit on the second last curve lighten our loads then take off 8km down the hill towards Sault to pick up more provisions from Mark's car. On the cycle back up the police have blockaded the roadwith about 2.5km to go so we duck over the railings, rejoin Mark and Sally and then bed ourselves in. Thank heavens we have brought the sleeping bags - it's freezing!
Le Caravan
It turns out Mark has staked a great spot for seeing the Tour but not quite so good for grabbing the freebies thrown from the Caravan. Pretty much everything that's thrown towards us ends up getting grasped by the wind and scattered down the road. I do manage to get a pen, a keyring and some Festina clappers. A sixty year old lady who was standing next to me made a superman dive to try and get her hands on this! I pipped her to the post! None of us manage to get any Haribo...
The Pros
The excitement is building. Mark has twitter updates on his phone so we know there's a three man break ahead of the yellow jersey group. The motorbike outriders swarm by and then the crowd starts cheering as Garate, Martin and then Pellizoti swing by swiftly followed by the Schleks, Contador and Armstrong. Wiggins then come into view and we shout encouragement for all we're worth. We later find out he's managed to keep 4th by 4 seconds!
Final Descent
Post Tour we cycle back down to the car and unload our kit. Mal and I decide to try and weave our way through the madness on the Sault route. It's crazy for four of five kilometres but soon we're motoring past everyone and everything. It's a stunning descent. At the base of the giant we decide to take the route back to Mormoirson via the Gorge. We do a superb bit of paceline, smoking every cyclists on the route - great fun.
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