50CC Day 2, a set on Flickr.
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Day 2
Day 2 was my birthday. I was hoping for a special, memorable day. I wasn't to be disappointed. Lee had mentioned that today was to be an "easier" day than yesterday. 162km with 3500m (10 cols) of vertical ascent. It would also include a detour through Spain to have a go at 2 Spanish cols. Unfortunately the weather had picked up where it had left off the previous day. Cold and rainy and windy! But since today was my birthday I insisted on claiming the majority of the "wind shadow"
And if the weather hadn't been crappy enough to start with, it got worse as the day progressed. So much so that by the time we reached the top of the Col de Mente I was quite bleak. Dry clothes, a superb lunch ( I was careful to eat more of it this time) of local cheese's, paté, fruits, nuts (you name it) and a cup of coffee soon had me smiling again.
The next chunk of the day deserves special mention as it entailed a "SHORT section of unpaved road" to get over the Col de Lacques and the Col de Artigascou. It turned out to be more of a gnarly trail suited to MTB's than an "unpaved road".
If I'd have been on my MTB I'd have softened my suspension. But it was all part of the experience and I was thrilled to see what my Road Bike could do. You guys that carry your precious road bikes a across your front lawn..HTFU!! We had one puncture and that was Arne was trying to pull a fast one by using tubes that resembled a condom rather than bicycle tubes (to save weight he said).
If I'd have been on my MTB I'd have softened my suspension. But it was all part of the experience and I was thrilled to see what my Road Bike could do. You guys that carry your precious road bikes a across your front lawn..HTFU!! We had one puncture and that was Arne was trying to pull a fast one by using tubes that resembled a condom rather than bicycle tubes (to save weight he said).
I quite enjoyed the idea of riding through Spain for a bit. Never been there before - so I reckon I can tick that off as a country visited. We left Spain via the summit of the Col du Portilloun which is about the same time my energy reserves ran out. And we still had far to go! I played my trump card and insisted on my spot in the "wind shadow".
Despite this advantage I still managed to ride into Mark's back wheel less than 10k's from home and bounce of the road. Fortunately I was dressed in so many layers that I just about bounced straight back onto the bike. A few scrapes and a bent rear derailleur were my belated birthday presents. Check out the day's route and data here.
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/222311092#.UGB_TgQZq_w.blogger
Training Peaks File
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/222311092#.UGB_TgQZq_w.blogger
Training Peaks File
Again we were spoilt with a superb dinner which included a special birthday cheescake! We were always amazed how Lee could spend all day catering to our every whim and then in the evening present himself in the kitchen and knock together an amazing meal. He told us that he'll soon be publishing a book that include all the recipes of the meals he and Julie serve at Velopyrenees. Can't wait!
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
Day 1
Day 1 started with a breakfast of oats porridge - which the "Ze Germans" affectionately referred to as English slime. It was to be a long day - 197km with 4800m of vertical ascent. The weather forecast was good but some rain was forecast for the afternoon.
We started out at a sedate pace making good use of "wind shadow". Don't you just love that expression! So much more colourful than "drafting" Lee had planned the route carefully. A few gentle cols to warm us up and then the 3 biggies.
Starting with the Col de Portet d Aspet. This was the Col that Fabio Casetelli (Team Motorola with Lance) was killed on when he crashed on the descent. A monument was erected at the spot he died where we stopped to pay our respects. The video show the first bit of the descent off the Col de Portet d Aspet.
The Col de la Core took us to a lunch break - where Lee had prepared us a fabulous pasta dish. Looking back I should had more of it as on the next climb(s), the Col de Latrap and the climb to the Ski Station Guzet, I was forced to stop and assume the dreaded "head on the handlebar" position. I bonked in quite a spectacular fashion. Fortunately Gerrie came to the rescue with one of Ben's gels and I was able to get to the top of the day's final 2 Cols, the Col d Agnes and the Port de Lers without too much more wailing and gnashing of teeth. It did however start raining on the Col d Agnes, which combined with a bit of wind and plummeting temperatures, made for a challenging last few hours. At the top of the Port de Lers the decision was made to abandon the last 25km downhill stretch (all freewheeling) and sought shelter in the van to the overnight stop. I was happy to comply with this decision as all the cols (12 for the day) had been done and I wasn't to stoked with the idea of turning blue on the downhill. Check out the ride data here:
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/222311363#.UGBjG-lpX8w.blogger
Training Peaks File
We spent the evening at a beautifully rustic inn, "Lacourte", secreted away in the Pyrenees. All the rooms were decorated according to a cultural theme. We scored the African room! We were treated to an awesome dinner of wild guinea fowl and potatoes. Enjoyed watching Mark mess with "Ze Germans" who thought that they could consume red wine
More Photos from Stage 1
We started out at a sedate pace making good use of "wind shadow". Don't you just love that expression! So much more colourful than "drafting" Lee had planned the route carefully. A few gentle cols to warm us up and then the 3 biggies.
Starting with the Col de Portet d Aspet. This was the Col that Fabio Casetelli (Team Motorola with Lance) was killed on when he crashed on the descent. A monument was erected at the spot he died where we stopped to pay our respects. The video show the first bit of the descent off the Col de Portet d Aspet.
The Col de la Core took us to a lunch break - where Lee had prepared us a fabulous pasta dish. Looking back I should had more of it as on the next climb(s), the Col de Latrap and the climb to the Ski Station Guzet, I was forced to stop and assume the dreaded "head on the handlebar" position. I bonked in quite a spectacular fashion. Fortunately Gerrie came to the rescue with one of Ben's gels and I was able to get to the top of the day's final 2 Cols, the Col d Agnes and the Port de Lers without too much more wailing and gnashing of teeth. It did however start raining on the Col d Agnes, which combined with a bit of wind and plummeting temperatures, made for a challenging last few hours. At the top of the Port de Lers the decision was made to abandon the last 25km downhill stretch (all freewheeling) and sought shelter in the van to the overnight stop. I was happy to comply with this decision as all the cols (12 for the day) had been done and I wasn't to stoked with the idea of turning blue on the downhill. Check out the ride data here:
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/222311363#.UGBjG-lpX8w.blogger
Training Peaks File
We spent the evening at a beautifully rustic inn, "Lacourte", secreted away in the Pyrenees. All the rooms were decorated according to a cultural theme. We scored the African room! We were treated to an awesome dinner of wild guinea fowl and potatoes. Enjoyed watching Mark mess with "Ze Germans" who thought that they could consume red wine
More Photos from Stage 1
Monday, September 10, 2012
Velopyrenees
Lee, our host, picked us up just after 2 and we headed off on a 90min drive to Velopyrenees, Lee and Julie's beautiful home in the foothills of the Pyrenees. We stopped briefly at a road side services where Lee gave us a quick run down of the week's stages. If there were any doubts about how tough the week was going to be - he quickly dispelled these. Day 5 stood out with 6300m to climb over 205km! WTF.
Lee and Julie have converted an old French farm house into an athletes' Nirvana.
From dedicated bike room (with tools!), charming dining room complete with original cattle feeders on the wall, lounge - comfortable to pass out in after a tough day on the bike
to clean and comfortable en suite rooms.
It was just perfect.
That evening we had dinner outside on the terrace. Lee and Julie serve delicious meals made using only the freshest produce (they don't have a freezer) sourced from their own garden and local suppliers. Needless to say mealtimes at Velopyrenees came to be eagerly anticipated.
We also got to meet Ben, a barrister from London, who had on a whim decided to spend a few days cycling in the Pyrenees. One of the stand out features of this trip was the fantastic people we encountered. Ben, "Ze Germans", Lee and Julie and everybody else we got to meet during the week were those type of people that enrich your lives, despite the brevity of the occasion.
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