Category: Uncategorized
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Day 1 in France
One of the constant pieces of advice I’ve received for the ride is to keep well hydrated, as it can get VERY hot. I’ve got two 1-litre bottles, but thought it might be a good idea to carry some more bottles if poss. I therefore dashed out to my local bike store and purchased one…
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The start of the adventure…..
On Saturday, 7th July 2012, I am going to attempt one of the toughest challenges in amateur cycling – the world-famous La Marmotte sportif which starts in Bourg d’Oisans at the base of Alpe d’Huez in south-east France. It is around 112 miles in total distance, and takes the cyclist over 4 mountains, all made…
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La Marmotte on the bike – 4 big French alps in a day!
On Saturday, 7th July 2012, I am going to attempt one of the toughest challenges in amateur cycling – the world-famous La Marmotte sportif which starts in Bourg d’Oisans at the base of Alpe d’Huez in south-east France. It is around 112 miles in total distance, and takes the cyclist over 4 mountains, all made…
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Saturday
The alarm went off at some ungodly hour. Why can’t I take late nights any more?? Dragged myself out of bed, performed basic ablutions, wearily manoeuvred my bike box and other chattels out to the waiting coach and settled the bill. Then basically curled up in a corner on the coach for an uneventful ride…
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Friday
After Thursday’s excitement, Friday was a really relaxed day. The bike was mended and worked very well, save for the chain coming off a couple of times, but no drama. Two cafe stops, gorgeous weather, a climb to start with, but an easy day thereafter. The climb was not without interest. It was a very…
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Wednesday and Thursday
After Tuesday’s monster effort, Wednesday was a chance to take a thoroughly well-earned day not cycling. So I did! Not much to report – went down the bike shop to get some sports drink because I had completely run out, plus some gels and other bits and pieces. I was accompanied by a fellow camp…
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Third Ride
As previously mentioned, I’d elected to do the long ride today (112 miles – 180 km). Bit cloudy to start with, but it soon warmed up, although there was a chilly breeze keeping things reasonably temperate. Things were fine to start with – we went up the previously mentioned Rat Hill as opposed to coming…
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Second ride
Another beautiful day, in total contrast to what we’d been expecting. Shorter ride than yesterday, but much steeper climbing and about 20% more vertical distance climbed. Tough in places, but just concentrated on keeping it nice and steady. Paid off, because, as always happens, you get the have-a-go heros blast up the hill, but they…
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First ride
Not a great start. Clocks had gone forward in Spain (as they had in the UK) so had adjusted my watch and mobile phone accordingly. However, the phone decided to advance itself by an extra hour. The alarm went off, I got up, shaved….. and then looked at my watch. I’d got up an hour earlier than…
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Well, here I am, in my hotel room, drinking a nice glass of red wine. Don’t know WHAT I was worried about…. Getting up at 4.45 a.m. wasn’t the pleasantest of experiences, but I made it. Stumbled from the Ibis hotel at Luton Airport to the departure terminal, tugging my bike box and hold bag…