My 2014 Cycling Challenge

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The other day:

Self Portrait - Mont Sale?ve

Yes, age is catching up on me. The Doctors have told me I should ride but i have some arthrosis in the knee that can be painful. So instead of my usual slightly over-the-top annual challenge, I am planning on riding less often and even more slowly — while still enjoying the great alpine outdoors

The Challenge:

1. 50 Great Rides.

I have some ideas for new routes / climbs and I’ll visit some of the old classics as usual. I won’t blog every ride, just the special ones.

2. Cycle the Maratona dles Dolomites

Me and the boys from St Etienne won entries into this fantastic event after three straight years of losing the lottery. I rode it with Martin in 2009. It is easily the best run, most beautiful event I have ever completed.

No clue if my leg will hold up, but there is a short loop option of just doing the Sella Ronda.

My brave wife Doreen has set a goal of riding the Sella Ronda the day after the race, and this has the potential to be the best day of the year on a bike.

How’s it going so far?

I’ve been doing cardio in the gym for a month and have had a few easy outdoor rides. And this week ….. did my first climb in quite some months. A beautiful snowy ride up Mont Saleve (photo at top).

The first col of the year:

For details on all five routes up my home mountain – Mont Salève – see here.

Hopefully my first of 50 great rides. 🙂

Happy new year.

Will

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Will

Happiest while cycling uphill.

10 Comments

  1. Good luck with your 2014 plans! I’ve enjoyed following your site over the years, so I hope you’re still able to ride to your heart’s content! Best of luck!

  2. Very good to see you posting again, Here’s hoping for complete recovery soon and more climb reports. I must get over to France and ride after seeing those spectacular high dirt roads near the reservoirs.

  3. Hi Will,

    great to see that you’re back on the saddle and already mastered a col! I hope the knee will get better as spring approaches so that we can ride a (gentle) climb together soon.
    You know that I’m a big fan of your website and it’s very good to see that you keep on planning…I would also like to participate in the Sella Ronda this year, so maybe we meet there at latest 😉

    Good recovery and keep your spirits up !
    cheers Markus

  4. Glad to hear you are back on the bike and look for ward to your motivational posts in 2014. If you are down near Ventoux drop me a line.

  5. Great you’re back on the bike. After three years of Geneva and many rides from your website we’re going back to Uk in eight weeks so planning a few more before then…

  6. Pingback: The First Great Ride of the Year : Cycling Challenge

  7. Hi Will,
    it’s great to see that you’re back in the saddle! I hope the knee holds up ok & allows you to achieve 50 great rides!

    I’ve been following your site for the last 4 or 5 years & always look forward to reading about your new adventures.

    Keep blogging & enjoy yourself – good luck for the Maratona!

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My Cycling Challenge