We headed out of a saint Maurice we're we had rested well yesterday my legs were a bit sensitive after 4 rides in Thonon les Bain .But thanks to the one winged warrior Jeff Desbecker call a spade a spade and shit stinky who supplied me and Baz with protein powder which we proceeded to over dose on last night .We were feeling dangerous so Baz dressed appropriately
Sporting his fastest out fit full Ferrari colours.
Before the riding started today dramas began early ,Jonathan has lost his wallet and passport he was awarded the pukeko (outstanding ability to stand out ) for sweating a lot so it's appropriate he's has a pukeko on his helmet as we head off .Desbecker direct traffic as we get organised to leave.Ive been getting my jeffs mixed up I'm not sure who is on the tour and who is the tour organiser.
We have 2 ks to warm up then the 48 k of climbing 2000 m to the top of Col de I'iseran altitude 2754m the plan is to coffee at Val-d'Isere . Dave Drew and Geoff our fearless leader half wheel each other in to town fighting it out to be the alfa male in the group and take all the women. Me and Baz aren't sure what they will do with them .
It's An amazing town with impressive mountain hotels and homes after coffee we have 17 km to go and 1000 m of climbing at altitude .
My trusty Garmin tells me it's 14 deg but the wind chill is at least 20 deg a hot topic amongst the crew what to wear how many layers.
The climb is more of the same 8 - 12% but the lungs are burning and my heart is trying to escape through my mouth .Me and Jr are out front cruising soaking up the amazing scene playing out in front of us.
It may be the shortage of oxygen or the sense of achievement but its like riding in heaven truly amazing surrounding and feeling .
My back start to tighten so it time to stand up also I feel the need to ride alone click a few gears shoot ahead of Jr cruising along then hear a bike behind have a quick look but don't see the name tag on the jacket (every one has a white coat so Dave the school teacher has written his name on the tag to the amusement of all we suspect his undies are also named) click some gears to drop JR but he's still there
I'm impressed look back to see Dave Drew undisputed owner of the poker dot jersey .
I tell him to power up as I'm diggin the vibe alone style .5 k to go to the top and Jr is back another quick look click a few gears blast to the top at 20 k/hr hurting big time but exhilarated .
Arrive to the top hide from the wind quick as it insanely cold once you stop .to my surprise mr hunt pulls up not Jr .
The crew role in one at a time grins on faces steamy bellowing from there blow holes .Last but by no means least Robina a powerful woman who has earned an unmeasurable amount of my respect .
Then it's time to layer up 321 go we plummet down the smooth roads that encourage you to lean your bike over more push the limits of your tires and ability.But there a down side the faster you go the colder it is.
From the bottom we have 60 k of down to our next destination Saint Michael de Maurienne but the cycle god Are not playing fair and we have a good head wind.on the way,
Mike decides to remodel some French roads with his ass by going for a slide . He's a bit black and blue but ok. On the way Leigh tries for the fourth time I've seen to become a car grill his life long dream !
We hit our destination a hot shower and me and my roomy restart our conversation about what we will buy our wife's for letting us come on this trip. Barry is trying to talk me into a pearl necklace but that sounds expensive and we haven't seen any pearl shops !
Sent from my iPad
Thursday, September 12, 2013
The strava links from Dallas
Click on the link to open his dashboard
http://www.strava.com/dashboard
http://www.strava.com/dashboard
Wednesday, September 11, 2013
Day 3 – Flumet to Bourg Saint Maurice
A gentle roll downhill from the hotel for a
kilometre or so was the warm-up for the day then we were straight into the
first climb, the Col les Saisies (1432m). This was a 10km climb between 7 and 8
percent most of the way. The day started fresh and after the first half of the
climb got even cooler as we reached the summit. By now the routine of throwing
on another couple of layers for the descent had been fine-tuned and we were
off.
The downhills are proving to be very
popular and the usual suspects hit the front and made the most of a very good
road surface and some open and fast flowing corners.
Then it was through the truly authentic and
unspoiled mountain village of Beaufort and we started the 20km climb to the
Cormet de Roselend (1968m). The scenery just got better and better as we gained
in elevation, with fantastic views not only of the gorge but also the valley
below. We stopped for lunch after 11km and thoroughly enjoyed the pre-ordered
hot soup and a warm café, and from here it was a very scenic final 9km to the
top.
Again, we threw on as many warm clothes as we could find in the support
vehicles and it was a 20km dive to the valley below. A top speed of 103kph was
recorded and the smiles on everyones faces at the bottom told the story of
another awesome descent.
The corners started off as open flowing with a very good road surface and we rode easy, until Dallas decided to put the pressure on and took a flyer of the front. We all stepped up of course, and the road changed to a small single lane with the occasional white drop of paint in the middle. It dropped down the side of a a very deep gorge twisting and turning - the corners very sharp and falling away below the front wheel. Dallas kept applying the pressure and Leigh, Dave, Geoff, Mike and JR enjoyed the ride. Some hard over on one side while others had the bike laid over the other way. Only one car interrupted this free fall down the valley towards Bourg Saint Maurice.
From here it was a short ride through town to the
hotel and some much-needed relaxation.
We were very fortunate to be in the home
town of Domonique and she invited us to her home for a kir aperitif before
dinner. It was great to see the inside of one of the many thousands of chalets
we see every day scattered throughout the mountains and enjoy the very warm
French hospitality.
From here it was out to the restaurant her
daughter works in for dinner and refuel for the long 48km climb that will take
us up to 2764m on the Col de I’Iseran tomorrow.
Day 2 story from Barry
A gloomy and wet start from Samoens, brief ride down the valley and a slow circuit(s) of Clues as Geoff tried to find the start of Colombiere. Excitement levels rise as we see the sign showing a 1613m Col . Group stays together for most of the climb and split as we get closer and the weather closes in
My spies tell me that the leading group comprised Dangerous Dallas, Dateless Dave, with Compass Geoff tucked in behind. JR was closely follows by Lesley, she does that all day!
Mike then appeared out of the mist and Barry steered Jonathan to the top guided by a combination of grunts and cow bells. Lee- the Pro manfully rode with Robina
We had great help from our drivers Agnes and Dominic brilliantly directed by Jeff- alias one- wing.
Brief regroup at cafe then great downhill before a short ! climb of 566m to the top of Col des Aravis then 10k downhill to Flume-plus a 4k uphill to the hotel!
No sports channels here so had to reply on Laura's updates via viber to get the great result for the Americas Cup.
The dummy award was passed on to Dallas for trying to head plant a wall on the wrong side of a tunnel road.
Tuesday, September 10, 2013
Monday, September 9, 2013
It all started with a bang
Not the story we wanted to tell but nevertheless it did happen.
Everyone excited after arriving in Thonon les Bains to go riding. Different groups headed out while others were still arriving at the airport.
A txt from Dallas - Where are you ? Jef has crashed. Thoughts of non helmet riding Crown Range dweller rushed through the head. The worst of course - but it was not that bad but bad enough.
A car had stopped un-expectantly in front of Jef and Dallas and both hit the back (Dallas only glancing as he was further back) Jef hit the back of the car. He crashed over the bike to collect the car with his scapular. Which broke a small piece on the bottom edge.
Ambulance / police / hospital all followed and on return from Geneva we went to sit in the hospital. (it so happened that our driver Agnes knew two people in the town - one a doctor at the hospital, so we followed up with a call to him and he duly arrived in sandals and t-shirt after spending a day on Lac Leman)
With his assistance we started getting feedback and soon Jef was back with us - drugged to the eye balls, arm in a sling and not feeling so good about the world.
Not the start we wanted but that was it. Dammmm
Sunday 8th
Gentle riding in scattered groups before the rain, or for some in it. Exploring routes above the lake. French low mountain countryside, riding with paddocks of musical cows.
Monday 9th
The depart.
0820 - pedals clicked in and away. Jean Louis (the doctor) joined us for the ride to Morzine up the valley of the Dranske. Deep in the gorge where he sun don’t shine - 11 degrees - which is a surprise after riding in 30 + just a day or so before.
A unexpected detour forces a climb up the walls of the valley before descending through sunlight shafts in the trees back to the valley floor. The valley climbs only gently all the way to Morzine so it is really a nice way to warm up.
According to the guide book it was lunch - in fact it is only 10.00 and a chance for those keen to add a bit of extra hill work ie climb to 1800meters / 10 kms above Morzine to the ski station of Avoriaz. Only two keen souls chose this option - Dave Drew and Leslie Logan, so of course I had to accompany them.
A great climb done at easy pace - 1hr 10min takes us to a ‘out of this world’ ski station. Some amazing architecture
But it was cold - so no hanging around. Jackets on and 10kms of flowing descents to follow. Coffee and chips in Morzine , while the main peleton had ascended the Col de Joux Plane on the way to Samoens.
It is steeper - up to 9 degrees on the sign posts (but 11 degrees in places)
From our guide book (produced in Qtn)
Col de Joux Plane
Starting from Morzine, the Col de Joux Plane ascent is
‘ . . . a deceptively tough (but not too hard) climb as it starts with a real kick from Morzine town centre. There are a couple of easier sections that give the legs a quick break and the
climb ends with easy last 2km to a small lake. Its not a hair-pin climb so a rhythm is
difficult to achieve."
Col de Joux Plane 10.9km Average Grad 6.5% Vertical 711m
The descent is fantastic again - fast following roads - although very rough in places with slumps, bumps and big cracks.
A great start for the trip
Leigh takes the dummy award - riding around a roundabout the wrong way
Tomorrow the Colombière
Col de la Colombière (1613 m).
Max Gradient 12%. 19.5km Vertical 1120m
and then the
Col des Aravis (1486 m) 10km. Vertical 566m
Everyone excited after arriving in Thonon les Bains to go riding. Different groups headed out while others were still arriving at the airport.
A txt from Dallas - Where are you ? Jef has crashed. Thoughts of non helmet riding Crown Range dweller rushed through the head. The worst of course - but it was not that bad but bad enough.
A car had stopped un-expectantly in front of Jef and Dallas and both hit the back (Dallas only glancing as he was further back) Jef hit the back of the car. He crashed over the bike to collect the car with his scapular. Which broke a small piece on the bottom edge.
Ambulance / police / hospital all followed and on return from Geneva we went to sit in the hospital. (it so happened that our driver Agnes knew two people in the town - one a doctor at the hospital, so we followed up with a call to him and he duly arrived in sandals and t-shirt after spending a day on Lac Leman)
With his assistance we started getting feedback and soon Jef was back with us - drugged to the eye balls, arm in a sling and not feeling so good about the world.
Not the start we wanted but that was it. Dammmm
Sunday 8th
Gentle riding in scattered groups before the rain, or for some in it. Exploring routes above the lake. French low mountain countryside, riding with paddocks of musical cows.
Monday 9th
The depart.
0820 - pedals clicked in and away. Jean Louis (the doctor) joined us for the ride to Morzine up the valley of the Dranske. Deep in the gorge where he sun don’t shine - 11 degrees - which is a surprise after riding in 30 + just a day or so before.
A unexpected detour forces a climb up the walls of the valley before descending through sunlight shafts in the trees back to the valley floor. The valley climbs only gently all the way to Morzine so it is really a nice way to warm up.
According to the guide book it was lunch - in fact it is only 10.00 and a chance for those keen to add a bit of extra hill work ie climb to 1800meters / 10 kms above Morzine to the ski station of Avoriaz. Only two keen souls chose this option - Dave Drew and Leslie Logan, so of course I had to accompany them.
A great climb done at easy pace - 1hr 10min takes us to a ‘out of this world’ ski station. Some amazing architecture
But it was cold - so no hanging around. Jackets on and 10kms of flowing descents to follow. Coffee and chips in Morzine , while the main peleton had ascended the Col de Joux Plane on the way to Samoens.
It is steeper - up to 9 degrees on the sign posts (but 11 degrees in places)
From our guide book (produced in Qtn)
Col de Joux Plane
Starting from Morzine, the Col de Joux Plane ascent is
‘ . . . a deceptively tough (but not too hard) climb as it starts with a real kick from Morzine town centre. There are a couple of easier sections that give the legs a quick break and the
climb ends with easy last 2km to a small lake. Its not a hair-pin climb so a rhythm is
difficult to achieve."
Col de Joux Plane 10.9km Average Grad 6.5% Vertical 711m
The descent is fantastic again - fast following roads - although very rough in places with slumps, bumps and big cracks.
A great start for the trip
Leigh takes the dummy award - riding around a roundabout the wrong way
Tomorrow the Colombière
Col de la Colombière (1613 m).
Max Gradient 12%. 19.5km Vertical 1120m
and then the
Col des Aravis (1486 m) 10km. Vertical 566m
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