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 at our new house. The challenge continues to be great motivation and helped me improve on my shameful, rideless February last year.
Author: Will
Will
Happiest while cycling uphill.
Weather has been awful lately – very windy and wet. But it was a little quieter finally. Here’s Google Earth image of today’s loop. Good views of Lake Léman (Geneva) and the mountains.
About 5 kms from home is the lovely Chartreuse de Pomiers. Founded in 1170 by the Count of Geneve, the only thing remaining from the original estate is the “gate” in the photo. Today, the estate is a private woodland with a path that is part of the St. Jacques de la Compostelle pilgrim route. It is a good climb to the Chateau, but rewarded with a great bike path through the woods.
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 and February off. For some reason just stating and tracking a goal makes me super-motivated not to fail. The highlight of the month was easily cycling up to Les Arcs ski resort to lots of cars honking at the crazy guy cycling the Alps in…
Another great day of skiing. Today we went to the neighboring La Plagne Ski resort. It is linked to les Arcs by a massive double decker Cable Car that traverses a huge valley. Click here for La Plagne Cycling
Great day skiing on a warm, sunny day.
Whats pink and blue all over and riding a bike? We are high in the French Alps at Les Arc ski resort. We’re high enough that the skiing looks great – many lower resorts are closed or nearly closed. Most big cols in France are snowed in and closed. But ski resorts of course keep the roads open. So I tried something a bit crazy and decided to cycle the 26 kilometres from the valley up to the hotel. Fantastic. Luckily with the heat-wave it wasn’t too cold and only a little ice on the roads. By a mile this…
Big ride around the “Vuache” – the big mountain West of Geneva. The other side has some great tiny roads and views of the Rhone. I had never ridden this hilly route from the new house and after about 2 hours I realized I wasn’t exactly certain of the way home – and it was too foggy to see the Salève. But with some lucky guesses choosing small hilly farm roads, I struggled home. Nothing like a challenge to get me motivated. After a rideless January in 2006 – the mild weather has allowed me a pretty active and good…
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 metres (about 525,000 feet) (challenge increased in June) of vertical climb. this is about 45 feet 60 feet an hour every hour of the day – so I am already behind! I am hoping to climb lots of French Alps climbs and maybe an Italian…