Hello boys and girls. This weekend we're off to the Alps for a bit of a reconnaissance. I'm going to ride 2 of the climbs, Galibier and the Croix de Fer on Saturday just to see how much fun they really are. Also to get an idea of where we might be able to stop off at around halfway to have a chance for everyone (cyclists and support teams!) to meet up and have a bit of lunch. I'm not riding anymore of the stage for a few reasons. 1) It's a flippin long way on your lonesome 2) I want to ride again the next day 3) Want to save the Alpe d'huez for when we all get there, make it special.
Browsing the map I bought I've noticed something bad. The first 42km are along the N94. This will mean nothing to you so let me tell you that means it's the equivalent of our A roads. Looking on the t'interweb (Google maps) I can see it's a main road. It doesn't let me zoom in quite enough but there is a chance it's dual carriageway. I've checked and it's perfectly legal to ride our bikes on there but it could be busy. Now I have ridden on a few miles of dual carriageway before here in France and there was a cycle lane there so that would be fine. Not sure if that's the case across the board but I hope so! If not, we can always ride single file, blow off the cobwebs with a bit of through and off to start the ride!
Tune in over the weekend for some updates!
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.
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