Brittany and Normandy

After a very busy period at work, managed to grab 3 days off to hop accross the Channel and do some cycling in France. Left on the Sunday night on the ferry from Portsmouth to St Malo, following a very late night on the Saturday for a friend's 40th birthday.

This is the best ferry crossing as you get a decent night's sleep - the boat gets in at 8.15am, unlike the others which tend to be about 6.30am. The restaurant is good and a three course meal with wine is pretty reasonable. Managed to get in the holiday spirit with a bottle of wine, then slept well, although it was quite rough.

The day dawned bright and the sea was a deep blue. The coast road east from St Malo is beautiful; little sandy coves and rocky islands reveal themselves around every bend.

Got to Cancale by about 10am but that was too early to savour the local delicacy of oysters, so continued on towards Mont St Michel, crossing the mrshes instead of the main road. This was a good choice - no traffic and flat roads with glimpses of the Mount all the way. Fantastic.

After lunch at Beauvoir which was incredibly good value (sandwich, strawberry tart, orangina and coffee for 7 euros) the route went inland through lovely countryside where the landscape changed into the Normandy cider apple orchards with cows grazing beneath, where reminders of the local produce were never far way. Alas I had no room to buy any of these tempting foodstuffs.

As usual when cycle touring there were unexpected beautiful places around every corner, in this case the pretty town of Ducey.

My stop for the night was Domfront. Hotel was comfortable but the restaurant was closed so had to make do with the grill, which was nothing special. 147 km done.

Day 2 went through similarly lovely country all day. First stop was Bagnoles de l'Orne, a genteel spa town in a clearing in the forests where elderly invalids go to take the waters. The Belle Epoque architecture around the lake was very attractive.

Then east, passing beautiful chateaux behind gates such as the Chateau d'O.

The turning point on the route was the French National Stud, home of highly bred racehorses. Started by Napoleon to ensure a steady supply of high quality horses for his army, it is now maintained by the state and is beautifully manicured, with wonderful buildings evocative of a bygone age.

Gentle roads followed, fortunately in between the two big hills I had seen from a distance, to the old town of Falaise, where I stopped for a coffee. This was home of William the Conqueror and his castle can still be seen to this day. Continuing on the countryside got hillier as the Suisse Normande approached. On the descent to the river valley I overtook a tractor going full pelt who seemed a bit surprised to see me pass.

The Suisse Normande is a beautiful area, unspoilt and characterised by twisting roads going up the sides of hills - hence its name. There was not much traffic and this area was a delight, although hard work.

There was one last big hill then a series of typical Normandy rollers which were pretty tiring, before the descent to Aunay sur l'Orne. This is a pretty town which was completely destroyed by the Allies just after D Day to prevent a German counter attack. It has been rebuilt with great care. The hotel was in the centre and the restaurant a delight. The five course dinner started off with local foie gras, followed by a proper 'trou normande', which consisted of an apple sorbet doused in calvados. The waitress was waiting for me to tell her to stop pouring but I did not, so think I got good value. Then a local speciality 'ris de veau' - veal sweetbreads. I don't normlly like innards but this was exceptional, cooked in a rich cream sauce. I cannot remember what I had for pudding as by now my wine had taken effect, but it followed a local cheese board. 166 km today.

Day 3 started off a bit of  struggle. The legs were on strike, probably too full of calvados from the night before. I had to get to Cherbourg by 3.15pm and at first this seemed unlikely as every slight incline was a struggle. However, as with most cycling exploits, the easier times follow the hard and luckily there was a section accross the marshes where I had a good hour and covered 35km, thus making up time but as importantly getting over the bad patch and into a good rythmn. Got attacked by a suicidal dog which rushed across a main road to bark at me.

The whole area of the ride saw heavy action in WWII and reminders were everywhere, here of an officer in the Grenadier Guards.

The final 60 km were hard work across rolling country with short sharp hills which are the type I do not get on with very well. Finally, the long descent into Cherbourg arrived and I got to the ferry port at 3.14pm, with a minute to spare. The great thing about travelling by bike is that you get waved onto the ferry first and can be comfortably sitting down before the motorists come on board, having missed the queues for food and coffee. 128 km today.

A great little tour seeing some wonderful sights and unspoilt countryside, jusy right for a fairly athletic three days, which set me up nicely for the following weekend's excursion. The obligatory photo of the bike follows.

Weekend off

Decided not to do a long ride this weekend. Crazy busy at work and lots to do in the garden.

Went out yesterday and did a 55km loop with three stiff climbs. Was pretty happy as last did this loop two years ago and was ready to die on all of them. Have done them all independently since. The first climb seemed OK up to Hardy Monument. Abbotsbury Hill was hard, and then Eggardon was OK too. I wouldn't say I'm fit yet but it seems to be getting easier. That said, a good day on the bike is often followed by a bad one.

Today did a quick 25km, again with 3 fair hills but all seemed fine. I guess it's a good idea not to do the longest ride possible, all the time. However I did envy those on the Dorset 3D as it was a lovely day.

Day off tomorrow probably then try and do some speedwork on Monday.

Valley of the Rocks 200 16 April 2011

The start was the same as any other audax - plenty of carbon bikes and racing snakes, and a few long distance cyclists too. I'm not the former and aspire to being the latter.

After about 1km I realised my computer was not playing the game. I had tried to recalibrate it as I've switched to narrower tyres but by the time the first route sheet direction came around at 3km I'd already done 4.8km. This was fine because at this rate this would be my 400 for PBP. However I soon lost my sense of humour about it and it was a pain in the arse and niggled away, especially on the longer sections later on when the 25km from Combe Martin became 30 odd. Still it's good for the mental attitude I suppose.

The first section was great and a nice tea room in Dulverton with heavenly chocolate brownie. I was riding with Gareth from Merseyside who was  on a nice Bob Jackson and his first audax. The next section took us over the roof of Exmoor, stunning views in all directions and a real pleasure to be out in the middle of nowhere, just hearing the tyres on the road. Hardly any traffic apart from the horse boxes and landrovers after Simonsbath - the staghounds were out I think.

Walked up Lynton hill, but I don't think I was alone. The descent to Mother Meldrums was amazing - suddenly this view of the most amazing rock formations in front, with the sea beyond. Really beautiful. I think this was the section on the TV recently when Clare Balding did her Britain by Bike series. Very nice yoghurt coated flapjack, a real bargain at £3 ?!?, but nice.

The next section was one of those wonderful experiences when you discover somewhere truly idyllic. The road hugged the coast, with beaches below a blue sea under blue skies. Fantastic, this is what it's all about. Glimpsing back was a fantastic yellow building, an abbey I think, and the route up through the trees was reminiscent of the Pyrenees. Lost touch with my companion here and heard later he'd had bad cramp attacks. Hope he made it home. Out on the top and the views opened up again, before a descent to the Hunters Inn, where an endurance running event had been taking part. They then made the runners walk up a 25% to their cars at the end. It's not just audaxers who like suffering after all. Nearly mowed a couple down as they were walking six abreast, and almost dented a shiny BMW who stopped to talk to a mate. He didn't realise you cannot just stop when clipped in without going over the front (at least I can't) on a hill that steep. He looked a bit surprised when I shouted 'don't just effing stop in the middle of the road' - the fist time he looked in his mirror all the way down was when he heard me. There then followed what seemed like a 10 mile climb but the gradient was not too bad. Head down and tap away.

Arrived at the Combe Martin control and looked at the brevet card to see I was only 4 minutes inside time. Whoops. However, what little I did know about the route made the next section sound a bit easier so thought I could make up some time. However I didn't know about the long climb out of the town, which meant I was probably technically behind time, but managed to make it up when it flattened out. After South Molton it seemed to be up and down, short hills which I don't really like, so I couldn't get into a rythmn and found it very challenging. Arrived at Crediton control having made up half an hour or so which was good news and ate plenty.

The last stage was not too bad but the hills before had taken it out of me and I was relieved to arrive at Awlscombe at about 8.30 with an hour to spare. As rehydration is vital for athletes, had a pint, which hardly touched the sides.

A great route, but hilly. Had I read the reports I would have known this so no complaints, but it was the hardest ride to date, partly because of my dodgy computer messing with my mind.

Denmead 300

An early start, the alarm went off at 4am. Had toyed with the idea of stopping en route for breakfast but so far my porridge strategy has not let me down too badly. Didn't feel too tired as I was buzzed up with fear fuelled adrenalin as this distance was unknown territory, my furthest previous ride having been 223km.

There were about 25 or 30 at the start and lovely weather beckoned. Left my winter coat in the car for the first time this year.

Quick coffee at The Nest. Some of the faces looked familiar from the 200. Started out at 7am, along the same route as the 200 to Bishops Waltham. Then there was a turn to the south across the New Forest to the first control somewhere north east of Southampton, and then past Beaulieu which looked beautiful in the sun, and past Bucklers Hard to the second control at the Needles Cafe in Milford on Sea. Lovely views across the Solent to, surprisingly, the Needles and around to Old Harry Rocks on Purbeck.

From here, westwards to Wimborne, again on lovely roads with stunning scenery. It was all seeming quite straighforward and I was wondering when it was going to go pear shaped. Wise words on this section from Dave Pilbeam who said it was all about pacing, but I felt good and went on up the road, hoping to goodness he wouldn't overtake me later in the day, me having blown up, him thinking I told you so. From Wimborne a beautiful ride up to Blandford to The Gorge cafe where I made the mistake of having a burger. Not a good idea, it struggled for independence for the next couple of hours. Pleased I said no the onions.

From Blandford to Salisbury was hard work. This was just over the half way mark which I have found is always the place where I find it difficult. Eventually the Cathedral spire appeared although it took a long time to get to the control. Ate well and drank plenty of water and lucozade. By some miracle I seemed to be fairly near the front, not an experience with which I am familiar.

After Salisbury there was a massive hill before the next control. Perhaps it wasn't that massive but it seemed it at the time and the granny ring was well and truly in use with the big sprocket. The two guys I'd been seeing for the last hour or two left me for dead at the bottom - I subsequently discovered one was riding fixed, a lovely Bob Jackson with fantastic lug detailing that I noticed at the next control at Ower services near Romsey, where MacDonalds provided the requisite carbs in a large portion of fries, washed down with coffee. Possibly the best looking bike I've ever seen, a true work of art. It was now colder again so time to wrap up for the final 50km to the finish.

In the dark it always seems slower but managed to maintain some sort of rythmn. Some idiot did a U-turn on the main road and drove straight in front of me. Perhaps he didn't see either of my front lights, or my headtorch which I aimed straight at him so he would see me. Or my reflective jacket as his lights shone straight at me half way through his manouevre. Slammed on the brakes and had a rear wheel skid, and taught him a few new words.

Chucking out time at the pubs in Bishops Waltham and Wickham provided the usual comedians asking if they could borrow my bike or have a backie. Then again maybe they were justified in wondering what the hell someone was doing writing down the name of a petrol station on a little card with a stubby little pencil at 10.30 on a Saturday night.

The last 5km always take an age and by the time I made the last turn by the Chairmakers I was ready for a sit down on anything other than a saddle. Got back at 11.15pm and had a fight with my bike becuase I was too knackered to unclip both feet when trying to reach back into my jersey pocket for my cashpoint card.

Overall a top ride which went well. Had about 2.5 hours for stops and controls so my average speed was the highest yet.

Had switched from 28s to 25s but don't think they can have made that much difference.

This was a great ride with a pretty route and not too hilly. A very enjoyable day out and satisfying to get the first 300 under my belt.

Am now half way to Paris in terms of qualifying rides done, or a third of the way there if you count total distance.

Back on track

Just had a week off which I needed. Felt shattered after last weekend's 200, although the ride itself was fine and I finished strongly. I think a combination of going on a bender on the Friday before, the clocks going forward, getting up at 3am and pushing fairly hard took it out of me as I hadn't had a quieter week for about 6 weeks.

Took the carbon Trek out today and it felt so light after the Orbit. Just a quick hour's ride, but far faster than anything I've managed before. Magic.

Barry's Bristol Ball Buster

This 200 looked fun thanks to an organising committee that clearly put cake above all else. Very important to the randonneur. The clocks went forward on Saturday night so it was an earlier than usual start, but easy to get to. Luckily there was parking at the hall which made life easier so I was in good time and had a couple of coffees with a cardboard cut out of Elvis.

There was a good turnout, maybe 100 riders, for the 200, before we all set off around Bristol and over Clifton Suspension Bridge. A nice start. It's good when there are lots of riders because there are always groups to ride with. Among them were two PBP anciens who gave a few good tips along the way.

One bloke was on an old sit up and beg which I was told he had done PBP on with a string of onions round his neck. Chapeau.

It was good route with no really massive climbs but enough to keep the interest up. The first control was awesome; the local WI laid on a spread of cakes seldom seen before and gladly distrubuted their wares. Fantastic.

The wind was not too bad throughout and I played cat and mouse with several groups throughout the rest of the ride. There were some lovely rides but a few busier ones which I'm not really used to.

The customary bad spot came at about 120km but didn't last long. Maybe I'm getting fitter.

Glastonbury control was very welcome after a surprising pull up to the town, then it was across the Levels to Clevedon before the final push. One last hill was not too bad as it was an even gradient allowing me to get in a rythmn and tap it out to the top.

Felt I finished quite strongly and am now ready for a 300. Whether I am or not we will find out in a fortnight at Denmead. Faster than the last one, so 4 in a row getting faster. However some of the advice was to work on pure speed in the coming weeks, now that some semblance of stamina has been obtained.

All in all a good ride, very well organised and it's easy to see why it is popular.

Cheddar delights

On my DIY 100 in January I went through Cheddar but not up the Gorge, so thought it would be fun to try it on my next long run. So this was the first control of my DIY 200.  Rather than turn left to the Somerset levels I thought I'd loop round south of Bath, where I grew up so was an area I knew, and go via Bradford-on-Avon and Shaftesbury then home.

Viamichelin put the route in at 200km exactly, so I checked it many many times to check it was correct - the last thing I wanted was for it not to be validated because it was 1k short.

So, at 7.28am yesterday I bought my Marathon duo (sorry, Snickers - I must be getting old) from the garage 2 miles away and pocketed the receipt, having got a funny look when asking if the receipt showed date and time. By the end of this ride (my first 'proper' DIY) I was used to this reaction.

As with many rides it started with a sharp hill which was just as well because it was pretty cold. 15 minutes later I was well and truly warmed up and then it was a quick flog down the A37 which fortunaltely at this time on a Saturday morning was not busy. Skirting Yeovil I went over Ham Hill where once again it was misty so the views were not much good. Then it was across the Levels to the first control at Cheddar where I stopped for a coffee in a cafe full of cyclists on their stripped down carbon frames. 67 km to here in 3.5 hours which was not too bad seeing I couldn't feel my feet due to the cold and freezing mist and wasn't really pushing it, just enjoying the day out. Whilst this is predominatly a flat stage there are some climbs interspersed; they all seemed easier than in January so maybe I am getting fitter.

Cheddar Gorge was not too full of tourists and was not too bad. The beginning reminded me a bit of the Pyrenees, not sure why, but with the high cliffs it was a bit like the bottom of the Portet d'Aspet, just not as steep thankfully and no memorials to fallen cyclists.

Although some racing snake with no saddlebag overtook me I was pretty pleased with my progress up the Gorge, which was about 8k until it really flattened out. I got up to 20kph on the upper stages. Whether this was due to the food I'd consumed at the bottom I do not know, but it felt good and I know what to expect on next Sunday's Barry's Ball Buster 200k. The countyside in the Mendips is lovely, all stone walls and very unspoilt.

Then it was though Chewton Mendip and Ston Easton - the last time I had been there was at a cousin's wedding, and let's just say my memories are slightly hazy of that evening. A couple of steep hills followed round Midsummer Norton then a lovely ride through Wellow with a vicious climb out, and a short jaunt along the a36 to Limpley Stoke and past the house where I grew up. Nothing has changed, it all looked familiar 30 years later.

After riding around looking for a cashpoint and fighting with stationary cars and idiot drivers I had a quick break at Bradford on Avon (133k) which must have one of Britain's worst traffic systems. I chose a route across county to Warminster, then joined the A350 south to Shaftesbury. This was a tiring section, maybe the wind was in front, but it seemed to take forever and there was one long and demoralising hill out of Kingston Deverill. It's amazing how many twats overtake just as a car is coming the other way. However all bad things come to an end and I controlled in Shaftebury at 5.05pm (163km, or 174 on the road). Refuelled properly.

The home leg was fun, gently downhill for the first 20km or so which allowed for a rest, then 3 big hills. However I was in a rythmn and they didn't seem too bad, and I rolled into the final control at 7.56pm, 12.5 hours after starting. This may not seem very fast but I stopped for longer than usual at my controls and also stopped to look at my old house and grandparents grave. So not too bad and getting up the last three hills pleased me greatly.

Including riding to and from the start / finish it was 224 km which is further than I've ever gone in a day before and at the end I felt as if I could have gone on a bit more, so maybe my 300 is going to possible.