The Alps - Timed to the minute
25/07/2011 by BenBlyth.
Monday 09:16 - Jack and Doug arrive at Chateau Blyth approximately 17 minutes late. It wouldn’t have been the start Jack wanted but it was the latest we were for anything all trip.
09:19 - Doug questions Ben’s parentage and sexuality for the first time.
19:30 (46 seconds ahead of schedule) - Formula 1 hotel near Dijon welcome the famous European cyclists for their stopover. An all you can eat Chinese is wolfed down before we retire for the evening to sleep (Ben and Doug) or complete 4000 press ups throughout the night (Jack).
Tuesday 14:30 (86 minutes ahead of schedule) - Arrival at Chalet Beyond. Small talk (in Dutch) is completed and in pouring rain we headed down the 9km (8% average) descent (which would be the climb at the end of each ride we did) before turning left and riding the 10km to the base of Alp D’Huez.
16:13 - The base of the Dutch mountain. Once Jack and Doug had ensured I couldn’t get lost on the climb we set off, speedometers set to zero and targets in mind. The start of the climb was a killer but after the first two turns it settled down to an ‘easier’ 8%-9% which allowed a little rhythm.
Unsure if the cold and rain helped we all charged up the climb and finished with very respectable times of 56:04 (Ben), 1:01:00 (Jack) and 1:04:00 (Doug). After two days travelling and the weather we were all well pleased with the effort before heading off home for our tea… just that bloody climb up to the chalet.
Wednesday 07:44:58 (2 seconds ahead of schedule) Jack roused Doug and Ben with a sharp rap on the door to ensure we are aware breakfast is ready and confirm “You are not having sex are you?”
10:31 After a quick trip to Bourg D’Orsains we head out for a 70 mile route taking in the climbs of Col de la Morte which was a stunning, wooded climb which went on and on at around 9% before eventually opening up at the top and allowing us our lunch stop. A beautiful, but cold descent took us down in to the valley and also in to the sun for the first time on the trip. The quiet roads, which contained more cyclists than cars, quickly took us to the base of the second climb of the day, the Col de Ornon. This was tougher than the first climb and the hot weather was a challenge seeing how well wrapped up we were from the morning rain. After cresting the top we wasted no time in hurtling down the long descent, Doug as usual leading the way passing cars as he went.
16:40 (on time) we arrived home, tired but still with time for a masterclass in bike cleaning from Doug.
Thursday - Today was a day off the bike. After a stunning drive part way up the Col de Lautaret we then walked up the remaining five miles to take our place part way up the Galibier. All in all it was an excellent day with fine weather, stunning scenery Didi the devil and Doug pacing Andy Schleck amongst others up the climb.
Friday - One of the best days both on and off the bike you could have. Back over to Alp D’Huez, we spent a couple of hours pottering up and down the climb which was out of this world. Riding through Dutch corner behind a Rabobank car with thousands of Dutchmen and women going wild is something I will never forget. After managing to watch most of the days stage on various TV’s Doug and Jack then managed to find an excellent vantage point to watch the stars go past. Unforgettable.
Saturday - 00:00:01 - It starts raining.
09:01:04 (3 seconds early) - We set off to tackle the first of the days climbs in very wet and cold weather, quite a change from the previous two and a half days. The Croix de Fer was an astounding climb but, like all climbs over there, just went on and on, passing a couple of riders on the way up from Hartshead we eventually reached the top feeling very cold (well, I did, Jack, as usual seemed at whatever temparature he set his own thermostat at that morning). After being convinced to continue by the other two we headed off for the descent. Jack and Doug descended like Pro’s (no, not prostitutes), I descended like a 12 year old girl, actually, no, I was worse than that, I descended like Andy Schleck down to the lunch stop.
After a little food and warming up slightly we decided (after I had finished crying) that we would be foolish to climb the Galibier as planned due to the chance/likelyhood of snow at the top and instead took the easy route home. Just a quick hop over the Col de Glandon. After 12 miles of climbing at 10% and seeing the road rising up in to the clouds we did wonder if we were seeing things. Unfortunately, due to a puncture Jack ended off out ahead and Doug and I brought up the rear (shut it Wareham). This was far and away the hardest climb I, if not any of us, had ever done and I am amazed it isn’t used more in the big races. Eventually at the top, you come out a kilometer from the top of the Croix de Fer so at least we knew the descent. The 2 hour climb that morning took us 20 minutes on the way down.
Sunday - Jack, the machine, got us home after leaving at 08:30 by 21:30.
An unforgettable trip, mixed conditions, amazing scenery and superb company. There is far to much to remember but for next years trip, get training as those climbs are not easy.
P.s - Two dogs - What was it you said? “34-25 won’t get you over the Alps…”?
Giro D’Italia - Sad news
09/05/2011 by BenBlyth.
Guys,
I expect most people will already know by the time they read this but unfortunately Wouter Weylandt died following an accident during todays stage. Unfortunatelty it seems quite a bit of the aftermath was shown on Eurosport including some terrible, terrible images. I didn’t want anyone to not be aware what they might see if they have recorded the highlights.
Terribly sad news and thoughts go out to all his friends and family.
Rigid Forks for MTB?
28/03/2011 by Dave H.
Looking at putting rigid forks on my 1997 Cannondale commuter mtb. It has old school Rockshox Indy forks at present which measure axle to crown (when unweighted) of 430mm, and 260mm steerer. Ahead Diatech headset. I want to get rid of the bounce and looking at perhaps carbon forks from Carbon Cycles around £100 or Salsa forks from Wiggle at £72. Need studs for cantilever brakes. Will these fit and does anyone any have suggestions/ recommendations?
Thanks
20/06/2010 by Al and Sarah.
Hi everyone this is Sarah, I am writing this on behalf of Al as he has asked me to do so. He wishes to thank everyone so much for all your kind words and support following his accident several weeks ago and apologises for not being out this weekend. Sadly his mum passed away today and the stresses of the past few months are taking their toll. He is very much looking forward to being out again soon, and to the banter which will no doubt cheer him up no end. Thanks everyone.
Carlton Pro-am 12 Frame
28/02/2010 by Jonathan.
If anyone is interested, I am giving away my old bike frame, a Carlton Pro-am 12, a Reynolds 531 steel frame dated back to the 80’s. It is intact, however, due to an unfortunate accident it has a bent top tube and downtube, and would require repair work to be carried out on it. As I am uanble to get it repaired, I am giving it away to anybody that will be able to make any use of it.
It has a pair of brazed-on points for cantilever brakes, so it might make a reasonable cyclocross or winter bike for anyone that doesn’t mind doing it up. I also have a few components off the original bike, if anyone requires them.
If anyone is interested, then please contact me @ cyclomaniac@live.co.uk.
Thank you, Jonathan Rhodes
The Man who Cycled the World…
24/02/2010 by Ben.
Just a quick heads up to anyone interested that Mark Beaumont is doing a talk in Halifax Victoria Theatre on Friday 19th March at 7.30pm.
Mark held the record for cycling 18,000 miles round the world and has just cycled the length of the Americas (interupted by climbing the two tallest mountains).
Should be a good evening. I might ask him for some routes for future club run’s!
Photo
18/04/2009 by wurst.
Photo of the jersey in Munchen - the club has gone international!
Hollingworth lake new Cycle Centre
19/01/2009 by Martyn.
cycle4lifeposter.pdf
Hi
In a couple of weeks a new resource will be openning at Hollingworth lake.
The attached poster gives details.
Anyone who fancies a ride out on a saturday will find plenty to interest them
martyn
