Lyon - Mt Blanc - Lyon
Date - Saturday 5th and Sunday 6th June 2010
Venue - Bron (nr Lyon)
Distances - Saturday 220k / Sunday 230k (450k Total)
Hotel - Ibis Eurexpo Bron (Thurs/Fri/Sun) and Ski Resort Praz Sur Arly (Sat)
In the beginning
Finished work @ 0700hrs, quick run around the shower unit and off to the harbour for a coffee before the 0845hrs sailing to St Malo.
'New ferry' according to Condor Ferries. Well maybe not(!) My idea of new is when you take the 'wrapping' off and use it for the first time. Condors idea is to use the word 'new' and re use it. In other words yes its 'new' but 'new' to the Jersey route. God knows how old it is (?).
Still bigger capacity more 'punters'. That is until you look at the arrivals and departures bit. Who in gods name designed that (?). More vehicles going on (therefore less space through security) and more coming off, who have to go right through the middle of the departing vehicles (!?!). Me can see more money being spent down there (no vision is there! no room for expansion).
That was my one and only RANT! (well maybe just one little one later....guess who about..).
Anyway where was I (?) ah Condor. Leave 20mins late and then find out our 'new' ferry is running on 3 engines (no change there then). Just a little announcement form our skipper that we might be a little late (1 1/2 hrs to be exact!). Meant to be on shore and on the road by 1115, but no 1230hrs and just leaving security. Good job I've got time(!)
The Journey Down
Tom tom set and a target time of 7.30hrs to Bron. Maybe in a car but in the van (?) should be fun. The 'old girl' should be fine. Euro's in the pocket ready for the toll's. Not needed now, Credit cards taken (!) now that makes life a little easier.
Need a few (2) pit stops for fuel and coffee, and boy is it hot (!). Now that does present a small problem to me, as I have no air con (unless you call the window winder air con!), so its a little al fesco (hoping no one else on the motorway will notice (!)
If you've ever seen James May (on Top Gear) and the show where he's in the Aston Martin DB9 (race car) then you'll know where I'm coming from.......
Time's 'a ticking' and I'm not really sure about the calculations to get to Bron. Seems to be later than first thought. Maybe because of the late start, never mind as long as the food hall is open I'll be happy.
Make it (fairly easy, no re-routing!) just after 2130hrs. Shower, food and bed ready for tomorrow.
Register?
Never do sleep well in a new room with limited air con. Nice room/hotel but its hot 27c @ 0800hrs. Breakfast outside on the patio, how nice.
So with maps and address's in hand and a full day before Mr & Mrs TW arrive (1830hrs) time to see where we are and see if we can pick up any paperwork.
Simply answer? (without going into much detail) NO! Forgot this is France and French arrangements.
Quite simply the French are brilliant organisers and don't start getting ready until the day of racing. So after a quick couple of texts to TW I decide to wait until tomorrow (race day).
Driveabout and Shop
Well why not? Decathalon right next door, how handy is that? 1 folding table, 1 cool box and a 3 person inflatable tent later, its lunch time.
Parc de Parilly is a great place for a walk. Horse riding, 5k bike route round the outside and little cafes around the edges. Still hot 30c now.
Feed watered and back to the hotel for a rest till TW appears.
Panache and Tactics
Tony and Dianne arrive just 1830hrs, lookin remarkably fresh from a 7hr journey. Anyway quick shower and some food.
Dinner outside me thinks. Tactics are the main talking points (for some reason?). Its new territory for both of us. Not just for the back to back rides but for the 'steep' climbs (5000+m's over the 2 days) and the distances.
My thoughts(?), its all about getting through the 1st day (very important as it happens), its not about 'winning' the 'race'. Recovery during the 1st night (good sleep and food) is also very important. Only when you get halfway through the 2nd day should you be feeling happy and maybe 'go for it'.
So with a 'sort of tactical plan' in place its time for bed. 0600hrs for breakfast and down to the start line (10min down road) for info pick up and 'race'.
And were off, sort of.....Hang on wait for us!
Bill's paid, breakfast eaten (again how much?) and hit the road. Arrive at the start area 0700hrs, with a rather deserted appearance.
Opp's whilst it was a 'staggered start' from 0630hrs it seems that everyone had started at that time. So with the organisers looking rather bemused at the 'English timing' (use the excuse that we got lost) Dianne grabs the paperwork and we get ready to go by 0715hrs.
All smiles as we go, simple signage, easy to follow, but we have our first 'problem'.
220k to go and we are playing 'catch up'. My calculations add up to not getting to anyone until the 2nd feed station at Entremont-Le-Vieux some 120k into the ride.
The Route and Heat!
Going by the map we've got around 80k before we hit the first 'bump' at Col de Couz. So its a flat run along an 'A' road. Slight wind behind and some 'off and through' work is undertaken. Again just how hard do you go(?). Personally its an average and constant speed thats needed. Its going to be a long day however you tackle it.
The heat is on aswell. Somewhere around 26c @ 0800hrs, boy this should be fun up in the mountains(!).
Plenty of fluid taken on (thats a must!) and we arrive at the first feed station in Corbelin. We catch Dianne out a little, we must have made up a few minutes. Coffee and water on board (add electrolytes from the car) and Dianne reckons we are just 20mins behind a group of thirty (but still in 165/166th).
Typically french hospitallity - Coffee, red wine and pastis at the feed station! - well if things are going a bit 'wrong'.........
Onwards and Upwards!
Off we pop and start to head for our first climb (of 10 'interesting ones'). Stunning views and a steady tempo required. Col de Couz 628m high is the first 'challenge'. Tempo undertaken, must pace for the rest of the day, you don't 'win the challenge'on the first hill.
Col de la Cluse at 1168m and 110k into the race is not easy. The temperature is rising the UV index is around the 7/8 mark. Its unrelenting with no hiding places on the climb. TW picks up a puncture just before the top. He wants to go on, but the decent is coming and on these roads its not a good idea.
A tree supplies some shade, lets change the tube now. We've passed 6 riders but they return the 'favour' and push on. Never mind the next feed station is at the bottom of this climb, we'll catch them down there.
Tube changed, down to the station. Again stunning views on the decent. I'm a 'spectator' decender, TW's flat out (he likes decending!) my view is I've left my 'backside on the up' I'm going to enjoy the 'downside'! (plus I'm not the best decender).
Feed station at Entremont le Vieux reached. Dianne's ready and waiting for us. Cards stamped (each feed station has a 'marshall' who checks you in) and a sit down in the shade is required. My Polar reads 40c (!!) told you it was 'warm'. Head dunked under a tap, arms and wrist chilled. Bottles filled and food eaten.
Just over half way in the challenge. We've now (as predicted) caught sight off some other riders, albeit for just a couple of minutes, but they did have a good 1hrs start on us.
Being in a valley the only way out is up.
The up is the Col de Granier 1134m up in the air! It gives you no chance to prepare your just 'thrown' straight up.
Visiting different areas of the course
As mentioned before my decending skills are not the best and therefore I take in the scenery on the way down.
Now with that in mind and of course not knowing where I'm going (or in fact where I am!) other factors apply.
Those being the roads up here are 9 times out of ten covered in snow. Now when the snow goes the roads become 'bumpy and rutted' ( a normal process) therefore making the decent tricky. Well for me anyway. Another factor is that in many european countries you have the roads marked to give you 'fair warning' of any 'dangers' approaching.
......
.....
........etc....
On these hills and decends? nope not really. Fortunately no rain has appeared, I really would not like to do these hills in the wet (albeit bloody good training and learning curve!).
The reason for the above? Well TW set off after we reached the top of the Col (and he likes decending and is very good at it) with me looking at the road. Humps and bumps everywhere, me goinging gently down.
After a few K's I pass another rider, who really seems to be going easy(?) and slide through a few switch backs and tight turns when I notice some 'damage' to a bank in front of me and on a bend. Then I pick out a Colnago frame lying on the road. Opp's me thinks somethings not right. TW's up and standing on the bank. Yep its his bike and he's winded.
I stop to help and make sure he's Ok. A bit of road rash and a missing bottle (least of his problems really!). Pain on the left hand side rear but he's determined to carry on (we still have 5k to the base).
Ok take it easy for the rest of the decent. Dianne appears in the car. Concerned about Tony I ask her to find a spot to stop on the flat (some way down) so that we (I) can assess Tony again.
Finally catching Tony up on the flat we've got a horrible flat section to the next feed station at Ugine. The suns UV is now 9 and we've got a headwind (anything else?) this is hard. Tony's looking at my hub, he's running on fumes (combination of things). The road seems to be endless. 170k into the course we need to stop before the feed.
I spot Dianne ahead, Tony just wants a bottle, nope lets stop for a second. Let's get out of this heat and direct sunlight. Check out Tony's 'injuries' not looking to good, left hand side is 'tender to the touch'.
We've got a few K to the next stamp point and then a 13k climb and decent to the finish. Tony wants to go on, check things out after the climb. Time to put my foot down. Injured and dehydrated, its no good, pack in now and come back tomorrow.
Decision made, place bike in the back of the car and re-hydrate. Me? told to 'jog on' I'll leave Tony with Dianne (hopefully he'll not get back on the bike).
I push on, back onto the flatlands, get sorted. Join up with the Captain of the club which organises the event. We have a pleasant chat and then he tells me he's just come back from the UK, cycled from Plymouth to Edinburgh, as if this is bad enough!
Feed station at Ugine reached, no sign of Tony or Dianne (good or bad? as it happened good, in a nice way).
Everyones happy asking questions, no idea where I am, no idea where everyone else is, but hey that's not really the point, the point is the challenge and to finish the 1st day then the 2nd day!
Talk to the organiser of the route. A really nice guy who is so helpful and knows his stuff.
Just the 13k?
Bottles full, water melon eaten, gels taken and instructions received. Back end if the course a 13k climb, decent and another bump at Crest Voland.
How easy was that to say?
Well that was about all it was, easy to say! The heat was on, albeit again stunning views the percentage of the climb and the heat began to take its toll. Remember the organiser of the route? Well there he was, on the middle of the climb (he Knows where the hard bits are) with him is the captain of the club (cramp has got him, no way he can continue, his words) they pass me in his car, ask me if things are ok, they stop hand me a coke and pour water over my head. Short relief, more climbing.
A few bends later I spot Tony and Dianne parked up by the side of the road. I stop for some electrolytes. He looks a lot better now (albeit the movements not too good). Not far to go now, several people further up the climb resting in the shade, I've caught a few up now.
Nearly at the top of the Cohennoz. 1 climb to go. Enjoy the decent, gather myself and take a deep breath in.
Well the decent was funny! All 1 bend of it!! and straight into the Crest Voland, an absolute b*****d of a finish. 20% at one stage at 205k!!!!
T and D are ahead of me and even they know I'm not going to like that one bit. How correct! I'm now running on auto pilot, will it ever end? I round a couple of corners start to go downwards and see a sign 10k to go.
Bloody hell!
Its flatish now, just go for it. I pass a group of riders from the same club (Ford something) and then spot a sign, our sign, the previous marker board was for tomorrows race (another sportive in the area). I turn right, that's it, made it.
220k up and down. Deposit the bike quickly in the 'shed' for its overnight stay and grab a bottle or two. Food? nothing much, but teatime is nearly on us! Tonys in the car park. He checks to see if everything is ok, he needs fuel for tomorrow and goes off, I lay next to the swimming pool (for some reason) and wait for him to come back (all of my gear is in the car).
I check in and become very keen to get showered and changed and re-fuel with proper food!
Legs are tired, slight cramp behind the left knee, but apart from that, just tired.
We re-group after re-fueling and get change. All in one chalet, nice, move over please the showers calling!
What happens in the shower stays in the shower!
I'm ready, Dianne's ready and what happened next stays in the shower room.
Discussion's are held in the room and at the dinner table as to Tonys participation in tomorrow's 'leg' (230k) The organiser says Tony can take part, no problem's. I have concerns, its not now, its later, let's sleep on it and assess in the morning (all 6hrs worth!).
Stage 2 Day 2 230k to go
I creep around the chalet like a bull in a china shop, you know what it's like when your trying to be quiet! Breakfast time @ 0545hrs, no one else stirs, good.
To be honest not a great amount to chose from but hey makes life easier I suppose. 6 cups of coffee's later I creep back into the chalet.
Changed ready for the off, from 0630hrs (you can start when your ready till 0700hrs). Bags packed and ready for the car. Dianne stirs and asks me about breakfast(?) Not that great, resturant dow the road might be better. Tony's not going to ride, he's going to rest and get the hip sorted.
I'm off, extra gels packed, don't worry about me I'll sort something out, I'll see you somewhere out there.
Chill and repair!
Numb to it all
Going through the motions really is the best way to describe the next hour of so. Preparation is also the key! Doh!
By that I mean weather and clothing. The temperature is different from yesterday, my polar says 18c, but from 40c yesterday, 18c is chilly! Therefore I'm not prepared.
We roll out of our overnight stop straight into a climb Col des Aravis @ 5k. I'm already a bit chilly, this is going to be hard.
Problem? Cold going into the climb, warm going up it, then 10k decending, cold again! I can only hope Tony is at the base (or feed stop) so that I can get some arm warmers.
The captain of the club told me as we were riding to the base of this climb to take a minute when you get to the top and look right.... Mt Blanc looms into view!....I reach the top, after suffering one of the worst things that can happen to a biker during an early ride.
Riding halfway up the climb and on an empty'ish stomach the local bread shop is baking for the residents!....murder shear bloody murder!!!....fresh bread and coffee!
A sweeping decent pushs us down to the first feed and stamp station at Thones. Its an early one, thankfully for me. Coffee on offer, that'll do me. No sign of the car, don't think I'll see them till much later.
The ride today is much flatter and easier (not!) after yesterday. The problem with that is the boredom of riding on the flat. Therefore must try and 'join up' with other riders to take the 'sting' out of it.
Wind Wind and More Wind
Even more important now is that we are now heading into a headwind. This is a problem for a single rider, think groups groups.......I attach myself to a couple of groups, but some are not happy, not sure why, others are ok.
I think I've found my 'group'. A party of 6 with 1 lady, who is a very good cyclist, very unassuming and if you saw in the street you'd never guess she was a good cyclist.
2nd feed/stamp stop at Chindrieux and the temperature is rising, 28c on the polar. Ok water up, the climb of Mont Tournier 877m in altitude, is ahead, 110k in. My newly found group are taking a bit longer, I need (would like) to 'jog on'. I set off with a mindset to take it easy.
That done the wind is now taking its toll. Tony and Dianne appear in the car, all well with them, nice! Strangely enough my gel intake has been reduced today, compared with yesterdays effort. No need for anything from the car.
A horrible stretch follows the climb, flat and windy (head) I latch onto another group, albeit slightly strange as they didn't seem to want me there(?) As I came through to push the group on they dropped back, oh well never mind we are in France.
Last Stamp Ahead
Morestel provides the last feed station on the route. A cruel down slope to the feed station, which means 'what goes down must come up!', and into the shade.
Tony and Dianne pull in, shoes off, spot my group that I want to finish with - Club Annecy - they just arrive. Water melon and cold coke is lovely, refreshing.
Still the organisers are smiling and helpful (lessons can be learn't, if you know what I mean). Water bottles to fill, my electrolyte powder is low, I borrow a 'touch' of Tony's, use that as back up. Heads up th Annecy 'mob' are off, Tony tells me to go, he'll catch me up and pass the bottles on.
The weather forecast if for rain in Lyon, if you look forward me thinks thats going to be right. Thick cloud and the tell tail sigh, wind, are on the horizon. How fitting, belting heat, strong winds, lethal climbs and decents, lets finish it off with some 'damp stuff'.
Anyway back to the moment, lets get in the Annecy group. That group grows we catch some others up, its still a headwind, but with 25k to go and after whats gone on before, its a head down situation and push on. We've got one small climb left at Grenay, not mean't to be much but a climbs a climb.
Getting there is a different thing. The rain appears, lets hope it not heavy, at least its now, I would not have liked to do any of the ride (both days) with any rain about!
Little drizzle to start with, road furniture doesn't help, its nice to look at but very unfriendly to 'hit' when wet. We push on, trying to keep the group together, I don't like to leave anyone behind, we've been through a lot over the previous day(s), its not a race its a challenge. The 'bump' arrives,up and over and into the last 10k, flat and wet. I've got carbon brakes, not rain friendly, I must drop back a little, its unsafe to stay in the 'pack'. If someone has to brake for any reason my 'blocks' would not react so well.
Tony pass's me, 6k to go, I can see the town of Bron ahead. Wet through, its all finishing in slow motion, the line is not getting any closer. A couple of corners later and I see a sign to the finishing line. Right hand turn and I'm in, finished, done dusted and all smiles....
Not hungery, not thirsty, just happy to be 'home' albeit damp, but who cares? Its all smiles at the finishing area. The final stamp hits the card, the course organiser congratulates me and I thank him for a superb course (I can say now I've finished!).
3 cups of coffee and I need a quick change of clothing before heading back to the hotel for a 'clean up' and dinner (+wine). Bike in the van, all my gear grabbed from Tony's car and back to the hotel.
Ouch Now I know why my 'butt' hurts
On closer inspection of my rear end I now know why I was a bit uncomfortable on the saddle. A bit of skin is missing (well more than a bit) on the left cheek, well this should be an interesting drive back, 7.30hrs doing a balancing act!
Whilst not quite as bad as the picture might suggest, you get the idea!
Washed showered changed and time for dinner. The food here is really rather good, the breakfast buffet is excellent, good choice good quality.
We gather round a table for a pre dinner 'cocktail' and view the powertap info. It makes interesting reading (for some). Then its time to eat. Fill up gently, got a long run tomorrow back to St Malo. Worked it out that I should be on the road by 0700hrs.
Feed and water (nice house wine) and its time for bed. We've talked about the day(s) we've gained massive experience (well I have), maybe just maybe I may return.
Why? the company and hospitality was second to none, but then again...the rain, you don't want the rain, I think it is a 'been there done that' but happy to pass on any thoughts to anyone thinking of doing it.
Review and Thoughts
Totals for the day(s) are below. Unfortunately for some reason the powertap device decided to record both days as two seperate files, never mind.
Day 1.......
Basic totals - Time 9.39hrs / Distance 219k
Day 2.......
Basic totals - Time 9.27hrs / Distance 230k
More to follow (once I get the Polar CS500 to download!)
The hazards we all face in life
The above line is regarding the 'Time Megeve Mont Blanc' sportive which was being run on the Sunday 6th June 2010 from the same area we stayed at overnight. The race was stopped after the tragic death of one of the competitors. A link to the report of the accident is above (please only use it if you have a strong mind). The accident is being fully investigated, as it should be.
On behalf of the DFS Bikers I wish to send my condolences to the affected families and to the organisers of the race.
Overall thoughts? Well for fear of repeating myself I think it was a one off, but again another place to visit (whilst not racing) to enjoy (winter or summer).
Was it enjoyable? In a weard way yes (albeit not all of the time) another mind game adventure, especially the 1st day, having to do a lot of work alone (bit like the old days of ironman racing, next year another one? see how Amsterdam goes) which I think I have the 'upperhand on'.
The Team! Without the backup of Dianne (and Tony) on the first day, I think it would have been a 'different' story. You have to have a plan in place for this type of event, this we had, but with the weather conditions (which I think caught us out 'badly') being so hot ( a lesson learn't here, check the conditions, which for some reason we didn't?)
Oh and....On driving back (as mentioned above) things were a little 'uncomfortable' so in the sprit of things I did have to stop for fuel, so try and aquire a plaster or two. Now this would have been easy if the plasters would have been on the shelve, but no, nothing in sight, so one has to ask the cashier (which with my broken french should be fun). So asking for a plaster and pointing at my finger in an effort to explain what I would like, the lady looks at my finger, which I explain is not the problem (getting the picture?) she look's at me slightly confused, which is 'cleared up' by my pointing at my rear end. The penny drops and she disappears out of the door and re-appears with a 'fair size' bandage and some tape. I slide off to the 'gents' and 'fix the problem'. On returning to the desk the other lady at the counter has a 'smile' on her face, as she has been informed of my 'problem'. On offering to pay for the bandage the smile turns into a 'little giggle'. Oh um never mind, maybe it made her day.
Next?......Italian time. The Gran Fondo Marco Pantani 170k in Aprica. Tedley Tea bags and rain! Changed wheels (learn't from this race that carbon rims and blocks are to good in the wet) not going to decent these Cols in 'damp carbon!'
Updating as and when more info (and I remember things) is available.