Well, it was only forecast at 16degC today but I reckon it might have broken 20 in some of the sheltered wooded areas I went through today. Typically these were all on the climbs and so the old zipper was pretty much all the way down. My biggest worry about France is how I'll cope with the heat. Aberdeen might be good prep for the last km of the climb when it might well be approaching sub zero temperatures, but it's no prep for the 30+ valleys...
The last time I was in France was with Nat. We took a drive over the Col D'Iseran one day out of the back of Val D'Isere. When we got to the top we found snow lining the road and managed to snap the car's thermometer at -1degC! Naturally, the car was stopped whilst we engaged in a spot of skiing. Nat's pumps were the ideal launching pad for getting about one meter into a skid before he promptly fell on his @rse and slid the remainder thus. Naturally he was in shorts... Even when we went to the top of Monte Bianco (yes, we were on the Italian side...) he still refused steadfastly to put trousers on, and lambasted Dez, Sarah and I for having "wimped out" and gone for the jeans. Hmmmmm.... it was freezing up there though... On the way back from the Col D'Iseran we followed the route of that year's Tour (I think over the top of the Col du Columbiere?), picked up a souvenir yellow route marker (after a very quick stop...) and just about made it through the road closures to the Chalet half way up Courcheval... The next day we didn't get past the Gendarme, despite me even managing to slip "Alors" and "merde" into a pigeon French conversation with said policeman... apparently these are not too rude. Well, not rude enough to get me locked up anyway. Nat of course did he best to help by laughing loudly at my Hull-come-French accent. Not even he could crack a smile from the policeman though...
Enough reminiscing... I managed to get out in the hills today even if no one else appears to... Memory Map let me down for the first time this week, and my planned 120mile route turned out to be just 116miles. Climbing somewhere around 3000m - for a profile just look at last weeks and replace anything vaguely resembling a flat spot with a hill. My legs weren't in the best of shape today. I rode my 25mTT course on Friday and took 3mins of my season best (1:08:45, still no tri-bars...). I slacked on the stretching though, so 5miles into today's ride my legs ached and my knees ached. Not good when you're expecting another 115miles before getting home...
I'd put the 27t sprocket on for today to try it out pre-France. Made a big difference on the steep hills. I climbed Cairn O'Mount today in 16:25, nearly a minute faster than last week. Despite this, the 7hrs in the saddle (plus ~45mins of stops to get liquid in and out) took its toll and I averaged 16.6mph - half an mph slower than last week. The last 20miles where torture too. My left knee had totally seized, and the left foot was going dead in my shoe... I guess this is why I need to do 7hr training rides - so I find these things out now and not in France when it's too late to do anything about it. I put new gel/cork bar tape on after my hands started giving me electric shocks last week - hands were a lot better this week.
Well, only 2 more long rides left before I set off for France. It's getting very close now... Can't wait to get there!
See you all soon, those that are going.
Seatpin.
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, 13 July 2008
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1 comment:
Hey Col
We're mighty impressed, though I'm struggling to comprehend the 'my planned 120mile route turned out to be just 116miles' with thinking so???... ;-)
My achivement for today was a five mile walk with Lucas. Do you want to borrow him for weight training? I'm sure he'll enjoy being strapped to a bike and 15kg will give you a good work out.
Take care!
The Mckeowns
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