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!!   

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. 

Sat 2 July 2011 #4 a bike riders dream continues

Food - The two pastries out at Orio ... just a little sugar rush to get me home. Tonite off to Pamplona so who knows what we’ll have on the dinner table ... just hope it is not freeway food! 

Weather - Almost Cut and Paste from y’day ... this is what everyday should be like, cool breeze, sun and more sun, glorious.  

Car - it is going to be a Renault Traffic - I’ve not seen it yet but that is my trusty steed for the next oh - 3 weeks - on the road. This automobile will end up with a nickname and will most likely appear is a few of these blogs

Conversation - it would have to be with the rider E’kite, who I rode up the second last mountain with today, 18 years old, just done 100k and not even out of breath. We chatted on the monster (many more monsters to come and they’ll be ‘worse/better’ than this pee-on) of a hill between Orio and San Sebastian.

Animal - the cows on the road between Orio and San Seb - they have one amazing view, I bet they don’t even appreciate it.

What else of note: I’m pretty excited that my 2 months of gear has fitted into my army duffel and I can ‘comfortably’ carry it around for the summer ... hmm will I ever bring a bag with wheels to EU!? 

Parting thought of the day/blog: San Sebastian is one amazing place, many many thanks to Gorka and his crew for taking me in. I see a trip to SS with a group of riders sometime in the very near future. One more thing, there was another picture in the restaurant that we had lunch in yesterday, it was of Neil Stevens, he too lives in the area but I forgot to mention him in y’days notes. It is also the first day of 'le tour' it is one of those things that I think being back in Sydney you get to see more of le tour but it is still great to be here, see the newspapers (try and interpret what they say) and watch it without it being at 2 in the morning, sorry Australians. 

PS Congratulations to Philippe Gilbert on winning stage one of le tour

Fri 1 July 2011 #3 a bike riders dream

Food - I’m a cooking dinner tonight so WATCH OUT! Smoked salmon and vodka, one of favorites, who knows who is coming for dinner but I’m sure there will be a few extras as this seems to be the Spanish/Basque way. I’m also going to be a little hungry after the 4 hour MTB ride today in the Basque country, a great ride with more ups than downs, cheers to Gorka and Anna for the guide - BTW Anna rode in the Giro de Italia last year for women, need I say “impressive” and she can climb! 

Weather - this is what everyday should be like, cool breeze, sun and more sun with 90% of the riding in the shade.  

Car - Gorka’s “egg” a 4 door white Cleo - it was overheating this morning when he had to run out to get my bike ... he made it home then added some water and down came the heat ... perfect as we needed it to go riding today. 

Conversation - the conversation with the waitress today at lunch, who knows what she said but an Alan Davis photo was on the wall and I said “Australian-o” then pointed to myself and said “Australian-o” - she went off for about 10 seconds in Spanish and all I could do was smile. Or was it the interpretation of a conversation down the beach ... Girl 1 “I would never go topless at the beach with my boyfriend and his best friend” - Girl 2 - “I wouldn’t either, he’d just spend the whole time looking at your breasts!” Obviously topless bathing in EU could almost be considered the ‘norm’.

Animal - is a Specialized Stump-jumper an animal or a MTB? It was wailing today, it even bottomed out a few times in the front suspension but it got me through the entire day. It was great to ride an old-skool bike again ... makes me miss my good old Trek 7000. 

If must know about real animals, there were more cows today but the horses take the cake, in particular the foal on the trail up the top of our last hill. 

What else of note: Last nite one of the guests at dinner was Inigo Altuna, he owns and runs Cortadores y Venenciadores - what is this you ask, he cuts ham’s, he has won awards, needless to say I was CAPTIVATED over dinner hearing all about his skill! Different parts of a ham leg taste different and he HAND cuts the meat with a knife as fine as any machine slicer, he also makes art out of the ham leg, he has won awards for this as well, I could go on but I won’t. 

Parting thought of the day/blog: Pamplona tomorrow ... running with the bulls starts 6 July, it’ll be a hoot but I can’t say that I necessarily agree with killing bulls in the fashion ... are you with me or against me?

Thur 30 June 2011 #2 ride 'it's the dream'

Food - home made breakfast with Gorka and his crew in the garden at his place on the hills of San Sebastian. Love it!  Then again we have not had dinner yet. We went shopping at Spain’s version of Costco and it was a hoot! Where else can you buy a scooter, meat slicer and endless amounts of ‘rape...’ in the same place. You even get a fluro jacket for the cool room, note to self when you go to this place again, NO THONGS! 

Weather - a tad overcast but shorts and t-shirt weather, also perfect riding weather. See above for fluro jacket.

Car - “not today my good man” - we’re on the scooter! Forget the speed limits, we’re going to top this thing out! I’ve got tears streaming down my face and they’re not from crying it’s the wind I promise. 

Conversation - it’s all in Spanish and I love it ... if only I knew what they were saying! They all look like they’re having a great time, it is truly great to see talking with such passion. It may just be talk of the weather or when to get their next hair cut but they do it with such gusto. 

Animal - the woman living up stairs definitely takes the cake, thank goodness she didn’t throw her nail clippings into our breakfast this morning (if you could breakfast at 11am). Plus I did see some cows ... pix below, yes that is Gorka riding with the bulls.  

What else of note: Kids outside playing at 7:30pm, all having a blast and not watching tv and eating $hit! Well that is my impression after 10 mins of sitting outside waiting for poor Gorka to get some energy back in his body before the last killer hill to home base. Then again he most likely used up all his energy popping wheelies here, there and everywhere! This boys has no fear. The ride today out to Irun through the back mountains of San Sebastian were just amazing, does riding over someones name make you ride better ... maybe not if the name is ‘Gastro’ but it makes you smile nonetheless. 

The ETA is still evident here in Basque country, event through lots of graffiti. This pix was at the top of the first hill today. Coming back into San Sebastian was the National Police stopping cars to look for any wanted ETA’ers, machine guns included! 

Parting thought of the day/blog: Ride Zannox kit is amazing, first ride in new ‘team’ kit was a success! Glad I got 50 pairs of knicks and jerseys to keep me in kit for months to come. 

I could go on with more reports but it is time to hit the shower and then help in the kitchen, we’re having a FEAST tonite, maybe tomorrows write up of food will cover tonites meal, then again we may not eat till midnite. 

 Yes that is a real gun!! Forget complaining about the Americans and NRA - these people in Irun love their guns!! 

Wed 29 June 2011 #1

Bags packed, under weight check, everything fits and it is carry-able!?

Ah isn’t traveling fun!? What use to be a glamorous way to get around the world has now turned into waiting in to dealing with the masses, standing in lines, waiting to be ‘searched’ by professionals and eating something they call food. 

Although I shouldn’t complain, what is the alternative ... other then paying through the nose for business or first class tickets, you’ve still got two of the four I’ve mentioned above.  It all began in Sydney saying good bye to a chilly Sydney it was time to depart this beautiful city for two months. 

As I write it has just begun to rain in Frankfurt! Ah the German’s ... side-note, it is raining in Sydney as I write as well! Ah the Australian’s. In fact from a beautiful sunny morning (now 8:36am) to a day that looks like the next stop of sunny Spain will be a much better choice. 

Where was I, ah departing Sydney, I will miss the place. Looking at the video enticing people to come to Sydney, as we are departing ... makes it all that much harder to leave. The stunning harbour, the never ending beaches and smiling people everywhere ... ins’t that the sum of Sydney, obviously they have not been on Military or Parramatta Rd during peak hour! 

Without sounding like a whinger I will continue. 

Starting up your own company is one of those things which was never going to be easy. Now that ‘I’ve made it’ but having the chance to spend two months OS every year seems to make people mate me more than like me, ah jealously. 

From the humble start back in 2009 of taking MTB trips, Sydney riders down to the super single track of Canberra, to following the TdF in 2010 and now leading groups for that last epic week of ‘le tour’ and doing a multi-day race is heading in the right direction. Hence the reason to ride this blog during my time away. 

I guess that I cannot comment too much on my trip thus far as I’ve been away for just over a day. The trip other than the dealing with the masses, waiting etc I’ve laded in Frankfurt and have only been stung 70euros for excess baggage to get my bike to Bilbao. 

My blogs will endeavor to write about a few things of interest including food, weather, best car, best conversation overhead, most interesting animal, especially leaning towards cow’s as there is a great site called http://www.lesvachesdutour.com which is a specialist in cows and cycling, and last but not least obviously other points of note from the day. Plus (recently added) parting thought! What could be a more interesting mix!

At the top of each entry, from this day forth, you will see at the top of the entry:

Food - airplane food, need I say more ... then again I did have a banana, my first in a while  as they’ve been up to $14.99 a kilo in Sydney at the moment, it was 1.10euro and green at Frankfurt airport.

Weather - thus far, since leaving Sydney, mostly air-conditioned and darkness. Upon arriving in Frank(furt) it as been mostly rain ... I’ll keep you posted on San Sebastian, one of my favourite places in the world. 

Car - a Porsche Cayenne just pulled up in front of where I am waiting for my next flight. It dropped some heavy looking business dude right to his Lufthansa A321-100, now that is service! 

Conversation - Has to be the one at Abu Dhabi airport, Guy 1 (G1) to Stranger 1 (S1) - G1 “Are you from Indonesia?” G2 “sorry?” G1 “Are you from Indonesia?” G2 “SORRY??” G1 “Are you from Indonesia?” G2 “No I’m from Paris” G1 “Oh you look like you’re from Indonesia?” G2 “NO, I’m from Paris” ... they talk for a while longer then they get back to the good bits. G1 “How many languages do you speak?” S1 “English, French and a bit of German but not very good. A few friends of mine speak all those languages really well AND Italian.” G1 “I know a guy who can speak all those languages, his name is Andras and he lives in France down near Switzerland, do you know him!?” S1 “NO!” Dare I keep going, I really could but it’s not about them ... ps that was all true!!  

Animal - toss up between these Americans checking in their two dogs at Frankfurt, they held the line for 20 mins (!) and the animals in the smoking rooms at Abu Dhabi and Frankfurt airport, they really do look like caged animals. 

What else of note: Looking forward to getting to San Sebastian, hopefully my bike makes it in one piece!? I’ll be staying with a good friend of mine who’s name in Gorka, a good dude.

Parting thought of the day/blog if it's 38C in Abu Dabi at 12am what would it be like in the middle of the day, even worse out at the airport!

PS San Sebastian - love it! Picked up by good friend Gorka and went to work with him and a few of his buddies doing some landscaping - that’ll starve of jet-lag. As a thank you for the work we’re having steaks for dinner ... hopefully I can stay awake for a few hours to enjoy it!? 

PPS Well done to the RIDE Magazine crew for an epic Tour Edition - that kept me entertained for hours while on the plane!

On the horizon

INFORMATION NIGHT

Thursday 12 May 2011

6:00-8:00pm

MC Cyclery
 

230 Clarence Street Sydney
 

A EVENING OF BEERS, PIZZA &  la HAUTE ROUTE
 

Come along and check out Sydney's newest GIANT Bike Concept Store - take a tour of the store and hear more about the la Haute Route

An 11 day tour coinciding with in the inaugural Haute Route
A 7 day race from Geneva to Nice - August 19-29 2011
 

We are offering twenty riders and their partners the chance to travel in style and comfort

This tour is also in combination with Ride Cycling Review, Australia's finest Cycling publication

RSVP
 

 For more information click here

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Canberra Calling - can't wait to MTB in Canberra this weekend, it seems like an age since we've taken a trip down to ride Kowen, Bruce Ridge and Mt Stromlo. This coming weekend we've got a Gear Up Girl trip, this will be our fifth trip in a year, I must admit that these really are a lot of fun these weekends. Lots of laughs, skills being learned and new friends being made. I've looked at the weather and although it is rated as a 'cold' weekend it'll be clear ... nothing like riding in crisp air - what Canberra is famous for. 

It really is hard to believe that it has been 2 years since we began mtnbike.com.au - now look - we've got four trips in four weeks. Then it is time to head off to EU for 8 weeks ... then hitting the ground running when back in September. There are some big things on the horizon for us in the second half of the year. Attending more races, offering more MTB skills sessions in the Sydney Area and a MTB trip to NZ. 

Watch this space for more info - once again exciting times for mtnbike.com.au

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Haute Route Info Night Mark it in your calendar THURSDAY 12 MAY 6:00pm facebook RSVP Sydney MC CYCLERY 230 Clarence St Sydney NSW 2000 A EVENING OF BEERS and PIZZA TO GIVE YOU ALL THE INFORMATION YOU NEED ON THE HAUTE ROUTE. A great night to check out Sydney's newest GIANT Bike Concept Store. There will be an opportunity to take a tour of the store and also to hear more about the Haute Route in August. The tour is in combination with Ride Cycling Review, Australia's finest Cycling publication, where we are offering twenty riders and their partners the chance to travel in style and participate in the inaugural Haute Route - Geneva to Nice. August 19-29 2011. For more information click here. mtnbike.com.au Offers fully catered mountain bike day and weekend trips. Taking Sydney-siders North for a day trip and South to Canberra for the weekend. We have three Canberra trips coming up before heading off to EU. The weekend trips are all about experiencing and riding what Canberra has to offer mountain bikers – flowing single track. These trips are for all levels of riders. A skills session and guides are provided for all levels of ability. Coming up we have a a trip with the boys from Australian Mountain Bike Magazine and a standard trip on the firstweekend on June. bikeshuttle.com.au Is a bike transport company which was created to take the hassle out of transporting your bike (road, triathlon or MTB). This weekend we are heading North for the Byron Bay Triathlon. Come early June we will be heading over to Melrose South Australia for the Fat Tyre Festival. If you're sick and tired of packing up your bike and dealing with the stress of it all - here is the answer. Your bike is dropped off to a central location in Sydney, it is placed on the trailer 'as is' and then shuttled to your event. When you pick up your bike at the race destination you will be ready to ride. No more:  Boxing your bike Taxi issues Airport issues Luggage costs Assembling your bike Other events which we attend are      Tour Down Under - SA      Around the Bay in a Day - VIC      Noosa Triathlon - QLD For more information click here. twowheeltours.com.au mtnbike.com.au bikeshuttle.com.au We have some busy months ahead                        This weekend off to shuttle bikes to the Byron Bay Tri                      Then down to Canberra to ride our MTB's on the flowing single track with Gear Up GIrl + Clarence Street Cyclery Then taking Commonwealth Bank away on a road cycling weekend. Goulburn > Canberra on the Saturday then 120k around the hills of Canberra on Sunday        To end the month we will be heading South with Australian Mountain Bike Magazine Come July and August we will be based in Europe and have three trips on the cards 1) The last week of the Tour de France     2) A week of Mountain Biking in Switzerland         3) The Haute Route Come September we will be back in Australia and offering our MTB & Road trips and shuttling to different events                   In October we will be heading on our NZ MTB Adventure - Rotorua and Taupo - the info has been released