Back again

Madly drove down to Mirepoix overnight on Thursday, arriving at breakfast time yesterday morning. We are back this time with Seb, our eldest (just back from 3 months of travelling around the Far East on a Gap tour) and his girlfriend Aly. Seb had been bragging as usual, this time about how he was going to 'whip my arse' on the bike - so at the first available opportunity we were out, Seb asking me to keep it short before we had even started! He is actually very fit but cycling is not at the top of his sporting activities and he has the build of a sprinter not a hill climber. Still once kitted out he bore more than a passing resemblence (at least when stationary) to Mario Cippolini (The Lion King) the legendary sprinter and womaniser. We completed a short 30km loop with one medium climb. He survived and I am sure will come out again sometime. He definately did not whip my arse on this occassion though. This afternoon was much hotter and I completed a longer 68k ride via Chalabre, along to Puivert then up over the Col de Babourade to Belesta. From there it was up and over another couple of mini climbs either side of Leran and back to Les Senies and home. The heat certainly made it more demanding and I had run out of water completely just before the end.

Chalabre and beyond

Today saw me out after the obligatory visit to the Monday morning market in Mirepoix and before lunch. The wind was still there but more of a crosswind on my route today, down to Chalabre and then on through to La Bastide sur l'Hers (where we had viewed a huge but decrepit town house back in 2007). From there it was the short climb up and over to Larouque d'Olmes. On that stretch I felt like a rider from the 1950's as they were resurfacing the road and it was at the gravel stage. Any moment I expected to be confronted by a flat but my luck was in. From there I was buffeted by the crosswind all the way back to Mirepoix and a welcome lunch outside.

Windy as usual

Took my son Nick out with me for the first part of my ride today. He is 10 and has a nice little mini racer which he rides at a very reasonable pace (around 22kph on the flat). He still has a bit of trouble changing the old style gears. Unfortunately we had not gone very far before he fell off for no particular reason - no broken bones but grazed shoulder, side, arm and leg and a little bit of shock to go with it. Got him up and going again as quickly as practical as I felt this was the best way not to dwell on it. We did a steady 3km climb which he has done before. He managed it well, seated all the way and I am sure he will be up to the challenge of something bigger now. He certainly thinks he is!. Altogether we did about 20km before meeting up with my better half Ro. She had very sensibly had opted for a flat ride along the local old railway track now converted for cycling and walking. I then carried on out past Mirepoix to the village of Vals and back again - out with a vicious headwind all the way, the benefit definately being felt on the way back as I bowled along at over 40kph!

France yipee

We took the very early flight down to Toulouse this morning leaving behind brilliant sunshine. Greeted here by a very overcast damp day but still good to be here at our French retreat near Mirepoix. Got out for a nice fast loop round Camon which is one of my favourites. Traffic free as usual and incoroprating a fairly gentle 4.5km climb up through woods to get my legs adjusted again. Hopefully will try something more demanding later in the weekend - Although the final very steep climb back up to our house at the end of each ride is always a challenge!

Significant French climbs completed previously

Here is a list of those Alpine and Pyrenean mountains already conquered or struggled up:

Alps

1. Col du Galibier

2. Col du Telegraphe

3. Col du Lautaret

4. La Toussuire

Pyrenees

1. Montsegur

2. Col du Peguere

3. Col de Port

4. Col de Mente

5. Hautacam

6. Col du Tourmalet

7. Bonascre

8. Col de l'Aspin

9. Col de Peyresourde

10. Col de Portet D'Aspet

11. Col de Palliheres

Kent foray

Not a pleasant day at work with some tricky issues to deal with. Hence, easily enticed out by another sunny evening and headed into Kent, tackling Groombridge Hill (recently resurfaced) - varying gradient and good practice for France and the mountains. Going through Tunbridge Wells the weather took a sudden turn for the worst. Turning back, I was faced with a blustery headwind which needed an extra push to beat.

Recovery ride

I was right - spent most of the week with a bout of tonsillitis which kept me off the bike for a few days. It now seems to be pretty much banished, so was out this afternoon on a recovery ride - also testing out the google maps GPS facility on the Crackberry Which seems to work quite well. Should be a godsend in the Pyrenees later in the summer. 

Break in the weather

The weather has been a bit mixed for the past few days but was good enough on Saturday afternoon for a ride in the Haywards Heath direction - not particularly enjoyable as a result of a vicious headwind on the way back. Have since been laid a bit low with what I fear is another bout of tonsillitis.

Cooler weather

Noticable change in the weather last evening, cooler and with a hint of rain to come. Managed to fit in a Nutley circuit including up to the top of the forest and the fast long drop back down into Hartfield. Passed the 3,000kms point on my Bianchi UK bike during the ride.

3 counties

Really needed my evening ride today, after very stressful day rushing from meeting to meeting in the heat. My lovely wife had cooked up a delicious macaroni cheese which I wolfed down before setting out - good fuel and I felt strong. Did a 40 km loop taking in Sharpthorne, Turners Hill, Lingfield and East Grinstead - In the process taking in 3 counties: East and West Sussex and Surrey.