Pico Veleta /// Spain 2012

Hi gang,

As some of us headed down to the south of Spain (50km from Granada) to get 

some heat ham and sun, we thought it would be rude to try out one the biggest 

passes in Europe named the Pico Veleta with a road reaching 3394m (11 135ft)

in the Sierra Nevada. 

We started off at 6AM on the outskirts of Granada in order to avoid the crushing 

afternoon heat. The climb took about 4.5 hours on the saddle, passing through the 

Sierra Nevada ski resort, and an hour flat out for the descent. 

We could not have picked a better day for the climb, the weather was perfect

and we maintained a good temperature as we went higher and higher. We feared 

for the lack of oxygen as we would reach the 3000m but it did not hinder us too much.

As opposed to the steeper climbs we usually try in the Alps, this one was surprisingly

even with a comfortable gradient. However, it is without a doubt the longest climb 

and one to be taken slowly and very surely. 

A selection of the best pics below with some video to footage to be posted shortly. 

Route: http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=5538844

 

 

Amstel Gold CLASSIC///150 km ride

This year, we were 14 of us  to try out a classic ride and got signed
onto the Amstel Gold 150km classic ride starting in Holland and
running through Germany and Belgium.

It's a slow and and flat start to begin with, but as the day goes on,
the hills get steeper and more frequent. Aa a result you have a nice
finish on a hill with a good bunch of riders and an Amstel beer as
you cross the line. Final time: 6:28:30

Top fun and top day.
The day was organized by Onwards and Upwards.

Geneva /// April 2012 3Day etapes

Well well, the sun is back and Spring is well on its way,
we've been riding Surrey hills pretty much every weekend
since the beginning of the year, and it has proved to be good training.

Ben Dom and I headed to Geneva from which we did 3 days
of cycling, testing out our legs on some mountain still partially covered
with snow and closed roads.. The verdict? Tough but incredibly beautiful.

Some of the routes in the mountains were still closed, but we managed to
find a gap between showers and were even rewarded with 5 hours of sunshine
when we got to the top of the col de la joux verte, just off Morzine.

Passes and altitude completed:
Col de la Faucille in the Jura at 1323meters  11.8km long on 7.03% av gradient
Col du Marchairuz at 1449 meters
Col de la joux verte at 1760meters 11.6km long on 8.5% av gradient
La cote d'abroz (road was closed) we got up approx 1350meter
Les Croisettes (Le mont Saleve) 1379meters 4km stretch at 12% av gradient

Routes and pics below:

Day 01: http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=5398976 136.5km
Day 02: http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=5398983 90km
Day 03: http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=5398991 62km

Surrey hills 10 March 2012/// And again

We have not been off the pedals since the beginning of the year,
quite the contrary, we've been pushing up and and down our usual
training ground which is Surrey hills, but I thought I would avoid posting
the same route again and again..

However, here is a pic of a first glimpse of sunshine at the top of Boxhill.

Please click the link for the route.
 http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=5344112

Richmond Park /// Hello Winter

This Saturday, we met up with part of the group Onwards and Upwards (http://onwardsnupwards.tumblr.com/)
with whom we're doing the Amstel Gold Race. We split at Richmond
park with a handful heading to Windsor and back, whilst Ben Mat and
did 3 laps around the park.

The crisp morning sun mixed with a layer of white frost allowed for some spectacular
views of London and the park. At times, with the deers in the mist, we could hardly believe
we were still in London. Unfortunately, my phone seized up many times as the temperatures
were too low for it to operate, so the picks are limited but should give you an idea of the beauty.

The route: http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=5256497

Climbing the classics /// A book to get hold of

If you enjoy the mountains and want to know about Europe's most infamous climbs,
have a look at this book - ‘Mountain High: Europe's 50 Greatest Cycle Climbs’ by 
Daniel Friebe, with photographs by Pete Goding.

There are some exceptional shots and lovely descriptions about the challenges and
history of Europe’s most notorious climbs from 50 to 3000+ metre passes.

Stay tuned, we’ll be trying a couple of these this year without a doubt.

2012 /// The cycling plan

Right, we've been hard at work planning for 2012 and here are the challenges ahead in

chronological order:

Some Surrey and Richmond Park training at the beginning of the year to get the legs

warmed up. Towards Feb/March, we should be planning a weekend in the Cotswolds

 where the first real tests of the season will be upon us - short but steep climbs surrounded

 by beautiful countryside.

Then we get to April, where the season really starts to kick in. We'll be heading to 

Geneva where Ben, Dan and I will be hitting some day trips that tap into the tour

of the Léman lake, some along mountain passes including the Col de la Faucille, the

road to the mountain station Flaine and possibly Loèche-les-Bains. We're still working

on the routes and itinerary, but we’ll let you know as soon as they’re ready.

The weekend after this will be the Amstel Gold race (www.amstelgoldrace.nl) in Holland, 

where 15 of us will get on a 150km race for the day followed by a little party time!

Come May, I'll be heading south to Bordeaux for a family weekend. Bordeaux is so

close to the Pyrenees, it would be rude not to attempt the big boys while I’m there,

including the classic Tourmalet among others. We're working on the programme

at the moment.

At the end of June (30th), we’d like to get onto the Dunwich Dynamo again

(http://southwarkcyclists.org.uk/node/61). It’s such a different and unreal experience 

riding 120 miles through the night with about 500 other riders, arriving in the early 

morning hours at a beach in Norfolk. Anyone is welcome to join for this one - departure

is at 8pm from a pub in the park. Anyone fancy doing it with a single speed? I think I might.

The big trip this year will be FRANCE. Although we will have done a couple of small trips

in and out, we wish to start a trip from London to Paris to warm up, followed by a train 

journey into the centre of France. Maybe while we’re there, we'll travel to the south and

possibly attempt Mont Ventoux. Or we might head to Bourg d'Oisans where the Alpes d'Huez

and Galibier will hopefully welcome us back with open roads and harsh climbs. Either way,

 it'll be sweat and glory all the way. This should be between the 6th and 17th of July, 

which is coincidentally, when the Tour de France will hit central France, so maybe 

we’ll see the riders fly by.

In the mean time, there‘s always trips to the Surrey hills and a couple of extras here and there.

Also keep your eyes on the trip that Thom and Guigui are going to be doing - Paris to 

St Petersburg by bike. We don't have the itinerary yet but will let you know as soon as
we get it. These guys will be travelling for a long time and their stories are bound to be

worth telling.

Also in the pipeline is the story of Rob Ward, who 20 years ago rode all the way from London
to Pakistan with his wife. We'll try and have an article about his adventure as well as a

couple of pics of his epic journey.

Voilà, that's all for now folks, but if you'd like more detailed information, please get in touch. 

We'll be posting all our routes.

Sunday cycle /// Back to Surrey Hills 42miles

The winds of change blew us in the direction of Surrey today, 
back to our old training turf in Surrey - the 42 mile round circuit from Dorking. 

please click the link for the detailed route: 

http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=5154636

The weather and visibility were perfect. The roads however, were a bit 
on the treacherous side, with a thick layer of slippery autumn leaves under 
our wheels and many of the descents on wet tarmac. As a result, Ben
came off on a tight bend, but not to worry, the new carbon bike is still intact 
and unscathed. If only the same could be said about his lycra… 

We've documented the Surrey hills ride many times, so we thought we 
would treat you to some pics on the way to the train station. This is 
London at 7am on a clear autumn day - a real beaut, and well worth
the early rising and painful legs.

Enjoy…

Itlalia 2011///An autumn reminder

We can't stop thinking back to Spring this year, to our epic Italian
journey from noth to south. We are still far from completing a video
with descents, and just general points of the trip that we love to geek
out on, but thought we would share this segment here:

Sadly, we really love that noise of passing wheels on tarmac.
It's our second day in Tuscany, between Bologna and Florence.
Also included are a couple mountain (Dolomites) images that are
worth showing. The trip was just epic. We're prepping for next year's
challenges now, with a couple of hard challenges. But not saying anything
till the dates and routes are confirmed. It will most certainly include some
mountains though for sure to cap the whole thing off!

The route: from Innsbruck to Tropea, 1700km 

                                                          Before the arrival into Florence

Saturday London cycle///54 miles

This Saturday, we tried a new route which started from East Dulwich
library and led all the way to Oxted, south of the M25. Some nice autumn
scenery, and some good country roads.

There are some decent challenges with
one hill at 20% gradient. Yes, one of those which makes you wonder why you're
actually doing this to yourself. And the end of the trip is the climb into Crystal palace.
The route is actually 42 miles, but I've added the extra 10 as I started in East London.
Click link for route: http://connect.garmin.com/player/119829627#.TpAtgWqa0NI.email



I would also like welcome Ben and Simons's new machines, some lovely carbon kit.
Ben used to ride an old steel Bianchi, and the difference was very visible as we struggled
in the early stages to follow his punishing rythm, a very good pace maker indeed. I never
really considered carbon myself, but after seeing them 2 comfortably whizzing past, it makes
me wonder now. Maybe next year. Here are some pics of the ride and the bikes!

Canyon: http://www.canyon.com/_uk/roadbikes/bike.html?b=2507
Cervelo: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Cervelo-r3-2010-/220856515013#ht_500wt_1026

Lake District///Let's do some downhill!

Hi all,

Last week-end myself and Glen went to the Lake district, about 10miles north
west of Penrith for a chilled one. We took our bikes out there to help us get to
places. On the Saturday, Mark (details to follow) picked us up and took us for a mountain
bike tour around the hills.

Well, we thought it was going to be a walk in the park and a little
ride over simple muddy tracks. No no.. We got kitted with a downhill bike each and
went for our first rocky downhill experience. Although I fell off 3 times and feel
quite lucky not to have damaged myself more, we got to see some superb country side
as well as experience some a great riding experience through quite technical paths.

The ride was called Borrowdale bash, a 15mile ride starting in Kewick including
Ashness bridge, the honister, and going along castle crag. Any further detail, get in
touch with them direct: http://www.lakedistrictmountainbiking.co.uk

Really enjoyed it and definitely one to do again. A couple of pics below and a video
due to arrive shortly. MEGA


                                     
                                     

Cadel Evans on a city brake? Oh no, It's GLEN! 

Can't argue with the beauty of this, The English Isle does not stop to amaze me

London to Brighton///64miles

A good route from London to Brighton starting from Clapton
and passing through south east London before joining the classic
London Brighton route including the good old Beacon challenge.

Rain and wind was on the menu but it did not stop anyone. A good ride
and a great burger on the way.

Here is the Route:  http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=5091821

View from the top of the beacon

Le Massif central 2011 /// Day trips

Hi, Here are a couple pics from my annual stay in a little town
called Ste Sigolene, which is located in the departement of the Haute-Loire (France),
it is within the Massif Central.

I used to go there every year when I was a kid as this is where my family is from
on the French side. As a teenager, it became my top most boring place in the world. But since
putting behind these years, and especially since picking up the bike,  I am rediscovering the area and
all it's beauty. One is never short of fantastic scenery, challenging weather, and most
of all: hills. Not hard ones as they are soft and exactly how I like them. But after 60 miles
in your legs, they start to hurt.. There is no flat to be seen, it's up down up down and a great
place to train before you attempt Alpine routes. A couple of pics below, and routes to follow.

Route Day 01: Ste Sigolene - Yssingeux - Tiranges: http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=5091782
Route Day 02 : Ste Sigolene - St Agreve - Faye: http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=5091788


Also one of the best feature of this adventure is the Aperitif with the locals. It's simply, fantastique.

    Leaving a town called Tiranges, at 850m and heading down into the valley onto Monistrol

    Lac de Devesset with the Mt Mezenc. The Mt Mezenc is the gateway to the south of France.

    St Pal de Mont, at the Golden hour

Paris to London 2011 /// 290km in 2 days

Hi,  We've ben absent for a while since the Italian trip. The Tour de France had us glued to the box.
Since Italy, we've been occasionally riding the usual Surrey hills trip to keep the legs warm.
However, on the week of the 13 July, I took the bike on the Eurostar in order to meet up with my
french friends and do our first Paris to London in 2days:

Day 1: 165km Paris to Dieppe and got the ferry to Newhaven
Day 2: 120km   Newhaven to London via Brighton

Given how turd the summer weather has been, we were very lucky, with a little overcast on the first day
and a good blue sky in the UK. It was a first bike trip with my french mates and everyone enjoyed it.
It was a little taster for more trips to come in the next year. The arrival in London was welcome by some
good pints and a party weekend. Thomas, one of the french guys decided to do the trip back from London through heavy rain.

A few pics and a map of our route.

   Early morning start, 20km north of Paris, somewhere

   The one who reminded everyone to take their passports forgot it himself and had to do to the U-turn
   of shame and join us the next morning in Newhaven.

   GuiGui and the machine

   Dieppe, waiting for the ferry

    Ditchling road, leaving Brighton

    The awaited PINT