As I’m going to be running cycling holidays for other people, I thought I should treat myself to one of my own this year – in Majorca. The lure of the sun was just too much for me at the end of 2011 whilst I was in the middle of my first cold Alpine Winter. It was also a great motivator during the tedious turbo sessions in January and February (I couldn’t just turn up with no miles in my legs!). Continue reading “My Cycling Holiday…in Majorca”
Cycling Holidays in the French Alps – alternatives to the big Cols
It had been a while since I rode this particular route, and it’s a nice change to slogging up a long climb to turn around and come back the same way (as I did the other week up the Col du Lautaret!). This loop
takes in a more gentle route past Lac Laffrey, and then back up the other side of the Col D’Ornon (not a big one at 1371 metres). There is a nice section after the climb up to the lake that includes some small up hill sections, but mostly a gentle descent over 25 – 30 km. Continue reading “Cycling Holidays in the French Alps – alternatives to the big Cols”
Spring is here! (Temporarily)
18 Mar, 2012
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)”
More winter Col exploration
10 Mar, 2012
So a spur of the moment decision had me cycling u
p 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”
How far can you get up the Croix de Fer in February?
28 February, 2012
It was another sunny day here in Bourg D’Oisans, so I decided that I might try and do a 
little ‘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?”
Got out on the bike yesterday but it’s cold!
21 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!”