Climbing up the age range of the MV40 class for the three peaks cyclo cross entry is effortless, climbing up the bloody three peaks is not ... indeed climbing is too strong and manly a word for it, as though there were some planned route involved, an engagement with the hillside, a test of ascending dexterity, when the actual experience is a kind of semi-vertical trudge up a wall of bog-grass peppered with sheep shit ... at least the first most of the first peak is, the second is more a kind of set of rock steps at irregular heights, and the third is evidently more track-esque, more rideable, but that is rideable by someone who gives a toss by that stage of the race. So with trudging and not giving a toss firmly in mind, I set off with Ian and Steve in the Condor team van ... a yellow LDV of dubious provenance and a heater that actually worked so well you could not turn it off ... to do the race. me that is. Ian and Steve were intent on having a bacon sandwich on arrival, gesturing toward trying to find 'the condor' who'd arranged to meet us at the start, and then having not really found him watch me set off to put begin to put some serious distance between myself and anything resembling a comfortable life ... they went on a fell side amble on 5 inches of plush travel, and I went on a hell side scramble ... after the top the memory of going up Ingleborough was instantly repressed, its gone into my id or some such, never to come out save under trauma hypnosis or some such ... going down i still remember because it was a laugh, until i gagged trying to eat some jelly beans ... water only from then on in. The big 'w' was a long long staircase of flags and steps built after an alchemical ratio of irregular proportions, so just as you got into a good step rhythm, it was upset, without fail, all the way to the top. The descent was similar, though the irregular steps were no match for a bike that could not do anything other than go at a good lick because its brakes stopped working at a certain pitch. The trick is to bunny hop the bigger steps without the saddle kicking you up the arse. The last climb, after the second of what were very pleasant road sections, began well enough because it wasn't really a climb, and then when it becomes one you climb off. Or I did. I became a little irked here. First sign of exhaustion. Some guy riding/walking next kept urging his fellow riders on with a 'gooo-on son' horse-like grunt, companions on the grasses of the fellside one and all. I wanted off. The knackers yard. Anywhere. They kill horses don't they? Good film. I got cramp for the first time ever. Now I know it hurts, but all that yawing and oooing is a bit much. Its nothing more than we deserve, for being ill prepared or some such. I was a bit rubbish going down this last hill. Trying to pretend I could ignore the cramp. It went after a few skirmishes with the rock. The end came and went soon enough. 54th, 2 minutes down on last year, a few places down, the slow ebb of middle age. But then an MV40 won it, so that's no excuse.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Friday, September 25, 2009
3 Peaks weekend - muddy bikes
Friday, September 18, 2009
Health Warning
Audax
Seeing as no-one has yet admitted to our completing yet another audax and so becoming dangerously familiar with said events, I am taking it upon myself to go declare publicly that Sunday 6th September witnessed a number of Condor riders, not even in disguise, and aided by Mick Collins and friends, gathering for one such event somewhere starting with Arn ... could be side, and not cliff, which even I know is in the Dales (isn't it?) and heading east for ages under the lee of Ingleborough, beyond Ribblehead and out beyond places with which I was only vaguely familiar and where lo it seems the Dales actually do stop and a kind of tourist arable-ism takes over. Luckily we turned about and headed to cafe for a big fry up at a cafe in a village that 'the condor' likes because its got a right good hotel fronted by a traditional green which, for our visit, was bedecked by a kind of vicious monochrome bunting of motorbikes heaving to and fro, slowly, under the immense weight of their leisure-fattened riders. Onto Tan Hill where in Condor style we split up. Surprised it took so long really. By the top Mick and mates been left to fend for themselves as we all pottered on under the able direction of the master of pottering on, who on this and, I gather, on all recent rides was ably assisted by a computer on his handlebars which looked like a mini shoe box and probably had a function for calculating the power-weight ratios of a size 7 on the end of an inside leg of 34 inches or some such ... anyhow it told us all the way admirably and meant the irksome map reading/navigational element of the audax was dispensed with, leaving 'the condor' to bray on uninterrupted. We ended having to cope with a head wind which called for a reluctant and limited co-operation from the remaining six of us, though when Pete mentioned we had 25 left, Brian instinctually hit a long turn at the front meaning the rest of us could begin quiet conversation, it was almost sociable. A worrying trend toward friendly riding confirmed when rather than leaving the finish with only a brief pause to get our time, we hung about long enough to have a coffee and for Pete to steal some strudel from an unsuspecting youth hostel cook ... you can take the man out of the force, but the force always lingers in the man heh?
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Sunday 13 September - mtb ride?
Wednesday, September 02, 2009
GRIMPYS Ride Report
The ride covered the route of the 3rd week of TDF, from MARTIGNY in
The aim was to ride each stage of the third week of the TDF, 2 days in front of the pros
- Stage 16 MATIGNY to BOURG saint MAURICE 165Km (2 major climbs)
- Stage 17 BOURG st. MAURICE to Le GRAND BORNARD 169Km (5 climbs)
- Stage 18 ANNECY Time trial 40Km
- Stage 19 BOIRGOIN JALLIEU to AUBENAS 195Km (3 minor climbs)
- Stage 20 MONTELIMAR to MONT VENTOUX 167 Km ( 4 minor climbs + Ventoux)
- Stage 21 Montereau-Faul-Yonne to
There were 5 in the party:
MeKevin White from Matlock CC in mid 30's
Steve Strange also from Matlock CC similar age
David Robinson (
Kevin Banbury ( from Swansea age 42 had ridden end to end in 5 days prior to this ride and was riding all 3 weeks of the tour)
Start
With the exception of Kevin Banbury we were all collected by Mark (Sports tours rep. later found out in his younger days he raced in Belgium for a season although is favourite sport was running, came from Yorkshire but was living in the midlands) from GENEVA airport
Then driven in the team van to our overnight accommodation in
Staying at the Hotel Best Western les Aiglons.
First job on arrival was to build bikes which were put in a separate meeting room
Quite plush for bikes – still we were in
Had a nice room with the balcony overlooking
The weather as all week was hot and clear with awesome scenery
View of ice field
At the evening meal we were introduced to Kevin who had spent all day sleeping and given a book with maps and detailed itinerary for each stage.
Stage 16 - MARTINY to BOURG st. MAURICE
Instruction Breakfast at 7.00 a.m.
Breakfast bad sign I was 5 mins. late and these guys were keen and committed, nobody was going to wait for me? Breakfast seemed to be eat everything available.
We loaded the bikes and set off to MARTINY a very pleasant drive.
On arrival bikes were unloaded and before I had fill
ed my water bottles and got gelled up Swansea Kevin was away.
The rest of us set of in a select group (4)
The stage had a profile like a pair of tits, from the start you climbed 40Km to the top
of Col Du Grand St Bernard (2473m) descended to AOSTE at 73 KM, then had a very gradual climb to MORGEX at 100Km, then upwards to
We set of at a reasonable pace with an incline to start having a similar gradient to Cragg Vale.
Going through I think 4 tunnels which had mainly very poor surfaces, eventually we left the main road to attack the summit, mostly at around 10% incline.
Our iron man Dave was dropped and I was attacked by the Matlock twins arriving a few minutes behind them at the first summit thankful to see our rep Mark with refreshments, Dave awarded me the white jersey (or should I say the grey one)
Picture at the top of Grand St Bernard me climbing, the group shot above shows Matlock guys, Dave & me ready to descend note the snow –suspect temp about 5 to 10C was 30C at the start of the climb? Guess which is the banker?
The decent went on forever switch back after switch back, I set off first but I was passed by everyone
Rejoined near the bottom for a flat section of maybe 20Km.
Then I got in front and got lost kept checking but seemed to be heading in the right direction.
The road split and instructions were team van would be at Morgex
Sure enough Mark was there on his own stating rest are in a group which set of 5 mins. ago.
Seem to have heard that on Condor runs before (5mins means anything up to 30)
Anyway off again climbing shallow gradient again similar to Cragg Vale easy?
Then went through a beautiful small town La Thuile, its amazing I found all the old Ski resorts had such character then bang climbing gradient increases (only about 20Km to summit) with lots of great switchbacks all numbered with amazing views (Gower & Lumby will remember similar numbered bends in Italy at worlds?)
Suddenly the bends stop and the scenery changes to open moor land this is where you will remember the Schlecks attacked leaving Armstrong in the group behind he later countered the move to join up with them & Wiggins.
Although this climb is slightly less length than the first of the day, I am getting tired but determined not to use the bottom gear ( 34 x 25) upwards to the top of Petit St Barnend, Marks waiting for final feed.
Its all downhill (30KM) to Bourg St Maurice, I can see the lake at the bottom but it never seems to get any nearer, fatigue is setting in and braking at each switch back is giving my upper back a pounding.
Suddenly the lake looks nearer and I arrive at the finish to find the van parked outside a café. Seems the Matlock guys completed in 6hrs XX mins, I took over 7 hours whilst the pros did the 160Km in just over 4hrs.
Only Mark & Kevin are there the others are in another bar watching the tour.
After a beer everyone else is on soft drinks we collect the rest and head to our overnight stay down the road in La Plagne staying at the family run hotel Tourmaline.
Not as plush this time bikes are in our rooms, but food OK and I managed 2 beers much to the disgust of the real cyclists.
We are all apprehensive about the next day which everyone thinks is/was the hardest of the tour 5 climbs (four 1st cat.).
Early to bed with breakfast at 7.30 can't get 7.00 Ok by me.
Stage
Breakfast I'm sure I was on time but rest had been eating for sometime.
This stage resembled a saw blade all up and down with the last 2 climbs advised to be steep.
At least none of the climbs are as long as yesterday.
Starting at Le Grand Bornand we were immediately into the Col De Roselend (1968m) 20Km long, incidently this climb was featured in last months Pro Cycling magazine.
Again Kevin had pissed off; the climb had signs for each km complete with average km gradient. I seem ok and left the rest catching Kevin near the top.
We regrouped and had a beautiful descent scenery fab even had its own turquoise lake or was it a reservoir.
Then through a great old town Beaufort, swung right up the next climb
Similar gradient climb to first mostly less than 10%, the main ski resort was at the summit guess it must be sheltered from prevailing winds? But with all the new buildings to my eyes it was a bit depressing no character.
Anyway collected more refreshment and we had a long descent to San Sallanches (90 Km). I got dropped and lost again rejoined up the cote de Araches (only a 2nd cat?)
More severe than previous climbs but only around 8Km long.
Down to Cluses out of the town then immediately onto the Col De Romme, this was steep (like going up lower edge) within 1Km you could look down through the crash barriers on the town which seems miles away. I felt ok and dropped the rest but had finally to get into my lowest gear.
The climb was relentless very little change in gradients with motor home owners parked on each side sometimes giving encouragement mainly Germans who were getting the best pitches early.
Eventually I stopped to relieve myself to be caught by the Matlock pair who got to the summit about 500m ahead of me.
By this time I was getting exhausted and said to Mark I am not sure I could make the col. de
We didn't wait for Dave but descended about 5km to start the col. de Columbia to my relief having been dropped the climb started at a reasonable gradient guess less than 10% and I was managing OK for the first few Km's.
The support van just went straight passed so I had to make it eventually with around 4Km to go the summit building could be seen and the gradient increased significantly it seemed as bad as the col. de Romme? The road just clung to the mountain with no
space for motor homes. I stopped for a rest to be caught by the matlocks who I assumed were way ahead, seemed they had stopped for a pee. Kept telling them they were taking on too much water?
This was the climb Contador went off causing Kloden to be dropped and where Armstrong blew Wiggo away after Wiggo had led Armstrong all the way up the climb.
Eventually I hit the top and descended into Le Grand Bornand. Arriving with the Matlock duo at a bar for a large beer. Well I did it and in better shape than I thought possible after the previous stage, I thought they were trying to make stages less arduous how do those pros do it being nearly twice as fast as us?
I think today's stage took us around 7 hours compared with pros time around 4.5 hrs
After Dave's arrival we loaded our bikes for the drive to
Stage 18
Effectively a rest day but we still had breakfast at 7.30 they had some plausible reason
Like traffic had to start at 9.00 so we could set off at 12.00 for the journey to Bourgoin Jallieu.
Not much to report we went around the lake course having a deviation on one side taking the lake cycle track instead of main road to avoid the traffic. Surprised by the hill otherwise a pleasant ride.
Steve had a bike problem with his cassette which they sorted at a local bike shop then it was load up for the drive to Bourgoin Jallieu
Stage 19 Bourgoin –Jallieu to AUBENUS
We stayed overnight at the Hotel de Commanderie de Chamary a local family run hotel with a great restaurant.
Up early again still last I am beginning to think I will have to go down for breakfast before I sleep to beat these guys?
Loaded up with calories and off to the start only two 4th cats and a final 2nd cat climb
nearly flat?
It was up and down all day into the warm mistral headwind no easy day mainly through hill side villages eventually skirting
The climb wasn't severe but fatigue had set in so I just slowed down. It was this climb that Cavendish surprised everyone by staying on to eventually take the stage off the
More water
Stage 20 Momtelimar To Mount Ventoux 167Km
Another family hotel, small room but for the first time our bikes were put in the garage.
Exhausted I had more Beer, persuaded Mark & Welsh Kevin to have one but no more.
Meal ok but others wanted more pasta the owner took the piss and brought in a massive bowl which they were unable to empty.
I went round the town for another beer and to worry about the day ahead.
Up at 7.00 for breakfast others nearly finished dragons drawn.
About 8.15 we are off to complete the same stage as the Etape hoping I had recovered from yesterdays hammering?
Immediately we are into the mistral headwind not on my request list can see Ventoux ahead. We have 3 off 3rd cats, a 4th cat to finish with the HC Ventoux and it's hot.
I am suffering we go through some beautiful province country side, vines (cotes de
Anyway manage the early climbs ok passed Nyons a great town, market in full swing.
Now a third & a 4th cat climb as a grimpy guide a 3rd cat is a similar gradient to Blackstone edge but at least twice the length the headwind and heat are taking there toll ( a 4th same as 3rd I could never tell the difference)
After Sault we have a 3rd cat climb Col de Notre Dame des ---- , even Dave is in front of me and I'm getting exhausted. Dam climb as 2 false tops and the decent is doggy cross winds making the bike go in different directions.
I arrive at Mormoiron see the van and go into a welcome air con café to find Kevin and mark getting sustiness Dave doesn't stop and goes straight on to Bedoin (start of the Ventoux climb).
It's around 14.00 only about 30Km to the top of Ventoux, I start with coke fed up of water & SIS drinks, cake then coffee do I have to leave?
I'm the last to leave and thankfully the winds behind me to Bedoin.
I arrive at Bedoin and start the climb and the first few Km are easy thank god or whoever.
Was thinking about a prayer mat earlier?
I hit the tree line and we go into 9, 10, 11, 12 % every Km (12 was max I saw) signs give gradient and it seems to get hotter and I go slower with frequent stops. The route is covered on either side with motor homes or tents. There are some riding with mountain bike gears but I can walk as fast. I meet a couple in a tent from the
Some entrepreneurs are selling drinks every few Km I stop at each till my small amount of taken euros runs out. It's still hot and my throat is still dry. I'm shot but the stops have given some minor recharge. Suddenly the tree's disappears and immediately the temp cools down, I can see the weather station at the top in the lunar landscape. A switch is turned on and my pace increases I no longer need the bottom gear at this stage the gradient is around 10%
I pass the Tom Simpson memorial with 2Km to go, look at the cans and rubbish but don't climb the stairway to heaven.
Push on and arrive at the top, pass the van and are advised I have to turn right and pass the weather station to complete the stage, they are taking the piss but I do it anyway.
I arrive at about 5.30 pm, I left the café at around 2.45, and it's taken me 2hrs 45 mins. To do 30km, 20 Ventoux, 10 flattish.
I thought they would all be ready to go (turns out Dave and Kevin have only been at the top for 15mins) as we have to drive 4hrs to our nights hotel at
Stage 21 Montereau-Faul-Yonne to
We stay overnight at the Hotel Novetel in an industrial estate near
Breakfast normal but I'm not last its Mark.
We set off about 8.00 to drive passed the start at Montereau--- , the Matlock duo get cocky and think they are in a team time trial, I get to the front with Kevin and we slow it to a sensible pace. We arrive in the suburbs of
We ring Mark who explains he's stuck in traffic we wait for the team van and decide it's a stupid exercise to make the
The hotels in Porte de Versailles, we arrive and pack our bikes in the cases for the flights back tomorrow.
We decide to eat on Baxter at a local taverne had a good meal with some wine
Reflections:
I thought in January when I booked that it was a challenge and something different to do for a week?
The support and accommodation was fine but I suppose for me just riding up those climbs with the views and scenery blew me away.
The toughest day was the 2nd day stage 17 due to the number and severity of the climbs; the ventoux stage was also difficult both from climbing ventoux and the fatigue from the previous stage.
By this time if you have waded through all my scribble you must be as exhausted as me. Have a BEER
Cheers
JG GRIMPY