Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Gruyère Cycle Tour

At long last it was the Swiss challenge. Up a mountain and down again PLUS the Go With Crow prizes to be drawn. When we left for Europe, the total was getting so close to the £1000 -please please let's get the target!

Anyway, down to Switzerland we go- this was not without its moments such as driving onto the ferry, the car's main engine warning light decides to come on. Oh S**t! Luckily, 400 miles and 2 pit stops later, the light went of its own accord (by this point I'd spoken to Toyota who said "oh, it might mean nothing- see how you get on"- very reassuring!) so we could relax (according to Toyota!!)
We had a bizarre stop off in Strasbourg- why the Tom Tom took us there I have no idea but after 8 hrs of driving we didn't really care.

Anyway, the following day and 2 hours driving got us into Bulle and to the hotel. Brilliant- we didn't have a room, we had an entire flat! Big enough for my bike to have its own room! Nice little town too- for a first visit to Switzerland, this Gruyère region looked like... well, it looked like Christmas!

Race nerves were hitting in (actually I think it was more about the language barrier- my French is awful but I kind of muddle through with a bit of O level French and arm waving/pointing) though when I checked my email, Go With Crow had made it to the £1000- BRILLIANT! Just in time for race day and the Ball when the tickets would be drawn!



Race day arrived with perfect weather and I set off to meet the Cervo Rosso guys- a great cross section- people from Canada, Belgium, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Australia, UK (hope I didn't miss any countries out guys) and all ages, from 15 up to.... well, up to me!








I think someone said there were 1500 riders. Great atmosphere (when I could understand!) and great riding. Team Cervo Rosso were, e'hm, somewhat faster than me on the climbs and they'd left me standing within 10 miles. No problem- I was here to ride and it was brilliant. Col de Mittleburg was a beast of a climb. Gradients ranging from 5-10% and that was (from the time-point) about 11k to the top. I was timed at 52m55s... a steady plod and not the slowest. It really didn't matter- the views were stunning. At the top of the hill (well, mountain!) I took a rest at the feed station before the descent. Plenty to drink and Gruyère cheese to eat- smashing!
at the top of Col Du Mittelberg

I'd heard to be careful on the descent so took it steady to begin with. If I couldn't see 'round the corner, sit on the brakes just in case. It was great fun! Loads of hairpins, dodgy road surfaces and marshals.
So I completed the descent and got to the split point (2 distances and I was on the 85km 'green' route) and I was pretty much on my own. I plodded on until I eventually made it to the '25km to go' sign and I spotted some Brits! I knew they were Brits as one was wearing 'Kilo to Go' shorts. Turned out, Steve was living in Switzerland but his Yorkshire accent gave him away as being originally from Huddersfield! If you're reading this Steve, get in touch! So I took shelter with his group for a while to save some energy. This I did a few times- piggy backed from one group to another and it made this last stretch far more fun. It was about now the first of the longer distance peletons started coming through- and at a hell of a speed- bloody impressive to an old plodder like me!

balcony view of the race from our apartment


We were soon back in Bulle and riding up the street where our hotel was (above pic is shot from our balcony with the hotel shown clearly- told you it was nice!) and about 2k from the finish- minutes later, it was all over. I'd survived my first Swiss hill!
We regrouped for a beer and team photo before heading our separate ways- hope to ride with some of the guys again! Think I'll need to speed up a bit first!

Team Cervo Rosso


and some interesting facts about the race...

1732 participants, ages ranged from 15 -74
17 Nationalities

and now for the video...



Sunday, August 21, 2011

An Interesting Week

In preparation of Switzerland I've increased my training over the last week or so. I'm sure I'm going to regret this one...A mountain FFS- and what hill climbing practice is there in lincolnshire!?...well quite a lot really but nothing that is going to  prepare me for a Swiss mountain. Oh well, I'm sure it'll be a laugh if nothing else. The other thing that needs prepping are the cameras. I'm taking a GoPro HD which I've decided to use on the rear mount on the seat post as this gives quite a nice shot. My other camera is my trusty old Sony TG3. In previous attempts (such as the New York ride) I've handheld- not easy and to be honest, dangerous- especially riding in a group. So, let's make a camera mount for the front handlebars. A little bit of research on t'internet and a rummage in the garage and the Mk1 is built.


Quite a neat design- Now to road test it. Oh dear- it's crap :( the plastic is too soft and vibration is unbelievably bad! Recorded a small bit of footage to playback and the picture was totally unwatchable. Back to the drawing board. After taking a bike lamp apart and adapting its mount (which is a/ closer to the handlebar and b/ far sturdier plastic) we seem to have something more like it.


Out for road test number 2.... massive improvement. Not perfect, but not bad. If anyone has any ideas to dampen vibration from my bike, please get in touch :) I'm sure a few of my engineering friends are up for this challenge (Nigel...Claire?) So the cameras are all set. This ride, I think I've said before is more for the experience than gaining a time. I'm hoping to try and enjoy it, the scenery and soak up the atmosphere. It's going to be a great day I'm sure.

Anyway, later on in the week Swiss brand Cervo Rosso invited me to join their test team. Not as amazing as it sounds (as in, I'm not that good a rider! lol) but a fantastic privilege and free kit. Thanks guys!

This was closely followed by an email from Team Garmin Cervélo offering me a place on their annual team ride out in the New Forest next month. Only 500 places, so again- Brill! and thanks!!

I'm a bit concerned with the fundraising- Ideally I'd love to hit the £1000 mark before the Gruyère Tour next Sunday as this is when the draw will take place at Lincoln Drill Hall's Bangers and Mash Ball. I've put out more emails, badgered people on Facebook- what more can I do? I've a few GWC T shirts if people want them BUT you'll have to sponsor me to get one!

Finally on this blog I'd like to thank Gavin for sending me some You Tube clips on climbing technique. Surprisingly, they have made a difference and saved me a fair old bit of energy. Whilst I'm at it, I'd better thank Andy too. A great chap and has been an inspiring riding buddy. I'm no where near his standard but he's been patient and a mine of information. Dale as well- thanks mate. Way back in January you got me out and back on the saddle- hope you're coming out for the Wiggle Rut next month. Will be 101 miles of fun I'm sure. God bless the British weather in September!!!!



Thursday, August 4, 2011

passista: Andrea Pinarello

passista: Andrea Pinarello: "The first time I met Andrea, he introduced my wife and I to the Pinarello factory. For an hour he patiently showed us around while I made a ..."

Andrea Pinarello RIP

Shocking news today: Andrea Pinarello, the son of  the Pinarello bicycle manufacturer founder Giovanni, collapsed and died following the opening stage of an amateur cycling race, according to reports in Italy.
The 40-year-old suffered a heart attack following the first stage of the Giro del Friuli, an amateur Italian stage race. He is reported to have collapsed immediately after crossing the finish line in apparent good health.
Paramedics successfully revived him, but a second heart attack shortly afterwards was to prove fatal.
Andrea, who had a long association with the highly-regarded Italian bike manufacturing family, is survived by his wife and two children.
The Pinarello family has close links to sport, sponsoring major professional teams and riders of the calbire of Miguel Indurain for many years. The company currnetly supplies bikes to Team Sky and Movistar.
Andrea rode the Gran Fondo New York and was at the after race party. He was fitter and younger than me! This sort of news is hard to stomach. I rode with this guy! It only just reinforces exactly how lucky I am. God bless and condolences to your family x