Today I headed to Overijse for a hilly 110km U23 kermis in the town of Tombeek. With a kilometre climb each lap, many exposed windy roads, and twisting descents, it was clearly going to be a day for a breakaway. Having blown a side wall during the warm-up lap and a bit of motor-pacing to get back in time for the start I was well warmed up, ready for the 3pm start at the bottom of the main climb of the circuit.
Riding with high confidence, I tried a few early attacks, and after the second lap slipped into a small break group. However, with the strong winds we didn't last long before being reeled back into the peloton. Soon enough counter attacks went with Dom making it into what became the main break away of the race. With the lead never reaching more than 40 seconds, the gap was always bridgeable, but the surging of the peloton as attacks came and went left the group out front. After a few attacks, I finally broke clear with 2 other riders as we made our way across the gap to the 7 leaders. With the gap down to 20 seconds however, I entered the twisty descent far too fast, straightened up to prevent near certain death while locking up both brakes, desperately trying to stop before the almost slow motion inevitability of hitting a poorly positioned garden wall in my head became reality. Bunny hopping the curb, I caught a patch of sand, loosing the front wheel, and missing the wall by inches – thankfully, the speed was reduced enough to escape unhurt; I knew those winters of cyclo-cross would come in handy somewhere! Jumping back on, I rejoined the chasing peloton, and found my feet again.
However, not contempt to sit in the wheels, later that same lap the peloton bunched up in head wind and kicked again. Joined by one other rider, we rode flat out and after 2 laps finally bridged the gap up to the leaders. After some through and off the tough course started to take its toll, and approaching the bell lap we were down to 5 riders, both Dom and I present. With everyone saving themselves for the finish, and all watching each other, we were joined with just 3 km to go by who Dom informed me was a former world sprint champion! This wasn't good news for the fast run in. With Dom making his mandatory attack inside the last km, I sat in the wheels waiting for the moment to go. Underestimating how soon the finish came up, I left the sprint too late and was jumped from 3rd wheel, eventually crossing the line in what I believed was 2nd place, (photos later showing this) but was only awarded 3rd by the judges.
Never-the-less, I'm obviously really pleased with the form, and cant complain about the results! I think a couple of days recuperation is in order after what has been a lot of racing in the last 2 weeks.
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Friday, July 30, 2010
First Win - Boezinge
After Mondays hilly kermis in Flobecq, where I finished 16th, yesterday I made the long 170km trip to Boezinge in West Flanders. The short course – just 4km a lap – was pan flat, featured a cobble section (with adjacent smooth bike path), and some exposed cross wind roads. At 4.30 the race got underway with some 50 riders ready for the 18 lap race.With primes every lap, the initial flurry of attacks went out as usual, and just a few laps in I found myself out front, having just sprinted for the prime, with initially 2 and then 3 riders. We stayed away for a couple of laps but never really gained enough advantage to crack the peloton. As we were reabsorbed, team mate Dom Schils, set off another attack, and despite just one other rider following opened up a good lead.
However, the windy circuit was too unfavourable to any small breakaways. As Dom started to come back to the peloton, attacks went as riders attempted use the leaders as a target to bridge over and form a break. This succeeded in forming a lead group of around 20 riders and with a fair gap to the peloton, the race for primes (10 Euros a lap) was fierce!
The race proceeded in strange circumstances: no-one was really willing to work together to ensure the group stayed clear, instead preferring to attack each other at all opportunities, with the somewhat unjustified outcome of keeping the pace high enough to hold off the efforts of the chasing peloton.
Having won 3 primes, and a close second on 2, I shifted my materialistic intentions to one side, and with just 4 laps remaining started to think about the finish, and saving my efforts for the final dash to the line. Staying at the front of the group was key, and I attempted to go with any attacks, trying my own hand a on a few occasions. However, nothing was sticking and with 1 km to go, Dom launched his trademark 'casually ride off the front' attack. Taking the 'free' ride I got on the right wheels and was the first to jump out for the sprint, holding it to the line to take my first victory of the year!
It was just last week that Dom asked me if I thought I could win a race this year. Of course I declared a profound yes, but whether I really believed it was left lingering in my mind. To have that first win feels a great breakthrough, and a new platform to progress from now.
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Sinaai
With 134 riders taking to the circuit, getting to the corner first was an absolute must, and although I was fairly well placed, it seemed anyone out of the top 10 wheels was to come to a standstill as we filtered onto the path, indeed those at the back really did have to stop and wait, a scenario which we encountered every single lap. To liven up what was one of the most boring race I have done, with absolutely no breaks gaining more than 10 seconds at best, such was the nature of the circuit, I received an abrupt call from mother nature. Now that corner came as a blessing, and I assumed I would have plenty of time to stop and rejoin the peloton on the path. However, as Dom informed me after the race, I had stopped on what was the fastest lap of the race – the peloton holding 48kph as I chased back on! (the next lap riding at just 35!). In an incredible misjudgement of timing, I knew rejoining the peloton was an impossibility and set off in my own time trial effort, eventually being pulled out 20km later, with just 3 laps remaining.
Anyway, the race came down to 3 riders jumping out the front in the last lap, followed a few seconds later by a 100up bunch sprint. I'm not really sure what to make of it in all honesty, all I can do is look at it as good training! Next race Monday.
Lebbeke
On previous form, the race at Lebbeke on Wednesday should have been a disaster; the short 5 kilometre loop littered with narrow, very twisty lanes has never been a forte of mine, having never really excelled on criterium 'interval' style courses. Being an U23 race, quite predictably we started flat-out, and even just missing the pedal out the start left me toward the back end of the 50 strong peloton. Almost instantly through the narrow lanes a group of 9 split off the front, and a frantic chase emerged, as relentless attacking to jump into the break occurred. However, it was not until half way through the race, some 10 laps in, that the race split apart. In front of the peloton were 2 groups, both with a strong but not uncatchable margin. Feeling good after around an hour of the race I decided to attempt to bridge up to the break, about a gap of a minute. Quickly I found myself with around 15 other riders, having forced a split through the technical section of the course. We quickly settled into chasing those ahead, but after a few kilometres of 'though and off', it became very apparent that in a group that large, many were willing just to sit on the back, refusing to do any work and add to the chase. In what was a successful, albeit unpopular move, I decided to attack out of the group to move clear of those sitting on the wheels. Very quickly the group was down to 10 riders, and a proper chase was initiated, although still 2 or 3 of the group were still content to sit on for the free ride.
After a couple of laps, we caught the group ahead, forming a final chase group of 20, with still 9 riders leading by a solid 3 minutes at this point with a further 2 riders behind them. With such a large number of riders, and far too much of a time deficit to the leaders, everyone seemed content just to ride to the finish and contest the sprint for 12th. As the pace gradually slowed, I seized the opportunity to attack. Followed by one rider, we quickly gained a gap and took long turns to open the lead. However, my fellow escapee was of the weak variety, and after not long had dropped back off my wheel. Feeling somewhat inspired by the ride of Carlos Barredo in the previous stage of 'le tour' (but not his wheel throwing antics), I too set my sights on a solo 40km ride to the line. With somewhat less at stake and somewhat less talent, I held a 30 second lead for 20km before being reabsorbed into the group. With a counter-attack of 3 riders moving clear in the final laps, I prepared for the sprint for 15th, narrowly missing out by what could not have been more than centimetres. Another top 20 ride in the proverbial bag, and the first race back that I have felt comfortable and strong. Now to relaunch the second half of the season off this performance.
After a couple of laps, we caught the group ahead, forming a final chase group of 20, with still 9 riders leading by a solid 3 minutes at this point with a further 2 riders behind them. With such a large number of riders, and far too much of a time deficit to the leaders, everyone seemed content just to ride to the finish and contest the sprint for 12th. As the pace gradually slowed, I seized the opportunity to attack. Followed by one rider, we quickly gained a gap and took long turns to open the lead. However, my fellow escapee was of the weak variety, and after not long had dropped back off my wheel. Feeling somewhat inspired by the ride of Carlos Barredo in the previous stage of 'le tour' (but not his wheel throwing antics), I too set my sights on a solo 40km ride to the line. With somewhat less at stake and somewhat less talent, I held a 30 second lead for 20km before being reabsorbed into the group. With a counter-attack of 3 riders moving clear in the final laps, I prepared for the sprint for 15th, narrowly missing out by what could not have been more than centimetres. Another top 20 ride in the proverbial bag, and the first race back that I have felt comfortable and strong. Now to relaunch the second half of the season off this performance.
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Liege, Remicourt, Sinaai and back troubles...
Well, Liege was a total failure on all fronts. After the training camp in the Alps and subsequent 5 days off the bike with a fever all took its toll, and after just 70km I was out of the race. More worryingly however, was the severe discomfort while riding – my position feeling as though I had never ridden the bike.
Convinced racing would be the key to my return to form after a 4 week absence from the peloton, I raced the following day in Remicourt - a 77km support/chopper race to the second stage of Liege. Noticing a marked improvement in my position although still a long way from being comfortable, I knew the race could only be a training exercise to try and pull my body back into shape. To some extent it was successful as putting the pressure down, both Dom and I rode off the front and were joined by 3 other riders and built up a solid lead. However, never out of sight on the square shape course, we were reeled in after a couple of laps. I soon slipped back into mid-peleton mediocrity, joined by sleeveless triathletes and Radioshack replica kit wearing types – not a place I pride myself in being. Arriving at the finish a few riders had moved off the front, and I ended up in a mass sprint for the line, finishing in a top 20 position.
Still feeling fairly fresh, we decided to race again the following day in Sinaai, - this time back to a traditional style kermis, 110km of flat out aggressive racing. Adding an as yet unseen element to this race were 2 long cobbled sections with narrow smooth paths lining them. Naturally, all 56 starters were drawn onto the narrow paths, and what resulted was a totally lined out peloton every lap. Aside from the obvious difficulties from riding in this way, (very little protection from the wind), I also encountered the problem of being unable to see anything other than the wheel in front! Often, a rider would sit up unable to hold the wheel, and the gap only becoming apparent once we left the cobble stretch, often leaving deficits of 50metres to be closed.
Feeling far more comfortable on the bike, which I can only assume is from my body adapting back to racing rhythm, I rode hard, put in a few attacks and bridged over to breaks. With over half the field being shelled out the back by the closing stages of the race, I prepared for the sprint for 5th – 4 riders eventually getting away. However, totally dehydrated, with temperatures over 30 degrees, and poor positioning left me crossing the line in 17th.
Adding another top 20 result is another good outcome, but the result is largely irrelevant. I'm definitely getting back to race rhythm and the hard training in the Alps will hopefully start paying off in the next couple of weeks. However, the immediate concern of my back troubles was revealed today after a visit to a sports doctor. Instantly he noted my vertebrae are twisted and blocked, which has resulted in my hips rotating slightly. After a lot of stretching, and even more cracking, my back is at least straight now, although still painful. I can only hope this doesn't result in any long term issues.
Convinced racing would be the key to my return to form after a 4 week absence from the peloton, I raced the following day in Remicourt - a 77km support/chopper race to the second stage of Liege. Noticing a marked improvement in my position although still a long way from being comfortable, I knew the race could only be a training exercise to try and pull my body back into shape. To some extent it was successful as putting the pressure down, both Dom and I rode off the front and were joined by 3 other riders and built up a solid lead. However, never out of sight on the square shape course, we were reeled in after a couple of laps. I soon slipped back into mid-peleton mediocrity, joined by sleeveless triathletes and Radioshack replica kit wearing types – not a place I pride myself in being. Arriving at the finish a few riders had moved off the front, and I ended up in a mass sprint for the line, finishing in a top 20 position.
Still feeling fairly fresh, we decided to race again the following day in Sinaai, - this time back to a traditional style kermis, 110km of flat out aggressive racing. Adding an as yet unseen element to this race were 2 long cobbled sections with narrow smooth paths lining them. Naturally, all 56 starters were drawn onto the narrow paths, and what resulted was a totally lined out peloton every lap. Aside from the obvious difficulties from riding in this way, (very little protection from the wind), I also encountered the problem of being unable to see anything other than the wheel in front! Often, a rider would sit up unable to hold the wheel, and the gap only becoming apparent once we left the cobble stretch, often leaving deficits of 50metres to be closed.
Feeling far more comfortable on the bike, which I can only assume is from my body adapting back to racing rhythm, I rode hard, put in a few attacks and bridged over to breaks. With over half the field being shelled out the back by the closing stages of the race, I prepared for the sprint for 5th – 4 riders eventually getting away. However, totally dehydrated, with temperatures over 30 degrees, and poor positioning left me crossing the line in 17th.
Adding another top 20 result is another good outcome, but the result is largely irrelevant. I'm definitely getting back to race rhythm and the hard training in the Alps will hopefully start paying off in the next couple of weeks. However, the immediate concern of my back troubles was revealed today after a visit to a sports doctor. Instantly he noted my vertebrae are twisted and blocked, which has resulted in my hips rotating slightly. After a lot of stretching, and even more cracking, my back is at least straight now, although still painful. I can only hope this doesn't result in any long term issues.
Sunday, July 11, 2010
The Alps Part 2
Following the day that nearly killed us all, we opted for relatively easier (there is no easy ride in the Alps!) day on Wednesday. This time we headed north from the chalet, up the final 5km of the Col de Aravis, and down the hairpin descent into La Clusaz. We were heading for the Col de la Colombière, although with no-one actually carrying a map we started heading “in the right sort direction” up a narrow un-signposted road assured by a “local” that we were on the Colombière. We weren't. Having reached a no through road sign, and after plenty of faff we turned back to La Clusaz where we picked up the actual road to Grand Bernard where the easer side of the climb starts. Feeling terrible after the previous days efforts half of the group decided to call it a day half way up the climb and retreated to a café in the town. Regrouping with the riders who got to the summit, we started the long drag back to La Clusaz and finally a steady ride up the harder side of the Aravis. Despite the small number of the climbs, this still equated to nearly 4 hours of riding! Not bad for an “easy day”.
We then had a well earned rest day, heading down to Flumet where we found a public pool with café – a suitably Euro location to reside for the day. After a coffee, brief 'swim' in the pool and game of “who can stay on the bike longest while we ride into each other in a enclosed area”, we headed back up the 6km climb to the chalet.
Saturday was planned for a repeat trip of Wednesdays ride to the Col de la Colombière, but then to carry onto the bottom to Cluses to ride up the Col de Romme, and harder side of Colombière. By this time into the week, I was really suffering with back pains, and after another race effort up the Colombière (easily won by James), I decided to save myself so I could hopefully sort my back out and have a good final day to go hard. Riding back steady with Tom Morris, who had been suffering with a knee problem all week, while the other continued. Although I missed out on the Romme, the first climb I rode on last years trip to the Alps – an absolutely savage 10km relentlessly steep climb – it was definitely a good decision, as that would have probably stopped me riding tomorrow as well.
After non-stop stretching, my back was feeling ok again, and after 3 easy(ier) days the final day had to be a tough one. The route would be a similar affair to Tuesdays (the day that nearly killed us). However, I decided to get the most of the day I wouldn't race flat out up the climbs, but ride hard up all of them. With just 3 of us willing to go on at the top of the Saisais, Andy, Wojciech and I, we continued to the summit of the Cormet de Roseland. However, we now opted for a different way back, Heading to Arêches, we passed over the Barrage de Roseland dam, and then up the the Col u Pré. However, we soon realised that we had missed out on on the descent to Beaufort, a town we passed at the base of the Roseland. The narrow, steep, hairpin littered road will surely rival the Romme as an ascent, and will be the first one on the paper for next years alpine trip! Opting for a non-mountainous way home, we next headed down the valley road to Albertville, and what started as a good pace, taking turns to tick over the 20 kilometres, turned into a 50kph+ 3up time trial, a chain-gang, and eventually an all out race! Stopping in Albertville we found a local bakery and consumed what must have been an entire pack of chocolate digestives made into one massive biscuit! Finally we had the valley road back to Flumet, which by name suggests it didn't go over any mountain, but in reality demanded the same gearing and speed we had become accustomed to over the cols! After a long steady effort we arrived in Flumet, and in one final hurrah, declared an all out race to the summit against Andy! I dropped him instantly, and rode flat out to the top, over coming the lure of pulling into the chalet half way up, and even contested my own little sprint!
It really was a heck of a week, and am quoted we rode 16,000 metres height gain, nearly twice up Everest! Despite my illness of the back of the camp, which although not ideal at least forced me into a proper rest. All this should put me in good condition for next week when I will be riding the Tour of Liege – 5 days racing in the Ardenne!
The race website and routes can be viewed here:
http://www.tpliege.be/index-eng.html
We then had a well earned rest day, heading down to Flumet where we found a public pool with café – a suitably Euro location to reside for the day. After a coffee, brief 'swim' in the pool and game of “who can stay on the bike longest while we ride into each other in a enclosed area”, we headed back up the 6km climb to the chalet.
Saturday was planned for a repeat trip of Wednesdays ride to the Col de la Colombière, but then to carry onto the bottom to Cluses to ride up the Col de Romme, and harder side of Colombière. By this time into the week, I was really suffering with back pains, and after another race effort up the Colombière (easily won by James), I decided to save myself so I could hopefully sort my back out and have a good final day to go hard. Riding back steady with Tom Morris, who had been suffering with a knee problem all week, while the other continued. Although I missed out on the Romme, the first climb I rode on last years trip to the Alps – an absolutely savage 10km relentlessly steep climb – it was definitely a good decision, as that would have probably stopped me riding tomorrow as well.
It really was a heck of a week, and am quoted we rode 16,000 metres height gain, nearly twice up Everest! Despite my illness of the back of the camp, which although not ideal at least forced me into a proper rest. All this should put me in good condition for next week when I will be riding the Tour of Liege – 5 days racing in the Ardenne!
The race website and routes can be viewed here:
http://www.tpliege.be/index-eng.html
Friday, July 09, 2010
The Alps Part 1
I apologise that this has been a long time coming, but forgetting my laptop, and then having a fever and being in bed for 3 days after my return has meant the blog has been postponed for more pressing issues! However, I I'm recovered now and here is the first instalment of my blog from the mountains.
With the start of the trip already delayed for a day due to car problems, we decided to to travel through the night so as to not miss out on a training day. With my Dad and brother - Andy - arriving here at Midnight on Saturday (26th), it was always going to be a long journey – some 900km in fact!
We arrived in La Chambre mid afternoon, with the plan of a steady up the Col du Glandon (21km at 6.9% - although the final 3km being the toughest averaging between 10 and 12%), onto the very short ascent of the Col de la Croix de Fer (2.5km from the summit of Glandon and nothing to write home about) and then down to Saint Sorlin d'Arves, which would be our accommodation for the next few days.
With the travelling out of our legs, we decided on a longer day for Monday (28th). Straight out of the accommodation and onto the 20km descent of the Croix de Fer, followed by 10km on the main valley road, we reached the town Saint Michel de Maurienne. Our first climb of the day was the 'unmentionable' Col du Telegraph, the descent on which I crashed last year and still have the scars to show it! After the short descent into Valloire we reached the main climb of the day – the fearsome Col du Galibier. 18.9km at 6.9% makes Galibier on paper an easier climb that that of Glandon, although the reality is that Galibier is, in my experience, one of the hardest passes in the Alps. After the long drag following and empty river bed, you suddenly head upwards and it never eases, the last section of hairpins averaging over 10%.
After the fantastic descent off the Galibier we headed back up to the top of the Telegraph and then home!
The next day we headed in the opposite direction, out of the accommodation and the final 6 km (the steepest section by far) of the Croix de Fer. With no warm up whatsoever, we were going to take it very easy, up until 1 minute into the ride when I was overtaken by what can only be described as a “chopper”. My psychological need to warm up was overcome by my psychological need to beat him, and so I set off in a all out pursuit. Marvelling at my success at the summit, taking some 15 minutes from him left me particularly satisfied in my hollow victory. We then retraced the footsteps/pedal strokes of our first ride – the fast flowing descent of Glandon being my favourite of the whole week. Arriving in La Chambre, we headed to the base of Col de la Madeleine, a climb to be scaled in stage 9 of this years Tour de France, all be it from the other side, although both directions are similarly brutal. Suffering from my (unrequired) earlier efforts, the Madeleine seemed to go on forever, its 20km slopes never really easing from 7 or 8% and often reaching 10 – 11% for a few kilometres mid climb. After what I think was about an hour and a half of climbing (although which seemed like all day), the summit was welcome sight. After an incredibly hot morning, the clouds suddenly appeared as we sat sipping cool cola in the café at the summit (Euro). With the owners of the café frantically pulling chairs and tables in, it became quite apparent that we were about to be caught in an Alpine storm, 2000m above sea level. The plan for the ride was to descend the other side of the Madeleine and ride to Albertville where Dad would pick us up in the car (after his own ride/walk up the Madeleine with the car in La Chambre. However, accompanied by 2 motorcyclist we decided against the descent and waited for the storm to pass. It didn't. After something like 2 hours, we got in the car at the summit and totally avoided the storm – (very Euro). Despite the shortened ride, it was still a tough day, and we headed to La Giettaz where we would be spending the rest of the week with Andy's team, the Cambridge University Cycling team (CUCC).
The following day turned out to be the hardest day of cycling I (and I think I speak for most of us with this) have ever done. Descending from La Giettaz (situated half way down the south face of the Col de AAravis) and into Flumet the 9 of us started the Col de Saisies – 15km at 5%, although kicking up to over 10% at one point. After a chronically slow, yet very hard through and off effort, the inevitable when any group of riders comes together happened and an all out sprint for the line emerged in the last 2 kilometres (which I won. woo.) Regrouping at the top, we headed down the Saisais and onto the only flat section of the entire day – 2 km into Beaufort.
Having filled the bottles in Beaufort (so everyone was carrying the same weight penalty, of course) we started the ascent of the Cormet de Roseland, and an all out race was declared from the bottom!
The climb is never especially steep but constantly at a tough gradient, enough to bring many hairpins to negotiate. After a brutal early pace set by James, just Wojciech and I remained on the wheel and the 3 of us worked our way up the mountain tapping out a solid pace. After 10km or so I led the 'race' solo and held onto the advantage on the 2 km or so decent around the Lac de Roseland before the final 6 km ascent to the line. After an hour at the summit and a Holt double puncture, we regrouped at the top and swiftly re split: Andy, James, Wojciech, Holt and I decided to continue down the other side of the Cormet de Roseland to Bourg Saint Maurice while the others headed back home - a far wiser decision.
After a good Café stop, we restarted the Cormet from the South face, headed by Holt. After another 20km of climbing (thankfully not racing this time) and an hour and a half later we were back at the summit, and already feeling a little low on energy. After the descent we reached our flat 2km section and rather ludicrously;y decided it was a good time for some flat out chaingang! This was not an intelligent idea. With another 15km climb up the Saisais ahead, most of us were feeling pretty wrecked and not looking forward to at least another hour up the climb. Despite riding up it together steady, Andy and Wojciech the only 2 left to fight for the honours at the top with Wojciech taking the points. Much to their surprise I did however nearly catch them at the top having taken advantage of a neatly placed handle on a slowly moving tractor for the last kilometre!. Again we regrouped at the top and all were now beyond wrecked. After last years crash on the Telegraph, I had been descending very cautiously, but now my fear of descending was overcome by my need to get back. In Flumet we had just 6km to La Giettaz including 2 km of descending but this was the hardest ascent I have ever done. With absolutely no energy reserves left I think we averaged something like 6 or 7 kph! Finally we made it back, with a ride time of nearly 7 hours and more than 4500metres of climbing in just 140km.
Note: bring more food next time!
With the start of the trip already delayed for a day due to car problems, we decided to to travel through the night so as to not miss out on a training day. With my Dad and brother - Andy - arriving here at Midnight on Saturday (26th), it was always going to be a long journey – some 900km in fact!
We arrived in La Chambre mid afternoon, with the plan of a steady up the Col du Glandon (21km at 6.9% - although the final 3km being the toughest averaging between 10 and 12%), onto the very short ascent of the Col de la Croix de Fer (2.5km from the summit of Glandon and nothing to write home about) and then down to Saint Sorlin d'Arves, which would be our accommodation for the next few days.
With the travelling out of our legs, we decided on a longer day for Monday (28th). Straight out of the accommodation and onto the 20km descent of the Croix de Fer, followed by 10km on the main valley road, we reached the town Saint Michel de Maurienne. Our first climb of the day was the 'unmentionable' Col du Telegraph, the descent on which I crashed last year and still have the scars to show it! After the short descent into Valloire we reached the main climb of the day – the fearsome Col du Galibier. 18.9km at 6.9% makes Galibier on paper an easier climb that that of Glandon, although the reality is that Galibier is, in my experience, one of the hardest passes in the Alps. After the long drag following and empty river bed, you suddenly head upwards and it never eases, the last section of hairpins averaging over 10%. 
After the fantastic descent off the Galibier we headed back up to the top of the Telegraph and then home!
The next day we headed in the opposite direction, out of the accommodation and the final 6 km (the steepest section by far) of the Croix de Fer. With no warm up whatsoever, we were going to take it very easy, up until 1 minute into the ride when I was overtaken by what can only be described as a “chopper”. My psychological need to warm up was overcome by my psychological need to beat him, and so I set off in a all out pursuit. Marvelling at my success at the summit, taking some 15 minutes from him left me particularly satisfied in my hollow victory. We then retraced the footsteps/pedal strokes of our first ride – the fast flowing descent of Glandon being my favourite of the whole week. Arriving in La Chambre, we headed to the base of Col de la Madeleine, a climb to be scaled in stage 9 of this years Tour de France, all be it from the other side, although both directions are similarly brutal. Suffering from my (unrequired) earlier efforts, the Madeleine seemed to go on forever, its 20km slopes never really easing from 7 or 8% and often reaching 10 – 11% for a few kilometres mid climb. After what I think was about an hour and a half of climbing (although which seemed like all day), the summit was welcome sight. After an incredibly hot morning, the clouds suddenly appeared as we sat sipping cool cola in the café at the summit (Euro). With the owners of the café frantically pulling chairs and tables in, it became quite apparent that we were about to be caught in an Alpine storm, 2000m above sea level. The plan for the ride was to descend the other side of the Madeleine and ride to Albertville where Dad would pick us up in the car (after his own ride/walk up the Madeleine with the car in La Chambre. However, accompanied by 2 motorcyclist we decided against the descent and waited for the storm to pass. It didn't. After something like 2 hours, we got in the car at the summit and totally avoided the storm – (very Euro). Despite the shortened ride, it was still a tough day, and we headed to La Giettaz where we would be spending the rest of the week with Andy's team, the Cambridge University Cycling team (CUCC).
Having filled the bottles in Beaufort (so everyone was carrying the same weight penalty, of course) we started the ascent of the Cormet de Roseland, and an all out race was declared from the bottom!
The climb is never especially steep but constantly at a tough gradient, enough to bring many hairpins to negotiate. After a brutal early pace set by James, just Wojciech and I remained on the wheel and the 3 of us worked our way up the mountain tapping out a solid pace. After 10km or so I led the 'race' solo and held onto the advantage on the 2 km or so decent around the Lac de Roseland before the final 6 km ascent to the line. After an hour at the summit and a Holt double puncture, we regrouped at the top and swiftly re split: Andy, James, Wojciech, Holt and I decided to continue down the other side of the Cormet de Roseland to Bourg Saint Maurice while the others headed back home - a far wiser decision.
Note: bring more food next time!
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