Local Legends

25th August 2011
Mont Ventoux (Giant of Provence)

After a fantastic night in the beautiful fort town of Sisteron, we rolled out at 08:30. It was a lovely cool morning with a refreshing breeze and not too warm for a change. Today’s ride would take us 107km to Mont Ventoux via the Col de Homme Mort (translated as Dead Man’s mountain).

By this time we were all tired and worn, out and suffering from the odd saddle sore or ten, and were glad when David (our guide) set a nice steady pace up through the valley that we all found manageable and enjoyable. We steadily rode along the valley floor until we hit the first cafe stop of the day where I consumed a large hot chocolate, a lemonade and a Twix – yum!

We then rolled out to do the first small mountain of the day, not that I can remember what it was called as it was only a baby. By now it was starting to get back towards 30°c again, and becoming uncomfortable to ride on into. We then descended to the foot of the Col de Homme Mort. This was actually quite a pleasant climb, aided by a tail wind and a bottle of water poured over my head! Whilst riding up this climb we got our first look at the monster that is the Mont Ventoux. Wow, it was massive, maybe not as high as some of our previous mountains, but being in a fairly flat area it sticks out a full kilometre higher than anything around it. From the top of Homme Mort you can see the weather station at the top of the Ventoux – it looks tiny and a long way away.

We then descended down into the small town of Sault for a picnic lunch. Simon had laid on a brilliant table full of bread, cheese and meat to ready us for this final brutal assault on our physical and mental being.

Let me put Ventoux into context. It is hard… really hard. Very little tree cover, and very steep sections – plus the boiling heat at the bottom and the ‘mistral’ wind at the top to contend with. So hard is this climb it has claimed lives; most notably Tom Simpson in 1967 (his memorial is situated 1km from the summit).

So we set out from Sault to take on the monster. This side is easier than from Bedoin, where the professional riders come at it from, but it is longer at 28km. The two ways up meet 6km from the top at a cafe called Chalet Reynard. So here we go, 22km at between 3% and 8% followed by the final sections at 8%. Now it was hot, so hot it felt as though the Devil himself was branding the word ‘idiot’ into my back. Fortunately my friend Chris decided to ride up with me, as I was suffering from the heat and saddle sores to the point of quitting. It was his quote from Lance Armstrong that goes ‘pain is temporary, quitting is forever’ that got me up the first 22km. We pull up at Chalet Reynard for a cup of something and a quick chat before finishing the climb. By now the temperature had dropped due to the altitude, which was a blessing, but the wind was really strong. This wind is called the Mistral, and indeed it was at the Ventoux weather station that the highest wind speed in Europe was recorded (200mph; in fact, for over 240 days a year it is as high as 55mph!!) and today it was living up to its name. So we embark on the final 6km – me before the others, as if I do not go now it will not happen; I am that tired and sore. The great thing about this section is each kilometre is marked, telling you how long left and the average gradient. I push on, past the 5km to go marker, then the 4, then… no number 3km (it was stolen during the last tour visit, and has not been replaced), then 2km. At the 1km to go sign there is the memorial to Tom Simpson. I remove my hat and glasses, and bow my head in respect to the famous British cyclist. Then I look up; the road just ramps up for the last 500m – it is massive, and I feel all my fears about this climb boil up, giving me the adrenaline push I need to master this monster.

I round the final corner and arrive in the car park of the observatory at the summit, 1912m above sea level. The view is tremendous, miles and miles, right out to the Mediterranean sea, and up to central France; well worth the 3 hours of pain. I have my picture taken and we all agree to meet at Chalet Reynard on the descent. On the way down I take part in a cycling ritual, and leave two gifts at the Tom Simpson memorial, a plastic duck with the details of our ride on it, and my cotton cap I have been wearing all week with the Union Jack on it.

I put my helmet back on and descend to Chalet Reynard. The first 6km of descending is scary due to the wind, every corner is misjudged and every braking section wrong but I make it with no trouble, and having overtaken at least two camper vans on the way down. Arriving at the cafe we are talked through the descent to Bedoin by our guide David, who informs us that it is the best one of the week. We set off and wow 55-60mph on a bicycle! Long sweeping bends, tight hairpins and a great road surface make for the most breath taking descent of the week. We were going so fast even the motorbikes could not keep up, and I whizzed past them. We stop at the bottom and race towards Bedoin together. Now as we approach the sign, Chris says, “the sign is the line!” and we sprint like crazy for it. I get it, but only just – 50m more and Chris would have been all over it!!!

So that’s it – we trundle to the hotel and have a well earned rest after over 500km plus of pain and heat done. Sad but well needed! The hotel is great it has a pool and hammocks; just what the ailing rider needs to wind down. Whilst chilling out, a chap pops up his head and asks me about my book (Slaying the Badger) and announces that he was Greg Lemond’s soigner back in the Z team days; wow! Greg won the tour three times in the 1980′s and is a legend! He told us some interesting stories and offered us a massage (which, at 55 euros per 30 minutes, I declined!).

So we head down to dinner and chill out for a bit, aware we are travelling back to the car at 10pm.

Well that’s about it, just to say we had an epic journey home, the car never did overheat again, and we even managed an earlier ferry.

I would like to thank the following people -

Annalisa Powell – My long suffering ‘cycling widow’ wife for putting up with me and supporting me in all my sporting endeavours
Jack Powell – For being good for Mum
Damian Jones – A non cycling legend in the making, fantastic photography and great company (sorry I was a bit moody at the Izoard!!)
Chris Liptrot – My new friend, you are a legend and a saint, putting up with my endless cycling hypochondria and whinging and helping me through some tough days
The Frosties – For all the support in helping Annalisa and Jack put up with me
ASL Vision & Ian Saward – For the sponsorship and help in publishing this blog and making it all possible
Sponsors – For all you input and help
HDA.org – For your support and ideas
My family – For your encouragement and help

24th August

Well let me explain the idea of today, an easy transition day from the main Alps to Sisteron. Ok so five climbs constitutes an ‘easy day’! We have now realised our guides’ idea of easy is somewhat different to our idea of easy… a good example is the question posed at the end of every day: ‘how far to the hotel?’ the answer is always 5km.

So we leave the rather nice hotel in Embrun and leave for our easy day. We instantly hit a climb – fortunately it was only 19°c and we decided to keep it as easy as possible. This still resulted in all of us arriving at the top of the climb in dribs and drabs. We then managed to miss the cafe and crack on to the next ‘minor climb’. By now the heat was starting to rise, coupled with the fact we were riding south; by 11a.m. it was 30°c.

Allow me to explain what riding in this heat on a climb is like. Imagine a treadmill; you are tired and worn out and you have to run full pace for at least 2 hours, but, the running machine is in a sauna, with no fan, and it just keeps getting hotter… horrible but fun at the same time.

The views on the way up are well worth the toil on the mountain though. Our next climb seems to be on a British style 6’6″ badly surfaced road, but in 37°c heat. It goes on forever, and then the guide points up to the other side of the valley, into the distance, and says ‘See, it is not far’ yeah right! After an hour of trudging through the melting tarmac and trying not to allow my brain to melt in the process, we come across the van with lunch all laid out, wow!!!! Cold Orangina, bread and olives, all gone in minutes. I eat my food and soon find myself asleep on the back seat of the van.

After hearing the 10 minute warning I jump up and try to get myself going again, down the mountain. Descending is great fun, until the road melts, then it is rather interesting. The wet tar acts like a slippery wet surface, which you do not see until the last minute.

Finally after descending through an amazing gorge (devoid of water as it is so hot) and hammering along in a pace line we turn right onto our final climb. Now this was my sort of climb, 1km at 14% just like the South Downs, no worries – I even managed to get up it quick!

On our way down into Sisteron we happen upon a beautiful little French village set into the hill side. A big pink house with fantastic windows and a great cold fountain – just the ticket for 5 boiling cyclists.

Finally we descend into Sisteron, wow what a beautiful place! I must bring Mrs Powell here one day and amaze her with the views, I will however invest in a hire car with AIR CON!!!

Well tomorrow we do the ‘Giant de Provence’ Mont Ventoux, the most feared climb in cycling. A truly terrifying beast that rises up 1909m from the lavender fields, awaiting any cyclists who are brave (or stupid) enough to attempt it. Only another 107km to go to our final destination in Bedoin.

No pics at the moment but I will try tomorrow.

Cheers

John

23rd August
Valloire – Embrun 131km

Only 131km over two HC (look it up) climbs. It all started so well, breakfast (yes I did eat cake) followed by a gentle ride up the valley to the foot of the Col du Galibier. Felt great to start with and pushed on up the climb. 17km average of 8%, last km is 10%. This climb felt great, legs turning well, breathing in and out and my heart pumping away nicely. I think the temperature makes a massive difference, it was 19 c when we left and only 10 c at the top. This was the roof of the trip, topping out at 2645m where the air is thin and crisp and nothing grows.

Next my favourtie bit, hot chocolate french style – yum yum!! The the long 28km descent to lunch in the town of Serra Chavlier. Our guides had prepared a lovely picnic lunch with meat, cheese, bread and other tasty titbits.

Now for the brute of the day, the Col D’Izoard. 17km of brutality. Started this one feeling great, but died half way up. It took me ages and they were about to send out a rescue party!! Chris was worried as I was weaving all over the place at the top of this. Even after this massive climb we still had 60km to ride.

60km on tired legs! The ride was worth it though, down a fast 25km descent to the valley below, and then along the top of the most amazing gorge ever.

Not a lot to say really about today other than I think it qualifies as the most difficult day on two wheels I have ever suffered. This was however helped by the facilities at our hotel; pool, jacuzzi and cold pool! Wow it was like Heaven had come to Earth, thank God!!

Well I am writing this late so must go adios!!!

Just Giving

22nd August
Col De Croix De Fer – Col du Telegraph

Well there we were at Alpe D’Huez ready to descend down to the foot of the CroixDe Fer. Fine, after a fantastic descent with a real fast set of sweeping bends we arrived at the foot of the Croix de Fer. Well I had not really paid much attention to the climb on the profile, by the end of it I wished I had. 28km of hot sticky hell, the starting temperature was 21, by the end it was 35 degrees with no wind. I was half way up and chanced upon a fountain; never has freezing cold water been so enjoyable! Yum, head in, feet in and bottles full, I wandered to the local cafe and ordered a hot dog!

Belly full and water on board I pushed on. The trouble with mountains is the length of time between each kilometer; at home a kilometer takes no time, on an 8% climb it takes ages.

Finally after 3 hours I reach the top, where the support vehicle is waiting with cold drinks and lunch. We finish up and head on down the valley. Now I like to give it full bore downhill and spent 20km enjoying the corners and the breeze. We then turned right onto the Col du Mollard ‘this one is only 6km and easy’ said the guide. Yeah whatever! 6km at 10% ouch. We regroup at the top and David (our guide) says about the hairpins, great fun winding down the valley full tilit into each hairpin, 44 of them in fact, my brakes were almost dead by the bottom but it was worth it.

By now it had started to get really humid and cloud over, which was a bit worrying. With that we head on up the valley to the foot of the Col du Telegraph. Now, after 7 hours of riding your legs start to hurt a bit and after 3km of the Telegraph my legs died. So here I was grinding first gear up one of the nost feared climbs in cycling. All day I had prayed for rain and unfortunately my prayers were answered, along with thunder, lightening and stinging freezing rain, the sort of rain that chills you from 35 c to 10 in seconds. I finally reached the top and opted to take the support vehicle the final 5km descent into the town of Valloire. All in all a tough day on the bike.

We stop at a great hotel overlooking a raging river which was overflowing with the rain. We wash our kit and head down for dinner. Pasta chicken and beer, suited me fine. Tuck into bed and sleep it all off ready for the day of suffering.

Just Giving

21st August
La Mure – D’Huez: 50 miles

Ok decision time, we leave the car (which Damian was originally going to drive along the route) at the hotel, and decide to pick it up at the end of the week. So today’s menu: Col D’Ornon and Alpe D’Huez (the Mecca for cyclists). Starting temperature at 10a.m. is 25°c. Loaded with water and food we head of into the shimmering heat. First fast descent results in a wasp sting on my thigh; ouch! But not too bad. Soon we find ourselves at a cafe, but it is closed, so we settle for a dip in the fountain outside. The temperature has climbed to 35°c after just one hour.

So it is now the most oppressive heat I have ever ridden in. Climbing is hard, climbing in the heat is evil! We descend the Col D’Ornon at 40 mph plus and arrive at the foot of one of the most feared climbs in cycling, Alpe D’Huez. The first 4km of this 14km long ride in a pressure cooker are the steepest, averaging 10% plus. It hurts, I am in a world of suffering, the sun seemingly burning a hole into my back and head. Still I push on knowing I can do it, knowing it is short-term pain and discomfort. The faster I ride the shorter the pain. On a climb like this you need rhythm, like a metronome your legs beat the pedals round, your shoulders gently rock and your breathing works in time. Slowly the corners tick by (on the Alpe each one is numbered, starting at 21 and ending in 0), as do the kilometers; rhythm in check, water devoured and energy drink adding a pleasant nausea into the equation. Just about 4km from the top, David (one of our guides) hands me a freezing bottle of water and pours some over me. WOW suddenly I find myself upping the pace. The last 4km speed by, and before I know it I am at the finish. A nice cold coke and a protein shake and I am back descending to the hotel. What a hotel, great food and good company – dinner shared with a great group of people, all regailing their day’s toils.

So time for bed; sleep it off to be faced with more monsters, sorry, mountains, tomorrow.

MapMyRide

Just Giving

Friend and customer John Powell is currently undertaking a gruelling bike ride to raise money for the Huntington’s Disease Association.
The challenging terrain includes Alp d’Huez. Any enthusiast who has completed the London to Brighton bike ride will appreciate that this is similar in gradient to Ditchling Beacon – but 14 times the length.
John, Technical Sales Executive at ASL Vision, in Railway Lane, Lewes, has organised the ride in memory of his aunt who died from Huntington’s Disease last year.
John is continuing to try to raise further sponsorship for the ride.
To sponsor him you can head to his Just Giving page.

20th August
Well leaving at 2 a.m. is always fun! Three tired and bleary-eyed travellers hitting the motorway, and going to the nearest coffee shop.
Chris, Damian and I packed the car up, filled it up with fuel, and off we went.

We make the ferry, along with 400 other intrepid travellers sailing to Calais, and marvel at the British ability to down pints of lager and shots at 4:30a.m. without thinking about the driving in France.

Our first taste of France is in the services . Yum yum, breakfast – best in ages; bacon, eggs and sausage, this was followed by the nicest salad ever, and other titbits for lunch.

After arriving in France we crack on with the journey, hammering down the motorway, seemingly eating up the kilometers (we are now in metric land of course), and watching the towns pass by: Reims, Lyon and Grenoble, and the temperature rises; 37°c by the time we arrive. Finally we arrive in the Alps, following the GPS to the postcode. We start to climb the Alps, and suddenly the temperature gauge on the car shoots up to maximum! ‘Stop! Stop! ‘ I shouted, and Damian stopped the car ASAP! We let it cool down, meanwhile changing Chris’ bike tyres, and assisting a French motor cyclist with a wasp sting.

Ok, car cooled down we start again, arriving at postcode after about 30 minutes… no hotel and no sign of anyone! After a quick take five and postcode check on the internet, we realise we are 41 miles away from the hotel! The paperwork postcode is out by one digit… thank God it is only 41 miles. We descend the mountains and start the climbs the other side… again, the car temperature shoots up, panic, how are we going to get to the hotel and what do we do? We let it cool, and drive the final 9 miles to the hotel, arriving at 20:45, just in time for dinner.

After putting new bar tape on the bike and eating dinner we head to bed.

Congratulations to these guys.
It took a lot of planning and training, but they recently completed 800 miles over 8 day riding from Islington to the heart of the French alps. All on Pashley Guvnors and in authentic classic cycle wear.

The aim of the ride was to raise money and awareness for the Lavender Trust, a Breast Cancer Charity. Raising over £45K in the process.

Please support these truly great guys.
The Angel Ride

This photo is of one of our customers riding his first time-trial. Peter Crowsley took part in the Kentish Wheelers Novice 25 miles, on 25th March 1951. At that time it was compulsory for all race competitors to dress in black clothing.

The bicycle was a Bates BAR (now quite sort after) and the unusual front forks, called “Diadrant”, were supposed to absorb road shock. The gearing was 81″ fixed wheel.

The course, starting and finishing near Earlswood Lakes was partly on the old London to Brighton road – now part of the Gatwick Airport main runway.

Recording a time of 1hour 10mins 57seconds, Peter finished about two-thirds down the field – the winner clocked a time of 1hour 4minutes.

“I found the frame extremely rigid and uncomfortable, and only kept it a year or two”.

Peter Crowley, Forest Row Bike Club & Veteren C.C.

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