Left: In 2005, my challenge was to ride 10,000 kms. I succeeded on Christmas day and promptly took two months off cycling.
July was probably the best month of cycling yet this year with just under 20,000 metres climbed. Highlights included a five day trip to the Vosges mountains, and cyling up Col de la Colombiere and then Col du Galibier to watch the Tour de France. I only cycled one of the last five days of [...]
Half way through the year and I have climbed almost exactly what I climbed in 2006 – my silly challenges keep me motivated June was a fairly good climbing month, although mainly local routes. I felt pretty burned out by the last week of June and took a few very light days to recharge the [...]
May was a great cycling month with some big climbs. Climbing the legendary Mont Ventoux twice as well as the lessor know but superb Mont du Chat were highlights. But I think the top ride of the month had to be the 176 km loop of Lake Geneva with Martin. Easily the longest ride of [...]
April was a great riding month. The weather was near perfect. I am pretty pleased to do so many big rides after surviving my minor surgery and I am feeling about 95% recovered. Lots of great rides, not least of which were two big rides in the Jura mountains, notable for the for being virtually [...]
Well, March had its ups and downs. The first 2/3 of the month I rode almost every day, and the mild weather allowed 8 big climbs – where I found lots of snow. The last 1/3 was less fun as minor surgery sidelined me. The active beginning of the month means I am still on [...]
Despite nasty weather for the last few days – I can take cold, even heavy rain, but I really hate wind – this was my best February ever for cycling. The main theme for the month was lots of exploring of new routes, trails, and paths. I have a much better feel for the options [...]
My January results show exactly why I decided to set a silly challenge goal for this year. Fourteen bike rides and four hikes (plus 6 days skiing) versus no cycling, one hike (and some skiing) last year. I knew that to reach my goal of 120,000 metres of ascent meant that I couldn’t take January [...]
It’s 2007 and time for a new challenge! I really enjoyed 2006 for all the climbs I did. But the 10,000 km challenge of 2005 motivated me to get out more. So I will try and pull the best from each challenge. In 2007, I will attempt to cycle 120,000 metres (about 400,000 feet) 160,000 [...]
