With a week to go the Wayfarers Wheelers were split again. Chris had a family commitment on the Sunday so did a 42 mile ride on the Saturday in the very warm and windy conditions. The route consisted of a ride up the valley to Lambourn, up the hill at the end and then back via Hungerford and Kintbury. On Sunday, the other three; Simon, Steve and Pete went on a slightly longer 50 mile ride to Wantage and back.
Watching the Tour de France stage up to Avoriaz on the TV made worrying viewing as some big names were cracking under the strain of the climb and the heat. Tourmalet is much higher and longer and the forecast is hot!
Oh well ,we can't do anything now but rest and prepare for the big event on Sunday. The bikes leave on Thursday and we leave via EasyJet from Bristol to Toulouse on Friday morning.
Everyone has new tyres, chains and various other bits of kit. All we have to do now is get there.
Thanks to all of you who have followed our blog.
The next post will be after the event.
Monday 12 July 2010
Sunday 4 July 2010
Saturday 3rd July, the final big training ride - A hilly Hampshire loop
For the first time in weeks the Wayfarers Wheelers Etape quartet of Chris, Pete, Simon and Steve were together again for what will really be the last big ride before the Etape. Chris had been off time trialling in recent weekends while the others had been doing fast shorter rides.
The route had been carefully planned to take in just about every hill we knew, mostly in ascent but some to descend too! This really was a Wayfarers Wheelers "classic" having been attempted before but never finished, there had always been an excuse not to do the final few hills.
After a Hilly start up White Hill out of Kingsclere and then up to Hannington there was some fast descending and a relatively flat section before the pull up Stoke Hill out of St Mary Bourne. Steve didn't make a great start to the climb as he slipped and fell off on some loose gravel at the turn before the hill. Then there was another downhill and then fairly flat section until the long ascent to Chute Causeway started. This out of the way, the route meandered towards Shalbourne, with a brief stop to take on board water, then Ham and probably the steepest climb of the route, Ham Hill.
After this it was onto Linkenholt and then a few further climbs; up from Coombe, down to Faccombe and back up to Faccombe again, Pete was heard to say "this is masochistic" at this point! then the final climb to Ashmansworth with a fast descent to North End and home.
This took a total of 4:52, so a pace of 14.8 mph for the 72 miles and 5229 feet of climbing.
We are as ready as we will ever be for the big challenge on 18th July!
The route had been carefully planned to take in just about every hill we knew, mostly in ascent but some to descend too! This really was a Wayfarers Wheelers "classic" having been attempted before but never finished, there had always been an excuse not to do the final few hills.
After a Hilly start up White Hill out of Kingsclere and then up to Hannington there was some fast descending and a relatively flat section before the pull up Stoke Hill out of St Mary Bourne. Steve didn't make a great start to the climb as he slipped and fell off on some loose gravel at the turn before the hill. Then there was another downhill and then fairly flat section until the long ascent to Chute Causeway started. This out of the way, the route meandered towards Shalbourne, with a brief stop to take on board water, then Ham and probably the steepest climb of the route, Ham Hill.
After this it was onto Linkenholt and then a few further climbs; up from Coombe, down to Faccombe and back up to Faccombe again, Pete was heard to say "this is masochistic" at this point! then the final climb to Ashmansworth with a fast descent to North End and home.
This took a total of 4:52, so a pace of 14.8 mph for the 72 miles and 5229 feet of climbing.
We are as ready as we will ever be for the big challenge on 18th July!
Saturday 26th June - Team photo shoot with CN Sales
CN Sales of Highclere sponsor the Wayfarers Wheelers arm and leg warmers. They are likely to come in handy on the cold descents in the Pyrenees. Here are the team with Neil and Christine of CN Sales
Sunday 13th June - The Magnificat Sportive, Newbury - 127 miles
This was the big one, longer but less climbing than the Etape, only 2800m compared to 4500m!.All four of the Wayfarers Wheelers set off in the first group and covered the first 2 hours at over 17 mph. At the first feed station, Pete peeled off to complete the 81 mile ride in a very respectable time of 5:11 and Chris, Steve and Simon carried on to complete the 127 mile course.
Chris and Pete are pictured on Conholt Hill
It was tough and the guys had to "grind out the ride" over some tough climbs near Petersfield before returning to more familiar territory and finishing with climbs up to Hannington and Ashford Hill.
Steve and Simon both posted times of 8:44 and Chris trailed in at 9:08.
A tough day out for all!
Saturday 12 June 2010
Highclere Village Fete - the Turbo Challenge Saturday 12th June
Great fun and lots of interest from children and adults alike in our "Turbo Challenge"
We raised £60.15!
Even Sir George Young had a go and the Mayor of Basingstoke!
We raised £60.15!
Even Sir George Young had a go and the Mayor of Basingstoke!
Sunday 6 June 2010
Sunday 6th June - Dented pride, by Chris
Training today took the form of a veteran's road race, my third since getting back into road cycling again and yet another disaster!
I will let the others(Steve and Simon) tell their stories, if they can be bothered but thought it was worthwhile recording my experience on the blog.
I had cut back on training all week so not to be tired and did a "motivational" ride on Saturday covering over 30 miles in two hours and racing up three hills trying to replicate road race speed. After that, I was reasonably happy that I might be able to stick in the bunch, if not to the end then for a few laps.
We had a unusually leisurely start for a Sunday morning bike event, to drive down to Farnham for the 10am race which was to be over 50 miles, comprising 7 laps of an "undulating" circuit. There were up to 120 riders taking part in various age groups from 40 upwards.
The weather was kind to us and contrary to forecast turned out to be dry and sunny as we started behind the lead car. The first couple of miles were unusually easy at speeds up to 20mph but then after a sharp left the dawning realisation of my abilities or lack of them became clear. The road climbed up, levelled off and then climbed again. The pace was just too much and I started to slip off the back of the bunch. I could see Steve and Simon ahead of me also dropping away.
Yet again, I was faced with a solo ride to try and catch up but it was to no avail. I was caught by the older age group on the second lap and stuck with them only to lose contact again on the same climb. The fast start and trying to stay in contact on the climb took its toll on my legs.
After hammering round for a couple of hours and being lapped by the race leaders, on the sixth lap I decided enough was enough and carried straight on to the race HQ and handed my number in, becoming a non-finisher.
Steve and Simon turned up shortly after in a similar despondent mood to mine having carried on to try to complete the course only to be turned back as the finishing line had been cleared away!
After a big boost training in France last weekend an abysmal performance in a road race was a real "come-down" I can't train any more than I do but over three road races have been dropped each time very early on. The riders are in a different league to me! I guess it's just time and perseverance?
All focus now is on the 126 mile Magnificat sportive next week and the the Etape du Tour, six weeks away today. As for road racing, I have entered one more next month but think it is the type of event I will aim to ride next year now I have the cycling bug, which luckily wasn't destroyed, only pride dented by today's experience!
I will let the others(Steve and Simon) tell their stories, if they can be bothered but thought it was worthwhile recording my experience on the blog.
I had cut back on training all week so not to be tired and did a "motivational" ride on Saturday covering over 30 miles in two hours and racing up three hills trying to replicate road race speed. After that, I was reasonably happy that I might be able to stick in the bunch, if not to the end then for a few laps.
We had a unusually leisurely start for a Sunday morning bike event, to drive down to Farnham for the 10am race which was to be over 50 miles, comprising 7 laps of an "undulating" circuit. There were up to 120 riders taking part in various age groups from 40 upwards.
The weather was kind to us and contrary to forecast turned out to be dry and sunny as we started behind the lead car. The first couple of miles were unusually easy at speeds up to 20mph but then after a sharp left the dawning realisation of my abilities or lack of them became clear. The road climbed up, levelled off and then climbed again. The pace was just too much and I started to slip off the back of the bunch. I could see Steve and Simon ahead of me also dropping away.
Yet again, I was faced with a solo ride to try and catch up but it was to no avail. I was caught by the older age group on the second lap and stuck with them only to lose contact again on the same climb. The fast start and trying to stay in contact on the climb took its toll on my legs.
After hammering round for a couple of hours and being lapped by the race leaders, on the sixth lap I decided enough was enough and carried straight on to the race HQ and handed my number in, becoming a non-finisher.
Steve and Simon turned up shortly after in a similar despondent mood to mine having carried on to try to complete the course only to be turned back as the finishing line had been cleared away!
After a big boost training in France last weekend an abysmal performance in a road race was a real "come-down" I can't train any more than I do but over three road races have been dropped each time very early on. The riders are in a different league to me! I guess it's just time and perseverance?
All focus now is on the 126 mile Magnificat sportive next week and the the Etape du Tour, six weeks away today. As for road racing, I have entered one more next month but think it is the type of event I will aim to ride next year now I have the cycling bug, which luckily wasn't destroyed, only pride dented by today's experience!
Sunday 30 May 2010
In search of Lance in the south of France! - 29th/30th May - by Chris
The long awaited trip to Antibes, for some intensive pre Etape hill training finally came around.
Together with our wives, Simon and I flew to Nice on Friday with our bikes neatly fitted in their bike boxes. We arrived at our hotel in Antibes, The Beau-Site while it was pouring rain although this soon gave way to warm sunshine.
After a superb meal on the Friday evening at a great waterside restaurant, Le Cesar, we agreed to depart the following morning at 8am. Through Twitter we had picked up that none other than Lance Armstrong was staying locally and training in the same area. We resolved to get a photo with us and him together if we could.
Our planned route headed out of Antibes and finally made its way into the hills climbing up to the town of Vence and the over the Col de Vence (985m) before descending to Greolieres. After this there was another slog uphill to Greolieres Les-Neige at over 1400m. At this point and after a long stretch at a gradient of over 12% we both agreed the climbing for the day was over. We quickly turned around as dark rain clouds threatened to make it a tricky descent on wet roads.
The ride back to Greolieres was at speeds u
p to 46mph as we out ran the rain shower. A quick drink stop was taken before a more lengthy descent down the eastern side of a spectacular gorge. We eventually made our way into the outskirts of Antibes after approximately 30 miles downhill!
p to 46mph as we out ran the rain shower. A quick drink stop was taken before a more lengthy descent down the eastern side of a spectacular gorge. We eventually made our way into the outskirts of Antibes after approximately 30 miles downhill! The final climb to the hotel in Cap de Antibes hurt, but it was two happy cyclists who soon rolled up alongside our sunbathing wives. We 
had completed 85 miles at an average pace of 12.5 mph. The total ascent was 2100m.
had completed 85 miles at an average pace of 12.5 mph. The total ascent was 2100m. Saturday night saw us enjoy another very pleasant meal on the beach at Juan des Pines. This was followed by a deep sleep!
On Sunday we headed out of Antibes again, to the spectacular town of Grasse via Valbonne. A navigational error led to a small diversion to the village of Cabris but we were soon back on track at Saint Vallier de Thiey and climbed to the Col du Ferrier (1039m). There were lots of large groups of cyclists out, all immaculately dressed in their team kit as only the French can do!
After the Col, our legs were tired but we still managed an even steeper climb up to the Observatoire de la Cote D'Azur at 1265m. After this it was a fantastic descent first to Gourdon and then on to Valbonne again at very high speeds, breaking the record of previous day at 47mph. The speed limit was 30 mph!
After Valbonne, tired legs still allowed some fast riding, almost like a road race - 21mph uphill at one point! The ride had been shorter at only 65 miles but at an higher average speed of 13.4 mph and 1735m of climbing.
All in all, a great trip. My assessment of the benefit of our exploits sitting by the pool afterwards was that "The Etape won't be easy and the climbs will have to be ground out at our own pace, but baring injury, crashes and punctures should be within our capabilities" We'll see!
As for Lance, he was out training in the area and seen on the Col de Madone, but nowhere near us!
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