Tour de France 2009

When the 2009 TdF route was announced and I saw that Stage 20 would be climbing the legendary Mt Ventoux the day after my birthday - 25 July 2009 - I knew that's where we were going to be. Mt Ventoux has always held a fascination for me - and many other British cyclists - and I wanted to experience the climb and pay homage at Tom Simpson's memorial.

I hunted around for somewhere to stay and found a beautiful hotel on the outskirts of the small town of Monteux, just a couple of km from Carpentras - from where Tom had set off on his fateful journey on 13 July 1967. The booking was made before Christmas last year and then it was sorting out the Eurotunnel and route. We finally left Cambridge on 21 July with the bikes and bags packed in the car, hit the tunnel around 7:00am and were heading for our first stop at Dijon.

Rolling into Dijon that evening we stayed at La Flambee on the outskirts of the town and made it to our room in time to watch the last few kms of that day's stage on TV! Up early the next morning we were heading south and watching the temperature soar to 30 deg C in a cloudless blue sky. As we turned off the main Autoroute du Soleil towards Monteux we saw it - towering over the flat farmland - Mont Vonteux "The Giant of Provence" - remind me again, who's bright idea was it to try climbing this thing on a bike?

Having upacked at our charming hotel we went for a run and (after cleaning up!) had dinner on the terrace while we waited for Steve & Sue to make it. They eventually arrived at nearly 9:00pm but that was no problem for our host, Penelope, and we enjoyed sitting in the warm air drinking the local wine.

Thursday was to be a "get our bearings" sort of day with a ride through Carpentras to pick up the old D942 route through the Gorges de la Nesque towards Sault. Traffic in Carpentras was awful and meant we had to walk the bikes through the town (same on the return) but we eventually made it out onto the open road and got to ride through the first part of the Gorge.

Lunch was spent at the Cafe de Soleil in Villes-sur-Auzon before heading back the way we had came. Everywhere we cycled we could see the towering presence of Mt Ventoux with the old Observetoire at its summit ... it looked forboding.

Friday was my birthday, 24th July, and the day set aside for cycling up Mt Ventoux. It was a perfect day for it, clear blue sky, temperature expected to reach 32 deg C, little wind, unlimited visibility. There are three roads which lead up the mountain and we chose the road from Sault, it is longer but not as steep as the "classic" route from Bedoin which the TdF riders would be riding the next day. It joins the Bedoin route at Chalet Reynard and from then on it is about 6km to the summit - this is the part which is likened to a "Moonscape" as you ride through sun-bleached limestone rocks via several hairpin bends to the summit.

We decided to make our own way to Chalet Reynard, meet there, and then tackle the final climb. I set off smoothly and found myself climbing easily with three cogs left to go on my 12-25 10-speed cassette, having a 50/34 Compact chainset is a great help - thankyou FSA! Steve and Jack climbed steadily behind me but we were separated fairly soon and worked our own ways up, with nothing but the sun, the mountain and the butterflies for company ... apart from dozens of other cyclists with exactly the same idea as us!

As you swing right around the final hairpin to Chalet Reynard you get your first clear sight of the observatory and speed up as the road gently descends. There were cyclists, cars, camper vans, people everywhere. The Chalet is a small bar/restaurant which is perfectly positioned for anyone interested in viewing proceedings on the mountain as it is located at the junction of the roads from Sault and Bedoin. It was packed with cyclists - a fantastic place to meet, rest, eat and drink.

From there the road to the summit averages 7.7% and climbs into and through the classic Mt Ventoux limestone peak. With the Tour going through the next day it was total chaos! Every camper van in Europe must have been parked on either side of the road, people were everywhere, the road was covered in names painted or chalked by spectators and as you settled into a steady climb they just cheered you on. There were hundreds of cyclists out on the mountain that day, all of us with just one aim - get to the summit.

As I climbed past Tom Simpson's memorial I said a silent "Chapeau Tom" to myself and pushed on towards the observatory ... which didn't seem to be getting any closer. The final two kms are at around 10% and as I swung into one hairpin I decided to take a breather and stop for a few minutes. Luckilly the TdF organisation had placed the barriers out on either side of the road, without them to hang onto I'm not sure I could have clipped in and got going again!




The last section is straight across the face of the mountain beneath the summit and is followed by a 90 deg hairpin which kick up - you must have seen Lance and Pantani crest it a million times! It looks wicked but in fact it's not that bad - as I approached there were a bunch of stalled 4x4's there so I thought "What the ****" and put on a surge which to my surprise propelled me to the top and there I was - 1,912m above Provence looking down on the World.

Steve & Jack joined me at the summit and we agreed it was one hell of a way to celebrate my birthday. All we had to do know was descend through the madness which was a story in itself!











25th July - Stage 20

With road closures and forest fires to contend with on Saturday we decided to make our way to Villes-sur-Auzon, settle ourselves in a cafe-bar and wait for the Tour to go by. We had another great day (if you watch the video there is a helicopter shot of a rounabout on the road with the "LiveStrong" logo written in yellow chalk around it ... that's where we were. After the race went past we took a Tour direction arrow as a souvenir and made our way to the local winery where they had a huge Jumbotron TV set up with live commentary for everyone to watch the climb to the summit - perfect!

Phew !

Race report for our duathlon will have to wait a day or so (unless Gordy will get around to write it), I am away on business for a few days.

'The Most SKIRTSPORTS Outfits in One Race'- had there been a prize for that, I would have been a shoe in for it !!!

More later......

First Race

We are off for the week-end....first multi event of the year. Should be good fun. We're doing a duathlon at Goodwood round the famous motor racing circuit.

Distance is 4k-40k-8k...never done a du when the second run is longer than the first. Think is something to do with runners/bikers using the same road.

Outfits to wear are causing me some concern.....not sure what the weather will be like...supposed to be warm and sunny .....will I believe it ??

'Everyone Needs Good Neighbours...'

A line from the theme song from the Aussie soap "Neighbours'......

Well, I think to train for any endurance sport you MUST have good neighbours. Ours are the best.

A little background. We live in a tiny village in the middle of the countryside. No pavements (sidewalks for you Americans), no street lighting....you get the idea. When there is no moon it as black as the 'inside of my hat' outside

So through the winter months when I get up at 5.15 am and turn the landing and kitchen lights on the entire back garden area is lit up like a Christmas tree.....always amazes me how much an indoor lights reflects outside.

Then, I turn the washer and dryer on about 5.30am.....as there is NO noise where we are either - this makes them seem very loud !

THEN, I transfer the huge amount of stuff I always seem to carry with me to the car and then start it. Now, I have a PT Cruiser, diesel version, which on turning the ignition key makes a noise akin to a tractor. The upside of this is I get around 40 mpg.

In all the years, I don't think we have ONE complaint from the neighbours, now friends, either side of our house.

I have a new 'best friend' in the milkman.....he is usually coming to deliver our milk at 5.40 as I am leaving the house......I then pass the same cyclist on the road into Cambridge. I always know how late I am depending where en route I pass him.

Now we have the lighter mornings our neighbours may get some relief......I can run from home so there is no car engine....but now I can also bike in the mornings so this means I have to open the garage and clomp around in cleats !!!

But to get out first thing in the morning after our long, cold dark winter is just the BEST

Two Weeks in.....

Just shy of two weeks of IM Wisconsin training.

So glad it finally arrived, I really needed something to focus on.

Weather has been co-operating, well some of the time ! Nice to be back on the bike again and to get some structured runs in. Although, we had our 'tick over' plan to concentrate on when you know that you can, sometimes, blow off, a session it makes it that much harder to get out of bed in the cold , dark mornings.

We are having a lovely spring....spring flowers are out, lots of blossom already showing and the trees are beginning to show their summer wear.

Of course, true to form this Easter week-end we have low cloud, mist and a light drizzle. But it's just wonderful to have this four day week-end. Yes, we get Monday off as well, as a Bank Holiday ! It seems a long time since our Christmas break.

Surprise 10k race last week-end. A friend of ours was competing and we were going to support her. At 9.15am I got a phone call to ask whether I could accompany Miriam ...I changed outfits three times before I was out the door. Lovely race...beautiful weather.....first time this event had been run. All off road which was a little 'testing' especially I had forgotten this and turned up to run in my Newtons ! A great time was had by all. The race was certainly a success, particularly, as the field consisted of 48% women...amazing.

Ninety minute ride and a 45 min OD run scheduled for today.

Now which of my new SKIRTSPORTS outfits will I wear....check out their spring collection...brilliant !

It must be nearly........

As I took my second shower today - my first double shower day this year - I realised it must be nearly time to start IM training ! One more week to go before we start.

Can't wait for those days when you are so tired you just want to come in and lie down on the kitchen floor, when the laundry is piled up, when the alarm goes off and you just get up without thinking about it. Bring it on !

These past week, I have managed to get most of Craig's work-outs in but some cold dark morning, when the alarm goes off at 5.15, I must admit I have turned over and bagged it !

However, spring has arrived (we think)...it's been sunny and warmish.....even managed to ride outside for the first time since my accident. It was lovely ! I missed my bike ! Lovely to ride outside in shorts.....

The spring flowers are out and it's light in the morning when I leave the house at 5.30 and even light when I get home from work. Our clocks don't go forward until the end of March when we move to British summertime - we use the word 'summer' loosely over here.

Did my spinning class this morning and did some work and then a 55 minute run.....a two shower day and more laundry.

Tomorrow and swim and run - long bike for Sunday.

Sunday

It's blowing like the clappers outside but nice and sunny....will ride inside again.

Having a nice leisurely breakfast with the Sunday newspapers...have only three more Sundays before IM training starts so will treasure them.

Not much happening here. Went to Gordy's spin class yesterday and then ran straight after. We have a duathlon locally in April and several members of our spin class are going to do this. So from yesterday we are adding a run after the class as a bit of training for them. We had a few runners out yesterday, all of different abilities but there's enough of us so no-one gets left behind.

The sun was out yesterday morning and it was lovely to feel a little warmth but all the cyclists we saw out riding were certainly rugged up and all looked very 'pinched' !

A great week for our football team....West Ham had back to back victories so all is good in the Riley household !

All I need now is for the SKIRT spring line to arrive !

Nearly Spring .......

The snow has long gone so thought it was time to post again !

Now what's been happening? Not a lot ! Working, sleeping and some training, blah, blah blah !

Actually, I am really enjoying this time of year. A plan from Craig to stick to but not so much that you are exhausted.....and lying around at the week-end watching trash tv....not going to last much longer so enjoying it whilst I can !

Did a 5k race the the American Air Base where I work (sometimes) last week.....weather was kind so managed to get into a SKIRT ! Lovely to finally to feel a little sun. Was pleased with my 28.41 with not a huge amount of effort.

Am managing my two swims a week and two lifting sessions....my arm has gained so much more strength and my elbow gained a lot more movement. I am beginning to

I am writing this in the kitchen and looking across to the dining room there are two bikes on two turbo trainers ! Such is life in our winters.....am desperate to get out onto the road for some 'real' biking. Have exhausted all my episodes of 'ER' so it MUST be time to get outside. Have entered a duathlon in April - it's taking place at a motor racing circuit so there will be no traffic to contend with. When we race here the roads are NOT closed.........

Snow ... Snow ... Snow ...

And so it continues - snow isn't something we are that used to in our part of England - not for the past 10 to 15 years anyway - so the last week has been something of a surprise to us. Needless to say some of the "younger" generation are finding things hard going ... they don't know how to drive in snow & ice so that has been somewhat entertaining to us who remember the days before central heating when you had to scrape the frost off the inside of your bedroom windows in the mornings!

(Here's a shot showing snow on the main road to Newmarket on Friday morning.)

We went into Cambridge for breakfast this morning and most of the snow there had melted - although the pavements had not been treated so most of our running routes around the river area are definitely "no-go" areas for the moment.

(This is the view across the fields at the back of our house - snowboarding anyone?)

Here at the heady altitude of 365 feet ASL we still have snow ... are more is forecast ... Oh Joy!

(And this is the wood at the bottom of our garden)

What a week !

It's been an awful week here......heavy snow arrived on Monday and has been here every since. In England we are totally unequipped for this snow ! The entire country ground to a halt...NO buses ran at all in the centre of London on Monday...can you imagine any other big city coming to a complete stand-still ????

So, couldn't get to the gym. We live in a tiny village miles from anywhere, well 13 miles from Cambridge, but the road was so bad it was very difficult to drive !

Managed to get into London a couple of days for meetings...they were so boring I wish I hadn't bothered ! The drive into London was so stressful - had a complete white-out !

Anyway, only managed a short run this week and will try to turbo this afternoon...not bothered about missing work-outs (hope Craig is not reading this)...I am so enjoying just lazing about and not feeling the pressure of training BUT, on the other hand, can't wait to start training for IM MOO !

Picture of us at Goofy....just finished the marathon.....

Friday

Well, another week over.......weather still crappy...blowing a gale and sheeting down with rain this morning. We are all so sick of MUD !

Starting a 'tick over' plan with Craig.....his words 'training to train'......managed a few of the sessions but still feel 'Goofy' in my quads.....did my spinning class this morning and then straight in the pool for 600m swim.

Tonight, I am going to 'Bodypump' want to test my elbow through a hard weight session.
I have lost so much strength/muscle in my arm and hand I am now starting to panic !

Not much else happening....spin/run tomorrow......should have stopped raining by then !

A New Year !

Hey, it's been some time since I posted. I had hoped Gordy would want to write a race report but he felt he had told everyone all about his race and didn't want to bore everyone again !

Christmas and the New Year has come and gone and we have been to Florida for 'Goofy's Challenge'. As in the previous 2 years we had a brilliant time. It really is a fun week-end and I would recommend ANYONE to do it.........it's so ridiculous to do those distances in two days. Plus we always throw in the 5k on the Friday.....42.4 miles.....not too shabby.

For me, it was just lovely to be racing again...I use the term 'racing' loosely....just having a number on and running with a bunch of people and getting a medal at the end ! Nothing like Disney for some serious finisher's bling !

I have been cleared by my elbow doc to do ANYTHING now, including biking (outside). No surgery....he thinks I have recovered enough movement to make this unnnecessary.......just lots of exercise to strengthen the arm.......hitting the weight room now.

Probably not biking outside for a week or so..we have had the most miserable winter........freezing....windy....raining...there's water and mud everywhere.

I have learned to co-exist with the treadmill as it has been too icy to run outside ......the few times I have ventured outside I was very glad of my Ice Queen SKIRT......kept my butt nice and toasty.

Well, getting back into some structured training now....thanks, Craig.....I really need the discipline of a regular schedule.

To all our American friends, have a great day tomorrow....a truly historic one.