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Spring is here! (Temporarily)

18 Mar, 2012Cycling Ascents

After some cold temperatures recently, the weather has taken a turn for the better – still sunny but really quite warm! It’s kind of strange to ride when it’s like this, as the air temperature can change at the drop of a hat. One moment you are nice and warm in the sun, no snow to be seen, when suddenly you ride into the shadow of a mountain and the snow is on the ground and the temperature plummets. It’s like stepping from a warm room into a freezer, literally! Continue reading “Spring is here! (Temporarily)”

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More winter Col exploration

Cycling Ascents10 Mar, 2012

So a spur of the moment decision had me cycling up the Col du Lautaret.  The first 2/3rds of the ride were just as I expected, fairly easy gradients, a relatively relaxing winter ‘getting the miles in’ ride. I treated myself to a break and a snack at La Grave, about half way up the climb. Things were looking good till I got to a small village on the route called Villar-d’Arene. Continue reading “More winter Col exploration”

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How far can you get up the Croix de Fer in February?

Col de la Croix de Fer

Cycling Ascents28 February, 2012

It was another sunny day here in Bourg D’Oisans, so I decided that I might try and do a Col de la Croix de Ferlittle ‘uphill’ stuff today. Most of my rides so far this year have been sticking to the flat, mainly in order to try to keep my heart rate down (not easy with my current level of fitness!) whilst doing some ‘endurance building’ rides but also because it’s too cold to come downhill at any speed! Continue reading “How far can you get up the Croix de Fer in February?”

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Got out on the bike yesterday but it’s cold!

Cycling Ascents21 February, 2012

Went for a ride outside yesterday as the sun was shining, and I’m rapidly losing motivation for the indoor turbo trainer! So I put my skiing gloves on and warmest ‘roubaix’ leggings and jacket and went for it. It was fine in the sun but when I was in the shade of the valleys it sure was cold! Here’s the temperature log from my Garmin 800 (great piece of kit by the way): Continue reading “Got out on the bike yesterday but it’s cold!”