There is an exellent website called www.climbbybike.com which gives profiles of all the climbs in the world. The climbs have probably been ridden by geeks who have Garmins or such like on their bikes.
Alpe Duez is at the following link: http://www.climbbybike.com/climb.asp?Col=Alpe-dHuez&qryMountainID=5
Average gradient 8.1% and max 10.6%. Easy eh? What's that, it comes towards the end of 130miles of mountains?? I may be in the autobus with all the other Fat Sprinters.
As a warm up, I'll be doing a race up this climb about a week before: http://www.climbbybike.com/climb.asp?Col=Egger-Alm&qryMountainID=1275 My best time is just under an hour for this climb. Will hope to do better this year.
As a little extra training on the 18th May I'm doing the Etap Du Dales. 110 miles of the best Yorkshire Dales hills. Short and very steep ones. I was unfit and not feeling particularly well last year and only made half way. Struggled on 34x27 and got a lift back. I hope to do better this year. Check out the route: http://www.etapedudales.co.uk/instructions.htm and the map here: http://www.etapedudales.co.uk/etaperoutesimp.htm
Then on the 8th June I'm doing the White Rose Classic. Another monstrously hilly ride of about 110 miles of steep hills. http://www.whiteroseclassic.co.uk/
Hopefully this should prepare me for the big ride. I'm now begging to get a little training in, in preparations for these rides. It all gives me incentive. Just need to lose a coule of pounds to help. Better make that stones!!!
A confession to follow soon!
Nathan Evington
28/02/77 - 03/11/07
About Nathan
Nathan, was a big chap in more ways than one. He was always to be found at the centre of the action, telling it exactly as it was – loudly!
In fact, Nathan was in such a hurry to make his impact on the world, he arrived on a cold February morning 8 weeks early. He was so premature that he spent his first month in hospital, and at the time was one of the youngest babies in Hedon Road hospital to survive!
Cycling played a huge part in Nathan’s life. He loved the film American Flyers and watched it many times. In it, there is a scene where the main character does the "torture test" which involved running on a treadmill for as long as possible before ending the test by hitting the "chicken" switch. After Nathan’s diagnosis of cardiomyopathy in 2004, he was actually quite excited to discover that he would be required to do his own "torture test" and spent a good deal of time psyching himself up for a good performance. In fact, he was so determined that it was ultimately the doctor, his Mum and the technician who had to drag him off, as Nathan refused to give in himself.
Cycling also revealed Nathan’s talent for remembering facts and figures. He was our very own walking cycling encyclopaedia. He loved to test his friends and show off his knowledge, and he was always the person you would want on your pub quiz team.
Nathan was determined to live life to the full, and unbeknown to his Mum he began playing in a football team a few years ago. The cat was out of the bag when a new football trophy took pride of place on the mantelpiece one evening. Nathan was very proud of himself and his team-mates, although I am reliably informed that Nathan was valued more for his enthusiastic participation, rather than his football talents – which led to his shots on goal just missing the target – 100% of the time!
Nathan was the life and soul of any party and loved to dance. He would always take to the dance floor first, and was quite happy to dance alone. However, his infectious enthusiasm always encouraged others to join him.
Nathan was a kind man, and always generous to a fault – on the benefit of his Mum and brother. He had a very special sense of humour – one he shared with his brother – and left his mark on everyone he met.
Sunday, 27 April 2008
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That Climb-by-bike web site is fantastic! The Cairn O'Mount climb I did last weekend is on there. Have a look at it from the Clatterin' Brig side. This is the way I came up it before descending down to the Bridge of Dye. Worryingly it says its average gradient is 8.1% - the same as Alpe D'Huez... I'm in big trouble!
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