27 July 2011 #17 a continual bike riders dream even - Paris

 Are you sure this is summer!?

Food - The chocolate croissant that I had mid ride about an hour ago that got me home, yum!  

Weather - a bit of rain, cold and full of clouds. As someone said “enjoy November in Paris” translation - even though it is  July it still feels like November.

Mode of Transport -  Now that I’ve moved over to the Trocadero a snooty area near the Eiffel Tower the level of car has improved substantially. Then again there are some old beat up Renaults that have every panel damaged, to get that done it is quite impressive. 

Conversation - with Jeff Rogers who I’ve worked with the past two summers, JR “what to ride this afternoon” me “yes!” We went to Versailles but this time a different way from the day before. Then again we did go through Bois de Boulogne and the same cars with ‘workers’ were in the same places, remembering that I went through the park well before lunch yesterday and today it was around 6:30pm. Do I need to ask why and how or just let it go ... I choose let it go.

Animal - we actually saw horses on the way out to Versailles, not that this is exciting news!! There really are millions of dogs here in Paris, they get taken into shops, hotels, restaurants and the metro ... I’ll work on getting some best of shots in the coming days.

What else of note: where do I go after my time in Paris ... that is the great undecided at this present time!  

Parting thought of the day/blog: My new digs for the night, le Hameau de Passy, 48 rue de Passy Paris, I moved over to the Trocadero for the night before moving into a flat for the rest of my time here. Half the price as the last two nights, twice the size room and bed plus a shaggen rug on the bed! Impressive!!   

26 July 2011 #16 a continual bike riders dream even - Paris continued

Time to relax! Naps - 9 Hours of Sleep - More Naps - that’s better!

Food - last nite while riding around Paris for a few hours it got to that time when dinner was needed. It wasn’t long after that thought that I found a place,  it was just a kebab joint but something had to make it special. The line was twenty deep before you got to place your order, it had to be good! It was just what the DR ordered, taste buds were bamboozled and my belly became full. It was in the Jewish area and watching these kids while dining was entertainment in itself! You would have thought that they had never seen a camera before! 

 

Weather - Since I had no agenda today other than sleep, eat and do a load of laundry it was a great chance to jump on the bike and head out of Paris. People told me that trying to get a ride around here would be impossible, challenge accepted! I looked at a map before leaving and knew that the roads around Versailles were decent. Out through the park of Bois de Boulogne - similar to Centennial Park in Sydney but with the added excitement of prostitute cars by the side of the road ... sorry this section is meant to be about weather - it was cloudy, not to hot and perfect to ride in.

Mode of Transport - If anyone has seen Wayne’s World you’ll appreciate the Mirthmobile, an AMB Pacer, even with living in the US for 8 years I think that I saw one in that entire time. Well today I saw my second ‘live’ Pacer - red and in perfect condition! I also have a soft spot for Citroen 2CV’s - there must be a regatta at the moment as there were many on the way out to Versailles - nice.

Conversation - old lady while riding through Versailles “le tour -- fini” with a huge smile, how can that not make you chuckle to yourself. 

Animal - I don’t think that I’ll be seeing anything that can fill this section while in Paris, other than pigeons and sparrows ... that is what I saw today.  

What else of note: did you know that Paris has a yacht club. 

Parting thought of the day/blog: there must have been half a dozen cars with streamers hanging from the side mirror and ladies sitting in their underwear in Bois de Boulogne! Some in camper-vans, some in ‘family’ cars! I guess when the van is rocking ... see you tomorrow! 

25 July 2011 #15 a continual bike riders dream even - Paris

Time to recount! 

Okay so being on tour is busy, there is no doubt that 23 clients takes effort - logistics, riding, eating, more riding and eating then add atop the TdF are bound to take you away from writing daily reports.   

In sum:

The riding, having the chance to do Mount Ventaux, Alpes d’Huez, Col d’Ornon, Col d’Gannon, Col de la Croix de Fer plus many others and most of them twice was an amazing experience. This year, compared to last, was 95% amazing weather. Only one day did we get caught in the rain, which then proceeded to turned into a thunderstorm. 

On the riding front, there really are too many highlights to lay out in text but I’ll pass on two. One, the winds of MV were actually with us and the ride back into Mane. It was just spectacular, that day we descended more that we climbed! The other would have to be climbing up Alpe d’Huez the day before the TdF climbed up. Going past all the crazies on the corners, especially the Dutchies, will leave a lasting impression. I do have to share this point, on the Dutchie corner there was a group of drunken men who had gathered to contest body function noises, needless to say the pace through that section picked up to the cheers of the men in orange.  

Food - we’ve had some grand meals, some very traditional meals and plenty of pastries. Unfortunately this trip I have not been having my daily almond croissant but that may change now I’m in Paris for the next 2 weeks. Highlight the desserts at Col du Lautaret, on the Galibier Stage, we were based at Col d’Lautret, they were all hand made on site and it was an all you can eat opportunity! Blueberry tart, cheesecake, apple crumble and pear tart ... did I sample all of them, why not! 

Weather - other than getting caught in the thunderstorm and subsequently freezing while the clients went home and I looked after the bikes in a bus shelter, the weather was perfect. I was hoping to see a little more rain on the day of the time trial in Grenoble, to make it more exciting - but Cadel Evans won anyway, but it was glorious. Even yesterday on the finish line of the TdF the weather was a pleasant temperature  

Mode of Transport - I’ve been aligning myself in buses the past week, does that count? I did see a tandem bike yesterday which was of interest, unfortunately I didn’t couldn’t get my camera out quickly enough. It was a tandem with one rider facing one way and one the other! They were either IKEA workers or from Sweden according to their outfits. I was just hoping that they didn’t ride all the way down from up North!  

Conversation - “Obama is like Hitler” I kid you not, one person said this yesterday and in lieu of what went on in Norway this week we don’t need any more comments like this! 

Animal - The cows on the climb to Col du Sabot, not far from Vaujany. A shame that I did not get to ride this road, I was sagging as we only had 2 riders and it was a little wet and dangerous - safety safety safety ... They were on the road, in the hills and running along the side of the van on the way back down to Vaujany. 

What else of note: Cadel Evans winning the 2011 Tour de France, not bad for a 34 year old! Congratulations to him and his team, it will be fascinating to see what next for the boy. Two MTB World Cups, World Road Cycling Title and now wearer of the Yellow Jersey!  

Parting thought of the day/blog: TdF in 2012 ... we’ll see. Now for two weeks in Paris, two weeks in the South and then the Haute Route. I do feel a little more confident about the route for the race after being down in the Alps for the last week. Bring on the next exciting chapter!

16 July 2011 #14 a continual bike riders dream even - Mt Ventaux

I've been slack, well busy - clients are in and that means running and running or riding and riding. Here is a bit of info from a few days back - hopefully I'll have something more recent in the next few days. 

More playing on the bike today - Mount Ventaux (MV) and first clients coming in. 

Food - okay so I’ve missed a few days of catching up so I’ve got a few tails. The first ‘food’ related point would have to be the poor kid who was bringing up his food on the way from Vaujany to Mane, the road is quite twisty and I guess it got the better of him. Sometimes I hate it when I’m inquisitive and you look where you are not supposed too! Yesterday we ate lunch at Le France Bistro in Mane, the paillea was just amazing, so much food and it hit the spot. This morning breakfast was just a pastry-athon, nothing like fresh out of the oven snails and pan-ocholoate!   

Weather - here come the kestrels! We are in Provence and the winds down here are famous. They have not arrived yet but we’ve been warned that they’ll be here tomorrow. It’ll make climbing MV on Monday all that more exciting. I have heard a rumour that on really windy day they actually close the top of the mount down! That wouldn’t be such a good thing for the clients. 

Car - I’ve got many, where the clients are staying is a 5 star accommodation in Mane called Couvent des Minimes - quite spectacular. Of course with this being the case they’ve got the cars to match, a car park full of Porsches, AMG’s and Fiat Bambino’s! On the flip side, there was a yard full of old Citroens today, DS’ and the like, oh so sad to see such classics just wilting away. Last but not least was the hay bale truck on the way to MV - classic!

Conversation - easy! On the way down from MV I stopped at the cafe at the intersection, 6k from the top (for those who have been). There was a lead guy (LG) from a bike company, no names, who was talking to one of the riders who still had to climb to the top of MV. LG “wasn’t that just the best climb (remember just the first part) you’ve ever done, where else can you get a workout like that!?” Rider “yeah, amazing” (sincerely). LG “now don’t forget to replenish your electrolytes as you’ve got another 6k to the top”. Rider “yes I’m feeling like I could use some” ... nuff said!

Animal - The sheep that were on the side of the road on the way up MV, thank you for not coming across the road whilst descending!

What else of note: MV what types of bikes have not climbed this Mount!? There was everything making it up today, old clunkers, re-cumbants, family bikes, kids bikes, heaps of standard pedal bikes and of course super expensive bikes!   

Parting thought of the day/blog: Riding through the lavendar fields on the way back down MV, they are harvesting sections of it at the moment and the smell from it was just amazing! 

14 July 2011 #13 a continual bike riders dream even - Bastille Day

Time to go play on the bike today - Alpe d’Huez (AdH) and some other pretty big hills/MOUNTAINS!

Food - had to be lunch, hands down, so tired after pedalling. Choice of tagliatelle cabonara   - hit the spot, salty big serving and lovely surrounding by the lake ... with a few flies!

Weather - a little cloudy in the morning but the locals said “it would blow off” - they were right. Half way up to the Alpe d’Huez the clouds started to part. The ride down the Alpe was very chilly - newspaper on chest but from then on it was a glorious day to be out on the bike.

Car - maybe I should change this to vehicle - there were MILLIONS of bikes on A-d-H today! So impressed!

Conversation - the lady who owns the hotel that we are staying in is so happy, again maybe it is just being French but whatever she is saying is like a song.

Animal - The big bull on the way home from the ride today, impressive! 

What else of note: Climbing Alpe d’Huez this morning I had to cross the path of MEGAVALANCE a few times, kind of wish that I had a cyclo-cross bike ... well maybe not but it would be amazing to see those riders fly down the mtn!

Parting thought of the day/blog: tomorrow off South to Provence, Mont Ventoux is on the cards in the next few days, can’t wait. Is it just me or are these getting shorter ... So tired off to bed. 

12 July 2011 #12 a continual bike riders dream even in the wet

What a wet day - it definitely started to turn for the worst last night! After such a beautiful day the rain started to come in on Tuesday night and the locals called for it to be here tomorrow. When you open the shutters and this is what you see you've got to hang up the helmet for the day. 

Food - a tough one today, a typical hotel b/fast, nothing special, a sandwich for lunch, typical french-fair then a hotel meal tonite which was a-okay ... hmm nothing to report of that much note.

Weather - one word summed it up - WET and cold. It was 5C at the top of Col de Lautaret. Those poor bastards who had ridden up there! We ran into a dutchie who was coming down of Col du Galibier, he was wearing a blue long sleeve jersey but you couldn’t tell where the jersey ended and the tips of his fingers! The poor guy was absolutely freezing!! Thank goodness there are two bars at Col de Lautaret that could warm him, and the other 15 cyclists that were up there waiting for the weather to clear before heading down.

Car - The trucks that go from Col de Lautaret to Le Bourg-d'Oisan. They are keeping up with cars and they’re fuel tankers ... in the rain! 

Conversation - the conversations with Missuer Gillard over breakfast, talk about a personable guy. He couldn’t wait for the chess and scrabble guys to come in over the next week to spice up life around Vaujany. First was Running with the Bulls now a chess comp!

Animal - The camel that was in Allemond, it is part of the circus which is in town, what is a camel doing at a circus!? Plus the poor old guy was standing in the pouring rain all day ... enough with the rain (skip the next two points if you're over the weather report of this blog).

What else of note: The weather was just awful! 

Parting thought of the day/blog: um the weather! Well the pix on the left is of the heavens opening but soon after it was wet again!

Tuesday 11 July 2011 #11 a continual bike riders dream 'Flash forward'

What a busy few days! Left Pamplona, drove to Toulouse then onto Aix and then onto Mane France. Not a bad way to spend 10+ hours but it got us (Joe, Michele and I) get closer to Vaujany, Alps.

Food - I just had a kings meal at our hotel, if I don’t mind saying so, well deserved after a rather large ride today, in the blaring heat. It is truly amazing the the TdF riders punish themselves up these col’s but not just one or two like us ordinary Joes! Back to the food, I wish that I took a photo of tonites dinner but I was so hungry that I couldn’t a photo of the salad with cheese pastry (entree), potato scallop and beef with gravy then creme brulee before they went right down the hatch.  Or is it cigarettes - how well they go with a meal?

Weather - The last few days have been HOT. Especially in Grenoble while we were there yesterday. Grenoble really is a lovely city but it is sandwiched between mountains and there is little to no wind, hence the baking heat! Tonite there was a huge storm that came through Vaujany and it certainly cooled things down ... unfortunately it looks like this weather may be here for tomorrow ... it may be a day off the bike tomorrow with double the efforts on the follow day!

Car - Ambulances, again with the Ambo - well for good reason. Today on the way back up to the mountain-esque Vaujany there were 20+ skateboarders coming flying down the hill. Next thing you know, a guy goes DOWN hard, unfortunately not even the helmet and elbow pads could soften the blow! He lay right in the middle of the road, actually convulsing! It was truly awful. After about 5 mins of this convulsion, still had pulse, was breathing and was not swallowing his tongue he came too. The ambulance eventually came, we are remote and took him away. Poor Simon the Englishman, holiday over.

Once over the boarder into France there were plenty of ‘hot’ cars, Ferraris, Maserati’s and even a Morgan (today). They seem to appreciate the finer cars, most likely because they allow for larger parking spaces than Spain!?  

Conversation - Anything in French sounds nice.

Animal - No Marmuts as of yet, plenty of cows and even plenty of fake ones! See pictures.

What else of note: Great to be back on the bike. The climb up Col de la Croix de Fer was truly magical! Going past waterfalls where the temp drops a good 10C and the views were just amazing. So many cyclist out on the road it was just amazing. 

Parting thought of the day/blog: I’m tired, maybe after 5 hour sleeps for 7 days it has finally caught up to me! Time for bed, hopefully I’ll bounce back tomorrow and be back in good form and be able to stay up past 10:30! GOOD NITE!