tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-46708610227859913662024-03-13T01:11:12.840+00:00Good moaning!The plan is to ride 2015's Tour de France one week ahead of the pros, keep one week ahead of the pros, and raise money to help underpriviliged UK kids. We start on June 27th...help!Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger27125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4670861022785991366.post-15960671806249489152015-07-22T22:20:00.000+01:002016-07-03T11:41:50.032+01:00L.A. Woman...Stage 21: Sevres to Paris...Sunday 19th July 2015<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Jim's journey also ended dans Paris. Top tune!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flat as, right? Well there were a few unnecessary drags taken at full-ish pelt...</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All correct minus the laps of Le Champs etc.: we don't have closed roads but I do have a self-preservation instinct.</td></tr>
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As Sarah promised, it truly was a grim o'clock departure from our lovely Alpe D'Huez hotel: shame we only spent approximately 12 minutes in it, hah-hah! The two coaches did depart at 0530hrs and unfortunately I had to inflict my company on Pete B.: he pretended not to mind, being a bon oeuf et all...I reckon we were all in too much of a zombie-like state to care...</div>
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All told, we were on the coach for just over 9 (nine) hours: if I said it was a shocker I'd be smoothing things out. Never have I wanted to get back on my bike more...never! In a cool move, Sarah had arranged some delicious pastries and coffee at the start point where some of the chaps were reunited with family. Others would appear at Versailles but the vast majority would be waiting at Le Tour Eiffel. And wait they did- we were at least two hours behind schedule because of a re-route by our coach driver due to Autoroute crashes. Before all that caper, we had the slight matter of staying safe and sound for thirty miles...oh, and savour all this too please, because it'll be over before you know it!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sorry about the decolletage. It was a trifle warm though!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Renault's centre de technology. Of course you already knew that.</td></tr>
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It was a fairly brisk sector to Versailles with several deceptive climbs followed by sweeping descents: it was difficult to take in the fact that this particular adventure was drawing to a close, but at the same time it felt so exciting to be so near to the great city. Bittersweet, oui?</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I heart the grandeur of Versailles. I also was glad of our final feed-stop because I had left my water bottles at the hotel. If that was the only collateral damage from last night then I'll take that!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The stop-start nature of the run-in due to traffic lights splintered the riders after Versailles. Andrew Wates is top-right...</td></tr>
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After Versailles I stayed largely alone on the run-in which I was happy about: there were enough distractions on the road already for me and it wasn't until I reached the Eiffel Tower that I heard that of three riders hitting the deck separately. This is always bad but one of them was Andrew Wates who had joined us at Versailles, and I hate to tell you that he suffered a broken hip as a result. Heal fast, Sir. At least the other guys 'only' had road rash...not pleasant all the same.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Made it to the other Blackpool!</td></tr>
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<span style="text-align: left;">As I reached the RV point just behind Le Tour, I heard someone call my name: it was only Tish, who is Le Tracteur's much finer other-half...great to see you, Ma'am! In a stroke of management genius, Andy had texted Tish and asked her to pickup a few beers on her way to the RV...cue a Heineken or two, hah-hah! We waited a little and other riders started appearing and it was terrific to see their joy on not only completing this challenge but to meet-up with family and friends. Nice one!</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ReU47iAWMJk/VbXo7-CRMeI/AAAAAAAAEs0/5UlqTm0zUak/s1600/IMG_0701.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="412" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ReU47iAWMJk/VbXo7-CRMeI/AAAAAAAAEs0/5UlqTm0zUak/s640/IMG_0701.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Great to see Jolyon (ruthless Director Sportif) at the finish. Prolly my favourite photo...cheers Tish!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">If Hitchcock did Avenues...</td></tr>
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After more than a few photos and embraces and handshakes, we were all off again for the final spin to Arc de Triomphe de l'Étoile via one of the most famous and beautiful avenues there is. However, at 6.30pm on a Sunday it is absolutely chocka and I was happy to weave my way up it and dismount at L'Arc for more photos. Our hotel was only about 10 minutes ride away and was very comfy: good on ya', Sarah!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Don't need any caption, do I?</td></tr>
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We were pressed for time so it was a case of a quick shave and shower and onto a coach for the transfer to our celebratory dinner on La Seine. Wow...it was a bit special to have the sights pass before you as dusk fell. Lucky people, I know. There followed some heartfelt speeches and presentations of awards to all the riders, but also of collective gifts from the riders to Sarah and Phil and also Tracy, who kept the whole show running from Edinburgh. It was terrific to have a few words with Phil afterwards, and even more terrific to have him get up and leave the table half-way through one of Chris's 'Partridge-esque' stories, hah-hah! C'mon, the man cannot be blamed for that...<br />
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To be fair to Alan er, Chris, he did come out with one pearl of wisdom: whether we know it or not, on these kinda trips we initially present the idealised version of ourselves to the group but after a few travails, sleepless nights, long days and whatnot, slowly that version gets chipped away to reveal the more accurate picture. Or something like that: he's like Friedrich Nietzsche except he climbs a bit better...</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chris, Annabel, Andy and Andy's considerably better-half, Tish...cheers!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Team Lanterne Rouge sign-off on another fine mess er, successful mission!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MRs7ft-KB2E/Va4jfGV46jI/AAAAAAAAEmg/qy7tiumt0qU/s1600/IMG_1342.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="408" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MRs7ft-KB2E/Va4jfGV46jI/AAAAAAAAEmg/qy7tiumt0qU/s640/IMG_1342.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Love this little momento. Nice work by everyone concerned...thank you.</td></tr>
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We eventually coached-it back to the hotel where some folk retired and some folk didn't. Chris, Annabel, Rick and myself headed back to Le Champs, or just off it just because it was one of those evenings that you didn't want to end. I did bail first though, citing old age, hah-hah! The following morning Andy sent me a text from the breakfast room stating that scrambled eggs were on offer: I was there in 5! Afterwards we shook hands and said "Until the next time...". I dread to even consider what that's going to involve, hah-hah! Nah, thanks to Andy for being a top roomie again and taking care of a load of admin along the way. And by admin I do of course include getting a round in. Cheers mate!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Monday, and a suitably large lunch was enjoyed just beside L'Arc...tres, tres bon!</td></tr>
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As is the way with big, old events like this you wonder if it will change you- and hopefully for the better. Similar questions were posed by a lot of fellow riders after the <a href="http://c2cmac.blogspot.co.uk/2011/04/day-onecosta-mesa-to-palm-springssunday.html" target="_blank">trek across the USA</a> in 2011 but I don't reckon that it changed me at all. I don't expect that riding and completing Le Tour will either, but there are a few similar points to take away:</div>
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a) break the massive-looking tasks down and worry about one 'stage' at a time...</div>
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b) always leave a tip for room cleaners: Dear knows they earn it with some folk, ahem...</div>
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c) you're capable of a ton more than you think: sometimes it needs the help or encouragement from other people to drag it out of you. Sometimes not...</div>
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d) before I disappear up my own tailpipe that's probably about it.</div>
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Thanks to all the Tour de Force staff, riders, my super-generous sponsors and anyone who has enjoyed this blog. See you at a food-stop sometime?<br />
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Some stats before le final stats proper:<br />
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Miles cycled...2100<br />
Feet climbed...150,000<br />
Saddle sores...2<br />
Highest temperature...43c<br />
Beers stopped from going bad...more than a few<br />
Top speed...54 mph<br />
Punctures...4<br />
Gels used...0<br />
Laughs had...more than a few<br />
Bananas eaten...loads<br />
Slowest speed...2 mph<br />
Donations'n'sponsorship...£4500+<br />
Dodgy knees...2<br />
Ambition realised...1</div>
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<a href="https://www.strava.com/activities/349580399" target="_blank">Please click HERE for one last time stats!</a><br />
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<b><a href="http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/2015tdf" target="_blank">Roll up, roll up...for the last time if you feel like bumping-up the total then please click HERE!</a></b><br />
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We'll see.<br />
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**BREAKING** New challenge, new blog...head on over to<span style="color: red;"> <a href="http://fstss2016.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">'From Sea To Shining Sea'!</a></span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4670861022785991366.post-7033326830705049722015-07-22T11:41:00.002+01:002015-07-25T10:50:41.967+01:00Do It Again...Stage 20: Modane to Alpe D'Huez...Saturday 18th July 2015<div style="text-align: center;">
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Because we got to climb up to The Croix again. Yeay!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Only two climbs today, but it is a nailed-on Hollywood finish up The Alpe...21 hairpins of er, pleasure?</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not overly looking forward to going up to The Croix again, hah-hah-ouch!</td></tr>
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We had a leisurely 7am coach transfer away from Le Toussuire's Savoy to our official stage start point in Modane. You could tell it was almost like the end of term with a very buoyant, if not positively giddy atmosphere. Let's just stay upright though, please. We started with a long and fast descent before our first feed-stop and getting stuck in to our second bash at La Croix de La Fer. 19 miles of joy!</div>
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Strangely I didn't find it too awful, mainly because with my posterior problems abating a little it meant that I could sit for longer periods which meant a slightly improved climbing effort. That said, Andy and I and pretty much everyone else needed a cafe stop/fountain stop to break-up the two hours plus climb in rising temperatures. Standard, then...</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chuffed to get this climb done...an immense downhill follows. Got 53.6mph on it, hah-hah!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lxP5yy3gAGA/Va4iCOsGhrI/AAAAAAAAEjo/oPJevLY1E8E/s1600/IMG_0661.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lxP5yy3gAGA/Va4iCOsGhrI/AAAAAAAAEjo/oPJevLY1E8E/s400/IMG_0661.jpg" width="366" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Le Tracteur makes his front wheel flex under a sprint to finish at La Croix. At almost 3 mph, hah-hah!</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
As with the previous day's finish at La Croix we didn't hang around too long: it was breezy again but also we wanted to enjoy the superb downhill that just went on forever. Albeit with a naughty section of uphill halfway, hah-hah! I clocked almost 54mph on the run down but we were made to look like we were stationary but a couple of Dutch kids. I dread to think how fast they were going: we caught and steam-rollered them on the following flat section on the run into Bourg D'Oisans. We also caught up with Chris and Annabel and enjoyed a <span style="text-align: center;">crème glacée with them prior to saddling-up for another tilt at The Alpe. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eDNi-FVVjU4/Va4iF-a98TI/AAAAAAAAEjw/MPJbYRW6rrs/s1600/IMG_0663.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eDNi-FVVjU4/Va4iF-a98TI/AAAAAAAAEjw/MPJbYRW6rrs/s640/IMG_0663.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just the best descent!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bBqIaOcyqNU/Va4iGVkNHFI/AAAAAAAAEj0/jc9JsBXMu-k/s1600/IMG_0667.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bBqIaOcyqNU/Va4iGVkNHFI/AAAAAAAAEj0/jc9JsBXMu-k/s640/IMG_0667.jpg" width="396" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This marks the official start of the climb up to Alpe D'Huez. Hello again, hello...</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
I was last here in 2012 during The Haute Route: some of you may remember that <a href="http://rdmh2012.blogspot.co.uk/2012/08/reasons-to-be-cheerful-pt3.html" target="_blank">THIS</a> happened: stop sniggering, hah-hah! Anyway, I genuinely was really looking forward to this climb: words like iconic and legendary are thrown around a bit easily but are spot-on in this case. We had to watch ourselves as the temperature would reach 42c/107f...it was an oven and how glad were we of spotting a fountain? Um, quite.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7_aZgnhtQqw/Va4iHa6pMiI/AAAAAAAAEkA/gcwRWDcbUgs/s1600/IMG_0669.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="284" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7_aZgnhtQqw/Va4iHa6pMiI/AAAAAAAAEkA/gcwRWDcbUgs/s640/IMG_0669.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">21 hairpins. Just ridiculous in temps of up to 42c!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kbNz55kX-nk/Va4iNNlHSqI/AAAAAAAAEkI/clKehS2phjg/s1600/IMG_0670.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="377" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kbNz55kX-nk/Va4iNNlHSqI/AAAAAAAAEkI/clKehS2phjg/s640/IMG_0670.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not much in it but Chris enjoyed the climb a tad more than Team Lanterne Rouge...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ev99DSdd-c8/Va4iPCS3dFI/AAAAAAAAEkU/7QKdwr4-P7Y/s1600/IMG_0673.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="223" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ev99DSdd-c8/Va4iPCS3dFI/AAAAAAAAEkU/7QKdwr4-P7Y/s400/IMG_0673.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A week early and some Dutch fans are in place.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XJByj72B2H8/Va4iUANavtI/AAAAAAAAEko/nVpPz5OHhG8/s1600/IMG_0674.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="223" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XJByj72B2H8/Va4iUANavtI/AAAAAAAAEko/nVpPz5OHhG8/s400/IMG_0674.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Will be carnage here on Saturday, hah-hah!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VBjjQ2kmI8o/Va4iSN4AmDI/AAAAAAAAEkg/S2yi4sUTgiU/s1600/IMG_0677.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="312" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VBjjQ2kmI8o/Va4iSN4AmDI/AAAAAAAAEkg/S2yi4sUTgiU/s400/IMG_0677.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I know.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dWK7RJijINE/Va4iWUr8DHI/AAAAAAAAEkw/5ysR7Jz9mhY/s1600/IMG_0678.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="356" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dWK7RJijINE/Va4iWUr8DHI/AAAAAAAAEkw/5ysR7Jz9mhY/s640/IMG_0678.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The final climb into the resort. Savour this!<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DCkUGLp_Pto/Va-CC2ELxGI/AAAAAAAAEqU/zmxWODBViCE/s1600/6690843_Screen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DCkUGLp_Pto/Va-CC2ELxGI/AAAAAAAAEqU/zmxWODBViCE/s640/6690843_Screen.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Andy, Chris, John and myself regrouped on the final few hundred yards and rode together, arms over shoulders across the deserted and nondescript finish-line, which was the right move. We then decided to head to a cafe to watch the rest of that day's Tour stage live. And also re-hydrate obviously...</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Nia6r_ekaHw/Va4iWYRoS7I/AAAAAAAAEk0/83QzbCXZxok/s1600/IMG_1334.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="536" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Nia6r_ekaHw/Va4iWYRoS7I/AAAAAAAAEk0/83QzbCXZxok/s640/IMG_1334.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We took over a cafe near to the finish to cheer home our riders. The owner couldn't believe his luck. #sixeurosapintgoldbentleyonorder</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
It worked brilliantly because the cafe was just before the final roundabout and left-turn so we got to shout and cheer at any riders about to finish the final 'gloves off' stage. More than a few of them thought we were the finish line and tried to dismount for a beer but they were sent packing, hah-hah!<br />
Our numbers swelled over the next hour or so and frankly the cafe owner could not believe his luck. And at 6 Yo-Yos a pint I'm not surprised: we had to eventually settle two tabs totalling almost 800 Euros, but it was right up there as the best laugh of the whole tour!</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
The celebrations continued throughout and after dinner: George and Chris were clearly on a mission. Chaps, we do still have a 5am alarm tomorrow...ah boll**ks, we'll worry about that later, hah-hah!</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.strava.com/activities/350408840" target="_blank">Please click HERE for penultimate stats...boo-hoo!</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/2015tdf" target="_blank"><b>ps, would be terrific if you could sponsor me HERE...thanks.</b></a></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4670861022785991366.post-71015666442003861652015-07-22T10:54:00.003+01:002015-08-06T21:23:05.161+01:00Heartbreak Hotel...Stage 19: Saint-Jean de Maurienne to La Toussuire...Friday 17th July 2015<div style="text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uQgDoNQVlQg/Va4oprJ67xI/AAAAAAAAEno/sJm5PFFA2fA/s1600/putinontheritz.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="215" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uQgDoNQVlQg/Va4oprJ67xI/AAAAAAAAEno/sJm5PFFA2fA/s320/putinontheritz.gif" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That's Putin on the Ritz. Nothin'? Tough audience in tonight...</td></tr>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/e8jAqvmnsIk/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/e8jAqvmnsIk?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe><br />
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Le Roi. Towels weren't a problem pour him, I bet.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TOugHIhMirY/Va4ms-yr20I/AAAAAAAAEnU/mApaTN3UnuE/s1600/tour-de-france-2015-map-st19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TOugHIhMirY/Va4ms-yr20I/AAAAAAAAEnU/mApaTN3UnuE/s640/tour-de-france-2015-map-st19.jpg" width="459" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Today's route is pretty much a big loop. And one that goes up and down too.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7DYNy4-ZvXU/Va4mxu8ftnI/AAAAAAAAEnc/2opGEePJBhU/s1600/Tour-de-France-profile-stage-19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="280" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7DYNy4-ZvXU/Va4mxu8ftnI/AAAAAAAAEnc/2opGEePJBhU/s640/Tour-de-France-profile-stage-19.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Up, up and away on my beautiful, my beautiful push-bike!</td></tr>
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<span style="text-align: justify;">The initial section of the first climb today was a retracing of yesterday's run in to S-J-D-M and we had some fantastic changing colours as the sun worked its magic. Much like the magic wot the TdF mechanics had worked on my rear wheel rim since my puncture faffs yesterday...thanks a bundle!</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OGEe0Cx_MIw/Va4f06tcIzI/AAAAAAAAEhk/7yb6OyVmuJI/s1600/IMG_0634.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="318" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OGEe0Cx_MIw/Va4f06tcIzI/AAAAAAAAEhk/7yb6OyVmuJI/s640/IMG_0634.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The morning sun is spectacular.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1Hmygmgfb7g/Va4f0IlveBI/AAAAAAAAEhc/efkFNj4Qli4/s1600/IMG_0636.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1Hmygmgfb7g/Va4f0IlveBI/AAAAAAAAEhc/efkFNj4Qli4/s640/IMG_0636.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Ok Simon, if you're going to wobble, then I strongly suggest that you wobble left."</td></tr>
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It was a fairly spectacular climb up to our first named climb, the Col du Chaussy: always a thrill for people who aren't dying about heights, hah-hah! At the summit I was able to get a photo with Phil, so at least the frame contained one proper cyclist...</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--BxbG8yn5IM/Va4f1DChRbI/AAAAAAAAEho/bZbJqhWwZQ0/s1600/IMG_0637.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="243" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--BxbG8yn5IM/Va4f1DChRbI/AAAAAAAAEho/bZbJqhWwZQ0/s400/IMG_0637.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yep, the animals did wonder what on earth we were thinking of.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DVGwD1JQnhw/Va4f45AuIJI/AAAAAAAAEh0/xJTlQS5Drf8/s1600/IMG_0638.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="474" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DVGwD1JQnhw/Va4f45AuIJI/AAAAAAAAEh0/xJTlQS5Drf8/s640/IMG_0638.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A privilege to get a photo with Le Tour guru, Phil. Forgotten more than I'll ever know etc...</td></tr>
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From the top there was a super descent before resetting focus for a climb that I wasn't particularly relishing, although I'm pretty sure that I wasn't alone in that. We would climb back up the Col du Glandon (thankfully from the other side this time) before turning left at its summit and climbing another 2 miles to reach the summit of the Col de la Croix de Fer. Piece of lemon drizzle cake, right?</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PkNbnNWNU94/Va4f5W6vovI/AAAAAAAAEh4/LUHTl7WDf3c/s1600/IMG_0639.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="277" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PkNbnNWNU94/Va4f5W6vovI/AAAAAAAAEh4/LUHTl7WDf3c/s400/IMG_0639.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here we go, here we go, here we go...out the back!</td></tr>
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To be fair, I didn't find this quite as awful as I feared: for once I was able to help Le Tracteur a bit with tried and trusted ways to divert attention away from the struggle e.g. asking him to name The Arsenal 'Invincibles' team. Always with the nonsense, hah-hah! Big thanks to the elderly French gent who doused me with ice-cold water: I really appreciated it, Monsieur...it was getting a tad warm.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-T3ZwjMvYUTg/Va4f56ipjQI/AAAAAAAAEh8/1vxrC_g_63g/s1600/IMG_0640.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="406" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-T3ZwjMvYUTg/Va4f56ipjQI/AAAAAAAAEh8/1vxrC_g_63g/s640/IMG_0640.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">#bigfan couldn't even spell the Great One's name correctly.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XLbE2rDW6oo/Va4f84fdoxI/AAAAAAAAEiM/4F0-5aBMMZk/s1600/IMG_0641.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="336" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XLbE2rDW6oo/Va4f84fdoxI/AAAAAAAAEiM/4F0-5aBMMZk/s640/IMG_0641.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yep, it's just another stunning landscape.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8dZ4rdR1mMs/Va_f3tp_OSI/AAAAAAAAEqs/sWns3PZhwm8/s1600/6687810_Screen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8dZ4rdR1mMs/Va_f3tp_OSI/AAAAAAAAEqs/sWns3PZhwm8/s640/6687810_Screen.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yes. Yes I'm too tight to buy the original.</td></tr>
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We made it up there and regrouped at the feed-stop. You didn't really want to hang around too long as your clothes are literally saturated and getting a chill from the breeze won't do you any favours.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Jr-HB0OxBEM/Va4f-PqzX8I/AAAAAAAAEiU/wYZYpfwsAwk/s1600/IMG_0645.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Jr-HB0OxBEM/Va4f-PqzX8I/AAAAAAAAEiU/wYZYpfwsAwk/s400/IMG_0645.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nope, that wasn't my bike. Worse luck, hah-hah!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NcpIEgg0ZsM/Va4f-tTctfI/AAAAAAAAEiY/cLPCQy8AT0w/s1600/IMG_0646.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NcpIEgg0ZsM/Va4f-tTctfI/AAAAAAAAEiY/cLPCQy8AT0w/s640/IMG_0646.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Motorhomes getting in position a week before Le Tour arrives. Hardcore Euro-loonery.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5mzJogY1Px4/Va4gBc9ysnI/AAAAAAAAEik/blM1HcRyxgg/s1600/IMG_0650.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5mzJogY1Px4/Va4gBc9ysnI/AAAAAAAAEik/blM1HcRyxgg/s640/IMG_0650.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Listen mate, quit stopping for photos and get on with the descent: you've lost contact with them again!</td></tr>
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There were tons of cyclists from all over the place out and about, not least because there is a hugely popular amateur cycle event that weekend (The Etape du Tour, which has 15000 entries!). We passed a bunch of guys from the UK and some of them were showing just how good they (thought they) were. Andy asked one of them if they had covered much ground and the answer was "Oh, around 10km so far...". When the bloke airily asked what we had done, Andy replied, "Do you mean today or over the whole event?". I believe that George came out with something similar when he described L'Etape as an entry-level sportive. Ouch, hah-hah! And it's all gone quiet over there...</div>
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Enough 'Big Time Charlie' nonsense because there was another col between us and the close of play. We had looped back around to the same town that we had started from (S-J-D-M) before starting up the initially horrible climb up to La Toussuire. We had now learned that you always look for fountains when you pass through villages- the sign that you want to see is 'Eau Potable'. Fill those bottles, dowse your head and say thanks!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UBSeChuQav4/Va4gEC3y7RI/AAAAAAAAEis/sglqxn9EdhI/s1600/IMG_0652.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UBSeChuQav4/Va4gEC3y7RI/AAAAAAAAEis/sglqxn9EdhI/s640/IMG_0652.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Only another 2 miles and we can call it quits for the day...keep going my son!</td></tr>
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It had been another tough day at the office and I was glad to see La Toussuire appear eventually: Andy and I finished pretty much together. As we weaved through the crowds towards our acco, Andy heard someone shout his name- it was MVP Tim (the loon who joined us two weeks ago for three stages and broke us, hah-hah!) who was over with a few mates to ride The Etape/entry level sportive, hah-hah! I headed on to get a now-essential massage...thanks Beth.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C3TGx4E_w5E/Va5eF9w1cQI/AAAAAAAAEpE/dkA6fALRGW4/s1600/IMG_1331.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C3TGx4E_w5E/Va5eF9w1cQI/AAAAAAAAEpE/dkA6fALRGW4/s1600/IMG_1331.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pleased to see this wee fella. You may now climb off the bike!</td></tr>
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Sarah, Tour Supremo, had already adjusted our expectations with regard to tonight's acco: suffice to say that she still oversold it, hah-hah! Nah, her insurmountable problem was that because of The Etape, her choices were severely limited, so it was a case of just having to get on with it. Bunk beds, four in a room and no towels. Apart from that, pas des dramas...</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-isMS4KfEKFE/Va4gEDPTT9I/AAAAAAAAEiw/OdTiY9vupaU/s1600/IMG_1330.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-isMS4KfEKFE/Va4gEDPTT9I/AAAAAAAAEiw/OdTiY9vupaU/s400/IMG_1330.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view from our er, unique acco in La Toussuire. Hmmm...</td></tr>
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Andy and myself snuck out for a second meal pizza which was the right move: after the briefings we hooked-up with Matt, Dave, Peter, Chris and Annabel to say hello to MVP Tim. Whilst we were sat outside enjoying a beer and listening to some Euro X-Factor Wannabe, I saw a pretty humbling sight: Tour Guru Phil was cycling with a couple of the last guys on the road. It was just about 9.30pm. Phil had been helping to load luggage about 16 hours earlier. Plus the two riders who we cheered in had been given an absolute shoeing but refused to give up. There's your perspective.</div>
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<a href="https://www.strava.com/activities/350408660" target="_blank">Please click HERE for Heartbreak Hotel stats!</a><br />
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<a href="http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/2015tdf" target="_blank"><b>ps...still plenty of time to SPONSOR ME HERE!</b></a></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4670861022785991366.post-49168961545403138262015-07-21T18:42:00.001+01:002015-08-05T16:27:39.491+01:00Bullitt! Stage 18: Gap to Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne...Thursday 16th July 2015<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Bit like TLR giving it les beans. Still unbeatable for a chase scene!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blimey. No further message.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What...climbing right away? Outrageous behaviour!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Something clearly wrong here: I was ready early. Collector's item again.</td></tr>
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We rolled out until beautiful skies straight into a steady climb: what always follows a climb? Alright, apart from the sweating'n'swearing...a lovely descent. At least until the next set of rollers come at you. It was going to be like that until the first real 'named' climb of the day, and what a name too: La Col de la Morte. Nice! We stopped at the summit as per and mugged a pose as per: shortly after the descent we spotted Tour Guru Phil ahead but stationary at the side of the road talking to a third party. We shouted hello and sped-by with Andy saluting and me high-fiving Phil, hah-hah! I think he enjoyed it as much as we did...gotta have the nonsense, right?<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aWh5QaveInM/VagtExYy8bI/AAAAAAAAEV8/kXYNldgkvo0/s1600/IMG_0588.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aWh5QaveInM/VagtExYy8bI/AAAAAAAAEV8/kXYNldgkvo0/s640/IMG_0588.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hmmm...looks like we're getting a tad too close to those lumps.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RgsMXdWr8mc/Va4fIr_D2wI/AAAAAAAAEhU/uPFcA5kv6S0/s1600/IMG_0593.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="418" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RgsMXdWr8mc/Va4fIr_D2wI/AAAAAAAAEhU/uPFcA5kv6S0/s640/IMG_0593.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Atop one of those lumps: The Damned! I'm wearing two pairs of shorts in a bid to suffer a bit less...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aBvYuaBVT_M/Va4N9FbBTbI/AAAAAAAAEdI/y5PKXCn9XxY/s1600/IMG_0600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="272" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aBvYuaBVT_M/Va4N9FbBTbI/AAAAAAAAEdI/y5PKXCn9XxY/s320/IMG_0600.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Nuff said.</td></tr>
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Without a doubt, the main event of today was always going to be the slog up The Glandon. Dear me, the first half of it has already been struck-off my Christmas card list...it was bloody awful, even with a cafe stop. Gradient and heat are not always that much fun! I was dropped by Chris, Andy and Annabel (noted for future reference, hah-hah!) but was starting to recover a little during the start of the second half when I held back to take a couple of photos and then punctured. At least they were still at the summit's feed stop when I got there.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZtrU08ycmUE/VaguSO2QvTI/AAAAAAAAEWc/TiDOPfXl7zU/s1600/IMG_0602.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZtrU08ycmUE/VaguSO2QvTI/AAAAAAAAEWc/TiDOPfXl7zU/s640/IMG_0602.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oh dear: the start of the climb up The Glandon. the first half of it was awful. Truly awful.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Rp0g9bIdgb4/Vaguq9FB2WI/AAAAAAAAEWk/S820aBFOJ8A/s1600/IMG_0607.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Rp0g9bIdgb4/Vaguq9FB2WI/AAAAAAAAEWk/S820aBFOJ8A/s640/IMG_0607.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dam/damn Le Glandon. I prefer the latter.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pUEqj6ZbJ3g/Vaguyh5f8dI/AAAAAAAAEWs/3jVUMDQkzuM/s1600/IMG_0614.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pUEqj6ZbJ3g/Vaguyh5f8dI/AAAAAAAAEWs/3jVUMDQkzuM/s640/IMG_0614.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The other side of that dam...looks lovely and to be fair, the second half of the climb ain't as bad. Good spot to puncture too...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AIDEKFHbFuI/VagvV8wPd0I/AAAAAAAAEW4/MWT-5gwT858/s1600/IMG_0615.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AIDEKFHbFuI/VagvV8wPd0I/AAAAAAAAEW4/MWT-5gwT858/s640/IMG_0615.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waterfalls all over the shop.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JOUARTVZx2Q/VaiDrZeaepI/AAAAAAAAEYU/CKBqU4FH-SA/s1600/IMG_0616.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="420" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JOUARTVZx2Q/VaiDrZeaepI/AAAAAAAAEYU/CKBqU4FH-SA/s640/IMG_0616.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chris, Annabel and some skinny Irish bloke.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lE1vI7GUCy8/VaiDxQzwL1I/AAAAAAAAEYg/RxD43HVQcoc/s1600/IMG_0620.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="250" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lE1vI7GUCy8/VaiDxQzwL1I/AAAAAAAAEYg/RxD43HVQcoc/s400/IMG_0620.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Technique on display on the way down from The Glandon...go Annabel!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aw9qN7PVuXk/VaiDw0taLVI/AAAAAAAAEYc/fsYZdM2epx4/s1600/IMG_0621.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="272" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aw9qN7PVuXk/VaiDw0taLVI/AAAAAAAAEYc/fsYZdM2epx4/s400/IMG_0621.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grandma Bardet/Chris gives it some.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jdVWSrKBL4c/Vagv4-tPjgI/AAAAAAAAEXM/6FVrmB0Iuuw/s1600/IMG_0617.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jdVWSrKBL4c/Vagv4-tPjgI/AAAAAAAAEXM/6FVrmB0Iuuw/s640/IMG_0617.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Le Billy de No Mates.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OAEYPNJHBcI/VagwgzHZDUI/AAAAAAAAEXk/VqSZCVVVB5E/s1600/IMG_0623.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OAEYPNJHBcI/VagwgzHZDUI/AAAAAAAAEXk/VqSZCVVVB5E/s640/IMG_0623.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More loveliness.</td></tr>
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Whilst The Glandon may have been the big name for today, the real Hollywood climb was Les Lacets de Montvernier which is barely 2 miles long but crams in a ton of hairpins. Think of Lombard Street in San Francisco and then triple it!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IviLkGSjEb4/Vbz3854RAlI/AAAAAAAAE8U/Lo5dvdOqxWA/s1600/IMG_2427.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IviLkGSjEb4/Vbz3854RAlI/AAAAAAAAE8U/Lo5dvdOqxWA/s400/IMG_2427.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ridiculous and yet strangely quite fun. Honest.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pyWRyQxp9_0/VagxBe2a3mI/AAAAAAAAEX0/mLr3flyWmFA/s1600/IMG_0628.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pyWRyQxp9_0/VagxBe2a3mI/AAAAAAAAEX0/mLr3flyWmFA/s640/IMG_0628.JPG" width="358" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Les Lacets de Montvernier. More hairpins per mile than anywhere!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tmSAa3sxThM/VagxBx1GcjI/AAAAAAAAEX4/Yr-5U4EYvM4/s1600/IMG_0630.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tmSAa3sxThM/VagxBx1GcjI/AAAAAAAAEX4/Yr-5U4EYvM4/s640/IMG_0630.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Told you. Just unreal.</td></tr>
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We re-grouped again after the climb and enjoyed the run in to the hotel: I tried a little pretend breakaway which the cycling gods clearly didn't like...I punctured again 200 yards from the hotel and tried running across the 'finish line', hah-hah! No matter, I was able to ask one of the mechanics to adjust the rim tape and fit a.n.other new tube. Number four so far...<br />
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Tour Supremo Sarah then had a little bit of bad news for a few of us, including me and Andy. Basically, Le Dibble had stopped one of the luggage vans earlier in the afternoon and claimed that it was overloaded: this was a first, and it meant that Beth had to be left on the roadside with the offending items for a few hours whilst the van continued to our destination, unloaded and then turned-back again. All it meant was that we wouldn't have luggage until after dinner: worse things happen etc.. Sarah clearly spotted us as management material, as she presented us two with TdF staff t-shirts so at least we could shower and wear clean gear on our top-halves, hah-hah!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xH7-TXOykyw/Vagw_2P3-_I/AAAAAAAAEXs/CVeG_-ENU8w/s1600/IMG_1328.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xH7-TXOykyw/Vagw_2P3-_I/AAAAAAAAEXs/CVeG_-ENU8w/s320/IMG_1328.jpg" width="278" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A post-massage, pre-luggage grin. What else can you do?</td></tr>
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Because we had Le Chapeau today it was our job to decide who to award it to and why: we reckoned we should deliver a paragraph of the speech each. The recipient was Chris Ware, who had helped Annabel today and had done that to a few others during the tour, plus it gave Andy and myself an opportunity to put the boot in too, hah-hah! Seemed like a popular choice, to be fair...</div>
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After dinner, several riders found a kebab shop around the corner (Peter 'Lemond' Davies is your man to ask in these vital second-meal matters)...the proprietor was having a quietish night up until that point! It was a big old day today, but there'll be another one tomorrow...</div>
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<a href="https://www.strava.com/activities/347622508" target="_blank">Please click HERE for travelling light stats!</a><br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4670861022785991366.post-54861831937362168202015-07-21T17:31:00.001+01:002015-08-01T17:50:15.729+01:00(We Are) The Road Crew! Stage 17: Dignes-les-Bains to Pra Loup...Wednesday 15th July 2015<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jx2ifa-hiog/VbfSya5Nw3I/AAAAAAAAEt4/mWJO3RKD5rY/s1600/Untitled1.tiff" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="386" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jx2ifa-hiog/VbfSya5Nw3I/AAAAAAAAEt4/mWJO3RKD5rY/s640/Untitled1.tiff" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Can't speak highly enough of this bunch. (Will that do, guys...can I have my bike back now please?) Photo by Paul Davy.</td></tr>
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Today's ditty is for the TdF support staff: they're immense!</div>
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Sometimes only Chairman Lem & Co. will do...</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6typmzc-TPQ/Va5RDHC2tJI/AAAAAAAAEow/4KzsBrpuehY/s1600/tour-de-france-2015-map-st17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6typmzc-TPQ/Va5RDHC2tJI/AAAAAAAAEow/4KzsBrpuehY/s640/tour-de-france-2015-map-st17.jpg" width="459" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coach transfer before & after the stage. Oh good!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pKfsJ-PmeJA/Va5RDOKXwSI/AAAAAAAAEos/Zkh1tj77T_8/s1600/Tour-de-France-profile-stage-17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="313" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pKfsJ-PmeJA/Va5RDOKXwSI/AAAAAAAAEos/Zkh1tj77T_8/s640/Tour-de-France-profile-stage-17.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lumps & bumps. Well it is The Alps!</td></tr>
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This morning was an early start and it would be a long old day with a coach transfer to the start of the stage and one back to our hotel at the end. Aw diddums! As you can see from the stage profile above, we'd be seeing quite a bit of going up and down...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9hArr92EsW8/VagmUeoWvuI/AAAAAAAAEVY/PvhT9gSTSVU/s1600/IMG_0535.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="482" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9hArr92EsW8/VagmUeoWvuI/AAAAAAAAEVY/PvhT9gSTSVU/s640/IMG_0535.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Saw quite a few 'Route Napoleon' signs along the way. He got around a bit.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-R9tMCGG6ZWI/VagmTTOmzOI/AAAAAAAAEVQ/ga70TFII2gM/s1600/IMG_0540.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-R9tMCGG6ZWI/VagmTTOmzOI/AAAAAAAAEVQ/ga70TFII2gM/s640/IMG_0540.jpg" width="348" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There's always one...Chris appearing to find it a bit easier than Le Tracteur, hah-hah!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KeenIK0P9qA/VaiFSrGu0LI/AAAAAAAAEY4/06EHEOiKw1c/s1600/IMG_0544.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KeenIK0P9qA/VaiFSrGu0LI/AAAAAAAAEY4/06EHEOiKw1c/s640/IMG_0544.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sylvain applying medium beans for a downhill stretch. Immaculate as ever.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mtFHkIP5ups/VaiFj4Jc3NI/AAAAAAAAEZA/alwM3ov-Sic/s1600/IMG_0556.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mtFHkIP5ups/VaiFj4Jc3NI/AAAAAAAAEZA/alwM3ov-Sic/s640/IMG_0556.JPG" width="358" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The landscape lends itself to hydro-electric activity...dams and lakes ahoy!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lYzh7H-0xxU/Vbz4hu3ge0I/AAAAAAAAE8c/knmq_WQJzzw/s1600/IMG_2259.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lYzh7H-0xxU/Vbz4hu3ge0I/AAAAAAAAE8c/knmq_WQJzzw/s400/IMG_2259.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bad enough looking at a photo, let alone the real thing!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-S88tPHTeJ_o/Va4Cr5Hk3GI/AAAAAAAAEcA/jvUMlNfR0Ho/s1600/IMG_0543.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="310" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-S88tPHTeJ_o/Va4Cr5Hk3GI/AAAAAAAAEcA/jvUMlNfR0Ho/s640/IMG_0543.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Whilst I descend in a rather sedate fashion, others push on...just stay on the right side of the road please. Oh, you are.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aZ7W2Inb110/Va4Css8l1uI/AAAAAAAAEcI/tJiMJAJz2Is/s1600/IMG_0554.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aZ7W2Inb110/Va4Css8l1uI/AAAAAAAAEcI/tJiMJAJz2Is/s640/IMG_0554.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Quiet as. Except for the wheezing, natch.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-viSTdmgTSBM/Va4CvHr6aTI/AAAAAAAAEcQ/S62A94kobrs/s1600/IMG_0569.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-viSTdmgTSBM/Va4CvHr6aTI/AAAAAAAAEcQ/S62A94kobrs/s640/IMG_0569.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And back up we go, this time to the highest point on Le Tour...</td></tr>
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I free-lanced after lunch and stopped to buy a tuna sandwich to help me get to the top of today's biggest climb and the highest point on this year's tour, the Col d'Allos. Those calories were burned easily and the climb was almost enjoyable, except for the annoying flies. There was a feed-stop at the the summit and I don't reckon anyone stayed too long...except for the long-suffering support crew who had to staff it. The guys will always play some top tunes at a stop too: the TdF iPod is remarkably similar in content to my own, hah-hah!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BxJeILzSaKU/Va4Cv046uUI/AAAAAAAAEcY/t5Ee9cxdD_c/s1600/IMG_0575.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="270" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BxJeILzSaKU/Va4Cv046uUI/AAAAAAAAEcY/t5Ee9cxdD_c/s400/IMG_0575.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Strangely, I didn't find this climb too bad. Apart from the wee bast*rd flies, hah-hah!</td></tr>
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It was during today that it struck me just how much work that the TdF support crew do: loading and transporting luggage and bikes, buying, preparing and setting-up feed stops, the all-important route signing, the fixing of bikes, medical advice and help, cycling with the last riders on the road and giving them all possible help and Goodness knows what else. Their hours are way worse than ours and yet they still have tons of enthusiasm and bonhomie. I'm in awe, really.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ipMybsVRuTQ/Va4Cw-0ONuI/AAAAAAAAEcg/c5oltS5C3b0/s1600/IMG_0578.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ipMybsVRuTQ/Va4Cw-0ONuI/AAAAAAAAEcg/c5oltS5C3b0/s640/IMG_0578.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Paramount Studios' mountains, the smell of pine...blimey.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lI_e8EZ8Wrg/Va4CxoPvr5I/AAAAAAAAEck/PkHFyIcqQvI/s1600/IMG_0582.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lI_e8EZ8Wrg/Va4CxoPvr5I/AAAAAAAAEck/PkHFyIcqQvI/s400/IMG_0582.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">As seen on the run into Pra Loup...Phil keep me company on the way up.</td></tr>
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From the top it was a case of turn around and get down to the coach pick-up point in 25 minutes: this is to make sure that you're on the first coach as there'll be a wait of over an hour for the second one...always trying to make a long day slightly more manageable. As ever, you cheered on any riders that you passed on the way down...it makes a difference, at least to me.<br />
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After dinner I asked one of the Docs to give me some medical alcohol to rub on my now very painful posterior: saddle sores are a nightmare to be blunt. I reckon you may have heard my yell back in Blighty: this stuff is napalm, but it is supposed to toughen-up the vital areas...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lZaou3fk7-k/Va4CyqZAYDI/AAAAAAAAEcw/45L-vuoxuM4/s1600/IMG_1323.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lZaou3fk7-k/Va4CyqZAYDI/AAAAAAAAEcw/45L-vuoxuM4/s320/IMG_1323.jpg" width="319" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Things are getting desperate!</td></tr>
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After dinner each night, there are two briefings for the riders. The first one is delivered by Sarah and involves admin for the following day: times of transfers and where to leave luggage etc., whilst the second one is given by Phil, and concerns the terrain that we'll tackle the next day...how many miles, climbs etc.. All good to know!<br />
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This leads to the first of the three daily awards for individual riders: Phil will award a laminated route map of that day's stage to the rider that he thinks really pulled-out all the stops. Quite a few riders will have to put in very long days, which then impacts on recovery time for the following day. I have nothing but the greatest respect and admiration for these guys because almost certainly every day when they wake they know that it's going to be another tough one. Takes some doing...<br />
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The second and third awards are decided by the current holders of them: the first one is the Pink Horn which is won for dubious fashions, faux pas on the bike or generally daft behaviour. The recipient has to attach the hooter to his handlebars for the duration of the following day's ride. The disgrace, hah-hah!<br />
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The final award is 'The Chapeau' award which is given to a rider who has done something to help his colleagues in some way, shape or form. Well lo and behold, guess who was awarded it tonight? Jolyon was the current holder and nominated myself and Andy (we now also go under various other monikers like Ant & Dec, Laurel & Hardy and most worryingly, The Chuckle Brothers!) because we have been known to take the odd turn at the front of groups (well, Andy more than me, obvs) and are usually in good spirits...anyway we retired a nearby pizza joint for a top-up meal and to model the beret, attracting some looks from the locals, hah-hah!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tOKCa4lAgv0/Va4Cz5F3xGI/AAAAAAAAEc4/g2Q2Ld201NE/s1600/IMG_1326.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tOKCa4lAgv0/Va4Cz5F3xGI/AAAAAAAAEc4/g2Q2Ld201NE/s400/IMG_1326.jpg" width="357" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Giving it Le Fred Scuttle dans le chapeau. Le clown!</td></tr>
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<a href="https://www.strava.com/activities/346697304" target="_blank">Please click HERE for highest point stats!</a></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4670861022785991366.post-87561140355824209082015-07-15T22:59:00.002+01:002015-07-15T22:59:59.886+01:00Not Fade Away...Rest day in Gap...Tuesday 14th July 2015<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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An absolute genius.</div>
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This rest day followed a fairly similar pattern to the first one...blimey, was that really 8 days ago? Anyway, breakfast then clean the bike, go for a recce of the town to spot possible locations for lunch and watching Le Tour dans le telly.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TGJxseMqppY/VaaboogoDhI/AAAAAAAAETc/PH7P5QylY68/s1600/IMG_1321.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TGJxseMqppY/VaaboogoDhI/AAAAAAAAETc/PH7P5QylY68/s320/IMG_1321.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We arrived just a tad too early for breakfast: it wasn't open. Le Mcbollocks!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eZvHzfQpYGg/VaafAOBOwDI/AAAAAAAAETo/e6SkpPa503c/s1600/IMG_1319.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eZvHzfQpYGg/VaafAOBOwDI/AAAAAAAAETo/e6SkpPa503c/s400/IMG_1319.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A la Marty McFly, I'm fading away before we reach Paris...no!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Aejqyq3BkOk/VaXexSSO-kI/AAAAAAAAESI/ahIfyrUgzKg/s1600/IMG_0520.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Aejqyq3BkOk/VaXexSSO-kI/AAAAAAAAESI/ahIfyrUgzKg/s640/IMG_0520.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The team of highly skilled pain-inflictors/masseurs. I'm sold!</td></tr>
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I booked myself in for a 30 minute session with Lindsay: she is dynamite as a masseuse...highly recommended!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WD8smhfh92o/VaXer6KFv9I/AAAAAAAAER4/D3CeA1DgoW4/s1600/IMG_0521.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WD8smhfh92o/VaXer6KFv9I/AAAAAAAAER4/D3CeA1DgoW4/s320/IMG_0521.jpg" width="206" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roundabout guff er, art.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RVw2eszbh6A/VaXfbvbb8RI/AAAAAAAAESY/AlbtC-9nRuo/s1600/IMG_0522.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="223" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RVw2eszbh6A/VaXfbvbb8RI/AAAAAAAAESY/AlbtC-9nRuo/s400/IMG_0522.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sleepy Gap prior to Bastille Day celebrations kicking-off.</td></tr>
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Andy and I strolled into Gap and found a suitable cafe offering a 'Steak XL'. Clearly speaking our lingo...thereafter we found another cafe not 10 yards away that was showing Le Tour, live. Go Froome!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_XJOqRFebvA/VaXfVItEPfI/AAAAAAAAESQ/PWqe7nGKn9g/s1600/IMG_0524.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_XJOqRFebvA/VaXfVItEPfI/AAAAAAAAESQ/PWqe7nGKn9g/s640/IMG_0524.jpg" width="532" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Comparing calf size with Andre Greipel. And losing.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tOjaZul47SU/VaXfez8KoYI/AAAAAAAAESg/StelD8IeR88/s1600/IMG_0526.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="223" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tOjaZul47SU/VaXfez8KoYI/AAAAAAAAESg/StelD8IeR88/s400/IMG_0526.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A really pleasant spot pour large luncheon!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Si6Cp3cq_r0/VaabWrQz1WI/AAAAAAAAETY/lEWOSQ-CvGg/s1600/IMG_1322.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Si6Cp3cq_r0/VaabWrQz1WI/AAAAAAAAETY/lEWOSQ-CvGg/s640/IMG_1322.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Exactly what was required. Lettuce.</td></tr>
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We called it quits just before Bastille Day parades were about to start- we had to get back to the hotel for dinner and our briefing for the next day's ride. Yeah, don't have nightmares, hah-hah!<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ui6n0moWH34/VabVUMN53zI/AAAAAAAAEUc/IHUIX6CuILg/s1600/IMG_0531.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="315" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ui6n0moWH34/VabVUMN53zI/AAAAAAAAEUc/IHUIX6CuILg/s400/IMG_0531.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sorry for these guys: it was about 32c...ouch!</td></tr>
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<br /><br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4670861022785991366.post-45069392255953491952015-07-14T21:57:00.000+01:002015-07-25T10:48:25.454+01:00Three Little Birds...Stage 16: Valence to Gap...Monday 13th July 2015<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Today's choon is courtesy of Jolyon: you'll see why a bit later on...<br />
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"Gonna be alright!"</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oh look..downhill all the way!</td></tr>
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We rolled-out a little bit after 0800hrs, just after changing Le Tracteur's rear tube that had decided to misbehave during le nuit. We went off the front to separate us from the crowds, which is how I prefer to cycle. We also had a helping wind mostly which contributed to some ridiculous but controlled speeds: about 19.2 mph average for the first 25 miles. This included the World's Fastest P-Stop on record: in, out, shake it all about!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We would've loved some of that hydration later.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A memorial to The Resistance.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lavender. Loadsa lavender...great smells. Certainly better smelling than us.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JdNmnYxelU4/VaS0cr2wawI/AAAAAAAAEO8/-0qK4cdKyig/s1600/IMG_0477.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="314" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JdNmnYxelU4/VaS0cr2wawI/AAAAAAAAEO8/-0qK4cdKyig/s640/IMG_0477.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is why we don't ride double-file. Not my group, anyway.</td></tr>
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Myself, Andy, Dave and Peter reached the first feed-stop ahead of everyone: honestly, not a big deal but one for collectors. The thing was, post-food we were bunched-up with a lot of other TdF cyclists: as I may have mentioned already, I ain't a fan of cycling in large groups so I went to the front to lead it. We were speeding around a left-hand bend when I saw bollards that delineated the road from a cycle-way, so I shouted a warning and gesticulated about the bollards. I heard Andy behind me shout the same and Nick behind him too: I was 50 yards away before I heard the shattering of plastic, squealing of brakes and general mayhem. There must have been 20 riders in the group.<br />
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Andy and I slowed and turned back to see Jolyon sitting clutching his collarbone, whilst Dave was distraught about his bike literally being shorn in half. With hindsight, the injuries could have been a ton worse, but that doesn't lessen the pain for Jolyon who cannot cycle to Paris now. The only remote upsides are that Jolyon's brother is also riding Le Tour and is a surgeon whose speciality is shoulders and related stuff. Honestly. Alhough having spent some time with Jonny, I'm not quite sure if I'd want him to operate on me, hah-hah!</div>
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This accident happened because all the "holes aligned in the Swiss Cheese": on another day we would have sailed-on by regardless but there have a number of crashes already and a few near-misses too. That is the nature of group events, I suppose...all you can do is try to limit your exposure to the risks.<br />
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None of this stops anyone feeling any less badly for Dave or Jolyon: they both are super-strong and trained a load for this event and Jolyon suggested to Dave that he should use his bike thereafter. That's the calibre of bloke we're dealing with here: when we caught up with him later he was more concerned about us staying upright until Paris! You've heard the expression, "...a class act..."? 'Nuff said.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look. Green!</td></tr>
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Once the various parties had been alerted and were able to tell us to clear-off because we were of no use, then we rolled-away again. This crystallises how Le Tour runs: ever on, regardless. On an honest and purely selfish note, I felt on an absolute downer after the crash...of all the people etc...<br />
We did roll on of course and got back into the groove...up and down, slow and fast until we stopped for lunch where Jolyon appeared, with his arm in a sling and with the most positive attitude, as per!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4xkosACdZ14/VaS1MoAmAFI/AAAAAAAAEPU/0Sxl3-aZFAo/s1600/IMG_0485.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4xkosACdZ14/VaS1MoAmAFI/AAAAAAAAEPU/0Sxl3-aZFAo/s640/IMG_0485.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">C'mon you slow-coaches. I was distanced shortly after this. Not bon, hah-hah!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Do the Shake'nVac...smell that pine.</td></tr>
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After lunch there followed an insanely fast flattish section: it was fast beacuse we sat behind Le Tracteur who was taking massive turns on the front...it was one of those ones where it was all you could do to hang on and I was glad to see the final feed-stop arrive. Nice work, Sir! At this stop, Matt, who is an otherwise fairly urbane and civilised Corporate Accountant took a leak a little closer than he would normally do to one of the tables and he was heard to lament comically: "I've gone feral. Just look at us...". Lord Of The Flies writ large, hah-hah!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Breathe in!</td></tr>
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Some of the scenery was tremendous: lavender, wheat...if there were any hops they might have been used for the beer we savoured atop of our final climb of the day, just outside Gap. Cheers Andy, Chris, Annabel and George!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ig1pRukYWNY/VaS1cmFDE0I/AAAAAAAAEPc/ImCoK2qmjb4/s1600/IMG_0497.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ig1pRukYWNY/VaS1cmFDE0I/AAAAAAAAEPc/ImCoK2qmjb4/s640/IMG_0497.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I couldn't care less if these 'endless road' shots are samey...it's a blast for me!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PwjnCFkgFS4/VaS1nVVKMwI/AAAAAAAAEPs/ZnbJv03YABk/s1600/IMG_0499.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="223" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PwjnCFkgFS4/VaS1nVVKMwI/AAAAAAAAEPs/ZnbJv03YABk/s400/IMG_0499.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brains Trust, Annabel and Chris. Always get shade & a seat during breaks!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4KCfAou9L3I/VaS12r80gWI/AAAAAAAAEP8/o-FzBDsX2Ok/s1600/IMG_0502.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="282" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4KCfAou9L3I/VaS12r80gWI/AAAAAAAAEP8/o-FzBDsX2Ok/s400/IMG_0502.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our destination, but not before a nuisance speed-bump.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AMNPPzyxKvo/VaS2MFBzt5I/AAAAAAAAEQE/gLfqSCq3mts/s1600/IMG_0503.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AMNPPzyxKvo/VaS2MFBzt5I/AAAAAAAAEQE/gLfqSCq3mts/s640/IMG_0503.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I had a p-stop so I thought it rude not to have a photo. Bailey's the same, right?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WFF5CC2lT-M/VaS2Pq8rNUI/AAAAAAAAEQM/zSLpV3JEoCo/s1600/IMG_0507.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WFF5CC2lT-M/VaS2Pq8rNUI/AAAAAAAAEQM/zSLpV3JEoCo/s640/IMG_0507.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ooh get her, all arty-farty. Next to a hay bale.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-r2m82vLD9LQ/VaS2USuzcRI/AAAAAAAAEQU/9d_b_lTNrtA/s1600/IMG_0510.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-r2m82vLD9LQ/VaS2USuzcRI/AAAAAAAAEQU/9d_b_lTNrtA/s640/IMG_0510.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Well deserved by me, Andy, Annabel, Chris and George. Cheers!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Is_O1V6R99w/VaS2k9gw6SI/AAAAAAAAEQc/1l494AJwyew/s1600/IMG_0511.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Is_O1V6R99w/VaS2k9gw6SI/AAAAAAAAEQc/1l494AJwyew/s640/IMG_0511.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Are you sure we ain't in the Wild West?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-riRaBfHLpUU/VaSyr0nnqQI/AAAAAAAAEOg/ytdd9-q_4t4/s1600/FullSizeRender.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="508" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-riRaBfHLpUU/VaSyr0nnqQI/AAAAAAAAEOg/ytdd9-q_4t4/s640/FullSizeRender.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Le Tracteur took this one of me wheezing/collapsing over the summit. Shambolic at best.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JJSgXXer0bk/VaS2skzfkOI/AAAAAAAAEQk/xZxFvWjLerQ/s1600/IMG_0512.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="356" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JJSgXXer0bk/VaS2skzfkOI/AAAAAAAAEQk/xZxFvWjLerQ/s640/IMG_0512.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is a pile of wood bark that will be fashioned into some cobblers by the time Le Tour rolls around.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1YFuIscND7A/VaS2v6MAJKI/AAAAAAAAEQs/96uNRQCkwLs/s1600/IMG_0515.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1YFuIscND7A/VaS2v6MAJKI/AAAAAAAAEQs/96uNRQCkwLs/s640/IMG_0515.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Definitely too arty-farty.</td></tr>
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Andy and I rounded-off the day by stopping at a McDonalds for about 3000 extra and needed calories. Oh, and they also sell beer too: now that's culture for you!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The damage done. We bought Jolyon a bottle of Calvados as a pain-management measure.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dave with his deceased Canyon...</td></tr>
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<a href="http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/2015tdf" target="_blank">If you can spare a fiver then please lob it HERE...thanks!</a></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4670861022785991366.post-42454638477825338882015-07-14T11:07:00.000+01:002015-08-15T13:49:01.716+01:00Step On! Stage 15: Mende to Valence...Sunday 12th July 2015This number comes by way of one of the speed-bumps that we crested magnificently/wheezed over today...<br />
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Only Lance took more drugs...allegedly.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Various bits of nonsense to be dealt with. Oh dear.</td></tr>
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As the profile above shows, we were straight into a steady climb right from the off. No dramas until the first feed-stop after 25 miles or so. The weather was regulation blue skies and climbing temperatures...all set fair.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7i_6yspOPTY/VaSmRgy8jFI/AAAAAAAAENM/X8xAaZAjnsw/s1600/IMG_0430.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="368" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7i_6yspOPTY/VaSmRgy8jFI/AAAAAAAAENM/X8xAaZAjnsw/s640/IMG_0430.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was near the top of the first long and steady drag right out of Mende. No cloud anywhere..sensational!</td></tr>
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<span style="text-align: justify;">Andy and myself pressed-on after the first feed-stop and fast progress was made through the rolling terrain: I'm now able (read: willing) to do a bit more work towing him which in turn means he gets more of a rest so that he can do more: sort of the opposite of a vicious circle, if that makes sense? Thought not.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JAN9ESibc3M/VaSmXgjTI2I/AAAAAAAAENY/mdyF9NRoOpI/s1600/IMG_0433.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="234" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JAN9ESibc3M/VaSmXgjTI2I/AAAAAAAAENY/mdyF9NRoOpI/s320/IMG_0433.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And so we have the tune of the day, hah-hah!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aKgVR6bDBqE/VaSmXKLDNuI/AAAAAAAAENU/k8teFwamARI/s1600/IMG_0434.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="529" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aKgVR6bDBqE/VaSmXKLDNuI/AAAAAAAAENU/k8teFwamARI/s640/IMG_0434.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So that'll be half-way between the two expanses of water, then.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qP7A0FA3MSs/VaSmmrnqqdI/AAAAAAAAENk/O--4lkULgZ4/s1600/IMG_0437.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="308" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qP7A0FA3MSs/VaSmmrnqqdI/AAAAAAAAENk/O--4lkULgZ4/s640/IMG_0437.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rolling terrain. Top work with the bales, there.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VzygWZ-VnTc/VaSm2gmSvmI/AAAAAAAAEN0/URbqb9EFWZo/s1600/IMG_0448.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VzygWZ-VnTc/VaSm2gmSvmI/AAAAAAAAEN0/URbqb9EFWZo/s640/IMG_0448.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This sort of stuff will make me laugh out loud...sheer joy!<br />
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Ropey footage but I include it anyway. Tough!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lj4x_Lt3L10/Vc8XOLbqNDI/AAAAAAAAE9I/N7TnKbYRrSY/s1600/IMG_0443.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lj4x_Lt3L10/Vc8XOLbqNDI/AAAAAAAAE9I/N7TnKbYRrSY/s640/IMG_0443.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">*This* </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oLVCfpol2qg/Vc8XONPiYsI/AAAAAAAAE9M/bV-tGbpccE4/s1600/IMG_0446.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="302" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oLVCfpol2qg/Vc8XONPiYsI/AAAAAAAAE9M/bV-tGbpccE4/s640/IMG_0446.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ah, Dr Johnny unless I'm very much mistaken. Why is Mick Rogers wearing BMC kit though?</td></tr>
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The descent was a thing of beauty of great joy: not because I go fast (more like Driving Miss Daisy down the Cols!) unlike some of the loons, it was the breath-taking view...possibly the finest of Le Tour so far? Thereafter I lost contact with our group and sped along to lunch solo which was a pleasant change- not having to worry about pointing out road furniture, civilians or anything else to the rider behind. Basically, you carry some responsibility for the 'wheel' behind you.<br />
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It was only after the stage ended that I learned that one of our number (CIA man Tom) had pushed it a little too hard just after cresting the last climb and he went right over the Armco barrier! His luck was in because there was no immediate drop so he 'merely' ended-up with a slashed jersey and some Wolverine style cuts across his chest, but no damage to his bike thankfully. He was ok to ride to the end as well...I'd like to say that he has since taken it easier when descending. I'd *like* to say that...although I reckon it was his dark glasses what did for 'im!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Old fossils all around. Some of them on bikes.</td></tr>
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The final 20 miles or so were fairly unpleasant: we were into a 3/4 wind in high temperatures and if you wanted to stop for a cold can you were stuffed: France was ferme, except for a tiny roadside cafe (more like some poor sod's front room) that supplied two Magnums to us. Dynamite! <br />
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Such was the nature of the day that it wore down a few riders, unsurprisingly. Even one of the very strongest and fastest guys suffered heat-stroke and had to abandon the stage after the last feed-stop. I was pleased to see the Ibis come into view after 120 miles...even more pleased to flop down in the bar along with quite a few others, hah-hah!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Lmxe2fzHv20/VaSnK0CoyfI/AAAAAAAAEOM/M5wqWB4YGJY/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Lmxe2fzHv20/VaSnK0CoyfI/AAAAAAAAEOM/M5wqWB4YGJY/s640/photo.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Ibis bar staff weren't really fit for purpose and a tad overwhelmed, hah-hah!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2cqxn3xipY4/Vc8WLAssL2I/AAAAAAAAE9A/4NxMvLGxSr4/s1600/IMG_1317.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2cqxn3xipY4/Vc8WLAssL2I/AAAAAAAAE9A/4NxMvLGxSr4/s400/IMG_1317.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sooooooo comfy...</td></tr>
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To be fair to Ibis, they were spot-on re the quality of their mattresses...tres comfy, albeit for the 6 hours that I lay on the damn thing...never enough kip...blah-blah-moan. Cheers!<br />
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<a href="https://www.strava.com/activities/344590737" target="_blank">Click here for scenic stats!</a></div>
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<a href="http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/2015tdf" target="_blank"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">We're very near to £4K...to sponsor me follow this link, thanks!</span></b></a></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4670861022785991366.post-41262718262524042582015-07-12T22:37:00.000+01:002015-11-16T08:48:41.820+00:00Country House! Stage 14: Rodez to Mende...Saturday 11th July 2015Such was the beauty of the scenery during today's stage that I pretty much forgot about the blog and the search for the 'Choon Of The Day': in the event this number from 1995 (and that's very recent by my standards) fits the bill...I saw Blur again recently and they're still a top live turn!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fJDd27-Eh3c/VbywTLu84II/AAAAAAAAE2s/BRJfXReYW-s/s1600/tour-de-france-2015-map-st14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="460" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fJDd27-Eh3c/VbywTLu84II/AAAAAAAAE2s/BRJfXReYW-s/s640/tour-de-france-2015-map-st14.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Can't help thinking that there is a much more direct route?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-03Ri3s-qAGY/VbywTB1ZKFI/AAAAAAAAE2o/39FKHbyQM6E/s1600/Tour-de-France-profile-stage-14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="308" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-03Ri3s-qAGY/VbywTB1ZKFI/AAAAAAAAE2o/39FKHbyQM6E/s640/Tour-de-France-profile-stage-14.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Back-loaded with nonsense after a terrific orangey bit in the centre...</td></tr>
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<span style="text-align: justify;">We had quite a few new riders join Le Tour today: these loons have signed-up for either a few stages until The Alps or to stay with us until Paris. This injection of fresh legs always creates an initial buzz: dunno if it's curiosity or whatever, but welcome folks!</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Kgh8kAOWZXs/Vbyu70TXcgI/AAAAAAAAEzo/cRL0fhVLvaA/s1600/IMG_0363.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="311" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Kgh8kAOWZXs/Vbyu70TXcgI/AAAAAAAAEzo/cRL0fhVLvaA/s400/IMG_0363.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No sign of Ribo.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XLGCARfND4o/Vbyu8tKbLNI/AAAAAAAAEzw/TbMBHIkeOTI/s1600/IMG_0364.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="208" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XLGCARfND4o/Vbyu8tKbLNI/AAAAAAAAEzw/TbMBHIkeOTI/s400/IMG_0364.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We didn't have an Alex with us but I'll gladly take the well-wishes, cheers.</td></tr>
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The terrain was rolling initially, under grey-ish skies. As ever, we needn't have worried about it not clearing: even by feed-stop number one the sun was breaking through and temperatures were climbing...keep drinking, keep eating. Rinse & repeat!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8lolv604hPE/Vby8XN7JqrI/AAAAAAAAE34/CaWFCYbL6-M/s1600/IMG_0366.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="394" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8lolv604hPE/Vby8XN7JqrI/AAAAAAAAE34/CaWFCYbL6-M/s640/IMG_0366.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Smile, ya miserable buggers- it's Saturday!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZiQSCeoDWgE/Vby8ZXd1WqI/AAAAAAAAE4E/a_idxW01cj0/s1600/IMG_0374.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="223" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZiQSCeoDWgE/Vby8ZXd1WqI/AAAAAAAAE4E/a_idxW01cj0/s400/IMG_0374.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Skies will clear, temps will rise. Or your money back.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Bnq7lUJtB9c/Vby8cpiuqeI/AAAAAAAAE4U/WuhLv5cXJNw/s1600/IMG_0376.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Bnq7lUJtB9c/Vby8cpiuqeI/AAAAAAAAE4U/WuhLv5cXJNw/s640/IMG_0376.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Carry On Follow Those Cyclists!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tTt_cH9vOm8/Vby8cTan74I/AAAAAAAAE4M/EkXyglTIDsw/s1600/IMG_0379.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="223" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tTt_cH9vOm8/Vby8cTan74I/AAAAAAAAE4M/EkXyglTIDsw/s400/IMG_0379.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Love these small towns and villages...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: justify;">
The next 'Hollywood' sight was when the Millau Viaduct hoved into into view, just like that! No matter what angle you approach it from, it just takes your breath away. The sheer scale, the ingenuity, the design: all that and it was designed by a Brit too, hah-hah!</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_dLND-phdhk/Vby8dgHk7_I/AAAAAAAAE4Y/n3gxqvUU4KI/s1600/IMG_0384.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="341" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_dLND-phdhk/Vby8dgHk7_I/AAAAAAAAE4Y/n3gxqvUU4KI/s640/IMG_0384.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fair takes your breath away.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UZvdimub34g/Vby8WxjltYI/AAAAAAAAE38/rzHPr4exUZI/s1600/FullSizeRender.jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UZvdimub34g/Vby8WxjltYI/AAAAAAAAE38/rzHPr4exUZI/s640/FullSizeRender.jpg.jpg" width="494" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Homage to Sir Stormin' Norman F.!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lsy5x3J4O1k/VbzCLmKMO_I/AAAAAAAAE7U/UpCibQ0JPak/s1600/IMG_0388.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="272" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lsy5x3J4O1k/VbzCLmKMO_I/AAAAAAAAE7U/UpCibQ0JPak/s320/IMG_0388.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That climber is even slower than I am.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HkOHxHPiSkA/Vby-KTkoBfI/AAAAAAAAE44/8UYVdMe9Ky0/s1600/IMG_0391.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HkOHxHPiSkA/Vby-KTkoBfI/AAAAAAAAE44/8UYVdMe9Ky0/s640/IMG_0391.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Love all this...</td></tr>
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Andy and I stuck together until lunch and made pretty rapid progress through many picturesque villages and small towns. At this point we were following the River Tarn: this was the finest scenery that we had enjoyed so far! Just after we passed through a.n.other town, Andy punctured which meant we left the group that we had been with go. No dramas as we were all done and dusted in a Red Bull-esque 10 minutes and we did catch that bunch before lunch. Good work!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RFym2Z06E9w/Vby-KOgm-pI/AAAAAAAAE40/Wu3UPIWOuoA/s1600/IMG_0393.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="257" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RFym2Z06E9w/Vby-KOgm-pI/AAAAAAAAE40/Wu3UPIWOuoA/s400/IMG_0393.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bill, Ben and a Flowerpot Man.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-P1WDUbpdXjI/Vby-JwSgUHI/AAAAAAAAE4w/uWfhwHnspS4/s1600/IMG_0395.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="218" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-P1WDUbpdXjI/Vby-JwSgUHI/AAAAAAAAE4w/uWfhwHnspS4/s640/IMG_0395.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maybe not 70kmh, but we were cutting along nicely!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GEQTBywB9sk/Vby-Qc6xOHI/AAAAAAAAE5Q/Ojs4m8Ylpno/s1600/IMG_0398.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="454" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GEQTBywB9sk/Vby-Qc6xOHI/AAAAAAAAE5Q/Ojs4m8Ylpno/s640/IMG_0398.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Country House part 1. A fixer-upper...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5Wdu5SV3BqM/Vby-PtHYJ-I/AAAAAAAAE5I/HjMCwWDEdIQ/s1600/IMG_0399.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="382" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5Wdu5SV3BqM/Vby-PtHYJ-I/AAAAAAAAE5I/HjMCwWDEdIQ/s640/IMG_0399.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The vans that you're always glad to see.</td></tr>
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After lunch we continued as per, and reached the first of the two climbs before Mende: I felt pretty good and passed Pete Bedwell on the way up. I stopped for a photo and Pete duly passed me again: I continued on and passed Pete again: he said if I stop for another photo then that's taking the p*ss, hah-hah! We were glad of the feed-stop at the summit...you cannot get enough water, either to drink or dowse yourself in.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YDx0Q5IH1A4/Vby-VeYg-BI/AAAAAAAAE5k/UpImewwueu4/s1600/IMG_0407.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YDx0Q5IH1A4/Vby-VeYg-BI/AAAAAAAAE5k/UpImewwueu4/s640/IMG_0407.JPG" width="356" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Terrific landscapes all around.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QZC1-gc_Qig/Vby-Y_pEPyI/AAAAAAAAE5w/HT7YOn-3dwc/s1600/IMG_0411.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QZC1-gc_Qig/Vby-Y_pEPyI/AAAAAAAAE5w/HT7YOn-3dwc/s640/IMG_0411.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Country House part 2, anyone?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cVLwpTfTQ78/Vby-l2g97dI/AAAAAAAAE60/eKNPh5DhZAA/s1600/IMG_2181%2B%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="600" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cVLwpTfTQ78/Vby-l2g97dI/AAAAAAAAE60/eKNPh5DhZAA/s640/IMG_2181%2B%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You sure I'll fit through there?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5sOBNSSorEk/Vby-VNwPj0I/AAAAAAAAE5g/BimcUi0FEwE/s1600/IMG_0415.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="273" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5sOBNSSorEk/Vby-VNwPj0I/AAAAAAAAE5g/BimcUi0FEwE/s400/IMG_0415.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Team Pretorius killing it!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uImPZtu4RMw/Vby-azXS-OI/AAAAAAAAE6A/49vtcy9yjoQ/s1600/IMG_0418.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="384" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uImPZtu4RMw/Vby-azXS-OI/AAAAAAAAE6A/49vtcy9yjoQ/s640/IMG_0418.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Climb all bought and paid for.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_BUi7bdBatY/Vby-aTsFjdI/AAAAAAAAE54/BooXyTuMUrQ/s1600/IMG_0420.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_BUi7bdBatY/Vby-aTsFjdI/AAAAAAAAE54/BooXyTuMUrQ/s640/IMG_0420.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Er, not *all* downhill then?</td></tr>
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I knew about the horrible climb that was waiting for us in Mende but was happy to give my all to the penultimate climb: unbelievably I led our group up and over it...it was only 2km long at a 6% gradient, but still...if I could frame that, I would, hah-hah! There was a slight nav-faff for me and Andy outside Mende but when the rest of the mini-group appeared then we knew we were ok...at least until we wheeled onto the Cote de la Croix Neuve. This climb has been re-named as the Montee Laurent Jalabert in honour of local hero and doper. Anyway, it is appalling to ride up- two miles at 10%? Wouldn't be my first choice but you just sit/stand and bear it! We all struggled up at differing speeds- I was useless but we did get a cool group photo at the summit before sweeping back down into the lovely-looking town. If only we had time to explore...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AUT5TOUb0xU/Vby-bb_NqkI/AAAAAAAAE6E/KubtjE342ak/s1600/IMG_0424.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AUT5TOUb0xU/Vby-bb_NqkI/AAAAAAAAE6E/KubtjE342ak/s640/IMG_0424.jpg" width="544" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Peter, George, Dave, Chris, John and Matt. Medium beans being applied.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rTdJD2x1pX0/Vby-eBZcpiI/AAAAAAAAE6Q/EZCWXXKVe4o/s1600/IMG_0425.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rTdJD2x1pX0/Vby-eBZcpiI/AAAAAAAAE6Q/EZCWXXKVe4o/s640/IMG_0425.jpg" width="392" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Good on you Matt for the showboating!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TyGPLLFe67o/Vby-jbrRwYI/AAAAAAAAE6Y/nbBIqO2q_0o/s1600/IMG_0426.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TyGPLLFe67o/Vby-jbrRwYI/AAAAAAAAE6Y/nbBIqO2q_0o/s400/IMG_0426.JPG" width="223" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">S'pose we'd better go and catch them...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E-NQunDULIQ/Vby-knatbyI/AAAAAAAAE6o/YNKSb7qmy8I/s1600/IMG_0429.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E-NQunDULIQ/Vby-knatbyI/AAAAAAAAE6o/YNKSb7qmy8I/s640/IMG_0429.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mende from somewhere up the final git of a climb...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KPFPYiF1CV0/Vby-o-hrkRI/AAAAAAAAE7A/-NjY-0dCzkM/s1600/IMG_2992.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="442" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KPFPYiF1CV0/Vby-o-hrkRI/AAAAAAAAE7A/-NjY-0dCzkM/s640/IMG_2992.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Mild Bunch at the summit: Peter, Chris, Dave, Andy, Brains Trust and George. Photo taken by Feral Matt!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view from the washing-line, hah-hah!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We saw a ton of memorabilia concerning the sainted Laurent Jalabert in tonight's restaurant.</td></tr>
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<span style="text-align: justify;">After an enjoyable dinner (read: everyone enjoying a well-earned beer or similar!), Andy and myself idled away a couple of hours sitting outside a cafe, ostensibly because it had decent whiffy to allow this bollocks to be compiled, but also because it was terrific just to watch the locals enjoy their Saturday night. It felt good to almost be back in the real world for a bit, hah-hah-hah!</span><br />
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<a href="https://www.strava.com/activities/343891570" target="_blank">Please click HERE for baked stats!</a></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4670861022785991366.post-61847164597146962152015-07-11T22:54:00.000+01:002015-08-01T13:05:15.985+01:00Break Away! Stage 13: Muret to Rodez...Friday 10th July 2015Maybe not Les Garcons Sur La Plage's finest moment (and their best stuff is right up there) but it is apt...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-d5H8ZHQx8WU/VbymBYNIxkI/AAAAAAAAEy0/u3GFTp5RQBg/s1600/tour-de-france-2015-map-st13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-d5H8ZHQx8WU/VbymBYNIxkI/AAAAAAAAEy0/u3GFTp5RQBg/s640/tour-de-france-2015-map-st13.jpg" width="460" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Strightforward, right? Ummm...up to a point....</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bits of naughtiness loaded at the end of the day. Bon!</td></tr>
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After struggling out of the transfer coach we eventually set-off a tad later than was ideal but today's scenery promised much. Shame about the photos...</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-drh1aIK5cow/VaGDHGjxqMI/AAAAAAAAEHc/7qO3B259MEU/s1600/IMG_0327.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="202" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-drh1aIK5cow/VaGDHGjxqMI/AAAAAAAAEHc/7qO3B259MEU/s640/IMG_0327.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Them's flowers. Wot likes le soleil.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They're French. Top blokes all the same!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fancy cycling 40 miles in filp-flops? Dave didn't either...bet he'll never leave anything behind again.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Who's not loving this? Apart from you people, obvs.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Taken about 30 secs before I lost patience with group cobblers: Tractor, let's go!</td></tr>
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Andy and myself shared the miles until lunch- some of this was was difficult even on the flat thanks to rising heat and a 3/4 head-wind...just keep concentrating and it'll be ok. At lunch, OAP Chris was dumb enough to want to cycle with us. Good job too...three eejits are better than deux!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before the next climb we (sensibly) stopped for a break. Collector's item: I lead them up and over it...was easy to be honest!</td></tr>
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I had enough to lead our dumb-ass trio up and over this climb (read: it wasn't long or steep) but after that it was a slog, although we took great turns. Helps morale too. This formula continued until the final few drags where Le Tour guru, Phil, had joined us. Without realising it, the pace up the climbs raised by only about 1 to 1.5 mph which is enough to drop me on the steeper stuff. At the third climb Andy was feeling it a bit but was still ahead of me.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Somebody not appreciating my massive stage win, then...I wonder why, hah-hah!</td></tr>
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Being the good eggs wot they are, they duly waited for Capt. Slow who then bombed on past them whilst mimicking the action of smoking a Panatella. I was able to keep motoring for the great descent and then the horrible drag up to Rodez: all I wanted to do was beat them up there. Job. Done. You. Losers, hah-hah! Turns out at least two of them were suffering up that climb too...sweet! After the finish I was right back on to the massage table- I'm a believer...</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fair amount of salt deposited.</td></tr>
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This was a tough stage for pretty much everyone (aren't they all?) but dinner was buzzing...even allowing for the anticipated lack of usable wiffy. Always with the First World Problems, right?<br />
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<a href="https://www.strava.com/activities/343171827" target="_blank">Please click here for MY SOLO WIN STATS NOT THAT I GO ON ABOUT IT. MUCH!</a></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4670861022785991366.post-29490754738677813332015-07-11T21:42:00.001+01:002015-08-01T11:54:52.399+01:00The Key To The Highway...Stage 12: Lannemazen to Plateau de Beille...Thursday 9th July 2015<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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A real giant...you'll be missed.</div>
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An early transfer again (there is a distinct pattern forming here, worse luck) and a late start to what was always going to be a monster day. That's the one thing about time: you have reeeeaaaaal difficulty clawing it back. Diddums...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Rkc4_9XbqAk/VbylE5MNipI/AAAAAAAAEyo/fZsCjT6wJ4o/s1600/tour-de-france-2015-map-st12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="460" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Rkc4_9XbqAk/VbylE5MNipI/AAAAAAAAEyo/fZsCjT6wJ4o/s640/tour-de-france-2015-map-st12.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This ain't gonna be pretty. Actually the scenery was beautiful to be honest, hah-hah!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-M1yy_Y7hC3w/VbylE_eQWPI/AAAAAAAAEys/oZibJKI1_mg/s1600/Tour-de-France-profile-stage-12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="256" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-M1yy_Y7hC3w/VbylE_eQWPI/AAAAAAAAEys/oZibJKI1_mg/s640/Tour-de-France-profile-stage-12.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ouch x 4.</td></tr>
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We had four lumps to get over today, each one more 'orrible than the last. As with yesterday, the key was managing the day well: eating, drinking (no, no bars) and pacing ourselves within our limits. It helped no end that I was cycling with Andy and Chris amongst others various...but this trio pretty much stayed together for the duration. As if he wasn't suffering enough already, it was Chris's birthday. He claims 41. Hmmm...pass the Werthers Originals.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yQT5ZTdFozg/VaF2tCgHyaI/AAAAAAAAEGA/zGgyy17jr5U/s1600/IMG_0287.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="223" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yQT5ZTdFozg/VaF2tCgHyaI/AAAAAAAAEGA/zGgyy17jr5U/s400/IMG_0287.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Open. Really? Shame.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NiOo9f302Q8/VaF2cqxN-LI/AAAAAAAAEF4/mao8WvYQvYc/s1600/IMG_0289.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="552" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NiOo9f302Q8/VaF2cqxN-LI/AAAAAAAAEF4/mao8WvYQvYc/s640/IMG_0289.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Memorial to Fabio Casartelli who died on this descent 20 years ago.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-r2QO5lvdekw/VaF2Y7W3QnI/AAAAAAAAEFw/8SiIoXjDziw/s1600/IMG_0291.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="376" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-r2QO5lvdekw/VaF2Y7W3QnI/AAAAAAAAEFw/8SiIoXjDziw/s640/IMG_0291.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dave leads the rest of our rabble through a.n.other lovely village. No time to gawk, regrettement...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iKDtAjBEq6w/VaF4bZ0j4fI/AAAAAAAAEGQ/3BJkCJEvalk/s1600/IMG_0295.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iKDtAjBEq6w/VaF4bZ0j4fI/AAAAAAAAEGQ/3BJkCJEvalk/s640/IMG_0295.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Next stop? The High Stuff. Bon!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4RGnN9eHZXM/VaF4gu31oTI/AAAAAAAAEGY/TmLxrk4_7xs/s1600/IMG_0301.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="223" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4RGnN9eHZXM/VaF4gu31oTI/AAAAAAAAEGY/TmLxrk4_7xs/s400/IMG_0301.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You manage the occasional shot when you're barreling through towns etc...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oppbtVi9qCE/VaF4igi15RI/AAAAAAAAEGg/OSslO0ctjQQ/s1600/IMG_0306.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="356" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oppbtVi9qCE/VaF4igi15RI/AAAAAAAAEGg/OSslO0ctjQQ/s640/IMG_0306.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Loons launching themselves off terra firma. No need at all.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Y_44-L-rjVc/VaF4q-cWYwI/AAAAAAAAEGo/UYGrqY40dmw/s1600/IMG_0310.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Y_44-L-rjVc/VaF4q-cWYwI/AAAAAAAAEGo/UYGrqY40dmw/s400/IMG_0310.jpg" width="253" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That's Chris. It was his birthday so he had to be included, hah-hah! </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hDGqQuTcvs0/VaF40RnfTaI/AAAAAAAAEGw/hLelVF7VimY/s1600/IMG_0311.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hDGqQuTcvs0/VaF40RnfTaI/AAAAAAAAEGw/hLelVF7VimY/s400/IMG_0311.jpg" width="272" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Le Tracteur affects full beans. Lamentable.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-v39zoVk-C0o/VaF46YQDoSI/AAAAAAAAEG4/NLqJ39bUuQU/s1600/IMG_0312.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="356" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-v39zoVk-C0o/VaF46YQDoSI/AAAAAAAAEG4/NLqJ39bUuQU/s640/IMG_0312.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On and on and on up the final climb...time was ebbing away. Much like everything else.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KzihwIRWW2U/Vbyb3BaJzLI/AAAAAAAAExs/RuhHz5L27J0/s1600/IMG_2138.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KzihwIRWW2U/Vbyb3BaJzLI/AAAAAAAAExs/RuhHz5L27J0/s640/IMG_2138.jpg" width="594" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Andy took this one as I arrived at the summit 5 mins (!) after him, trying to showboat at 2mph and almost stacking it...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YBPDnd9yvEo/Vbydqdm3b0I/AAAAAAAAEyE/neTHXshpC4Y/s1600/IMG_0318.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="346" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YBPDnd9yvEo/Vbydqdm3b0I/AAAAAAAAEyE/neTHXshpC4Y/s640/IMG_0318.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Feeling glad all over: with Le Tracteur and OAP/Birthday Boy Chris. He's 41 you know...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dYKNZINKXRk/Vbyec55F6HI/AAAAAAAAEyQ/kxtbTdv78SI/s1600/IMG_0321.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dYKNZINKXRk/Vbyec55F6HI/AAAAAAAAEyQ/kxtbTdv78SI/s640/IMG_0321.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An absolute 'mare to get up here but these views? Priceless.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6MTcSC0JFJ4/VbyecYmJVlI/AAAAAAAAEyM/R5nv7rSX7M4/s1600/IMG_0323.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6MTcSC0JFJ4/VbyecYmJVlI/AAAAAAAAEyM/R5nv7rSX7M4/s640/IMG_0323.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A beer would round this off a treat!</td></tr>
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I think it would be fair to describe this night's accommodation as er, 'basic'. Possibly best to gloss-over it and never re-visit, hah-hah! The crazy thing was that despite this being a beast of a day with the inevitable late finish, we would have a coach transfer leaving at 0630hrs: a double-whammy. Still, no-one said it as gonna be easy...I'd love to say to say that I slept well, I truly would. Sometimes you just have to laugh and go with it. Cheers!</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.strava.com/activities/343891544" target="_blank">Please click on this for shoeing stats!</a></div>
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<a href="http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/2015tdf" target="_blank">Just another £170 to reach four grand...please click here!</a></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4670861022785991366.post-42241590442135111282015-07-11T20:49:00.001+01:002015-07-14T08:59:52.444+01:00Bring Me Sunshine! Stage 11: Pau to Cauterets...Wednesday 8th July 2015Thanks to almost five hour's worth of persistence, today's tune is a belter and the credit goes to Le Tracteur pour le suggestion...<br />
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It was going to be a big stage with almost 120 miles and about 12000' of climbing on the cards- you could smell the anticipation. Yep, sorry about that...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-p9BvyssLw0w/VZ2HByFVtWI/AAAAAAAAECQ/zFAww6uagS4/s1600/IMG_0229.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="223" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-p9BvyssLw0w/VZ2HByFVtWI/AAAAAAAAECQ/zFAww6uagS4/s400/IMG_0229.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A pfaff preparing itself.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9wNOpfssgcs/VZ2GaEQFiUI/AAAAAAAAECA/O3rLHUOD0KM/s1600/IMG_0235.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9wNOpfssgcs/VZ2GaEQFiUI/AAAAAAAAECA/O3rLHUOD0KM/s400/IMG_0235.jpg" width="295" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Today's wee spin...</td></tr>
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The conditions were not exactly conducive to taking photos: basically we got drenched from the off, and it didn't let-up until almost 5 hours later. My bike was carrying a little extra ballast too:<br />
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Ridiculous. I'm heavy enough, thanks.</div>
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Still, we were onto to the Col d'Aspin and it was do-able: we had managed the day sensibly...riding at a realistic pace, eating and drinking often, and not hanging around at feed-stops. It all adds-up to making a difficult day slightly less-so!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IqCvTw_KyN8/VZ2Gcp0cxkI/AAAAAAAAECI/hkHipIlLKG8/s1600/IMG_0237.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IqCvTw_KyN8/VZ2Gcp0cxkI/AAAAAAAAECI/hkHipIlLKG8/s640/IMG_0237.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">About the first view that I had all day.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-guH9aR6PFkI/VZ2IJ1VyBzI/AAAAAAAAECg/7yGg1HQvi4E/s1600/IMG_0241.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-guH9aR6PFkI/VZ2IJ1VyBzI/AAAAAAAAECg/7yGg1HQvi4E/s640/IMG_0241.JPG" width="356" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Felt a bit more in control of this climb...good job too!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vwLa8UOSWBY/VaAvwGhiS8I/AAAAAAAAEEc/eYe56_xyQXQ/s1600/IMG_0244.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vwLa8UOSWBY/VaAvwGhiS8I/AAAAAAAAEEc/eYe56_xyQXQ/s400/IMG_0244.jpg" width="220" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Statue at the foot de Le Tourmalet.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-n5tWA17XmT8/VZ2JQBEAZvI/AAAAAAAAEC4/P3-1Ugti7Hc/s1600/IMG_0246.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-n5tWA17XmT8/VZ2JQBEAZvI/AAAAAAAAEC4/P3-1Ugti7Hc/s400/IMG_0246.JPG" width="223" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tour guff.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3g4XPBNMubo/VZ2JMO0UqXI/AAAAAAAAECw/2FIXIbaNfV0/s1600/IMG_0247.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3g4XPBNMubo/VZ2JMO0UqXI/AAAAAAAAECw/2FIXIbaNfV0/s400/IMG_0247.JPG" width="223" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More Tour guff. They go grand on this.</td></tr>
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It was a long old drag up Le Tourmalet, which as I'm sure you know is the most used climb in this race. It was shrouded in cloud so no real photos to speak of...it was terrific to have a feed-stop at the summit before getting on with the descent and then the final 6 mile climb to our accommodation in Cauterets.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L0TurHmgF-M/VZ2J59zAmXI/AAAAAAAAEDA/XVBuBXidVDY/s1600/IMG_0253.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L0TurHmgF-M/VZ2J59zAmXI/AAAAAAAAEDA/XVBuBXidVDY/s640/IMG_0253.JPG" width="356" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">D.S.O.T.M. atop Tourmalet again!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-b5KrKDeH0JU/VZ2KRQN6pGI/AAAAAAAAEDI/0OaLnehn3J0/s1600/IMG_0256.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="223" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-b5KrKDeH0JU/VZ2KRQN6pGI/AAAAAAAAEDI/0OaLnehn3J0/s400/IMG_0256.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">To be fair, they do try to give you a wide berth. Bon!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ARBUBybkQUc/VZ2LBXO-RbI/AAAAAAAAEDY/6i8P47T8-Ws/s1600/IMG_0258.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ARBUBybkQUc/VZ2LBXO-RbI/AAAAAAAAEDY/6i8P47T8-Ws/s640/IMG_0258.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">As seen on the final climb up to Cauterets- our hotel stop and a 6 mile drag. Nice!</td></tr>
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The most annoying thing of all has been the agonisingly slow/non-existent wifi which has bollocksed-up my attempts at keeping y'all updated, blog-wise. The other choker was that my Garmin device refused to record today's stats: the essential numbers that you need are...<br />
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118 miles going forward and 12,500' going up...ouch!</div>
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As is inevitable with this sort of caper, certain areas are protesting, hence this improvised ice-pack...</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ueFSJ150Bg4/VaFyeqRogUI/AAAAAAAAEFg/mPHrK3UuL3M/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ueFSJ150Bg4/VaFyeqRogUI/AAAAAAAAEFg/mPHrK3UuL3M/s640/photo.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Refreshes the joints etc....</td></tr>
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We roll early-doors for a.n.other hour-plus coach transfer before we start a sod of a stage...bring me sunshine!</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4670861022785991366.post-36448779208035428802015-07-07T22:21:00.000+01:002015-08-16T11:50:20.518+01:00Back On The Chain Gang! Stage 10: Tarbes to La Pierre-Saint-Martin...Tuesday 7th July 2015<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
I'll tell you what, these rest days pass in a flash...all too soon we're up and at it again!</div>
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Top tune.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PqZNzzwV0wU/VZw5XpzZkSI/AAAAAAAAEAo/KGTZWQu8gvg/s1600/IMG_0204.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PqZNzzwV0wU/VZw5XpzZkSI/AAAAAAAAEAo/KGTZWQu8gvg/s640/IMG_0204.jpg" width="450" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Today's mission!</td></tr>
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For no good reason I was able to throw a little effort into helping to drive the first bunch along today: of course there were a few other eejits willing to take a turn too and it really was a laugh to be blasting through the countryside and eating-up the miles. Not sure why we were giving it large, especially after yesterday's er, refuelling tactics but it did give me a chuckle at the first feed-stop when Chris said he was gonna contact WADA and see about getting us tested, hah-hah! To be fair, Andy did the biggest turn of the whole tour that morning: he also did the second and probably third too, but don't tell him, alright? Even the elite guys were impressed/pleased at being able to get their cigars'n'brandy out...at least until we started going up!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Or3zhISrhbg/VZw5UyU1cGI/AAAAAAAAEAY/lLJjLfeOkC8/s1600/IMG_0201.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Or3zhISrhbg/VZw5UyU1cGI/AAAAAAAAEAY/lLJjLfeOkC8/s640/IMG_0201.JPG" width="358" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Applying beans early-doors. Was a bit frantic at times!</td></tr>
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The terrain was rolling with the odd climb thrown in: this splintered things as expected but Andy and Chris would wait for me to get back on and then we'd be drilling it along again. That was the methodology for a lot of the day and it worked fine.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-baD9U-K-LPU/VZw5LY2OSeI/AAAAAAAAEAQ/S82s-AdZyX8/s1600/IMG_0203.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="246" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-baD9U-K-LPU/VZw5LY2OSeI/AAAAAAAAEAQ/S82s-AdZyX8/s400/IMG_0203.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The French and their roundabouts. 'Nuff said!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Bi3i95ZCZxQ/VZw5VqZmZ5I/AAAAAAAAEAc/OYzYr5H8cD4/s1600/IMG_0207.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Bi3i95ZCZxQ/VZw5VqZmZ5I/AAAAAAAAEAc/OYzYr5H8cD4/s640/IMG_0207.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This lad can do it all: road, track...slowly. During the lunch-break.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AFtQ8LDyF8A/VZw5kG4piuI/AAAAAAAAEA0/GT4Yr9C8Uy4/s1600/IMG_0209.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="258" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AFtQ8LDyF8A/VZw5kG4piuI/AAAAAAAAEA0/GT4Yr9C8Uy4/s640/IMG_0209.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First sunflower shot of the trip. Approx 900 more to follow, I would've guessed.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Hg3erUI6BrM/VZw5kKgTl4I/AAAAAAAAEAw/rIVVu1kTypY/s1600/IMG_0214.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="188" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Hg3erUI6BrM/VZw5kKgTl4I/AAAAAAAAEAw/rIVVu1kTypY/s400/IMG_0214.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No idea where but we weren't hanging around anyway...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HUWaG4do7o4/VbfROZiyMWI/AAAAAAAAEts/SBMEFQZkZOY/s1600/Untitled.tiff" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="536" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HUWaG4do7o4/VbfROZiyMWI/AAAAAAAAEts/SBMEFQZkZOY/s640/Untitled.tiff" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nice to see you, to see you...nice capture of nonsense by Paul Davy, who shot us for a few days.</td></tr>
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The real action today was to be almost at the 100 mile point: a climb to the stage finish up Pierre Saint Martin...12 miles at gradients of up to 11%. This was the first proper climb that I had done since the Mont Vontoux madness of 2014! Just to make things more difficult, I left my two water bottles at the last feed-stop but being the half-decent sort wot he is, Andy gave me one of his. Cheers mate, much appreciated. And necessary!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-moCH3akQeg0/VZw5kbeq-9I/AAAAAAAAEA4/4HFX2YxrDBw/s1600/IMG_0221.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-moCH3akQeg0/VZw5kbeq-9I/AAAAAAAAEA4/4HFX2YxrDBw/s640/IMG_0221.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tons of wildlife in The Pyrenees.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-52RGLHUwX2Q/VZw5qDqO7SI/AAAAAAAAEBI/ULYLGAGzCVU/s1600/IMG_0223.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="222" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-52RGLHUwX2Q/VZw5qDqO7SI/AAAAAAAAEBI/ULYLGAGzCVU/s400/IMG_0223.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Perhaps you do have Right Of Way then...</td></tr>
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I didn't particularly enjoy the first half of it- the highlight was seeing horses and cows lazily roaming I think! Eventually I made it to the summit and saw sunlight for the first time today: Andy and Chris were waiting there...they are way ahead of me in capability. Gits.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3BS4Ow9jZh0/VZw5yORHM7I/AAAAAAAAEBU/PP5VjUBSqow/s1600/IMG_0225.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3BS4Ow9jZh0/VZw5yORHM7I/AAAAAAAAEBU/PP5VjUBSqow/s640/IMG_0225.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At about 500 yards from the finish, the sun eventually broke through...yes!</td></tr>
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We descended back into the clag and the free-range wildlife and re-grouped with a ton of other riders. We then caught a coach for the 80 minute transfer to tonight's accommodation. This again mirrors exactly the nause that the pros will suffer...great food tonight though and eventually we had wiffy that worked. Bon! Gotta sleep now because tomorrow is massive...cheers!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GADtq9_j4Ik/VZw5x-cBTCI/AAAAAAAAEBQ/W4BXYT_-pdc/s1600/IMG_0228.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="273" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GADtq9_j4Ik/VZw5x-cBTCI/AAAAAAAAEBQ/W4BXYT_-pdc/s400/IMG_0228.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This photo contains one proper cyclist. Joking, Gents...hah-hah!<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://www.strava.com/activities/341182683" target="_blank">Please click HERE for Pyrenean stats!</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">As ever I'm trying to raise funds so to sponsor me, please click <a href="http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/2015tdf" target="_blank">HERE...thanks!</a></span></div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4670861022785991366.post-44560903255767550912015-07-07T21:30:00.001+01:002015-08-06T18:32:19.936+01:00Monday, Monday...Rest day in Tarbes...Monday 6th July 2015<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/igJ9d64E0OQ/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/igJ9d64E0OQ?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
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Sheer genius from Eric!</div>
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<span style="text-align: justify;">Today was a rest day, thankfully but it wasn't a day-off by any stretch. Clothes and bikes to wash, and we were also advised to go for a short-ish bike ride just to remind our legs that they were still required for a little time yet!</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WOJKwp3aZk8/VZwyNRZiO4I/AAAAAAAAD_A/v5J8pCQ31x4/s1600/IMG_0185.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="356" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WOJKwp3aZk8/VZwyNRZiO4I/AAAAAAAAD_A/v5J8pCQ31x4/s640/IMG_0185.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Guess who the tidy one is? </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bBefH4V8VUI/VZwyPaosMaI/AAAAAAAAD_I/5tTsMeU8mmo/s1600/IMG_0186.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bBefH4V8VUI/VZwyPaosMaI/AAAAAAAAD_I/5tTsMeU8mmo/s320/IMG_0186.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stergene rules.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L8pPQ_SnodI/VZwy-zdhbqI/AAAAAAAAEAA/5lcEICMpKPo/s1600/IMG_0198.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="356" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L8pPQ_SnodI/VZwy-zdhbqI/AAAAAAAAEAA/5lcEICMpKPo/s640/IMG_0198.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bike was in toxic shock at having been cleaned.</td></tr>
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Other errands included breaking the so-called 'Velominati Rules' by Andy electing to shop at Decathlon for a new saddle bag, and then finding a terrific cafe in Tarbes Square that served us steak & chips. Just what was required!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JyAT9WecB7U/VZwy6SzQgRI/AAAAAAAAD_8/GqkbfvUOOS4/s1600/IMG_0200.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JyAT9WecB7U/VZwy6SzQgRI/AAAAAAAAD_8/GqkbfvUOOS4/s640/IMG_0200.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What a load of bo**ocks, mostly!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-D5zocHaQ3Do/VZwyifEqsrI/AAAAAAAAD_k/tzw7aCt7Zrw/s1600/IMG_0189.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="223" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-D5zocHaQ3Do/VZwyifEqsrI/AAAAAAAAD_k/tzw7aCt7Zrw/s400/IMG_0189.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We needed photographic evidence that Decathlon had been involved, hah-hah!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lC1rSwpQBpk/VZwyl3mtLzI/AAAAAAAAD_s/pOQqnnHbSpc/s1600/IMG_0190.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lC1rSwpQBpk/VZwyl3mtLzI/AAAAAAAAD_s/pOQqnnHbSpc/s640/IMG_0190.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Holocaust memorial in Tarbes.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YJS5TgTZo7I/VZwyfuL4LAI/AAAAAAAAD_c/01jxmqTtToI/s1600/IMG_0195.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YJS5TgTZo7I/VZwyfuL4LAI/AAAAAAAAD_c/01jxmqTtToI/s640/IMG_0195.jpg" width="467" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not sure if you can see them, but Le French equivalent of The Red Devils were practicing for Bastille Day, possibly?</td></tr>
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After lunch, myself, Andy and a couple of the other guys found a bar in town that was showing live de Le Tour, and found ourselves bellowing at the screen to will Chris Froome up that Mur de Huy climb that we made a meal of only 7 days previously!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XCwEVrOyCkg/VZwyQOj04NI/AAAAAAAAD_U/_n5Vnc_3DJ8/s1600/IMG_0188.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XCwEVrOyCkg/VZwyQOj04NI/AAAAAAAAD_U/_n5Vnc_3DJ8/s640/IMG_0188.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The horrible stuff begins: we start at the LHS and work our across. Very slowly indeed!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UjUXk6J5agk/VZwy2j4VaYI/AAAAAAAAD_0/LwSr6NMIEU8/s1600/IMG_0196.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UjUXk6J5agk/VZwy2j4VaYI/AAAAAAAAD_0/LwSr6NMIEU8/s400/IMG_0196.JPG" width="223" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Doubt I'll be troubling the King Of The Mountains classification anytime soon!</td></tr>
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All-in-all a fairly productive day and a necessary one after the mileage covered already. Keep your fingers crossed for me as the bad stuff approaches...</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4670861022785991366.post-40552037140726080722015-07-06T21:43:00.000+01:002015-07-14T10:19:22.996+01:00Magic Bus! Stage 9: Vannes to Plumelec...Sunday 5th July 2015<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
What's that you say...a 10 hour transfer is on the menu for today? Well, in that case we can only have this incendiary performance of a Bo Diddley homage...did I ever tell you that I saw them play in the same place 36 years laterzzzzzz...</div>
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"Come on Keith!"</div>
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We had a slightly later departure from our hotel this morn, although it was still an hour transfer to Vannes for the 17 mile 'Team Time Trial' stage which would end at the top of the Cote de Cadoudal climb. We would then board the coach for the journey down to the other end of France and the inevitable shoeing about to doled-out by the Pyrenees...still one drama at a time, eh?<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ch0lan2YLyg/VZrdFc_IXbI/AAAAAAAAD90/JJ4Z4TIrlS8/s1600/IMG_1301.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="317" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ch0lan2YLyg/VZrdFc_IXbI/AAAAAAAAD90/JJ4Z4TIrlS8/s320/IMG_1301.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cycling humour. We could do with some.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gklNoOO_x9M/VZo8YOARnGI/AAAAAAAAD8E/6pJFceITQ9M/s1600/IMG_1305.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="252" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gklNoOO_x9M/VZo8YOARnGI/AAAAAAAAD8E/6pJFceITQ9M/s400/IMG_1305.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looks innocuous, right? Wrong. Couple of leg-breakers in there. Ouch!</td></tr>
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Andy and myself were of the opinion that we should just potter around this stage and use it as a recovery day of sorts...no point in taking any risks on what were initially still damp roads, ok? I rolled out of Vannes ahead of the group mainly because I'm not dying about being in large bunch of cyclists...after a couple of lucky traffic light changes I was out of sight.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EF0pdIwuePA/VZqmOZRwoTI/AAAAAAAAD9U/zkEwnjRzadg/s1600/IMG_1303.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="247" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EF0pdIwuePA/VZqmOZRwoTI/AAAAAAAAD9U/zkEwnjRzadg/s400/IMG_1303.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our start for the 'Team Time Trial'.</td></tr>
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I (apparently) was out of sight of the rest of the group and gave it the beans...as much as I can, anyway. I had brief delusions of stage grandeur until after four miles in, I heard Le Tracteur's shout of "We've got ya'!, and himself and Tim MVP passed by like a train. I could only latch on and pray. This was even worse than Friday, hah-hah!<br />
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We kept to be expecting to be swept up by the elite guys but in the event only 'Mentally-slow-cadence-but-crazy-fast' Chris made it, and was happy to help/destroy. Unlike me however: this pace was just too fast for me to take a turn at the front and on the lung-bursting drags it was excruciating: whatever happened to "let's take it easy"?<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3QQ4JpTXPdw/VZrjy67H6kI/AAAAAAAAD-Q/F8igblID8k0/s1600/IMG_2088.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3QQ4JpTXPdw/VZrjy67H6kI/AAAAAAAAD-Q/F8igblID8k0/s640/IMG_2088.PNG" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not Photoshopped despite wot Mr Wickham will have you believe...</td></tr>
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Well, that was that...just an arse-numbingly long coach journey enlivened by a couple of stops...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-u_1JwNapmcI/VZqqWLnbq5I/AAAAAAAAD9g/o43lDg0Z6wQ/s1600/IMG_1306.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="442" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-u_1JwNapmcI/VZqqWLnbq5I/AAAAAAAAD9g/o43lDg0Z6wQ/s640/IMG_1306.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trois Magnums. Chris, in the middle, is summink to do wiv their UK account. Although I still think he bill-posts.</td></tr>
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The journey wasn't too shoddy, to be fair: a stop at what looked a dodgy faux-Wild West gaff ('Oncle Johns'?) was a master-stroke by TdF Sarah...great burger & chips & beer = happy punters.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Une pour le road.</td></tr>
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We arrived at our hotel for a nigh-cap sans wi-fi. Le nightmare pour moi et riders various. Boo-hoo us, hah-hah! Still, we had a 'rest' day ahead of us. Yeay!<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
For today's <a href="https://www.strava.com/activities/340133700" target="_blank">RIDICULOUS STATS PLEASE BEAST YERSELVES HERE!</a></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4670861022785991366.post-92051568419066675922015-07-04T22:09:00.001+01:002015-08-01T11:40:39.768+01:00Worn on the Fourth Of July...Stage 8: Rennes to Mur de Bretagne...Saturday 4th July 2015<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Wishing all ex-colonial types a very happy Independence Day...top country, top people. Cheers!</div>
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If you've never heard this version of 'Born In The USA' then you're in for a treat. Really.</div>
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Just for a change the alarm sounded at 5.15am this morning and we stumbled onto the coach eventually for the hour-long transfer to today's start in Rennes. The forecast was for blustery headwinds for the duration: surprisingly there were no complaints from me as we had been given a little help during yesterday's insanity.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1a-Zk3oWXao/VbpE-qaGGHI/AAAAAAAAEwU/73S50f9ZNXg/s1600/tour-de-france-2015-map-st8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="460" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1a-Zk3oWXao/VbpE-qaGGHI/AAAAAAAAEwU/73S50f9ZNXg/s640/tour-de-france-2015-map-st8.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Again, let's just go direct!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mknGz0kwzDU/VbpE-ogktYI/AAAAAAAAEwY/NBP5pwyhJSo/s1600/Tour-de-France-profile-stage-8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="256" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mknGz0kwzDU/VbpE-ogktYI/AAAAAAAAEwY/NBP5pwyhJSo/s640/Tour-de-France-profile-stage-8.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Let me guess...rolling?</td></tr>
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After about 1 mile I happened upon some road rage a la Francais in action...scooterist looked to be on the receiving end of some sturdy verbals!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tvzemjXG3TY/VZg7RT8iOSI/AAAAAAAAD6E/aqv6bElOzlI/s1600/IMG_0150.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="456" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tvzemjXG3TY/VZg7RT8iOSI/AAAAAAAAD6E/aqv6bElOzlI/s640/IMG_0150.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Sacre bleu you cretin!" etc...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0f0i4NtxGLE/VZg7no7dcII/AAAAAAAAD6c/BZ9i5_y2cUw/s1600/IMG_0154.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="316" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0f0i4NtxGLE/VZg7no7dcII/AAAAAAAAD6c/BZ9i5_y2cUw/s640/IMG_0154.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Memo to self: don't pick such a long drag to park yourself on photo detail. This pair took a while...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AXH77wLnlm0/VZg7bZT13jI/AAAAAAAAD6M/ScKsUnaBfUM/s1600/IMG_0158.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AXH77wLnlm0/VZg7bZT13jI/AAAAAAAAD6M/ScKsUnaBfUM/s640/IMG_0158.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Although fair play to Nick for his Tommy Voeckler impression. Equally he may really just have been bollocksed by that climb! Tim is with him. Looking very restrained. Do not be fooled, people!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JxFge6HC_sE/VZg7lnrJTDI/AAAAAAAAD6U/1-W1qYxd1JA/s1600/IMG_0165.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JxFge6HC_sE/VZg7lnrJTDI/AAAAAAAAD6U/1-W1qYxd1JA/s400/IMG_0165.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dans this area of Brittany, Bernie Hinault is a god.<br />
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We were a bit curious (read: worried) as to what effect yesterday would have on our legs...Andy was happy to have me lead for a bit. Dear Lord, he must have been struggling, hah-hah! It was an honour to serve, blah-blah-blah...in the event we ended-up joining on to the fast guys for a spell. The only notable thing from this was a dose of pain and a selfie. Not all bad, then.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Check-out TLR leading Le Tour. Collector's item.</td></tr>
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After the lunch-stop we hooked-up with Tim MVP again to work with each other against the rolling terrain and the breeze, which worked really well. The terrain reminded me of cycling through Missouri...roller after roller after roller...rinse and repeat. Ouch for all!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-r8UTK_5kb0k/Vbyb3PejQJI/AAAAAAAAExo/2whXf1O5iqU/s1600/IMG_2063.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="564" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-r8UTK_5kb0k/Vbyb3PejQJI/AAAAAAAAExo/2whXf1O5iqU/s640/IMG_2063.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pretending to apply beans of medium quantity: wardrobe to celebrate Colonials' Day!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_ihsMm7GiW0/VZhFObhNX2I/AAAAAAAAD7A/VfP2OWfJNdI/s1600/IMG_0177.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_ihsMm7GiW0/VZhFObhNX2I/AAAAAAAAD7A/VfP2OWfJNdI/s400/IMG_0177.JPG" width="223" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">To commemorate the US Forces liberating the area.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gsYnA1sH2FU/VZhFBGOqpEI/AAAAAAAAD64/0NoDpN1nfGA/s1600/IMG_0178.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gsYnA1sH2FU/VZhFBGOqpEI/AAAAAAAAD64/0NoDpN1nfGA/s320/IMG_0178.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My kinda garage!</td></tr>
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The Tour de France organisers have decided to end this stage with a run up the Mur de Bretagne climb: a very horrible-looking b-road with gradients between 5-15% for about 3/4 mile. It's just a grind after all...but I will be keen to see how our pro brethren storm up it after 115 miles. The smart money is on 'very fast indeed'!</div>
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The only other point to note is a change to our post-stage rehydration...</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6UpyaWindrQ/VZhHFhOZ_-I/AAAAAAAAD7M/VKuyDzQ8_g4/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6UpyaWindrQ/VZhHFhOZ_-I/AAAAAAAAD7M/VKuyDzQ8_g4/s320/photo.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The tonic water is good for preventing cramping (so Johnny reckons and I won't argue) while the cup contains the local cider. Traditional way of serving it/they'd run-out of glasses. One cup was fine, thanks.</td></tr>
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Today's stage was for Jonesy, who had a nasty bike accident this week. Wishing you the fullest and speediest recovery, mate...appreciate your support as ever.</div>
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<a href="https://www.strava.com/activities/338962663" target="_blank">Please click for today's WINDY STATS!</a></div>
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<b>And as ever, if you can spare a dime...please <a href="http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/2015tdf" target="_blank">GO HERE!</a></b></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4670861022785991366.post-80505039626497446752015-07-04T18:58:00.000+01:002015-08-01T11:48:52.640+01:00Blazing Saddles! Stage 7: Livarot to Fougeres...Friday 3rd July 2015<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Apologies for this being a day late, but Campanile hotels believe that wi-fi is something that should be advertised but not actually usable! Anyway, here we go...</div>
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Apparently this was the first 'breaking wind' scene ever filmed in a mainstream movie, trivia fans. Seems kind of apt for a couple of reasons: the various energy drinks and dietary changes that riders are undergoing mean that food-stops are not places for the faint-hearted, hah-hah! The other reasons are that it was a scorcher of a day with temps rising to 95f, and the fact that I've never cycled 120 miles as quickly!</div>
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It was another 0530hrs alarm in order to get on a coach to transfer to Livarot: the good news was that on arrival we would be enjoying some weapons-grade coffee and croissants before setting off. Bon!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UyGdvxAt0Gs/VbpEQnPsnmI/AAAAAAAAEwA/DA7Je_sfh1s/s1600/tour-de-france-2015-map-st7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UyGdvxAt0Gs/VbpEQnPsnmI/AAAAAAAAEwA/DA7Je_sfh1s/s640/tour-de-france-2015-map-st7.jpg" width="460" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looks alright, right?</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Er, more malarkey of the rolling variety!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Dt54bVPGeqE/VZgHi3VnqpI/AAAAAAAAD28/6zXns4Cnsus/s1600/IMG_0093.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="223" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Dt54bVPGeqE/VZgHi3VnqpI/AAAAAAAAD28/6zXns4Cnsus/s400/IMG_0093.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The chap who kindly supplied our coffee before the off, also displayed these champs. No sign of Lance, hah-hah-hah!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oar1yeKjL_k/VZgHfHFn4VI/AAAAAAAAD20/Uu9KJceYzHk/s1600/IMG_0094.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oar1yeKjL_k/VZgHfHFn4VI/AAAAAAAAD20/Uu9KJceYzHk/s400/IMG_0094.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Livarot is like the rest of France: gearing-up for the big event. Bon!<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large; text-align: left;">It was terrific weather as Andy and I rolled out and pushed on, stopping for the odd photo- there were tons of Le Tour-related tat and also some superbly inventive displays in the various villages and towns that we steamed through. It brings it home that we really are lucky so-and-so's to be doing this.</span></div>
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In one village we did get cheers and applause from the locals: I don't think the bar was even open yet! As frustrating and bloody minded as they can be (Calais, anyone?), I do love them for the way that they embrace cycling still.<br />
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After the first stage we met-up with one of the riders who had just arrived and is doing three of the twenty-one stages. Tim was clearly a very strong cyclist, and even better than that, a very strong cyclist with fresh legs who loved taking a turn at the front. We shared the 'work' to the second feed-stop and we were flying, to be fair!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BZsM_oKFU8E/VZgL-Wol4uI/AAAAAAAAD3I/qmDVyz8kra0/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BZsM_oKFU8E/VZgL-Wol4uI/AAAAAAAAD3I/qmDVyz8kra0/s400/photo.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With Team Lanterne Rouge's loan signing, Tim. Top man!</td></tr>
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There was 25 miles between each remaining food-stop and these turned into time-trials, pretty much! At the third stop, Tim remarked to no-one in particular that it we could be at the next one in an hour: Andy and I said "Non". We went and did it anyway, hah-hah!<br />
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The above shows what I was seeing at times as we caned it.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tons of tat...brilliant!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yzkafgvwwUM/VZgQeZl2d2I/AAAAAAAAD3c/dLXIEP_27fE/s1600/IMG_0103.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="356" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yzkafgvwwUM/VZgQeZl2d2I/AAAAAAAAD3c/dLXIEP_27fE/s640/IMG_0103.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Always on the look-out for ropey photo-ops. Really?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--QsI3RwNtbA/VZgQ7KbJRPI/AAAAAAAAD3s/jpve_IWTPdA/s1600/IMG_0110.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--QsI3RwNtbA/VZgQ7KbJRPI/AAAAAAAAD3s/jpve_IWTPdA/s320/IMG_0110.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We're still seven days ahead of them though.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We're definitely going in the right direction, thanks.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rare shot of me attempting to lead us up a drag! </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Team Lanterne Rouge fears no one. And plainly doesn't understand basic French either.</td></tr>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KeqwUS5dM9c/VZgXz2t35II/AAAAAAAAD5I/KcZ_GU7tdkE/s1600/IMG_0133.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="356" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KeqwUS5dM9c/VZgXz2t35II/AAAAAAAAD5I/KcZ_GU7tdkE/s640/IMG_0133.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"...Rodney." Lunch was decent. And much needed!</td></tr>
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We could have chosen to take it easy after lunch- we'd earned that right, I think. But oh no, not us! The temperature kept rising, as did the speed. It literally was a blast and we caught everyone who had set-off ahead of us. The best catch was a pair of native TT riders who were moving along alright: the look on their face when we passed them? I was in the lead and childishly adopted the most relaxed pose that I could and tipped my visor in greeting! Priceless. To be fair, they drafted us for a bit and then passed us but we weren't having any of that and they threw the towel in, hah-hah!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We catch the native TTers. They were a tad surprised, hah-hah! </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Don't drop too far back or you'll make double-difficult to get back on...</td></tr>
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Big thanks again to the TdF support crew because they make all this possible- without them...no show. At the end of the ride I had another sports massage- you may have heard the screams back in the UK, but they seem to be a good thing. Seem...</div>
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Big thanks to Andy and especially Tim who was definitely the Most Valuable Player today. Cheers!</div>
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<a href="https://www.strava.com/activities/338309243" target="_blank">Click HERE for blazing stats!</a></div>
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If you would like to sponsor me then please click <a href="http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/2015tdf" target="_blank"><b>HERE...thanks!</b></a></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4670861022785991366.post-25523647558080809372015-07-02T18:48:00.000+01:002015-08-01T12:14:33.604+01:00Good Times, Bad Times...Stage 6: Abbeville to Le Havre...Thursday 2nd July 2015<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Today was a blinding stage for me, pretty much. So why the choice of tune? The answer in a bit...</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-E_4EPlVw91I/VbpDoM4qMDI/AAAAAAAAEv0/GijOj1KQxqE/s1600/tour-de-france-2015-map-st6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="460" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-E_4EPlVw91I/VbpDoM4qMDI/AAAAAAAAEv0/GijOj1KQxqE/s640/tour-de-france-2015-map-st6.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coastal malarkey ahoy!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More rolling malarkey!</td></tr>
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Phil, our Tour Guru did warn us that we would probably get wet at some point today, so did either of Team Lanterne Rouge carry our waterproof jackets from the start? After an intense and heated debate which went along the lines of "Meh, it'll be alright...we can get them at lunchtime after all...". Yep, you can fill in the blanks yourselves: it started pleutin' right after the first food-stop, hah-hah!<br />
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We had a fast-ish bunch with us and caned it onwards, rain or shine. Rain mostly, with the occasional fairly adjacent flash of lightning...that concentrates the mind!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0fCqidobpVI/VZVuwsneflI/AAAAAAAAD0s/Jnen3610Xo0/s1600/IMG_0056.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0fCqidobpVI/VZVuwsneflI/AAAAAAAAD0s/Jnen3610Xo0/s320/IMG_0056.jpg" width="318" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My handlebar ends...pt.1</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IP6NpRc2ES4/VZVvEqgzxgI/AAAAAAAAD08/1RLmIdTKvCQ/s1600/IMG_0058.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IP6NpRc2ES4/VZVvEqgzxgI/AAAAAAAAD08/1RLmIdTKvCQ/s320/IMG_0058.jpg" width="311" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Handlebar ends...pt.2. Must be a slooooow news day!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zmenFennG6Y/VZVvHWkV9TI/AAAAAAAAD1E/IrOeLwedK-k/s1600/IMG_0063.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="416" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zmenFennG6Y/VZVvHWkV9TI/AAAAAAAAD1E/IrOeLwedK-k/s640/IMG_0063.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cliffs ahoy! Somewhere near Dieppe. I think.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JMzmZMCmiw8/VZVvdATKgQI/AAAAAAAAD1M/Xi9gnOHo0O4/s1600/IMG_0067.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JMzmZMCmiw8/VZVvdATKgQI/AAAAAAAAD1M/Xi9gnOHo0O4/s640/IMG_0067.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Normally I loathe the sight of wind turbines but if they indicate a helping hand...short-lived, hah-hah!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SjCFyECzTSE/VZVvgp-U1GI/AAAAAAAAD1U/9Up-eWic1no/s1600/IMG_0070.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SjCFyECzTSE/VZVvgp-U1GI/AAAAAAAAD1U/9Up-eWic1no/s400/IMG_0070.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Caution on the descents after the showers...</td></tr>
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After a brief lunch-stop (nobody wants to linger in wet gear) we had a carbon copy of the previous session, just at a slightly less frantic pace...but the miles were being eaten. As were bananas, apricots etc! The terrain was rolling all day and I just about stayed in touch with this bunch...on the flat is one thing, but when the gradient goes up, I go back!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-U6NxNfVMvFI/VZVv_qmsWnI/AAAAAAAAD1g/Mh-nrjgt14E/s1600/IMG_0080.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-U6NxNfVMvFI/VZVv_qmsWnI/AAAAAAAAD1g/Mh-nrjgt14E/s400/IMG_0080.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is Mr Andrew Wates churning out the miles on the run into Le Havre!</td></tr>
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After the third food-stop we were rolling along nicely again: even I put my nose in the wind. As happens, one of our number at the rear punctured, which caused our group to splinter as some guys stayed with him to help him out. This left Andy and myself to ride into Le Havre (we were joined by Malcolm for the last 10 miles) and we passed the charity's Chief Trustee (and father of William Wates). Good going, Andrew!<br />
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Ropey footage. Standard.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And a shoddy photo of Le Havre. Not a total kharzi.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bike and top are model's own. Nobody else would touch them!</td></tr>
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So far, so good. It wasn't until about an hour later that we heard that two of the riders had accidents...what sounds like a touch of wheels and down you go. Matt has a nasty bit of road-rash and Harry has fractured his femur: the former will roll out regardless tomorrow and I hope Harry will return to Le Tour when he can. Heal the fastest, guys...<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is two tone!</td></tr>
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<a href="https://www.strava.com/activities/337580163" target="_blank">Click HERE for soggy stats!</a></div>
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You're doubtless fed-up with this incessant badgering, but the link to sponsor me is <a href="http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/2015tdf" target="_blank"><b>HERE!</b></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4670861022785991366.post-16714034008690746292015-07-02T17:14:00.000+01:002015-08-04T21:34:14.172+01:00Ring Of Fire...Stage 5: Arras to Amiens...Wednesday 1st July 2015<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Brother Ray's version is a slow-burning stormer...it won out in the end as 'Choon Of The Day'.</div>
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Today's little sojourn was a 115 miles from Arras to Amiens: a route designed to take in quite a few battlefield memorials. A handy reminder that we owe them, still.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bPX9LqpelFI/VbpBZKef6gI/AAAAAAAAEu8/WcVUowulSIE/s1600/tour-de-france-2015-map-st5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bPX9LqpelFI/VbpBZKef6gI/AAAAAAAAEu8/WcVUowulSIE/s640/tour-de-france-2015-map-st5.jpg" width="460" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Can we not just go direct to Amiens?</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rolling, rolling, rolling!</td></tr>
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There was a 0530hrs alarm call in order to get everyone onboard a coach to transfer to the start dans Arras: and we did try to shift ours thereafter!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Readying ourselves/fannying around. You decide!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Only one of many...<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">At the first feed-stop I was honoured to be granted a photo with Le Maillot Jeune himself: usually you might think people are taking liberties wearing such apparel but Bertrand can 'walk the walk'.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maillot Jaune meets Lanterne Rouge.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thought it might be a plan to get ahead of the bunch and take a photo...</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...and then realised that we'd have to chase to catch them. D'oh! </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All different from 100 years ago.</td></tr>
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Just back after the second feed-stop I had my second puncture in as many days...bon! Thankfully I was with Andy and two other proper cyclists, so it was sorted pronto and then we beasted the next 6 miles until lunch. Not entirely pleasant but it got the job done, hah-hah!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We passed many similar signs...</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Give it the beans!</td></tr>
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After lunch it was a case of drinking loads and watching the miles melt away, all the while with the temperature increasing: it would eventually reach 40c (104f). Blimey...it was a tad extreme...the insane heat from the tarmac wouldn't quit. Unlike some of the tarmac that started to melt!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just follow these two eejits to the hotel!</td></tr>
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We managed to finish by 1630hrs...I then treated myself to a sports massage. I joked to the masseur that if I fell asleep just kick me: he remarked that I probably had never had a sports massage if I thought that was possible. He wasn't joking either- he kneaded the living daylights out of me! He then told me go and sit in a cold bath for 7 mins to try and repair muscle damage and get rid of the lactic build-up. I actually did as I was told for a change and it seemed to help.<br />
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The last riders came in 3 hours later: I cannot imagine how tough that day was for them and a big round of applause goes to the TdF support team: there is no show without them!<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://www.strava.com/activities/336901640" target="_blank">Click HERE for the hottest stats evah!</a></b></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4670861022785991366.post-9826974923767670842015-06-30T21:46:00.004+01:002015-08-06T21:59:25.532+01:00Highway To Hell! Stage 4: Seraing to Cambrai...Tuesday 30th June 2015<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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In light of today's shoeing, there's only one possible contendah for 'Choon Of The Day'...<br />
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Today's mission was 147 miles forward, 5000' up and to safely get over seven cobbled sectors. Oh, and it will be quite warm too!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Long enough for you?</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Odd'n'sods beofre the cobbles make their mark...</td></tr>
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We rolled out at 0745hrs and right away I wanted to be towards the front...it actually was a good idea. Me, Andy and one other rider set a decent pace: I actually had my nose in the wind at times, shock-horror!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the climb up to Citadelle de Namur...</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from said C'delle. It was worth the schlepp up.</td></tr>
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Thereafter we formed into a group with the A-grade fast loons and I was able to last their 24mph for a good few miles until I punctured. To be fair, if I hadn't have flatted then I would have pulled the plug because these guys (Le Tracteur among them) were just crazy fast...</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First puncture de Le Tour pour moi.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Big thanks to Sam The Man from the TdF team who rolled by in his van about two mins after I flatted: he sorted it about 3x quicker than I could have done- just what you want when you've still got 85 miles to go, hah-hah! Genuinely, I have never cycled as fast for as long...champagne moments indeed.</span><br />
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Post-lunch it was all about getting to first of seven sectors of cobbles and then...blimey!</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption">What on earth?</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wanted a photo of these sideways stats before the cobbles...pleased!</td></tr>
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The cobbles were extraordinary: you've never been shaken around like that unless you're an ex-Apollo astronaut who reckoned that a Saturn V launch was akin to “like being a rat in the jaws of a giant terrier.” It didn't help that my saddle bag decided it had had enough and fell-off, which meant trying to survive four sectors riding one-handed at times. Not a barrel of laughs!</div>
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It wasn't until I had gotten rid of the bag that I could really give the last pave sector 'full beans'...it was still excruciating but at least this was a blast at last! I'm struggling to describe just how rough they were...along one of the sectors I stopped to help Malcolm change an inner tube: I'm sure there were quite a few punctures amongst our number. I think I was secretly glad of the respite, hah-hah!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">How deep is your pave? Too. Damn. Deep!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An expired Python? Must be G.C.!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Toast you may be, but sensational scenery</td></tr>
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From there we 'just' had to keep concentrating and keep safe until we rolled in to the hotel with a maximum 147 done. As we rolled into and through Cambrai in search of our acco, Andy came out with a classic: "Right, let's not do anything stupid now...". You mean the previous 146 miles doesn't qualify? That was a big old day, a bit of damage done but hopefully all good enough to deal with tomorrow. Relentless, this tour...<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Back behind the velvet ropes, ladies...</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.strava.com/activities/336225896" target="_blank">Click HERE for stage four stats!</a></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4670861022785991366.post-25914258847955199082015-06-29T21:45:00.000+01:002015-08-12T19:33:36.817+01:00The Wall! Stage 3: Antwerp to Huy...Monday 29th June 2015<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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What it sez on the tin, really! Today's Hollywood moment of the 100-odd miles from Antwerp to Huy was climbing up the Mur de Huy, which translated from Belgique means 'The Wall Of Huy'...I cannot wait to see the pros beast themselves up it in a week's time!</div>
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Gerry Scarfe's work at large.</div>
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Today gave an insight into the tedious blah that the pros go through on Le Tour: we were up at 0530hrs (after a ropey kip) and onto a coach for 0630hrs to transfer to the start in Antwerp. Not ideal, but that's what happens. Sometimes it's fair to say that the bike riding is the easy bit, hah-hah!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Men, we are here...Jerry is here...the bridges are here and here..."</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Saving the best until last!</td></tr>
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The more pleasing aspects of today were riding in a small bunch and sharing turns at the front (no really) and seeing some terrific countryside under regulation blue skies. Just a great day even if me and the two guys (take a bow George & Pete B.) that I was cycling for a chunk of the day did miss lunch due to not seeing an arrow...no dramas though! This was a 'top ten' day at times...let's have some more!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Almost a Le Mans style start. Almost.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bbT46P5bWkY/VZF83vtqOyI/AAAAAAAADsk/r8eblqQ0BSE/s1600/IMG_0202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bbT46P5bWkY/VZF83vtqOyI/AAAAAAAADsk/r8eblqQ0BSE/s640/IMG_0202.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I've already forgotten where this was but it's a gem!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another region...</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sensational riding at times...savour this, my son!</td></tr>
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Andy had a ropey start to the stage: two punctures before the first feed-stop...no need! He then proceeded to take his frustrations out on the roads and I stuck with the pace until we met some inclines and then gravity did the rest, hah-hah! I was happy to bludgeon on solo and caught up with Pete and George...we took turns and were so er, focused on the job in hand that we ignored signs directing us to the lunch stop. After 70 miles however the penny did drop and we stopped for a Coke and rang Tour Supremo Sarah: when I checked my phone I saw that Andy had left a couple of messages wondering where the eff I was at, was I ok. Didn't realised you cared mate, hah-hah! Nah, no-one needs that drama.</div>
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Sarah met us and gave us enough grub and water to allow us to press on to the final feed-stop where I waited for Le Tracteur to arrive (I had an abbreviated lunch, remember) before we set-off together for the final sector.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Following Le Tracteur down a descent and it's horses ahoy!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Always one big lump photobombing, hah-hah!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the worst bit of the last climb at 26%. Bad news for lardies...ouch!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-86zwJQ1oj8A/VbzzwWp0HcI/AAAAAAAAE8M/9fp01kMpsPE/s1600/20150629_161815.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="434" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-86zwJQ1oj8A/VbzzwWp0HcI/AAAAAAAAE8M/9fp01kMpsPE/s640/20150629_161815.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cheers Peter for this one. Bloody cafe was closed at the top. Still, their (considerable) loss...</td></tr>
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What really was fun about this end to the stage was that Matt clapped me up the final yards and generally acted the goat: it always takes too long for folks to let their guards drop but this bloke was ahead of the game. At the summit there was a cafe but unfortunately it was ferme: the owner missed out on more than a few Euros...</div>
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We descended to the final horrible 26% corner to showboat for photos of each other- Matt very nearly overshot the corner which takes some doing...he had us crying and helpless, hah-hah! After a bit of a wait we then boarded the coach to that night's acco and a trip to the adjacent pizza place and a couple of ales...</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Back on the Duvel: the hotel didn't have a bar per se, so improvisation was called for. A legit recovery drink in the background...but not quite as appealing!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A collector's item: me on a Strava Leaderboard from a stretch of today's route. Short term arrangement, natch!</td></tr>
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Here's a reminder of why the sponsorship is important...this tour is organised on behalf of a charity called the William Wates Memorial Trust. No, I had never heard of them either until last year but what they do is give grants to projects in the UK that help kids who haven't had the best start in life or to charities that aim to develop and help young people see what they are capable of through the arts, sport and education. Big things, big achievements like the Duke of Edinburgh award!<br />
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Please click <a href="http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/2015tdf" target="_blank"><b>HERE</b></a> to sponsor me...thank you!<br />
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We're just a few donations shy of £4K. Please see if you can help...you'll make a difference.</div>
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<a href="https://www.strava.com/activities/335527635" target="_blank">Click here to see today's tale of the tape!</a><br />
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Tomorrow is the longest mileage of Le Tour at 140 miles: the highlight (of sorts) is that the last 20 miles will be over cobbles, pretty much. The blog might take a while...where's that ice pack?</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4670861022785991366.post-16622428577587110682015-06-28T22:11:00.000+01:002015-07-30T16:27:06.177+01:00Born Under A Bad Sign...Stage 2: Utrecht to Zeeland...Sunday 28th June 2015<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="text-align: justify;">We were a little tired this a.m. but still rolled out with all the rest of the rabble bang-on 0800hrs, under a blue Utrecht sky with light winds. 110 miles to go. Result!</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Could be a tad windy...</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pancake.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What's the collective for a bunch like this? No, best not to answer thanks.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This constituted a hill today, hah-hah!</td></tr>
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The first 25 miles of each stage are controlled- the fast guys can't sod-off right away basically, which means that there is more of a group ethos. Because we spent a lot of time today on Nederland's cycle lanes there was an awful lot of stop-start behaviour...this is what put paid to a decent average speed. In between the traffic lights etc., the speed did get up to 20 mph or so: thanks in no small part to the flat terrain.</div>
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Go on Jack!</div>
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We were victims of our own success in this regard: because we were rolling along quicker than the admin team reckoned on, and the tricky nature of putting signs on so many cycle lanes meant that we had gotten ahead of the signing team. This resulted in more than a few bouts of hanging around, in an effort to let them get ahead...lo and behold we caught them again!</div>
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As Andy said, if this is the only thing that goes wrong over the next three weeks then that'll do for us. Dead right. Mind you, I couldn't help thinking of this Charlie Watts interview today: worth catching what he says at 2 mins and 20 secs on...class delivery!<br />
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What was great to see today was how savvy the riders are, in terms of shouting warnings of road furniture, cars and civilians. And we all stayed upright too...excellent! A happy by-product of the hold-ups was that we cycled in two or three large bunches, which meant that there was a lot more mixing, chatting and general bonhomie that otherwise might have been the case.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Indeed.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Triffic!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A shower of lycra.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Your guess is as etc...</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yup. A duck's head.</td></tr>
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So a bit of a different day for sure, but still strangely enjoyable. What was the icing was that our hotel for tonight is a belter: much too fine for the likes of us but there we are. Cheers!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NcUR-jkVq08/VZBfLrmXp2I/AAAAAAAADsA/i0PrSyIJClc/s1600/IMG_0200.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="356" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NcUR-jkVq08/VZBfLrmXp2I/AAAAAAAADsA/i0PrSyIJClc/s640/IMG_0200.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The circus has come to town: stage two dans le bag!<br />
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<a href="https://www.strava.com/activities/334938440" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: small;">Click HERE for stage two stats!</span></a></div>
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Please do see if you can spare a dinarii or two...click <a href="http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/2015tdf" target="_blank">HERE TO SPONSOR ME...THANKS!!!</a><br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4670861022785991366.post-92049690041299710252015-06-28T21:05:00.000+01:002015-07-20T22:58:08.360+01:00(Hey You) The Rock Steady Crew! Stage 1: Utrecht...Saturday 27th June 2015Well, well, well...here we go again! Sorry this is a day late, but we sorta got ourselves a bit busy yesterday...<br />
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It's so bad, it's good!</div>
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No dramas travelling out to meet Andy in Schipol on Friday evening: he even had a beer waiting for me...now that's how a tour should begin, right? Right. Today was a late start, ahem...lots of admin and handshakes and forgetting peoples' names even though you've met them not twenty seconds ago. I blame Duvel for this!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2HF_F2QgILc/VY7MISUlXmI/AAAAAAAADpk/pI3LiBR-YqQ/s1600/IMG_0037.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="356" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2HF_F2QgILc/VY7MISUlXmI/AAAAAAAADpk/pI3LiBR-YqQ/s640/IMG_0037.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yeah, I know it *should* be Heineken but the barrel had just gone. We had no choice, honest! This was post-bimble, btw...</td></tr>
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After scrutinising the bikes for a good 10 seconds we declared them fit for purpose. Just like Team Sky, the devil is in the detail.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LiWErnckvz8/VY7OoEPjCXI/AAAAAAAADpo/yt6O3MT74Ow/s1600/IMG_0023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="272" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LiWErnckvz8/VY7OoEPjCXI/AAAAAAAADpo/yt6O3MT74Ow/s400/IMG_0023.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The standard inane grins of eejits who have little idea what they've let themselves in for...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vcYg48YvrQM/VY8uwuc-w2I/AAAAAAAADp4/pKUz2dCKfG0/s1600/IMG_0029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="223" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vcYg48YvrQM/VY8uwuc-w2I/AAAAAAAADp4/pKUz2dCKfG0/s400/IMG_0029.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Utrecht gearing-up for Le Grand Depart!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2-8uNXFoPek/VY8wKGEL-NI/AAAAAAAADqI/BTp8SON6QjM/s1600/IMG_0035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="356" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2-8uNXFoPek/VY8wKGEL-NI/AAAAAAAADqI/BTp8SON6QjM/s640/IMG_0035.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A little mouse with clogs on just out of shot!</td></tr>
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Today's stage was a potter around Utrecht which was confined to cycle lanes and there was tons of stopping and starting at traffic lights, so no PBs were set, hah-hah! I was just pleased that we all managed to stay upright for the whole 8 miles...no mean feat I assure you.<br />
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After that it was a couple of briefings about the essential admin and how the tour is run etc.: they even give you the opportunity to change your room-mate. Perish the thought...although I'm sure that I detected a sideways glance from Le Tracteur!<br />
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We then we legged-it to The Tivoli to see Kasabian. Top venue matched by a top performance by the band! Post-show is when the wheels came off the wagon slightly: the hotel bar was still open, hah-hah!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nM4__nqt6l4/VZA2ZdaL4tI/AAAAAAAADqc/ygsEGfodPoM/s1600/photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nM4__nqt6l4/VZA2ZdaL4tI/AAAAAAAADqc/ygsEGfodPoM/s320/photo.jpg" width="291" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Top organisation!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-y3Qgd7nqrPE/VZA3JRkc-aI/AAAAAAAADqk/rxglFqAv_rU/s1600/IMG_0038.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="199" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-y3Qgd7nqrPE/VZA3JRkc-aI/AAAAAAAADqk/rxglFqAv_rU/s320/IMG_0038.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Help me..."</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kUcLEBgN4VE/VZBM6jxVTRI/AAAAAAAADq0/BDagVXowaFY/s1600/IMG_0093.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="217" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kUcLEBgN4VE/VZBM6jxVTRI/AAAAAAAADq0/BDagVXowaFY/s400/IMG_0093.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ace venue and a band and audience who were having a ball!</td></tr>
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Great to hear this covered too...</div>
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As the old chestnut goes: there really is nothing like preparing properly for a Grand Tour. And that really was nothing like preparing properly, hah-hah!<br />
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<b><a href="https://www.strava.com/activities/334088727" target="_blank">Click here for stage one stats!</a></b></div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">Here's a reminder of why the sponsorship is important...this tour is organised on behalf of a charity called the William Wates Memorial Trust. No, I had never heard of them either until last year but what they do is give grants to projects in the UK that help kids who haven't had the best start in life or to charities that aim to develop and help young people see what they are capable of through the arts, sport and education. Big things, big achievements like the </span><strong style="text-align: left;">Duke of Edinburgh award</strong><span style="text-align: left;">!</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/2015tdf" target="_blank">Please click HERE to sponsor me...thank you!</a></span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4670861022785991366.post-129706983958463502015-06-23T15:02:00.000+01:002015-06-24T19:46:38.127+01:00The Taper Caper!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
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<span style="color: #141823; font-size: x-large;"><span style="line-height: 27px;">"He waits...that's what he does...and I'll tell you what: tick followed tock, followed tick followed tock followed tick..."<br />What a load of pretentious old pony- but I bet you still remember it!</span></span></div>
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Right then, it's good news all round! The good news for the charity is that we have raised £3500. The good news for you folks is that this will be the last bloggage until the event kicks-off this weekend. The good news for me is that training is winding down to pretty much the square root of sod-all, or to give this period its athletically-correct term: the taper.<br />
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As one of my more learned TdF colleagues noted (take a bow JR), it's during this twilight period between the end of training and the actual event that your mind can start messin' with you...instead of constantly looking ahead to the "training that I'm going to do" you now are thinking of the "training that I wish I had done"! Could I have done more? No doubt, although I've ridden almost 3500 miles this year and climbed about 150,000 feet, so to coin a completely dumb phrase, we are where we are.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fit for purpose? Nah, but we'll do it anyway. Cheers for the lens-work, Ed!</td></tr>
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In my case I am at my lightest (73kg, Ryvita fans) that I have been for probably 20 years which is pleasing in terms of giving myself a slightly better chance of getting up all the inclines in the same calendar day as the other riders, although none of my trousers fit anymore, hah-hah! My targets remain pretty strightforward: to stay upright and finish each day, hopefully not dead last. And to enjoy it- it is a holiday of sorts after all, right?<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IXNgcGH7A-Y/VYr6VcwxWAI/AAAAAAAADpM/agvb9c1AmzM/s1600/IMG_1211.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IXNgcGH7A-Y/VYr6VcwxWAI/AAAAAAAADpM/agvb9c1AmzM/s400/IMG_1211.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hopefully good company at the rear of the bunch. Team Lanterne Rouge rides again!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ObpK-Urp7W0/VYlgxcGoOsI/AAAAAAAADnw/GvtBPhYf1_0/s1600/IMG_0020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="296" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ObpK-Urp7W0/VYlgxcGoOsI/AAAAAAAADnw/GvtBPhYf1_0/s320/IMG_0020.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Covering all bases re size of boarding pass. Photo courtesy the Mayor de Fleetwood.</td></tr>
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The lull in training also gives an opportunity to square away some admin: namely sorting out a packing list and also getting the bike fettled...I must admit that it has never been as clean! It'll be loaded onto a wagon tomorrow and hopefully we'll be reunited in Utrecht on Saturday morning. I'll fly out this Friday evening and meet Andy at Schipol, before we train it to our bijou Utrecht acco for a couple of nightcaps sorry, talk strategy...<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First name on the team-sheet.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yBddisgFbbE/VYfDQG7bVzI/AAAAAAAADmw/0m__h1KM8hA/s1600/IMG_1265.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yBddisgFbbE/VYfDQG7bVzI/AAAAAAAADmw/0m__h1KM8hA/s400/IMG_1265.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Usual 'souvenir issue' tat. But wait, this one has a free pair of socks: woo-hoo!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iENT5355-W8/VYfDZguFI0I/AAAAAAAADm4/BT935QHk-Uo/s1600/IMG_1266.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iENT5355-W8/VYfDZguFI0I/AAAAAAAADm4/BT935QHk-Uo/s400/IMG_1266.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Considering taking armchair too: bike saddles not renowned for comfort!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q9OlosKG04o/VYj5ZOVcSZI/AAAAAAAADnY/1A9nNBADTVY/s1600/photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="348" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q9OlosKG04o/VYj5ZOVcSZI/AAAAAAAADnY/1A9nNBADTVY/s400/photo.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">As a nod to my roomie's 'elf & safety, new Odor Eaters installed. Every expense spared...</td></tr>
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Earlier I mentioned that the fundraising total stood at around £3.5K: this is terrific and I am hugely indebted to you very generous and supportive types. Just in case anyone is coming to this page cold, here is a recap of the appeal...</div>
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This tour is organised on behalf of a charity called the William Wates Memorial Trust. No, I had never heard of them either until last year but what they do is give grants to projects in the UK that help kids who haven't had the best start in life or to charities that aim to develop and help young people see what they are capable of through the arts, sport and education. <b>Big things, big achievements like the Duke of Edinburgh award!</b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GfpNlSGe-eE/VYfF-NABDQI/AAAAAAAADnE/bVvHUkW-KoA/s1600/images.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="299" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GfpNlSGe-eE/VYfF-NABDQI/AAAAAAAADnE/bVvHUkW-KoA/s400/images.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The D.o.E. Award Scheme can truly be life-changing...</td></tr>
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Their official mission statement/blah is, "To encourage disadvantaged and vulnerable young people away from anti-social behaviour and criminal activity, enabling them to fulfil their potential." <b>Basically they’re the acceptable version of ‘Children In Need’ and ‘Comic Relief’ i.e. no sign of Lenny Henry or the cast of Eastenders doing a song & dance number!</b><br />
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Click<b> <a href="http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/2015tdf" target="_blank">here</a></b> to be magically transported to the sponsorship page. Cheers!</div>
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Still got a soft spot for this terrifically preposterous vid from the old scrotes: the song ain't bad either...</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4670861022785991366.post-51867243880776092852015-05-27T12:27:00.000+01:002015-06-17T18:27:47.722+01:00Step away from the fridge...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Comment allez-vous, mes blogettes?</div>
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No matter how many times I've seen this nonsense it still kills!</div>
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Ask any pro bike rider/rocket scientist for <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/men/active/recreational-cycling/10816911/Sean-Yatess-guide-to-cycling-the-Tour-de-France.html" target="_blank">advice on how to climb mountains</a> with less difficulty and the answer will invariably be the same: lose weight, so hence this blog post's title. Well, that and the fact that it allowed me to shoe-horn in some Sellers' genius too!</div>
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<span style="text-align: center;">Eddy Merckx knew a thing or two about this two-wheeled caper, and he reckoned in the end the best advice was just to go out and ride your bike. Thanks to the recent bank holiday weekend and the perfect* northern weather I've done a bit of that and rode three back-to-back centuries: that's the first time since, er, last year's schlep out to Ventoux. (*Seriously, will this Nor'wester ever quit? Stop moaning- it's character building, right?)</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eric's got more hair than me.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One for the scrapbook: Blackpool prom in the sun!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AwH5Ld9QG00/VWWclDM885I/AAAAAAAADiU/7jpMLVXYbDs/s1600/IMG_0079.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="344" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AwH5Ld9QG00/VWWclDM885I/AAAAAAAADiU/7jpMLVXYbDs/s640/IMG_0079.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This'll do.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WYwUUSH0MrE/VWWd2UI64AI/AAAAAAAADj0/ZtAuhsaHOE4/s1600/IMG_0104.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="209" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WYwUUSH0MrE/VWWd2UI64AI/AAAAAAAADj0/ZtAuhsaHOE4/s320/IMG_0104.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Educational exercise.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-79wnwkw5ojg/VWWeJ1Hfs4I/AAAAAAAADkE/GPLOcbwos4c/s1600/IMG_0068.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="223" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-79wnwkw5ojg/VWWeJ1Hfs4I/AAAAAAAADkE/GPLOcbwos4c/s400/IMG_0068.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Questionable surfaces.</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JyQeZ8pAX70/VWWd-_tMTfI/AAAAAAAADj8/c98gAybg5IE/s1600/IMG_0096.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="356" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JyQeZ8pAX70/VWWd-_tMTfI/AAAAAAAADj8/c98gAybg5IE/s640/IMG_0096.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stop moaning. It ain't raining. Yet.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Mv1oRi2egGI/VWWcvxAQ0zI/AAAAAAAADjE/1jdsq_GrZDc/s1600/IMG_1175.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="440" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Mv1oRi2egGI/VWWcvxAQ0zI/AAAAAAAADjE/1jdsq_GrZDc/s640/IMG_1175.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Would put this scenery up against anywhere else's!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yG4UfMdLmqg/VWWczBdgqCI/AAAAAAAADjc/t9RAh04f2oI/s1600/IMG_1179.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yG4UfMdLmqg/VWWczBdgqCI/AAAAAAAADjc/t9RAh04f2oI/s400/IMG_1179.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You must be kidding?</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NdHOE3yHq9w/VWWddAldOyI/AAAAAAAADjs/UtNKU4rT1kQ/s1600/IMG_0098.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NdHOE3yHq9w/VWWddAldOyI/AAAAAAAADjs/UtNKU4rT1kQ/s320/IMG_0098.JPG" width="177" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Headingley not far.</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KguvIX-Lvzw/VWWdS74e19I/AAAAAAAADjk/Ki9PMeBIi6U/s1600/IMG_0093.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="204" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KguvIX-Lvzw/VWWdS74e19I/AAAAAAAADjk/Ki9PMeBIi6U/s320/IMG_0093.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Lancaster Canal. Er, quiet.</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-q09LGS-Kz1M/VWWcqZOVlkI/AAAAAAAADiw/8n6p2QFeoG8/s1600/IMG_1172.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-q09LGS-Kz1M/VWWcqZOVlkI/AAAAAAAADiw/8n6p2QFeoG8/s320/IMG_1172.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cheers!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
So far this year my distance covered is about 2500 miles and 115,000' climbed...this might sound ok but we'll do similar in the three weeks de Le Tour! My time spent on the bike has increased each month with the exception of February, when I had a little spill. Ah diddums, hah-hah!</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kPgUfs9K6eo/VWXRWVQrTGI/AAAAAAAADk4/-zlw2huVEgs/s1600/IMG_0888.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kPgUfs9K6eo/VWXRWVQrTGI/AAAAAAAADk4/-zlw2huVEgs/s1600/IMG_0888.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Drizzle + diesel = horizontal drift.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Anyway, I'm just pleased that I've not done myself any damage. In fact the only downside is that my cornering is even more like an out-take from 'Driving Miss Daisy'.<br />
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The other attack on weight is the obvious and tedious one of abstention. Well, when I say abstention I don't actually mean *no* beer or wine but very much a 'limited overs' form of the game. And I haven't seen the inside of an Indian restaurant or my local chippy for a couple of months either...yeah, yeah...cue the world's smallest violin, but thankfully a little bit of timber has been jettisoned. I reckon it's my G.I. Joe hair-don't that's really made the scales take notice though, hah-hah!<br />
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Will this be make *enough* of a difference during Le Tour? Impossible to say but seeing as how there are some proper cyclists taking part, I do expect to be at or very near to the back of the bunch each day...however if you can finish the stage even with a tiny amount of gas left in the tank then that makes recovery for the next day a little bit easier.<br />
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So that's the progress so far and of course I'm bound to bang on about fund-raising too: there's only another £230 needed to hit the £3K mark, thanks to some very generous donations from both the UK *and* the US: you know who you are. You folks really have done something decent and I thank you.<br />
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Here's a reminder of why the sponsorship is important...this tour is organised on behalf of a charity called the William Wates Memorial Trust. No, I had never heard of them either until last year but what they do is give grants to projects in the UK that help kids who haven't had the best start in life or to charities that aim to develop and help young people see what they are capable of through the arts, sport and education. Big things, big achievements like the <strong>Duke of Edinburgh award</strong>!<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lIwo9ooma_g/VWa89khJZaI/AAAAAAAADlU/KmjGu9uF3XI/s1600/402952_409922632400078_539743720_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lIwo9ooma_g/VWa89khJZaI/AAAAAAAADlU/KmjGu9uF3XI/s320/402952_409922632400078_539743720_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3uuA7uEXIJQ/VWa9Bx5Y-kI/AAAAAAAADlk/jNHxmDiexHI/s1600/10414556_722121601180178_1516691493416242663_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3uuA7uEXIJQ/VWa9Bx5Y-kI/AAAAAAAADlk/jNHxmDiexHI/s320/10414556_722121601180178_1516691493416242663_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3zExRCxn6sY/VWa9Dh1FMTI/AAAAAAAADls/Otm3jNQQRIk/s1600/535842_370025556389786_214318051_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3zExRCxn6sY/VWa9Dh1FMTI/AAAAAAAADls/Otm3jNQQRIk/s200/535842_370025556389786_214318051_n.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
Their official mission statement/blah is, "To encourage disadvantaged and vulnerable young people away from anti-social behaviour and criminal activity, enabling them to fulfill their potential." Basically they’re the acceptable version of ‘Children In Need’ and ‘Comic Relief’ i.e. no sign of Lenny Henry or the cast of Eastenders doing a song & dance number!<br />
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<span style="color: #1a222a; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 19px; line-height: 33px;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
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<a href="http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/2015tdf"><b>Click here to be magically transported to the sponsorship page. Cheers!</b></a></div>
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Until the next mithering instalment, I'd better keep pedalling...only 30 days until the off!</div>
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Pete Townshend recently turned 70 so here is one of his finest choons, "Going Mobile"...although it's Mr Moon's drumming that elevates this to beyond the beyond!</div>
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