Carla, my wife, lover, friend, life-partner, significant other, training partner, co-driver, manager, consultant, massuese, celebrates her birthday today. Happy Birthday XXXXXXX 🙂
Here she is…
Wonder woman hits the big one!
6
Category Archives: stuff
Friday Quiz!
Right, can you name these three very famous cyclists? Score one point for each one you get right…
Once you have the names you can get extra points if you can give a reason why each one is an ‘odd one out’ from the other two.
Update and answers РThe famous cyclists are, left to right, Raymond Poulidor, Andr̩ Dufraisse, Eddy Mercx.
For odd one out you could have said…
Eddy Mercx – he’s Belgian, the other two are French.
André Dufraisse – he’s a cyclo-cross rider the other two are roadies.
Raymond Poulidor – he’s the only one of the three that didn’t win a world championship.
The thing that brings all three of them together in this picture is the L’Echappe Belle cyclo-sportive held here in the Limousin.
He wants her to be one of his girls ‘e does
Who does? Théodore Molina, the president of the Cyclo Club Beauvallet that’s who does. He’s been after Carla for some time now. Even taken to giving her gifts!
Why? Well, first of all, Carla’s no slouch on a bike, she’s been on the podium in XC races before, and has the potential to do it again if she choses. Théo might not know she has podium palmares, but he’s seen her ride, and can see she has class. Secondly, there doesn’t seem to be many lady riders mountainbiking out here in France. Any that do ride are treated like royalty. For example, once when we were out on the trails we came upon a group of walkers. They heard us approaching and were more than happy to let us through. I was leading at the time, I got a ‘bonjour’, and a smile. When they saw Carla, she got a cheer, a clap, and ‘bravo’. See what I mean?
If Théo could get Carla to wear his club’s jersey it would be good exposure for his club. Though I don’t think that publicity for his club is his main objective. I think it’s notoriety….. you know, Théo, the one with all the girls! 🙂
Seriously though, cycling in France is all about the blokes. Théodore’s is working hard to promote ‘girls’ cycling, and he should be applauded for doing so. Well done that man!
By the way, the CC Beauvallet annual VTT rando, ‘Virée des Copains’ takes place on 3rd February. Starting at Thouron, with circuits of 40, 27, and 12kms on offer. Why not go along and see whose riding? As if you couldn’t guess 🙂
Secret Weapon
Got myself a Compex MI-Sport! A what? An Electro Muscle Stimulation unit! Yep, like this one…
I first came across them when I was riding the GTL last year. At the overnight stop there were quite a few riders using them to help with their recovery. Anyways, after months of researching/reading/agonising I bought one. Had it a little while now, been using it mostly in ‘active recovery’ mode, but also trying the ‘capiliarisation’ programme, and the ‘endurance’ programme. Early days yet, but I’m sure it will help.
Oh, forgot to say, we used it on Carla’s back after she overdid it in the garden. Worked wonders! I tried it on the way home from a race. While Carla drove I zapped my legs and had a can of beer! Decadent or what?
There’s lots of info’ about them on the Compex website. I got mine from Perform Better in the UK, they were extremely helpful. Even gave me a free pair of Linebreak tights!
Compex sessions can be carried out outside or during voluntary training (see training plan). If you wish to do both types of training at the same time, we recommend that you start with voluntary training. In some cases, particularly for resistance work, it may be beneficial to start with a Compex session in order to generate a state of “pre-fatigue” in the muscle fibres.
Pre-fatigue? Now there’s a thing. I wonder if that’s like going out training when your’e still tired from the day before?
The end of a new start
It’s the end of my first season racing again. After I broke my shoulder in 2003 there were times that I thought I’d never race again. I even sold my beloved road bike. However, things gradually improved, and after dipping my toe in the racing water in the December 2006 Pearce Cycles runners versus riders I decided to give it a go in 2007.
Well, I reckon it has been one of my best seasons ever. Moving to France and riding virtually full-time may have helped. I’m certainly lighter, and have more miles in my legs since my peak in the 90s. The success that I enjoyed early in the year made me even more motivated, which in turn brought about more success. It was simply fantastic to be racing again, and holding my own in the scratch group. Not bad for an old bloke with a dodgy shoulder.
I’ve already made plans for races in 2008. Got the calendar pinned up on the wall. Even sent race entries off. Big targets for me in 2008 will be – Haute Vienne VTT Departmental Championships, Limousin VTT Regional Championships, and VTT National Championships. Getting a win in one of those would be really something.
To me sporting activity is a celebration of life, and I realise that I’m in a privileged position to be racing at all, part of the reason I want to do really well. I also realise that I couldn’t do it without the support of friends, and the love of my wife.
So here goes, I’m going into 2008 with a mission to celebrate. I hope 2008 goes well for you, and you get to celebrate too.
Bonne année!
Pain and Pleasure
With no races for a few weeks, but a couple of races before the end of the season, I’ve been training hard to try and hold some form………
The Pain – So, I’m out on a three hour ride with two hours done. I’ve been working hard, but now I’m spent. It’s a cold miserable day, and all of a sudden it feels like it’s a long way home. Why do I do this? What’s the point? Pushing and punishing myself in the ultimately futile pursuit of physical excellence in a minority sport. I don’t know, so I push on home to a hot shower.
The Pleasure – Two days later I’m out on a training ride with a bunch of local riders. Were moving fast along a rolling road through the beautiful French countryside. No one speaks as we bowl along, all working together as one. I’m floating, it’s hard, but it’s effortless. I’m just there, in the moment, it doesn’t get much better than this….. I’ve earned it! 🙂
A long Limousin weekend – The return of Supawal
When my brother Supawal and I get together it’s always the same – excessive! We drink too much, eat too much, play music too loud, and ride our bikes until we can hardly stand. Why? well it could be because neither of us will admit to being tired/full/pi55ed, or it could be because it’s tradition, but actually it’s because we just do.
Thursday afternoon – we picked Supawal up from Limoges airport. Within a couple of hours he’d eaten, put his bike together, and we headed off towards Congnac le Foret in the autumn sun. Mostly tarmac on the way out, then trails to the top of the forest. From the high point to St Cyr is about 5km, slightly downhill all the way. On through to St Auvent where we went down the rocky descent that leads to the pont ancien (old bridge). A bit tricky in places as the dappled sunlight on the autumn leaves hid the rocks. Carla decided that she’d done enough and set off for home. I pursuaded Supawal that we should do a quick loop in the forest of Rochechouart. We’d done two and a half hours by the time we swooped back through L’Age and onto the final climb. Naturally, we rode it hard.
Friday – With a big ride in the Monts de Blond planned we were up early. Van packed, breakfasted, and gone. Just the two of us today. The route I had in mind would take us down the north side of the hills, along a shelf, and up to the old chapel above Vaulry. However, as we drove up to park near Boscartus we found ourselves driving out of the early morning sun and into the mist. It was cold! A quick change of plan, and we were rattling down the rocky desents back towards the sun.
Supawal was riding his Hummer with Rock Shox Revalations set at about 120, he was hoooooning effortlessly down the descents. I was riding my Epic, doing my best to keep up in a ragged sketchy sort of style!
We’d been out for a couple of hours before we climbed back up to the van to eat some lunch. By now the mist had lifted, and it was glorious, not too hot, just perfect riding weather. I was gonna save some of my lunch to eat after our ride, but in the blink of an eye I’d scoffed the lot!
Back on the bikes, down the north side, and along the shelf. It’s fairly straight forward in a rocky rollercoaster sort of way, but it’s hard. By the time we reached the old chapel I could tell that Supawal was tiring.
We raced down the hillside towards Rousset. I’m on the front, I know the trail a little. Supawal is banging on my back wheel. I know there’s a tight left with a huge rut and rocks hidden under the leaves. I’m fighting hard to not fall into it. Supawal can’t see it, and just hammers on. I make it around the corner, but only just. Supawal manages to miss my back wheel, but only just! We laugh.
Traversing now, up and down along the south side. Supawal is spent, but with four and a half hours done we’re back at the van. We’ve had a great day out.
Later that evening I put the Compex on Supawal’s legs in the hope that a miracle will happen.
Saturday – a gentle ride around the chemins south of Rochechouart. It’s one of my favourite rides, it goes straight from home, and takes a couple of hours. There’s no big hills, it’s easy riding, and is best taken at a fairly brisk pace. Supawal seems to be going fairly well at first, Carla is out with us, and we’re both sitting on his wheel. Carla has had enough by Rochechouart and loops back home. With Carla gone Supawal’s strength deserts his and we’re crawling along. I believe that Supawal believes that chewy bars can fix any amount of fatigue. He eats all that he’s carrying, then starts on dodgy crab apples! We’re home in three.
Sunday – It’s 8am and we’re a little hungover and signing on at the 12th Randnnee des Deux Eglises at Champiniers et Reilhac. It’s 48kms for us. The terrain is a little gentler in this area, and I’m expecting an easier ride. Supawal is just looking to get round. Carla is the only woman doing the 48km option. There’s no ‘grande depart’ as such, but we’re on our way just after 9am, it’s chilly, but looks like it’s going to be another glorious day.
Not long after the start Carla gets cross rutted, hooks a bramble, and crashes. It’s a soft landing and she’s back on the bike straight away. She doesn’t crash very often. The last one I can remember was on the Malverns in 1993!
A couple of French riders come through. “See you at the finish”, says Carla in a sort of ‘Off you go and leave us in peace’ sort of way. I do as I’m told. Given free rein, with the bit between my teeth, I gallop off (prrrrppp), and in no time at all I get myself into a battle with some other like minded idiots. It’s great, and we hammer along as if our lives depended on it. Stopping only at the second Ravitalment long enough to fill my bottle and take some kit off, I hammer on. The circuit is a lot harder than I expected, but it’s got some excellent whoopee stuff. The last few kilometers are pure agony/bliss and I’m back in two and a half hours. Carla is next home, Supawal arrives some time later riding a bike with a very short chain and carrying a pocketful of chain links.
Monday – We’re pretty much biked out now, but it’s Supawal’s last day, and the sun is shining. Monts de Blond again!!!?? Yes, of course 😉 A loop of the lakes near Arnac, a visit to the Rupestre Oratoire (cave paintings, chapel), a rock of the rock (huge megalith that can be rocked). We stop at the restaurant in Blond where we’ve never been served yet ‘cos it’s always busy, we ride on to ‘La Belle Equipe’ bar in Montrol Senard where we have excellent coffee, and the lovely waitress gives us a free cake (pour vous forte) for our strength.
All to soon it’s time for the last blast of the day from Peyrelade down across the rocks and on toward Arnac. Supawal takes the lead, and despite being totally biked out manages to launch himself into the air at every available opportunity down the final descent. That evening we recount the highlight of the weekend whist drinking too much. Because we can 🙂
La Grande Boucle Féminine Internationale
La Grande Boucle Féminine Internationale is the womens Tour de France, and stage 2 is finishing just down the road at the Lacs de Haute Charante. My chance to go and see the worlds best women road racers in action.
The normally deserted causeway across the lake has been transformed into a 500m finishing straight complete with banners, podium, sound system, souvenir stall, and hundreds of people. The commentator tells us that the girls are around 30km away. Nicole Cooke and Priska Doppmann are off the front working hard together with a gap of 35seconds. There’s heavy showers, and as Celine Deone’s double entertains the crowd with songs I wonder if Nicole is enjoying the almost Welsh weather.
Current cycling champions of the Charente are presented for the crowds appreciation. Raymond Poulidor is there, along with a host of other cycling stars. Hey, and dont forget the mayor and the other dignified guests. All there to add weight and authenticity to the event.
Lead cars and motorbikes start to arrive, the atmoshere becomes electric. The head of the race drops onto the causeway. You can hardly see the two escapees for all the vehicules. They race toward the line. Cooke allows the higher placed overall Doppmann to take the win. No fuss, no bother, it’s teamwork, job done!
It’s over a minute before Alona Andruk brings home the bunch. OK, now it’s chaos. Riders everywhere with at least five languages going on at the same time, amonst photographers, motorbikes, helpers, coaches, and idiots like me! Oh, and a group of young French lads chasing after the girls asking if they can have their bidons.
I spot Nicole Cooke coming back along the road. Every few feet she pauses for photographers. She looks clean, fresh, and very happy. You’d never guess that shed just completed over 100km in heavy showers along rural French roads. The worlds number 1 ranked woman cyclist, what a star.
Hey, I’m riding with Kelly and Museeuw!!!
A while back I entered the London to Paris 3 day cycling event. When you enter you have to specify which of three groups you want to ride in. Group one being the fastest, containing all the ex-pros, group three being the slowest. I put myself down for group two.
Now as the months have gone by the organisers of the event have held training rides, and have used these as a guide to form. Because I haven’t been able to attend any of these rides I was worried that I might get misplaced groupwise. So, I sent a copy of my “Gold” certificate from the La Limousine as proof of my form. A couple of days later I got an email back saying that I had been put in group 1. 🙂 Better than a birthday!!!
So I’ll be riding with two of the toughest men that ever rode a bike, namely Sean Kelly, and Johan Museeuw, not to mention a host of other pros and ex pros. At last, I made it into the professional peleton! I’m chuffed to bits 🙂
Pearce Cycles Champion of Champions 2006
It gave me great pleasure to accept the trophy for “Pearce Cycles Champion of Champions 2006”. It gave me great pleasure to show the ‘young guns’, and to prove to myself, that there’s life in the old dog yet. Karting, MTB racing, and Motorcycle Trials, a great multi-discipline challenge.
What started as a fun idea back in late summer turned out to be a fantastic motivator for me. Once I got started I just couldn’t help myself from taking it seriously.
“Thanks to everyone at Pearce Cycles for organising the events and being super competitors. Thanks to my wife for her continued support and putting up with my grumpiness when I’ve been tired from training. I have always believed that it is ones duty as a sportsman to give the best performance that one can give, and to win where possible by the biggest margin…….and fancy letting an old bloke with a dodgy shoulder beat youse”