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 legs. Going forward I will try to add more recovery days and avoid too many big consecutive days. The rest left me feeling much better and July has started out with a bang with my Alsace trip.
Author: Will
Will
Happiest while cycling uphill.
The Ballon d’Alsace was the first ever climb in the Tour de France – 1905 – and last appeared in the Tour in 2005 – the Tour graffiti is still all over the road. I was wrong! The Balloon d’Alsace was NOT the first mountain climbed in the Tour de France. The first over 1000m was the Col de la République, in 1903. Details here. But the first Col was Col du Pin-Bouchain at 759 metres – see here. The weather continued to be awful and we debated long and hard whether to even get out of the car. But…
The weather continues to be a struggle but today we braved the wet and cold for a wonderful route passing by the Col des Bagenelles, Col du Pré de Raves, Col du Bonhomme, Col de Louchpach, and the Col du Calvaire. Just Andrew, John, Steve, and I today – and hard work trying to keep up (or not fall too far behind) these guys. Unfortunately, up high it was just freezing and after a cup of coffee at Col du Bonhomme going back outside in wet clothes and wind was pretty awful – Steve and I were ready to call…
Unfortunately the lousy weather continues. A nice route but we aborted early due to the wet and cold. Cycle Route 2547004 – via Bikemap.net – Open Route in Bikemap App Andrew, John, Steve, and me.
After yesterday’s big ride, we did a more relaxed but scenic ride along quiet forested climbs. The first climb was up to the gigantic Haute Koenigsbourg castle that overlooks the region. Decending from the castle, we took a quiet road into the Vosges returning via the Col de Haute Ribbeauvillé – a fantastic winding descent through the woods – (with the occasional stretch of nasty cobblestones!). I forgot my camera, so I will need to borrow photos from the others. After cleaning up – a great home-cooked meal prepared by Larry. Nice. Cycle Route 2547018 – via Bikemap.net – Open…
I am in Alsace, France meeting up with several Americans and a Canadian for some cycling in the Vosges mountains. All very nice guys – ranging from good to VERY strong cyclists. Sunday – to “warm-up” – we rode in the Col des Vosgiens cyclosportif. The route was 173 kms and well over 2,000 metres of vertical climb including the famous “Grand Ballon” – (my GPS says a little less as I forgot to return it on during a food break). This equaled the longest ride of my life and considering the climbing – it was the hardest. But a…
There are two climbs called Col de l’Epine in Haute Savoie – épine means thorn or prickle. I climbed the one near Chambery last week. Today, I climbed the other – half way between Annecy and Albertville. With friends in town we did the standard visit to Annecy. So while they wandered through the old town, I took my bike up the bike path for a big loop of Lake Annecy via the Col de l’Epine. Its a steepish short climb – only about 7 kms with nice views of the valley below. The sign says it is over 1,000…
A stunning ride from Morzine up to Avoriaz with – a much stronger – Barry. It is a much nicer route up via Lac Montriond – up the wooded valley along crazy hairpins. The way down is much more open and a little less interesting. I felt weak as a kitten today – frustrating. I have tried to avoid any formal training plan – and just enjoy myself. But I am feeling a little burned out – perhaps never fully recovering from the two big rides a couple weeks back. I need to start training a little smarter with better…
Fantastic loop around the Mont du Chat near Lake Bourget with Martin. We packed the car to capacity as Doreen came along and – still recovering from a cold – did three 17 km loops around Lake Aiguebelette – while Martin and I climbed a little. This loop is incredibly scenic and occasionally steep with about 1600 metres of ascent. This was my first ascent of Col de l’Epine (not to be mistaken with a like named col south of Lake Annecy) and I really enjoyed the winding forest climb with great views of Lake Aiguebelette below. The second climb,…
Perfect. A beautiful, sunny, crisp day. I am weaker than Barry on the hills, so hard work trying to keep up on this occasionally steep climb above Geneva. Coffee and Blueberry pie up top and then down via the treacherously steep route through Collonges.