No response over on GetSatisfaction where I had a desparate attempt to free my own content from Vox.
So... I am back going back to Blogger: http://dropbars.blogspot.com/
At least Blogger has good ethics about its users' content: http://buzz.blogger.com/2008/12/your-blog-your-data.html
The organiser stated earlier this week that London-Edinburgh-London is now ful. 600 riders from 30 different nationalities. 5 days max, 1400km.
Mood: Excited and worried.
I have received confirmation that my entry has been processed. For anyone interested in entering, consider doing so sooner than later as places are filling in fast. Also make sure the cheque is addressed to LEL2009 Ltd as opposed to the name of the main organiser Melita Luxton.
Plans are being drafted and redrafted on a constant basis as there is clear need to balance getting fit for riding 1400k in 5 days and family life.
Current plans are as folllow:
April: Moffat Toffee (200k) on 19 April or The Cambrian (200k) on 11th April + Elenith (300k)
May: Fred Whitton Challenge on 10th May, Brian Chapman Memorial (600k) on 16th May
June: Ardechoise's Meridionale Allier (600k), White Rose Classic TBD
July: London-Edinburgh-London (1400k)
August: Relax... and Cumberland Challenge (I intend carry on riding this one until we get good weather conditions!)
September: May be the three peaks cyclocross...
A challenging event such as London-Edinburgh-London requires a few tricks to avoid wimping out before even seeing the start. One of first tricks to use is to voice your intentions to your friends, family etc... Then you have to enter.
I have now done that on both counts. I have also booked accommodation at the start and finish. I am nervously awaiting confirmation from the organiser Melita Luxton.
Related post: One Silly idea for 2009,
If you could be featured in a magazine which one would you choose?
Audax UK's Arrivée after riding LEL2009 next year?
It is something that I have been thinking about tackling for some time.
The Mont Ventoux is a legend of a hill, a mecca for all cyclists. The views from the top are worth every single bead of sweat. The climbs are dreadfully hard on a good clear day and horrible if undertaken on a day with some mistral. Mistral is a cold, strong northerly wind predominant in the Rhone valley. As you can imagine its strength is amplified significantly at high altitude.
My preferred option would be to start off fairly early from St Jean de Sault where my sister Sandra lives. The climb from Sault is great and not too much of a challenge until you get past the Chalet Reynard. I would then descend to Bedoin, climb from Bedoin whilst the heat of the day is not at its peak. The climb from Bedoin is very very hard. I went up two years ago. I was very lucky in my timing as the Mistral had been blowing at speeds above 100km/h for weeks on end. The only point at which the wind was significant was on the infamous col des tempetes. A very exposed steep slog of a climb.
The last and remaining ascent from Malaucene onto the northen road would be unknown territory to me. I have never attempted that ascent. The gradients are apparently not as severe as from Bedoin. However the road looks mighty from above and will be a fantastic challenge after completing the two earlier ascents from Bedoin and Sault.
The last stretch is a pleasant and fast descent to Sault and a steep climb back to Sandra's.
One hell of a day ahead :-)
More info: http://les.cingles.du.mont-ventoux.club.fr/regles.htm and http://www.clubcinglesventoux.org/index.php
This year has been my first stab at time trials. There is something funny about time trials. It's you against the clock, adrenalin flowing, plenty of agony and a constant battle in the mind to squash negative thoughts.
I have completed three time trials this year. The first one was around Coniston. There I learned that a standing start is tricky, that it's a bad idea to eat scampi and chips 30' before the start, cycling the route before the race is a good idea and that riding a time trial was like banging your head against a wall, it feels better when you stop.
My other two time trials were at Salt Ayre cycle track. 10 miles evening ride around the newly resurfaced track. Good atmosphere, great mix of age, skills and no option for getting lost. My time of 27'12 and 26'47 are a start and hopefully a good base for next year.
I am going to turn my attention to Lancaster Cycling Club's Hill Climbs (Conder Bottom and Jubilee Tower). These present an interesting challenge, are litterally next door to me and are organised at a convenient time after work. I timed myself this morning on Jubilee Tower for the first time and as expected it's not pretty at 12'. (the course record as set by Ben Greenwood stands at 7'22s!). My plan is to ride Jubilee tower regularly between now and 11th September.
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