Sunday, February 27, 2011
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Photos
I'm back home adjusting to the cold. Here are a few photos from the ride
1. Michael leading the way with some pre ride carbo loading
2. Pizza carbo loading in Italy
3. Adam on Arlberg climb (quite a steep tunnel)
3. Alp du Huez
4. Cycle ferry France
5. First camp site
6. San Bernadino Pass
7 and 8. nominations for helmet hair award
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
The ride has Fin
Regretably the M2M09 has concluded, but successfully and without any major incidents. Yesterday we rode from the middle of the French marsh district, the Camargue to Marseille in hot windy weather. The trip took 7 hours to cover the 135 km with only Michael and Ferdi riding the whole way. Rod was a conrtender for the Bundy Bear award as he rode in his winter Australian team top, needless to say he boiled once too often on one of the big hills into Marseille. Just to top things off with 15 km to go up reared another bloody downhill tunnel for one km, this time I just held my position and let the bike roll hoping there were no potholes as you cannot see much in sunnies and I cant take them off as I cant see without glasses. Anyway we got though it ok except for Ollie as the Malvern Star (nee Cevelo toy bike) finally showed its true temperment and broke a spoke. This just happened to be at the busiest beach in Marseille which equates to hot parking and driving chaos. Fixed that and we rode safely into Marseille. I forgot to say that Michael got a gob full from some 20 year old passeger who tried to spit on him. Lucky for the car, that the next light was not red as Michael had upped his speed and was aiming for a foot in the side mirror.
Also just prior to the lunch stop I had to ensure I won the crash count and rode into Michael forcing Olly to do a roadside wheel alignment as I put a nice buckle in my front;
For some reason the peoton made me wear the yellow jersey which when combined with my my helmet seems to attract the locals with congratulqtory waves or derogatory waves, who knows what they were saying.
The last two days havze been pretty tough riding and the countryside was far less interesting with the drivers less appreciative of the bunch. The lesson is that we probably should have stopped near the alps.
I will update the bolg when I can and add some of the many pictures we have taken. So now we are all heading out of Marseille and I hope to sell the tent in London.
ps the fireworks display last nigth went for about 45 minutes and added significqntly to global warming
ciao pw
Also just prior to the lunch stop I had to ensure I won the crash count and rode into Michael forcing Olly to do a roadside wheel alignment as I put a nice buckle in my front;
For some reason the peoton made me wear the yellow jersey which when combined with my my helmet seems to attract the locals with congratulqtory waves or derogatory waves, who knows what they were saying.
The last two days havze been pretty tough riding and the countryside was far less interesting with the drivers less appreciative of the bunch. The lesson is that we probably should have stopped near the alps.
I will update the bolg when I can and add some of the many pictures we have taken. So now we are all heading out of Marseille and I hope to sell the tent in London.
ps the fireworks display last nigth went for about 45 minutes and added significqntly to global warming
ciao pw
Monday, July 13, 2009
Day 13 at Arles
Today Michael made it to yellow jersey after a big sprint effort the day before as we rode through lovely french countryside on very quiet roads. Today was different as it was a long haul to Arles. Ollie and Martin took the hard option and added the Ventou climb to the day. Ferdi and Rod drove the car while Michael, Adam and Peter formed the peloton of former yellow jersey winners. Not having counted the points for today it seems that Michael may have held onto yellow. All riders added a train stage to the ride today to avoid the long hard slog into the Mistral wind.
Tomorrow we journey to Marseilles. We have had a great adventure with steep climbs, mountain passes, green countryside, fast downhills, too many tunnels (try them with sunnies at speed downhill), great weather and a cohesive team. We are not lookign forward to pre cleaning the hire car before we hand it in.
When I get to a normal computer I will provide a more comprehensive updqte and add some photos
pw
Tomorrow we journey to Marseilles. We have had a great adventure with steep climbs, mountain passes, green countryside, fast downhills, too many tunnels (try them with sunnies at speed downhill), great weather and a cohesive team. We are not lookign forward to pre cleaning the hire car before we hand it in.
When I get to a normal computer I will provide a more comprehensive updqte and add some photos
pw
Thursday, July 9, 2009
cie le vie in France for day 9
Have hqd little chqnce to get to the internet due to lqck of opportunity The ride goes well and will try to updqte more tonight. Ferdi is in Yellow qfter a cunning plan to catch the train tio Torino yesterday. Todqy has been qn epic climb to the >French border where I hqve 15 min of free internet
Mqrtin and Ollie have gone to climb Siestre!!!! so we wait qt the ski villqge of Montgeneviere?
Tomorrow is the big dqy when we climb Alp du Huez. As for me I hqve had to buy qa new seat and have new found fitness Weather is great, about 28 degrees plenty of sun.
Will get back with all the detqils for each day soon
pw
Mqrtin and Ollie have gone to climb Siestre!!!! so we wait qt the ski villqge of Montgeneviere?
Tomorrow is the big dqy when we climb Alp du Huez. As for me I hqve had to buy qa new seat and have new found fitness Weather is great, about 28 degrees plenty of sun.
Will get back with all the detqils for each day soon
pw
Saturday, July 4, 2009
RIDE UPDATE FINALLY
Today we have ridden from Liechtenstein to Andeer in Switzerland. I think we crossed the border twice. The places we have stayed have not had internet so I have not been able to update you.
Day 1 from Munich to Garmisch Partenkirken was a great ride through rollign German country side. We got off the B road and found a lane through the farms to the lake and followed a bike path around the lake for lunch. Saw some very nice holiday homes on the lake. Garmisch was a nice town and we had dinner outside. 4 h 7 m distance 102 km ave 24.7
Day 2. The sun comes up at 5 am so no sleeping in 9 (also goes down near 10 pm). PW made a early run for the Austrian border and scored the first spring points. Next stop saw a punnet of fresh strawberries consumed quickly (only 2 euro). We climbed our first pass Fernpass whcih wasnt too bad. The downhill was good and we rode through our first hairpin.Ollie got the points at Fernpass followed by Martin, Ferdi (good climbing genes) Adam, Rod, Michael and pw. We had a very nice valley edge campsite at Pettneu. Unfortunately the day finished with a very steep climb and Rod `blew up` makign him a passenger in the van.
Day 3 saw a big climb out of Pettneu ( the ski Village St Anton) which was 10 km and climbed from 1228 m to 1800 m, it was raining but not too cold. Martin and Ollie got up at 5 qand did the climb while everyone esle was in bed. They lost points for that. The real climb saw Michael fall victim to low gearing and a steep hill. Olly won the climb again followed by Martin, Ferdi, Adam and PW in points. We had goulash or minestrone at the top at the ARlberg Pass cafe ( well worth the climb). Then the downhill, PW stared down on the wrong side of the road and wondered why the approaching BMW was on the wrong side!!!! Tradegy averted through quick lane change. Then it was downhill for 40 km, with some reaching 80 kph!!! The 3 km tunnel all donwhill at high speed was one to be experienced (heart in mouth). We then road through a nice sunny day to Vaduz. T 4.03 D 91.24 Ave 22.4. Martin wore the yellow jeresey today but Adam`s sprint points to tzhre border at Liechtenstein got him into yellow for today (pity the jersey was int he wash).
Day 4 (today) was a short ride into Switzerland with a climb at the end. We roade a nice big cycle path along the river and then on to Chur for lunch at 1030 am. Marin slipped on the tram tracks and torn a littel bit of bark off. Ferdi then took off in front but didnt look at his route card as he turned onto the Motorway which caused him to climb for 5 km before he coudl turn around. This caused the peleton much cause for concern with the bus driver (olly) workign overtime to try and find him. PW used this as an opportunity to go for King of the MOuntain points and proceeeded to climb out to Andeer in first place (only beacuse the others weree still muckign around witht e vehicle and trying to find Ferdi). Michale had a slow motion fall off in another tunnell. This one was a real shocker as it went for about 650 m downhill and had no lights . My sunnies fogged up and it was dark, all I could do was let the bike go (scary).$
Anyway Ferdi turned up none the worse and we are now exploring Andeer. Points total as of today is:
Adam 37, Martin 28, Ferdi 25, PW 25, Rod 23 (big effort today winnign the sprint into Switrzerland), Ollie 21 and Michael 17. Pleaase note the points earned generally have littrel to do with cycling ability and more to do with being in the right spot at the right time. I think Adam will have tough job defnding yellow tomorrow.
So in summary, all is well, we are having a great time, weather is perfect mid 20s. the tent is big enough. If you want to ring me my mobile is +447990518747. Also seems cannot load phots at these internet cafes, but hope to soon.
cheers pw
Off for a walk further up the street now and maybe another ince cream.
Day 1 from Munich to Garmisch Partenkirken was a great ride through rollign German country side. We got off the B road and found a lane through the farms to the lake and followed a bike path around the lake for lunch. Saw some very nice holiday homes on the lake. Garmisch was a nice town and we had dinner outside. 4 h 7 m distance 102 km ave 24.7
Day 2. The sun comes up at 5 am so no sleeping in 9 (also goes down near 10 pm). PW made a early run for the Austrian border and scored the first spring points. Next stop saw a punnet of fresh strawberries consumed quickly (only 2 euro). We climbed our first pass Fernpass whcih wasnt too bad. The downhill was good and we rode through our first hairpin.Ollie got the points at Fernpass followed by Martin, Ferdi (good climbing genes) Adam, Rod, Michael and pw. We had a very nice valley edge campsite at Pettneu. Unfortunately the day finished with a very steep climb and Rod `blew up` makign him a passenger in the van.
Day 3 saw a big climb out of Pettneu ( the ski Village St Anton) which was 10 km and climbed from 1228 m to 1800 m, it was raining but not too cold. Martin and Ollie got up at 5 qand did the climb while everyone esle was in bed. They lost points for that. The real climb saw Michael fall victim to low gearing and a steep hill. Olly won the climb again followed by Martin, Ferdi, Adam and PW in points. We had goulash or minestrone at the top at the ARlberg Pass cafe ( well worth the climb). Then the downhill, PW stared down on the wrong side of the road and wondered why the approaching BMW was on the wrong side!!!! Tradegy averted through quick lane change. Then it was downhill for 40 km, with some reaching 80 kph!!! The 3 km tunnel all donwhill at high speed was one to be experienced (heart in mouth). We then road through a nice sunny day to Vaduz. T 4.03 D 91.24 Ave 22.4. Martin wore the yellow jeresey today but Adam`s sprint points to tzhre border at Liechtenstein got him into yellow for today (pity the jersey was int he wash).
Day 4 (today) was a short ride into Switzerland with a climb at the end. We roade a nice big cycle path along the river and then on to Chur for lunch at 1030 am. Marin slipped on the tram tracks and torn a littel bit of bark off. Ferdi then took off in front but didnt look at his route card as he turned onto the Motorway which caused him to climb for 5 km before he coudl turn around. This caused the peleton much cause for concern with the bus driver (olly) workign overtime to try and find him. PW used this as an opportunity to go for King of the MOuntain points and proceeeded to climb out to Andeer in first place (only beacuse the others weree still muckign around witht e vehicle and trying to find Ferdi). Michale had a slow motion fall off in another tunnell. This one was a real shocker as it went for about 650 m downhill and had no lights . My sunnies fogged up and it was dark, all I could do was let the bike go (scary).$
Anyway Ferdi turned up none the worse and we are now exploring Andeer. Points total as of today is:
Adam 37, Martin 28, Ferdi 25, PW 25, Rod 23 (big effort today winnign the sprint into Switrzerland), Ollie 21 and Michael 17. Pleaase note the points earned generally have littrel to do with cycling ability and more to do with being in the right spot at the right time. I think Adam will have tough job defnding yellow tomorrow.
So in summary, all is well, we are having a great time, weather is perfect mid 20s. the tent is big enough. If you want to ring me my mobile is +447990518747. Also seems cannot load phots at these internet cafes, but hope to soon.
cheers pw
Off for a walk further up the street now and maybe another ince cream.
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