For those of you amongst us not content to climb the various hills in the area at tourist pace, there are a number of hill climbs coming up that may be of interest.

We are particularly excited about the series of 3 climbs that take part in our own valley, the Lignarre Valley. There is one climb up our own col, the Col d'Ornon and the other 2 take you up various sneaky little side roads. If you allow yourself the chance to take your eyes from the handlebars and heart rate monitor, all are pretty stunning. Neither of us have ever TT'd up the Col d'Ornon, Guy has always been too busy and the one time I signed up I couldn't ride due to a embarrassing bout of sunburn that lead to a giant water sac developing on my right calf - I'll spare you any more gory details.

Anyway, the dates and distances are as follows:

Friday 18th July - Col d'Ornon - 14km 650metres
Saturday 19th July - Villard Reculas - 16km 900metres
Sunday 20th July - Oulles 10km 700metres

Then comes another series that takes in a couple of beasts in the area. The Col du Parquetout, not far from here, well hidden and pretty but a bit of a short sharp shocker. It's being climbed from both sides, the closest side to us takes place on the Saturday. The climb from Corps to Notre Dame de la Salette is a ride that we did for the first time the other day. The climb itself is a dead end road that resembles in scenery and gradient a Pyreneean climb. The road ends at a huge church and accommodation complex for religious retreat - an unexpected find in the middle of nowhere but a good source of cold Coke and huge sandwiches! The descent by the way is worth the climb if you like sweeping bends and sonic booms!

Sunday 10th August - Notre Dame de la Salette - 14.3km 900metres
Saturday 16th August - Parquetout (from our side) - 14.3km 685metres
Sunday 17th August - Parquetout - 9.8km 600metres

Finally, the Granon, a climb a little way from here, over the other side of the Lautaret in fact, but well worth the trip. We have done this climb the last couple of years (well, strictly speaking not true as last year we turned up 2 minutes too late for the sign-on but rode up anyway!) and it's amazing. The road is again a dead end but really wild and open giving great views over the Serre Chevalier ski resort. Runners also take the same route and are set off some 5mins after the cyclists - it's pretty humbling watching them whiz by you. Celebrity cyclist Jeannie Longo usually turns up for this one and shows most of us up - she's usually heading back down by the time I'm half way up! A good goody bag too and lots of other prizes up for grabs on the day (if Jeannie Longo leaves any!).

Defi du Granon - Saturday 16th August - 10km at about 10% average

If that's not enough for you, don't forget that every Monday evening during July and August there's the regular Alpe d'Huez hill climb and now the new hill climb to the resort of Oz (not via a Yellow Brick Road in case you were wondering):

Every Thursday at 10am from 3rd July to 28th August - Alpe d'Huez hill climb/TT
Every Wednesday at 10am from July to August - Oz hill climb/TT

Happy climbing!

Helyn
www.kingofthemountains.co.uk

Last Saturday we rode a very local sportive to us, 'La Metropole Sud Isere'. It has been said by many people who have ridden it that it's the most beautiful sportive they have ever taken part in, and we would have to agree, the surrounding views are breathtaking.

There are a choice of routes and both Guy and I signed up for the longest, 150km. We know all the roads that the circuit takes in, though under normal circumstances would never ride them in the order that the sportive prescribes - mainly because the last 5kms take you up a killer hill that immediately rears up before you at 15% and even has you grovelling up some sections of 21%.

Owing to a rare puncture and poor 'pit stop' on my part, and the stifling heat (34 degrees), both Guy and I cut short and opted for the middle distance of 100km, unfortunately this shorter distance still finished with the 'killer hill'.

Last year the hill got the better of me - that is maybe an understatement. I recall vividly sitting at the side of the road at the summit of this beast, dry retching and grappling for my inhaler, waiting for the broom wagon and vowing to never to ride my bike again (until a marshal pointed out I was only 500 metres or so from the finish line!). This year I was determined to banish the demons and not let it break me again. I managed to do so by concentrating very hard on my handlebars and front wheel and taking it very steadily, in my periphery vision I could not help noticing lots of riders suffering, mainly from cramp. Guy said at the finish that it's the hardest end to a 100km ride he has ever experienced.

Yesterday we were in the area again enjoying a gentle and very scenic ride with Martin. Martin is here to complete 'La Trophee de l'Oisans' which consists of 3 sportives (Vaujany, Prix des Grand Rousses and the Marmotte) as well as a time trial up Alpe d'Huez the morning after the Marmotte - not for the faint hearted. As if this isn't challenge enough for the week, Martin expressed an interest in finishing our ride yesterday with a climb up the famous killer hill. So, only 4 days after grinding up it's unforgiving gradients, we found ourselves there once more. This time my chain snapped on the second hairpin, I welcomed the rest that fixing it provided. Guy had a magic moment when he realised a desire that he had had riding it last Saturday and plunged into a local water fountain/bassin to cool off (see picture top left) - a fitting end to another scorching day in the Alps. See photos attached below of the sportive and also some of the fantastic scenery from yesterday.

Summer is here!

Helyn

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We have a new track pump!

I know that this is probably not blog-worthy information, but my over blown excitement over the arrival of the 'Joe Blow Pro' in the workshop is due to the fact that I've been wanting one for absolutely ages. Maybe also an indication that my life needs a little more excitement in it!

Come and get some mountain air in your tyres, it's a track pump sensation!

Helyn
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We have seen a few feats of fund raising here at King of the Mountains these last few weeks and take our hats (or helmets) off to Nick and Tay who have both undertaken some incredible efforts for charity.

Nick, with the slick logistical support of Victoria, completed 'Les Cingles de Ventoux'. This is the ascent/descent of Mont Ventoux from all 3 possible sides in just a day, or in Nicks' case, a little over 7 hours, which is pretty incredible. In undertaking the 'Cingles' Nick has raised around £9,000 for Dingley Specialist Centre at Reading Hospital who intend to buy specially adapted bikes for children with disabilities (http://www.justgiving.com/nicksheppard)

A week later, Tay arrived with his father, Brian, to ride the Col du Galibier (which only just opened in time!). Nothing unusual in that, except that he rode it on a bike called a 'Paris Galibier' (http://www.classiclightweights.co.uk/Paris.html) renovated by his dad. Given that the bike was built in the late '40's, you can imagine that the frame weight, crazy geometry and gearing (not to mention the saddle!) were a far cry from the lightweight bikes usually ridden to the top of one of the hardest Hors Categorie climbs in the Alps. Tay managed it though, and in doing so raised a tidy sum towards the renovations of a school he recently visited in Albania.

Finally, Matt, a great friend from our old triathlon club in the UK, who now lives in nearby Grenoble, will be taking part in the Swiss Ironman event in just under a month (3.8km swim, 180km bike, 42km run). He is raising money towards research into finding a cure for his and his wife, Colette's' son, Joseph, who has been diagnosed with an incurable neurological genetic disease called Leukodystrophy, and for others affected by similar demyelinating diseases. His training blog (http://tri4joe.com/) is a frank and often very funny account of his build up to the big day - good luck to you Matt!

See photos below.

Helyn
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Just spotted a tough sportive that the fellas at les Deux Alpes have put together.  It will take place on Sunday 24th August and the route is staggeringly tough - check it out at: 

http://www.sportcommunication.com/pantani/

It is a Marco Pantani Memorial ride and you will need to climb like him just to get round.  I think it is even tougher than the Marmotte sportive.  Some unusual cols have been chosen, not least the col du Parquetout (a wickedly tough climb that almost nobody ever rides) and the classic col d'Ornon too.

I think Helyn will be doing it.

Guy

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Fresh stuff - loads of it.  June eh!

Guy

PS: I didn't go, but our 11 Dutch guests did!  And came back again.  Cold.

At last!  Going to go and have a look tomorrow.

Guy & Helyn

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The Dauphine Libere sportive took place yesterday and the weather held off beautifuly for almost all of us.  We had a van full of riders and most of us did the 123km route, with only Michelle & Keith brave enough to take on the 173km route  Michelle was 3rd lady in the long event and won 2 trophies.  Well done! 

Sadly, 3 of our favourite guests from Dromara CC in Northeren Ireland missed their flight due to an accident blocking the motorway on their way to Dublin airport on Thursday.  So, I wore their club jersey in their honour and even got a mention on the PA as I rolled over the start line.

In keeping with my recent experience of this event, I had mechanicals.  Last year, my left crank arm fell off and this year my seat post snapped in half, leaving me to struggle on  out of the saddle for the last 30-odd  kms.  Oh well.

Photos to follow.

Guy & Helyn

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Well, the season is underway now and, after a bright start, we have had a whole heap of rubbish, wet weather.  The Challenge Dauphine Libere sportive takes place this Saturday in the Vercors so, fingers crossed, it will clear up.....

The good news is, we have had a whole heap of positive, enthusiastic riders who have not let the weather get to them one little bit and they have braved it, and coming back smiling.  You know who you are.

Keep the faith,

Guy & Helyn

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Good news, col baggers.  The Col de la Croix de Fer opened today.  Helyn is excited and, like Natalie Umbruglia, is "torn" as we are doing a randonnee from Grenoble tomorrow instead.

Guy

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The 2008 Dauphine Libere route has been announced.

This year we are not as fortunate as we were in 2007 when the riders came past our door (see photos in our album), still, we get a couple of good chances to see the teams on the final 2 days of the 8-day stage race.

Day 7 out of 8 (14th June) we can see riders taking on the grueling loop from the Maurienne valley to La Toussuire and the Col de La Croix de Fer. The following day is the final stage in nearby Grenoble:

http://criterium.ledauphine.com/criterium08/

As usual, this race is an exciting prelude to the Tour when riders and teams warm up for the 'main event' the following month.

Nick Sheppard, a guest of ours here at King of the Mountains, is due to scale the 3 road ascents of Mont Ventoux in a day on his bike next month in aid of Dingley Specialist Centre at Reading Hospital, so they can buy a set of specially adapted bikes for kids with disabilities for use by the hospital.   "Cingles" roughly translates as "nutters" or "crackpots"....

Nick's own son Ben, who has Cerebral Palsy, has one of these bikes of his own, paid for by his Dad,  which he just loves zooming about  on, just like the rest of us like zooming about on our bikes.  The idea is that those people with children like Ben who can't afford to pay for their own machine, will have access to one.

So, feel free to check out Nick's page at: http://www.justgiving.com/nicksheppard to show your support.

Thanks everyone.

Guy

PS: Winter has finally broken here and yesterday it was short sleeves and lots of (pasty) flesh on show time.  Hmmmm.
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Another Sunday and another cyclo-randonnee for us and neighbours Christian and Matt.

This week we chose a ride that started from nearby Vif (just our side of Grenoble). The ride sneaked into the 'Trieves' area giving us great views of the Vercors mountains, and on the return leg took us along a stunning 'balcony' road known as the 'Corniches du Drac' as it overlooks the Drac lake.

As usual there were a choice of distances; 30km, 68km, 86km and 110km. We were conservative and chose the 86km, just about right for our level of fitness at this time of year. The total climbing was just under 1,500m and it felt like most of that came in the first 15km! Still, it made for a nice cruise home - downhill all the way.

Sadly for the organisers there weren't so many people taking part this year as on previous occasions as the forecast was for wind, heavy rain and cold. Fortunately for us, the forecast was very wrong - there was a bit of wind and it had certainly rained in some places but we never felt a drop. If anything we were a little overdressed for the conditions.

The feed stations were manned by some particularly jovial club members. Maybe some of the joviality came from the wine they had chilling in the nearby church fountain! Still, they made sure we had plenty of tea, coffee and other good food to help us on our way.

We are starting to meet some randonnee 'regulars' at these events now so they are becoming a good opportunity to socialise as well as ride.

Roll on next Sunday....

Helyn
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For once we are not referring to 'La Marmotte' cyclosportive, but the furry kind! We saw our first marmotte of 2008 today, fresh from hibernation and looking happy to see the arrival of spring and sunshine. This weekend we have made the most of the good weather and have had 2 fantastic rides - good thing too as more late snow is forecast for tomorrow forcing us (and probably the Marmotte too) back into hibernation for a few days.

Yesterday we headed off to a pretty town called 'Tullins', not too far from Grenoble airport. We took part in a 'cyclo randonnee' there. Cyclo randonnees are a little like cyclosportives, but are not mass-start/first over the line events. Yesterdays' randonnee had a choice of 3 circuits; 55km, 88km and 115km, the sign-on and departure for each circuit was any time between 7am and midday. Each rider received a basic route card and a card for the control points and feed stations along the way.

The route cards were not needed as each loop was also clearly marked by fluorescent arrows on the road. These arrows took us along some great little single track back lanes and quiet 'B' roads through fields upon fields of walnut trees (Grenoble and the surrounding area is famous for it's walnuts). We rode 3 little cols each one around 650 metres. This time of year always offers some dramatic scenery as the snow, which is still present above 2,000 metres, contrasts beautifully against the fresh green of the spring grass and new leaves. After completing the 88km circuit it was back to the town hall where the tables had been laid out for the post-ride food (all included in the price of the event €8). Sausages and pasta and the local 'Saint Marcellin' cheese - so runny that it had to be ladled onto our plates! (see attached photo below). As usual, there was a good and friendly atmosphere among the riders and the club members who were hosting the event.

Today we had a shorter ride out with two of our neighbours, Yves and Christian. We headed over the Col d'Ornon to the 'Trieves' area for a 'rolling' ride. Yves, who chose the route, is already in great shape due to a winter of cross country skiing. His local knowledge is exhaustive, and if it's a beautiful but challenging ride on tiny, very, very steep roads that you're after, then he's the man to ask! We should have suspected a tough few hours in the saddle when he started enquiring if we were riding compacts today! Actually, he was pretty kind to us and the maximum gradient we tackled today was only 14 % (this time last year he took us up a brutal hill where we both nearly vomited at the summit!).

We arrived back to cold drinks on a sunny terrace and a fantastic lunch prepared for us by Christians' wife, after which we all watched the last 50km of Paris Roubaix on the TV. A perfect weekend!

Helyn
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We set out to do a 5 day ski tour the other day in the Ecrins National Park, going from refuge to refuge starting out at 3,200m at the top of the La Grave ski area..  It was meant to be a magnificent tour, with amazing views and no washing for 5 days.  After one full day, we ski-ed out, soaked and happy to be off the mountain.  The weather was just too bad, high wind, heavy snow and risky avalanche conditions all added up.  Ho hum.  We got 2 or 3 pics as we were on our way out.

Guy
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Good news....the road up to our chalet is being resurfaced and the results are pretty smooth.  So, does this mean they might send the Tour over here next year?

Guy

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This winter I have been working in an office in a ski resort. Despite the comfort of my immediate surroundings, I find the monochrome view of the piste outside the window very dull and uninspiring. It is occasionally brightened up by a passing skier sporting an 80's fluoro' one-piece suit, but apart from that, it's just snow, snow, snow.

This last week, on my commute home down the hill, I have been surprised by the sudden arrival of colour as spring creeps its way up to the ski resort from the valley. As the snow line rises, the lush green spring grass is pushing through replacing it and I've now seen the first primroses and violets of the season.

Buoyed up by these signs of spring, I found myself counting down the time to my next days off eager for a ride. When the time came it was shorts and T-shirt weather - overshoes, leggings and glove liners all left at home for the first time this year. It was even warm enough to bring a few lizards and butterflies out to bask on the tarmac, not to mention other groups of cyclists (including the AG2R youth squad) looking as happy as me to at last be feeling the sun on our backs.

Encouraged by melt, I got bolder and rode higher. I've now ridden my first two cols of 2008; the Col de Tamie (907m) and the Col de l'Epine (1012m). It's been great to get a bit of height again as the reward is always the descent - the Taimie has some particularly good, fast sections.

This morning I woke up at 6:30am to a bedroom darker than normal - the skylight window was covered in snow - all plans for a ride today scuppered. It's now 10pm and it's still falling and has been all day - there's now well over a foot on the ground outside and it seems unimaginable that I was ever out in shorts and T-shirt yesterday.

Back to the monochrome office tomorrow, but my memories of the cols will be with me in glorious Technicolour!

Helyn

Given that many of our best-loved cols in this area close due to snow from November til May (and we were missing them), we decided to take the initiative and see if we could get to the top of the col du Glandon without the use of a snowmobile or helicopter. 

We set off on the road up from the Maurienne valley in the minibus, with the view that we would just park the van when the road ran out. This happened at St Colomban des Villards at around 1300m.  So we put the skins on the skis and headed up, roughly following the main road (or what you could see of it).  It was stunning - check out the pictures here and at:: http://picasaweb.google.com/Leicesterlittle/WinterInTheAlps2008.

The top in particular was stunning - just a moonscape, with 3 metre drifts over the road and he col signs just sticking out of the snow.  The ski down was hard work but there was powder to be found amongst the crusty stuff.

Now, what about the col d'Iseran?

Guy
www.kingofthemountains.co.uk

As a bit of a Valentine's Day treat, Helyn & I popped down to Lake Annecy on Thursday for a little pedal around the lake.  There is an amazing cycle path network to the south and west of the lake, so we were able to leave the vehicle near a town called Faverges and ride traffic-free  all the way into the old town of Annecy.  It is a spectacular spot, a huge and super clean lake surrounded by Alpine peaks on all sides, with lots of hotels, private and public beaches, boatyards, marinas, all that stuff.  We did around 70km in a sort of clockwise lollipop-shaped loop and loved it.  It was clear and crisp but never really cold, despite it being mid-February and the resorts all round were mobbed with skiers.   The legs were not really too usd to what I was asking them to do, but that didn't stop us getting involved in some cycle path racing with a (non too youthful) fellow cyclist.  All god fun.  The ski-ing isn't over yet, but it's nice to know that we can get out on the bike once in a while now too.  Check out the photos.

Guy & Helyn
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I did a bit of a ski tour on Sunday morning from the cross country ski area above Aime and it was beautiful, if tough...

I have posted a couple of pics.  This year, in the absence of an Alpine ski pass, I am doing ski-ing without lifts, so mainly cross country amd touring and it is amazing.  Proper wilderness, with nobody around.  I am hoping to do a fair bit more as the season progresses.

Thanks to Matt and Sam for lending me their gear - it is much appreciated.

Guy
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Great news - mobile phones now work in our village without standing motionless on the back steps screaming and cursing!  Someone must have fitted a new relay station or something....

Happy chatting.

Guy & Helyn

PS: A happy '08 to you all - get training.  During his heyday, Chris Boardman used to shave his legs on the 1st Jan every year "to remind himself thet he was a pro cyclist" so I hope you are all doing likewise.....

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So far we have only done a bit of snow shoe walking, but the cross country ski tracks are open, the ski lifts are going full blast and I am trying to sort out some ski touring bindings - once we have them, everywhere is a ski hill (or that's the theory).

There is lots of snow and it is staying very cold.

We will keep you informed of progress (with pictures) so watch this space.

Guy & Helyn
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The Marmotte cyclosportive, held each year here in the Oisans and covering a brutal loop of 174km over the cols de la Croix de Fer, Telegraphe, Galibier and Alpe d'Huez, will take place on the 5th July 2008.

So get training!

Guy & Helyn
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- twice in a week - over in the Tarentaise with my mate Sam from Bike Village.  I have had a bit of a rough ride on the MTB of late so I approached it with some trepidation.  I shouldn't have worried.  He wasn't rough with me thankfully and I really enjoyed  it too!  Sam is a real pro, immediately able to put you at ease and let you learn by gradually building your confidence.  A real education to watch him in action teaching, as wel as his riding.

First trip out was with Sam and his mate Yan, a local soldier from the base in Bourg St Maurice and latterly with my Sam and my friend Colette (who loved it just as much as I did!).  We stayed in the Bourg area, never climbing too high for it to be cold and never getting too technical, so it was just perfect.  It's a shame winter is coming but I reckon we'll get out when we can and, should the sun shine, we'll get out on the road too.  It is really chily just now though, with moderate snow forecast on Monday too so we'll see how it goes.  There is always the XC ski season to look forward to too!

Guy

We got a foot in the end.  I think it has stopped for the time being.  Minus 11 though, so it will be sticking around for a while - maybe til March...

Guy
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20cm this morning.  And falling heavily.  Guy & Helyn

PS: Pictures coming shortly....


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We are busy transforming what was once the pupil's covered playground into an apartment for ourselves - it has nice barrel vaults so we wanted to make a bit of a feature of that - check out the photos... (attached to this post below and in the side bar).

Guy
www.kingofthemountains.co.uk

Today the first snow of this winter fell on Le Rivier d'Ornon. By this evening the cols Croix de Fer and Glandon were closed and no doubt the Galibier and others in the Oisans and surrounding valleys too.

I am a firm believer in the illness SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder). I know for a fact that whenever I see the red 'Ferme' panels go up on the col signs around here I get VERY grumpy indeed. (There's a good article in the 'Cycling Weekly Health & Fitness Guide'  about SAD [page 121] - just giving it another shameless plug as our ugly mugs are featured on a few of the other pages).

Other news from here is that I had an interview for a winter job today (all in French). During the hour we discussed my level of conversational French - whilst explaining that my grammar (grammaire) was terrible, I also proved that my accent is pretty rough too as it came across that my grandmother (grand-mere) is terrible. Incidentally, she's a lovely lady without the slightest ounce of terror about her. I think they eventually got the gist though I doubt I got the job!

Maybe they'll give me the post just to keep SAD at bay from their office - my 'Alo-Alo' style blunders would keep them laughing and the winter blues at bay!

Helyn

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We had a lovely dinner invitation last week from Laura (12) and Manon (8), the granddaughters of our neighbours who were staying in the village on their half-term holiday. On the odd occasion we have helped them with English homework and as a 'thank you' they planned and cooked a meal for us and their grandparents.

Their attention to detail was great - hand written and decorated menus and place cards on the table. We were treated to 3 courses all chosen and prepared by the girls, cheese and coffee - grandpa was in charge of the wine though and even got a bottle of champagne out of his cellar for the occasion.

It was a lovely evening and worthy of a Michelin star or two.

Pictured is sous-chef Manon and our starter platter.

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In our upstairs loo here at KOM towers there is a poster, showing an aerial shot of Alpe d'Huez, with pictures of the various winners around the edge, with Coppi in 1952 at the top and Lance Armstrong at the bottom.. I have looked at it once or twice before, only really noticing how funny Joachim Agostinho looked.  Anyway, I have been spending more time than usual in there of late (don't ask) and I noticed that there were 2 riders down for 1979 - a typo or a dead heat perhaps?  So I went to Wikipedia and, lo and behold, I discovered a great factoid, easily worthy of inclusion in the next edition of Trivial Pursuit. 

It turns out the organisers, not content with having all of France, some of Spain, the best bits of Italy and most of Switzerland to chose from for their mountain stages, they chose to go up the Alpe d'Huez twice in 2 days.  For the Stattos out there, Holland's Joop Zootemelk won the first one and (you guessed it) our old friend Joachim won the next day.  There you go...

Guy
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I am currently back in the UK visiting friends and family whilst poor old Guy stays at home in Le Rivier d'Ornon up to his eyes in building work.

As well as keeping in touch with people and getting my fix of the things I miss about England, I had also signed up for the 'Beachy Head Marathon' that took place yesterday. Formerly the 'Seven Sisters' Marathon, it starts and finishes in Eastbourne, East Sussex and the 26 miles in between take you all over the beautiful South Downs and weald. It is all cross country and utilises bridleways, footpaths, woodland paths as well as a couple of flights of 60 or so steps! Overall there is around 3,500ft (1,066 metres) of ascent and the kicker is that a lot of this comes within the second half of the run. The last 6 miles cross the 'Seven Sisters' - seven 'undulations' of chalk cliff land which include Beachy Head. Thank goodness the views are so spectacular from there as you need to take your mind off the suffering!

There was a fantastic atmosphere from the off when, in keeping with the time of year, the race was started by a firework. Along the way there was musical support in a piper, a brass band and an old fairground organ. The feed stations were manned by enthusiastic volunteers who did us proud at the 16 mile mark with tea, soup, sausage rolls, hot cross buns and squash. Needless to say I had my fill!

I have to admit, my training was scant - I relied heavily on cycle fitness and that we live at altitude. I'd done a few runs and some hill reps, but it was probably too little too late - this was highlighted by someone asking me if I was in the 'tapering' phase when I'd actually only just embarked on my training!

By the time I'd got to the 22 mile mark my softie cyclist legs and joints were really feeling the shock and my stomach was feeling a bit like a twin-tub on spin cycle. I was sorely (literally) tempted to wrestle some 'Wheelies' from the feet of one little girl spectator to help me on my way! If a graph was plotted of my physical and psychological peaks and troughs, unfortunately, my troughs coincided with the peaks on the course.

Well, I dragged myself around in a not very respectable time of 5 hrs and 12 minutes and despite that was given a medal and a heroes welcome by Paul, Alison, Kevin and Karen from our old Tri club, WhiteOak as well as Helen, Kevin and Brioni - thank you all.

This is the 6th time that I've run this marathon and my 8th marathon in total, I'm not getting any younger so have decided that it's my last, I am now officially in retirement - something I'm sure that will have Paula Radcliffe breathing a sigh of relief!

Helyn

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And the Alpe d'Huez is getting a thoroughly deserved visit on Wednesday 23rd July 2008.  That should be a great day, with the riders leaving Embrun (home of the Embrunman long distance triathlon and a stunning area, situated between Gap and Briancon), heading over the back side of the Col du Lauteret, then the col du Galibier from the less classic south side, then up over  the col de la Croix de Fer from the super-tough Maurienne side, before descending to Bourg d'Oisans and up the Alpe d'Huez. 

This may mean that we will be able to see the race twice in a day (by bike) from here by riding up the col du Lauteret in the morning, watching them tackle the Galibier, then freewheel back to the Alpe for the finish.  All very feasible (roadblocks and gendarmes permitting)!

The lack of transfers will please the riders and give them more chance to recover, favouring the "natural" riders, or at least giving them a fighting chance to get a feed and a good sleep.

I am particularly excited about the inclusion of the col de la Bonette too - it is a big favourite of myself and Helyn - at 2,802m it is the highest road pass in France and has stunning views over Italy.  It will make for spectacular telly!

So, come out and see us in the lead up to the Tour and we can do some trips (maybe even overnighters) and take a look at some of the stages that the pros will ride in July.  Watch this space for more news as our plans for the 2008 season develop.

Happy riding everyone.  Get those miles in this winter and make next summer even more of a pleasure!

Guy