|
Post by stevebolt on Oct 5, 2009 19:59:55 GMT
I would like to enter the Etape du Tour 2010.
A single stage of the tour de france... how hard can it be???
Is anyone else interested in entering?
|
|
|
Post by Kim Wiltshire on Oct 5, 2009 20:04:51 GMT
A few of our members have done it in previous years. In answer to the question - quite hard! Make sure you do plenty of training and long hard rides.
|
|
|
Post by stevebolt on Oct 6, 2009 13:11:59 GMT
|
|
|
Post by williamdebois on Oct 7, 2009 22:15:45 GMT
I did the Pau-Hautacam stage last year along with a few other regulars at YOGi rides. Let's put it that way: it's always a mountain stage and generally one that is designed to allow top pros to make a difference in the general classification, so you can expect it to be a little tough. Throw in a little too much rain or heat and you've got a recipe for a hard day in the saddle. However, if it was easy, what would be the point? The highlight was for me the incredibly fast and scenic stretch between Bareges and Soulom... I really felt like a pro. The low point was just around the corner: crawling up to Hautacam in fog and cold, only to descend back at snail pace, feeling even more damp and cold. I would have loved to ride the Ventoux this year, but it's an expensive trip... maybe next year, if the stage is interesting.
|
|
|
Post by stevebolt on Oct 10, 2009 17:11:43 GMT
I have been to the alpes road riding a few times now, I love the shear scale of the climbs. The best moment I have had on a bike was riding up l'alpe d'huez reading all of road markings painted by cycling fans on the way up, it was a beautiful sunny day, it was fantastic. However we did the same climb 3 days later it started to rain half way up, by the time we got to the top it had started to hail. The decent was nasty, slippery wet and very very cold, I shivered all the way down and didnt stop shivering until about an hour after I got back to the hotel. I learned about respecting the mountains that day... My favorite climb was the croix de fer, 30km up a valley that meets up with the top of the col de glandon. It was a mixed bag of gradients and scenery from lakes and trees to open pasture lot unlike dartmoor, at the top you are greeted with a hugh iron cross. I guess the clue is in the name ) I cant wait to get back out there next year. It makes all the training worth while, riding in the mountains makes you feel truely alive. There is only one word to descibe it, and thats epic...
|
|
|
Post by stevebolt on Oct 14, 2009 19:02:39 GMT
|
|
|
Post by Kim Wiltshire on Oct 14, 2009 21:32:53 GMT
Looks painful. Thanks for the post Steve.
|
|
|
Post by stevebolt on Nov 6, 2009 9:46:17 GMT
|
|
|
Post by andygray on Nov 10, 2009 20:09:28 GMT
A few cyclists we met in italy booked through these people last yr and had a nightmare, a few forums seem to back up their experiences, perhaps they ll be better next yr?
|
|