Conference noted::bicycle

    Which if these events are the Valbonne men thinking of doing ?
    
    Is there any interest amongst people from the UK (Newbury/RDG until
    April, Scotland and points South from then on)  In filling a car up to
    do any one of these ?
    
    Rod 

    I might do the l'Epervier for the pleasure of meeting up with the
    Valbonne men, and I'll probably give the Portes du Soleil a go
    especially since Robin H has dubbed it "my" event.
    
    
    Rod

Seems like my bluff is being called......

My plans at present are :
04/05/91	Le Bouquet
18/05/91	L'Epervier
22/06/91	Portes du Soleil
21/07/91	La Tom Simpson

Rob muttered a few things about La Marmotte and L'Isard/Bahamontes, I 
don't really know how seriously, the second is in the Pyrenees and 
requires some considerable organisation, the first is just b----y hard, 
and anyway I've seen Croix de Fer, Galibier and Alpe d'Huez, so would 
prefer something different.

As I sit in the office, it is foul, so I'm not so keen.  I had to stay 
at home yesterday because of the snow!!  Rob Rowlands is in principle 
interested in the same, Bill thinks that 130 km is about the limit for 
him and John is talking about entering something......

Le Bouquet starts and finishes at Tavel, nr Avignon - last year we drove 
over along the motorway because it starts at mid-day.  Not sure on 
number of starters, I seem to think it was over 1500, I was 1328.  It's 130 km,
and  pretty fast at times on narrow twisty roads - so you need your wits 
about you until you reach Mt Bouquet itself, which last year was too 
much on 36 x 26 and I had to walk, as did Bill and Rob with (I guess) 42 
x 26.  After this, things are much quieter, and I had difficulty finding 
a decent bunch to ride in.  We hung around for a while and then had a 
pizza in Avignon before driving back - Bill and I had a sleep while 
hard-man Rob drove and we got back about mid-night.  I would prefer to 
stop overnight on the Saturday and attend the prize-giving the next day. 
 No problems with getting numbers etc on the day.

L'Epervier is 204 km, starting at La Foux, nr St Tropez and finishing at 
Cogolin.  An early start, 6 or 7 a.m. (can't remember exactly) so I 
drove about 80 km from home. 2200 starters, and the first 20 km are very 
hairy with gritty, narrow, up-and-down lanes.  Later on it gets quieter 
as the fastmen disappear, but bunches form on the (rare) flat sections.  
One big 'ill, Notre-Dame-des-Anges which I was OK on 36x26, hard bits in 
the afternoon but I was pretty well cooked by then and a lower gear 
would not have helped.  At the end I drove home, I don't usually feel 
much like eating after this type of thing, especially as I had been 
eating all day.  You need to get your numbers before the Saturday - Rob 
and I went over and got them Thursday previous when we had a last reccy. 
 I would like to stay over one or two nights, and am looking for a 
likely place.

The others I don't know about, but the Tom Simpson is not as far to 
drive as Avignon.  It's "twice over the Ventoux" and likely to be very 
hot from my previous expeditions there.  I would like to stay over 
afterwards like for Le Bouquet.

I shall be requesting "renseignements" in the near future.  Other things 
to note are the requirement for either a license or a certificate from 
the quack saying you are fit to compete.  Last year, helmets were not 
compulsory, but recommended - they were noticeable in both Le Bouquet 
and L'Epervier and less so in the Louison Bobet.  Food is available at 
various places, less formal in Le Bouquet than in L'Epervier where there 
were long tables stacked with things - water is available easily, I 
didn't feel the need for more than a small bidon, but then I don't drink 
all that much......

As a final note to this droning on, I have a couple of files about Le 
Bouquet and L'Epervier - 
IDEFIX::ETTS$DEVICE:[HEMMINGS.EPERVIER]EPERVIER_PART_1.TXT
IDEFIX::ETTS$DEVICE:[HEMMINGS.EPERVIER]EPERVIER_PART_2.TXT
Can't guarantee the performance of IDEFIX, it's running like a dog 
(Asterix fans will see the funny side of this!!)

    The Monegasque sounds like it could be quite nice (and within my
    capabilities to boot).  Look forward to seeing the course..
    
    Rod
    
    PS I've dicsoverred a thing in the SCU handbook called AUDAX - are
    these like cyclosportifs (but in the rain and with only a handfull of
    people) ?  Its a bit odd having to learn Cycling jargon by having to 
    get it translated to french....

    Rod, the English term also seems to be "Audax" - it is a randonneur
    type of event, cross-country, largely self-reliant, usually
    characterized by people riding in groups (a team or club rather than a
    peloton), and sticking together "no matter what."  Kind of a loose
    but cohesive riding style.
    
    BMB was advertised as such.  The Europeans are much better at Audax
    than we (Americans) - as shown by PBP - they tend to come in groups
    of riders, sometimes with matching jerseys, and just ride as a unit.
    
    -john

    Re Audax:  There's an organisation called Audax UK which organises
    audaxes in, yes, the UK. There are quite a lot of audaxes through the
    summer, often advertised in 'Cycling Weakly', at distances of 100km
    upwards. When you apply to enter one, you get a card which you have to
    take with you on the event and which gets stamped at various control
    points to certify you did the course. The location of some controls is
    given on the route sheet, but there are usually one or two 'secret'
    ones as well, which you discover as you do the course.
    
    I did a 100km audax in the Chilterns in Oct 89, and it was very
    enjoyable. The field seemed to be composed of club riders who were
    fairly fast and tended to sprint up the climbs for the hell of it. I
    went on my own, but ended up cycling with various groups over the
    length of the course - a sort of moving party.
    
    Recommended, in brief.
    
    
    Rod

    Sometimes there is an Audax PBP as well as a Randonneur PBP.  I read
    that 4 riders did both events in '83.  There was no Audax PBP in 87.
    
    Do you know when there will be another?  I know the ACP (Audax Club
    Parisien) runs both events but the Randonneur PBP is definitely now
    run as a "friendly affair."
    
    ed

In my note in .4, I see I've listed P-B-P as 20/23 June AND 27/30 August.  Maybe
this is because there are 2 events...............

    
    RE: .9  Interesting description of the Audax ride captain.
    I've never been on a ride like that, and was curious because
    BMB is supposedly semi-Audax.  Anyway, a couple weeks ago, one 
    of the riders on the Bamberg 400km brevet was trying to keep people 
    together, though there were no official captains.  This 
    seemed like a good idea, but difficult, because of the wide
    variety of skills and pace.
    
    -john

I don't agree with putting in large notes, so I'll compromise by putting in 2
only slightly large notes - together with the warning that the next 2 replies
will be them...........

They concern last year's thoughts on "Le Bouquet" and "L'Epervier".

    Robin's note .15 gives a very good idea of what L'Epervier is and what
    it's like to cycle in it. Having ridden the '91 edition last Saturday,
    these are my impressions. Apologies to someone who's already read this
    (but it is a little different now). Known Digits riding this were Rob
    Rowlands, Robin Hemmings and myself - all kitted out in Digital
    jerseys.
    
    I didn't prepare too well, driving 550km the evening before and
    arriving at my host's place at 00:30, then being levered out of bed at
    4:00. An hour's drive to our parking spot in the finish town of
    Cogollin, an 8k ride to the start, and 07:00 found us in the start lane
    with *stacks* of flash gits on bikes that would make a pro jealous.
    Actually, this was brilliant, especially when a couple of queue-jumpers
    attempting to get to the front by walking down the adjoining field came
    in for a barrage of good-natured whistles and jeers. We started at
    07:20,  while it was still cold but with the first orange rays of the
    sun promising later warmth, and a more physical warmth delivered
    immediately by short sharp hills. Closed roads, people cheering us
    past, an exotic mediterranean landscape of pine and cork oak. and the
    rare and valuable experience of cyclists owning the road. Absolutely
    wonderful. I felt ready for everything.
    
    Your 140Fr entry fee buys you all food and water necessary, plus
    desirable items of cycling credibility like Epervier water bottles. The
    first ravitaillement (food stop) was at 80k, and I reached it a few
    minutes before Rob R and Robin H, however I spent too long there (I
    always stop too long) and they both left before me. The climb of Notre
    Dame Des Anges was straight after - 680m from 100m - and the pack was
    curiously subdued as it struggled up, having been very chatty earlier.
    I saw Robin at the top, where there was a water stop, and then again at
    around 115k, at another water stop in an incredibly pretty little
    village (totally swamped by noisy cyclists - ha!) where I dunked my
    left foot in the fountain. My left foot was getting sore, and my
    early confidence was evaporating fast.

    At around 130k on a vicious little hill, it evaporated entirely, and I
    flaked out at the side of the road for ten minutes. I felt exhausted
    and sore. The road here was at its most scenic and inviting - it
    couldn't have matched my feelings less. I forced myself to eat, though
    nothing tasted very inviting, and set off again. After that I felt
    stronger but actual physical pains in feet and bum kept growing. There
    were long ascents through burned countryside, and long descents
    into small villages. These descents are my strongest memory in fact:
    always following the line of a cyclist ahead, switching weight from one
    foot to the other, watching for grit and potholes, left curve, right
    curve, almost hypnotic. 
    
    After the second ravitaillement at 150k, I got into a big pack to
    tackle the remaining hills and a headwind coastal section, even took a
    few turns at the front. Whereas inland the countryside is pretty empty,
    the coastal strip is quite heavily developed, so the traffic was
    significant. You had to concentrate the whole time to keep position.
    With 15 to go I had to drop out of the pack because my feet were so
    sore. 

    I came in at 8:56 for the 204k, well outside the silver award limit of
    8:10. The two Robs had both beaten me, Rob R at 8:17 and Robin H at
    8:32, and both by virtue of being older had squeezed out silvers. The
    event was won in 6:06 by a 44 year-old fireman from Geneva. For
    something that's not a race it's pretty bloody competitive.

    Some day, all in all. I measured the course at 200k, not 204 as
    advertised, but recorded 2800m of climbing rather than the publicised
    2500. Incredibly memorable being among all these good cyclists - 1400
    finishers (me on 1002). The organisation was good, and there was a real
    party atmosphere at the finish, where the whole square was given over
    to us. Manufacturers such as Hutchinson and Mavic had tents to show
    their products, so you can see that they take it all seriously.

    I've hardly been able to stop sleeping since coming back. My respect
    for the pros has increased. I can't imagine racing over that kind of
    course day after day. Les Portes du Soleil next - June 22nd in the
    Alps, 184km, 4500m climbing. I might just have recovered by then.

    
    Rod

    
    Robin, so did you enter one of those (but not the Coppi one?)
    I'd be curious if any one did, because those routes sound quite
    challenging and beautiful (if you get a chance to glance around!),
    and I await anyone's post-ride report.
    
    -john

John

Rob Rowlands and myself were joined by Rod Macfadyen from Ferney for 
L'Epervier on 18th May and he has written his impressions in reply .16 and I 
wrote up last year's in replies .3, .14 & .15

As last year Rob and I entered and rode Le Bouquet as a prep for L'Epervier, 
despite fitting 32x26 I still had to walk a bit of Mt Bouquet itself much to 
my disgust, but I was not alone.  In the early stages you don't get much time 
to look round and see the scenery, there are too many twitching wheels to watch 
but after the climb at 75 km it all becomes quieter.  I have come to the 
conclusion that I need to realise that I am no loger 25 but nearly twice that 
and as such I have to let them go, especially in the early stages - there is 
nothing worse than trying to keep up at a pace just a little too high for you, 
- when it gets really hard later you just die.

Anyway, as Rod says, Rob and I got Silver "Sparrowhawks" to go with our silver 
"Bouquets".  The Golds are a long way away....................

    Les Portes Du Soleil, Sat 22/6/91 in the Alps just to the south of the
    eastern end of Lac Leman. 
    
                       ********************************
    
    Well, another innovative method of preparing for a major athletic
    event. After the long-drive/no-food-or-sleep preparation for the
    Epervier, this time it was lots-of-food/stay-up-late, or, to put it
    another way, the Digital Ferney midsummer bash which didn't let me get
    to bed until 2 in the morning. Then up again at 5.30 for the drive to
    the start at Morzines, where I just made it onto the back of the queue
    as the front of the queue was unleashed at 07.05 on a sunny morning.
    
    The itinerary of the Portes du Soleil consists of a list of cols, three
    of which we did twice, since the course was out and back, with a loop
    at the far-away point. Anyhow, the cols were:
    
    Col de la Joux Verte    1st, last   1760m
    Col du Corbier          2nd, 6th    ~1300
    Pas de Morgins          3rd, 5th    ~1300
    can't-remember-the-name 4th         ~1300
    
    They put us up the Col de la Joux Verte first thing, which definitely
    woke me up. Compared with the Epervier, there were fewer cyclists, and
    I didn't see any number higher than 900 and something. There were the
    usual motorbikes, service cars and helicopter to liven things up. The
    scenery was fantastic, with snowy mountains appearing from behind
    lower tree-covered hills as we ascended the first col.

    As usual, Sports Organisation provided food and drink. The previous
    night's big meal turned out to be a bonus and I was never in danger of
    bonk. One Swiss village went to the extent of handing bottled water and
    - brilliant! - bananas to us in fine feeding station style, and I was
    pleased to score one bottle and two bananas on the way past. 
    
    Occasionally I rode with other people for a while, including a wordless
    10k into the wind with two others, and a loquacious climb of the
    col-with-no-name with a guy who told me that this col was hard, but the
    one after was hard, and the last one was really difficult. Actually, he
    must have had some sort of crisis en route because he eventually
    finished an hour after me, which I would never have guessed from the
    way he rode while I was with him. We all fight our own battles on these
    events.
    
    Round about the half-way mark I wasn't feeling too bad (and in fact I
    never felt as crap as I did on parts of the Epervier) so I began to
    entertain hopes of slipping inside the silver time of 9:39. However,
    the return ascent of the Pas de Morgins and the Corbier proved to be
    very tough, as the agonised faces around me proved, plus my left foot
    got very sore, so by 3/4 distance I'd given up on that hope. The return
    climb of the JV started just 2km from Morzines and there was the option
    of missing it out and just going straight to Morzines, which would have
    earned me the Portillon brevet, however some friends had driven down
    from Ferney and were expecting to see me on the JV (which now seemed
    rather a sadistic idea) so I had no option but to grit my teeth and do
    the 800m climb.

    Which was a toughie - steep as hell. However, 5km from the top I met
    Piers driving down to look for me, so I gave him the bar bag (to
    lighten the load) and made it to the top to meet the others where I'm
    sure I looked less of a wreck than I felt. After a drink, there was a
    fast descent into Morzines, Piers chasing me down in the car but being
    told to slow down by the women, for a finish time of 10:45. I measured
    the course at 185km and the total climb at 4488m. No bike problems to
    report.

    Despite my recent note in this file I haven't yet bought new shoes, but
    I definitely will now, and saw some nice ones last evening. What the
    hell, it's only money. Separaately, as a point of info, in an entry
    form I found a list of difficulty factors for the Sports Organisation
    events, and here it is (ref .0):
    
    Le Jacques Anquetil     1
    L'Epervier              1.25
    La Bernard Hinault      1.4
    Les Portes du Soleil    1.7       7 cols as above
    Le National             1.25
    Le Marmotte             2         Croix de Fer/Galibier/Alpe d'Huez
    L'Isard-Bahamontes      1.9       Tourmalet/Aubisque
    La Louison Bobet        1.7       Galibier (twice)/Izoard

    They vary in length from about 170k to 230k, with the hilliest being
    shortest.
    
    
    
    Rod

    I wish it to be known that not all rods are mad...
    
    I assume that when you do the Marmotte you'll prepare by cycling down
    to Bourg D'Oisans the night before.  I am beginning to regret
    suggesting we did the Marchairuz together,,,
    
    (the other, sane) rod

    
    Interesting analysis, Rod.
    
    -john

    So did you cross the line hand-in-hand, a la Hinault and Lemond?

	Actually, being older and therefore more sneaky (it's no good getting
old if you don't get more sneaky), I crossed the line first.  Probably explains
why I got a Silver certificate and Rob got a Bronze (despite what the results
said).
	This is the first event I have ridden where the thought of a Gold is not
beyond the realms of possibility, after all I only need to take off 20 mins in 7
hours and we did loaf around a bit.

	Some notes ago, John Ellis said he thought the A-M were a bit scruffy,
he's maybe right but things are improving a little.  For example when they
altered the lethal multi-junction near me to an even more lethal roundabout,
they kept the trees and replanted them.  Also near us, the terrasses are full
of olive trees and orange groves but as you get nearer the Cote, it degenerates
into the usual French sprawl of hypermarkets, tyre dealers and furniture/hifi
stores.  The thing which really wrecks France in my opinion is the predominance
of huge advertising hoardings which seem to be completely out of control.

	That being said, I've had 2 magic trips recently only 50 km back from
the Med and they were unbelievable in terms of scenery and lack of traffic. I
still can't get used to the sweat dripping off me at 8 in the morning when I am
higher than anywhere in the UK!!  If you choose your time ie: NOT July/August,
the Esterels between the N7 and the sea are really something, as is the Coast 
Road from Monaco to Nice November to February.

	Can't wait to shake hands with Prince Albert when he sees me off in
the Monegasque (that's "sees me off" as in "waves goodbye", not as in "burns me
off his wheel").

    
    Nice going, Robin.  I'd agree - 50km inland and it's another world,
    and a pleasant one at that.
    
    -john

    
    Thanks, Robin.  Nice report!  (And good going.)
    
    -john

    
>     They do, they do. Sometimes they say "pur dur" instead, to amplify the
    
    Oh, so that's it. When my wife and I were in France a few months ago,
    we wondered what the guys bombing past us up the hills were saying...
    
    Trevor

During the "Fausto Coppi", it was "e dura"..................

    The words which sprang to my mind were 
    "putang ces bosses" (with provenecal accent) especially on the Domancy,
    but most people were just grunting and sweating and wondering how
    Hinault m,anaged to attack the 20th time up...
    
    A fuller report will follow
    
    rod

>>    Rod W turns out to be thin, with a cyclist's tan.

    What? It's amazing what a few weeks in the Alps can do to someone's
  physique! :*)
   
>>    One of these days I'll meet a cycle-noter
>>    who's slower than me, but I won't hold my breath.

    I'm you're man...

	
>>    And there at the finish line, stuffing a banana into his grinning
>>    features, was Rod W

    What is this fetish you've got with bananas Mr W?

	Graham.

    Thanks for the write-ups gentlemen, I really enjoy reading about your
    suffering. These cyclo-sportif events really sound fun; the only sort
    of competitive cycling I'd consider doing now. I only wish we had them
    in England. Perhaps next year, if we take our planned trip to
    France....
    
    Chris

    Where can I get a programme of these events? I'm living in Brussels and
    wouldn't mind travelling down for one.
    
    
    thanks Phil.

Events described in this note have mostly (but not all) been either Sports
Organisation Trophee d'Or events, or UFOLEP Time Trophee events. These are
all done for the year, but I'm sure you could write to them now and get dates
and entry forms for next year. There are other local events which one has to
keep an eye out for, read the cycling press, that kind of thing. Also, there
are definitely cyclo-sportif events organised in Belgium, I saw an article
recently about a long and hilly one through the Ardennes which had a large 
number of participants.

I don't have addresses for either SO or UFOLEP handy right now. Robin?


Rod

    Sports Organisation:
    	BP 4
    	38330 BIVIERS, France
    
    UFOLEP
    	3 Rue Recamier
    	75007 PARIS
    
    There is an article in this month's Velo 2000, talking about the great
    increase in cyclo-sportif events and participants, to the detriment of
    real racing.  Be also aware that there is a war between the various
    French sporting factions at the present, rather like the old RTTC/BLRC
    days back in the UK.  Only once have I heard about people from one
    organisation being barred from an event run by another, and then the
    announcement was treated to such jeers of derision that I was unable to
    take it seriously!!
    
    As to the Megeve - Mt Blanc event, I think it most unfair for young Rod
    to take the mickey out of old Rod and not treat him with the respect he
    deserves....   I also wonder if Bernard H took the final lap up this
    'ill on 30x21......  and REAL banana fanciers have them taped to the
    top tube - just ask M. Wilson.....   Yeah, fully agree, more stodge and
    less of this fancy stuff, if you eat sensibly and do enough miles you can
    handle anything without resorting to Gofasterade.......

	Next year, I'd like to do the following:

Le Bouquet	1st week in May
----------
Other side of the Rhone to Avignon, mainly narrow roads, a bit quick with
one dirty great hill at half-way.  First year it was very hot, second a 
lot colder - about 130 km.  May go biennial due to administrative 
difficulties.

L'Epervier	3rd week in May
----------
Down in the Var, near yer actual St Trop.  Big entry, tough start, 
generally poor surfaced roads, wonderful scenery. First year hot, second 
cold - about 200 km.  A traumatic experience if it's your first!!

Bernard Hinault	1st week in June
---------------
In Badger country - Brittany.  Never ridden it, but in '91 there were 
4500 starters and it's reckoned to have the best atmosphere.  Supposedly 
hard with lots of short, sharp cotes.

Rene Vietto	3rd week in June
-----------
A loop round Mt Ventoux, a very friendly event in excellent countryside. 
Roads vary from very narrow to quite large.  Very hot in '91, but plenty 
of water available and well organised - about 165 km.

Tom Simpson	3rd week in July
-----------
Even though I think he was a fool to have died the way he did, I have to 
admire him and I would like to ride this one in his memory.  It's twice 
up the Mt Ventoux, starting from Carpentras.  I've done the Ventoux a 
couple of times and it is really something else......

Fausto Coppi ??? - depends on my fitness...
Monegasque ?? - depends on the date, this year it was too hot and there 
was too much traffic.

What would I do different?
	I think I would standardise on 3 rings and 7 sprockets
(32/40/50 x 14-18,20,24)
	I wouldn't bother with 2 bottles, there's plenty of places to stop,
and I'm no longer in the bracket where stopping makes a difference to my
performance.
	For tyres - a 22 mm Hilite on the front and a 20 mm same on the back
seems OK, I am wary of the bald ones but may try them.
	Helmet - I hate it, but I find the first hour (say) a bit hairy 
and then it's OK, I really would like a team-car to take it off me.  In 
the Coppi and the Monegasque, I rode up most of the cols with it hanging 
on the bars.
	I'd get in more hard miles - until you ride a 30 km col, you 
really don't know how you will react, like Rod says you need balancing 
practise at times when you are only doing 5 kph!!
	I'd work on more of my mates to enter so I could have a few more 
friendly wheels to follow............

    	RE: 1819.37
    
    	Rod,
    
    	No, don't listen to Graham. I'm your man. I can't climb
    	anything. I even had to walk up the hill at Mont Vernon,
    	NH, yesterday.
    
    	Scott

Terrific. Not only am I "old Rod", now I am searching for anyone I can
beat up a hill. Excuse me while I go off and kill myself. If I can find 
my zimmer frame.


Doddery 

    
    	How hard is the 'Vietto', Rob? It's the one that most of my club
    (well, both of us) are interested in.
    
    Graham.
    

	I think reply .22 says most of what I thought.  It was certainly 
the most relaxed event of 1991 for me; I enjoyed it a lot and would 
recommend it as a good "starter".  The large entries in the SO events 
can be a bit un-nerving - I had never ridden in a 2000-up bunch before!!

	As for the difficulty; it's hard to say because it was held in 
June when I had done over 4000 km, the recommendation is for 10 times 
the distance and 10 times the deniv before the event.  Now 1650 km by 
June is not so bad, but a total of 24000 metres of climbing may be more 
difficult if you come from "flatter" countries (and do you know many 
hills of 15-20km in length?).  The first 40 or so are on small, twisty, 
up-and-down roads which I personally find a bit uncomfortabel and there 
is a lot of loose gravel; there is one big hill around lunchtime, and a
nasty sting in the tail late in the afternoon, but we took it all fairly
easily and managed Silvers quite comfortably.  I had 32/40/50 by 
14-18,20,24 and used them all........

	I think the main problem could be the heat, especially coming 
from Scotland - on the day, it turned out somewhat hazy in the afternoon 
but in the morning temperatures were well into the 30's.  Plenty of 
water stops, no need for double bottles, but factor 6 suncream is 
recommended!!

	I had thought of giving it a miss in '92 and going to the 
Simpson instead, but it was a good day out and the chance of a few more 
Deccies could not be missed.  If you do decide, then I'll do the 
bookings for you and also the entries - you need a copy of a license or 
a quack certificate saying you are fit to cycle.  Give it a go!!!

    
>>  can be a bit un-nerving - I had never ridden in a 2000-up bunch before!!

	Does it make that big a difference? I had only ever rode 50-60 bunches
  here, before doing a race in France (Pontoise) with a 147 man bunch. It
  didn't feel that different. I feel that the only riders that are of any
  concern are the ones immediately around you. It doesn't matter how many other
  riders there are outside them. But then again, there's a big difference
  between 147 and 2000.

>>	I think the main problem could be the heat, especially coming 
>> from Scotland - on the day, it turned out somewhat hazy in the afternoon 
>> but in the morning temperatures were well into the 30's.  Plenty of 
>> water stops, no need for double bottles, but factor 6 suncream is 
>> recommended!!

	What? You mean I won't need my nylon fronted jacket and fur lined
  overshoes? Still, we can tempratures in the 30's here. OK, so it's 30F...

  Thanks,

  Graham.

>>>  can be a bit un-nerving - I had never ridden in a 2000-up bunch before!!
>
>	Does it make that big a difference? I had only ever rode 50-60 bunches
>  here, before doing a race in France (Pontoise) with a 147 man bunch. It
    
    I cannot comment too much since I ain't raced much.  I found the
    Megeve-Mount blanc was soooooo relaxed at the start compared with
    a race even with a small peleton (that's 40-50 in France...).  Mind you
    Rod and I had strategically placed ourselves at the rear of the group
    (read, were almost late for the start...).
    
    Having a big group of people only seems to mean that you always have
    someone ahead.  Apparantly a peleton forms at the head of the race but
    apart from that there was very little bunching that I saw.  Furthermore
    most of the people around us were not at all used to riding in groups
    and so it was a bit hairy until the first climb..
    
    _Racing_ in big bunches I found to be good since I could drop back during
    the climbs and still be in the bunch at the top.  Of course I could only
    survive 3 laps in this mode but that is better than my normal.  (My
    personal record was lasting 2km in the bunch during a 110km race...)
    
    Young rod
    
    Graham - If you are going to an event next year, let us know there is
    at least a couple of people here who might be interested (listening
    Alan ?)
                                                         

I have ridden Le Bouquet twice, first time with Rob and Bill, second time just
with Rob - I would be interested in what they say....  Both times, the pack
took off up the road at about 40 kph, used all the width of the road for the
first 20k.  My compteur didn't go below 35 kph for 40k......  In addition, there
were a few posers with their tri-bars who shot off the road into gateways when
they missed the corners.  However, the worst thing is what I call the "French
lack of Spacial Awareness" - this manifests itself wherever they are, they stop
in the middle of roundabouts when they are lost, they crash into you with super-
market trolleys, and generally speaking have no concept of where they are
relative to anything else.  In cyclo events, they always manage to drop their
bottles in the road, usually during the first hairy 10 km when everyone is keen
and fresh and trying to get to the front - then they stop dead, turn in the road
stop ACROSS the road to pick up the offending bottle and seem totally amazed
when they are treated to a few words of the Prophet.......

This is why I go against all my principals and wear a helmet early on anyway...

    
    PBP's 2000-cyclist 10pm start (out of 3100 total) was a problem
    only the first dozen miles.  It was like molasses composed of
    differing and not altogether compatible ingredients.  Thereafter,
    it was only a problem for the next 50 miles trying to pass with
    both lanes taken up with similarly "leisurely" cyclists.  I don't
    like the big mass starts.  To do it over again, I'd go for either
    of the other, smaller start times.
    
    The first daybreak, a young French quasi-racer type and I were
    pacing each other.  You have never heard a drill sergeant bark
    more menacingly as he shouted, simply, "DROITE!!" to get people
    up ahead out of our way.  :-)
    
    -john

    >pacing each other.  You have never heard a drill sergeant bark
    >more menacingly as he shouted, simply, "DROITE!!" to get people
    >up ahead out of our way.  :-)
    
    I know the feeling...  The elder Cat 4/5 riders (what other countried
    would put into vet) are pretty good at this - often they will follow up
    with a hand on the backside to make sure you do....  
    
    However Johns posting brings up a question of english vocab.  When you
    are second in the pace line and the guy in front is weakening and you
    feel good, in french you shout `ecarte' to get him to move out of the
    way - what does one say in English.  
    
    It has to be said that the only time I have been in a chain gang in the UK
    I have been highly unwilling (incapable) to take the lead and so I never
    ever shout anything.  Fiven this position in France the plaintive cry 
    `n'accelere pas' when some loony blast to the front and put the foot down
    is useful..
    
    Rod

    
    
      > to get a rider ahead of you who is weakening to move you shout
      > "escarte"  What do you yell in english?
    
      I've always used "Move it" and it works pretty well.
    
      John C.
    

    
    Re.54.55
    
    	What they say in Scottish Road Races isn't printable in hear. You
    get the general idea...
    
    Graham.
    

>   What they say in Scottish Road Races isn't printable in hear...

    Then use phonetic spellings.  It would be hearable in print.

The UK magazine "Bicycle Action" in its winter issue (on sale now) carries
an article I wrote about the Epervier, if any UK noter would like to know
more about it. Though if they've read this note they probably won't.

As a by-the-by, this is the last ish of "Bicycle Action" in its present
form. It's editor is abandoning cycling for running - bad move in my opinion 
- and the magazine will re-emerge as something called "Bicycle Racing" if
my informant is correct.


Rod

Just received more details in the post...

20/06	L'Ardechois		199km/4135m
	La Volcanique		154km/3060m
	Les Boutieres		103km/2140m
	Le Doux			 60km/1406m
The first 3 are all available as cyclosportifs, and all 4 are available as cyclo-
touriste category.  All take place on the same day and use partly the same course
in the Ardeche area just to the west of Valence.  Godfathered by Bernard Vallet
who won the spot jersey in a recent TdF, information from:
L'Ardechois 07410 ST FELICIEN

>            <<< Note 1819.30 by IDEFIX::HEMMINGS "Lanterne Rouge" >>>
>                       -< "La Fausto Coppi" - 21/07/91 >-

    I've just re-read this again, sounds horrible, and makes me wonder what
    I've let myself into for the Raid this summer...
    
    Anyway, I've been looking at the maps again and I was wondering about
    doing this route this summer, so some questions:
    
    - There seems to be a lot (~ 80km) of flattish Italy involved.  What is the
      scenery there like ?
    - We have two options for starting place - Guillestre or Barcelonette and
      two directions.  My feeling is that Clockwise from Guillestre is the best:
    	o The climb up to Agnell was (is?) a bad surface but the descent is OK.
    	o we do the worst hill first and the easiest last
    	o The descent from Vars is a _great_ way to finish a day.
      What does anybody else think ?
    - This is a really tough days ride, How would anybody rate it against
      longish Alpine days - I'm thinking of Glandon+Croix-Fer,
      Croix-Fer+Galibier, Madelaine+Glandon or Cayolle+Allos+Champs, all of
      which I managed (one way or another) last year ?
    
    So what does the panel think ? Any suggestions (like `don't do it') or
    hints ?

Staring at Guillestre and going clockwise -

- Rough road and faux-plat along the valley, probably OK first thing.

- Col d'Agnel from France not as steep as the other side, which is 10% for
the last 10km, road poor to say the least.

- tremendous downhill along a very pleasant and quiet valley, from the summit,
surface generally quite good, not many food-stops along here, and a few campsites
I would say only the last 20 to Cuneo are boring and then the next 15 until you
turn right up the Larche.  There will be quite a lot of traffic on this main
road stretch.

- the Larche from this side is not steep but do not underestimate it because of
the sheer length, and it does go from the Cuneo plain to nearly 2000m!  The road
is picturesque, good and bad, there are cobbled stretches in some of the villages
which are nasty in the wet.  Could also be very hot and against the prevailing
wind.

- Larche to the Ubaye valley is easy but the Vars from the south is very steep,
especially the last 4 km.

- home down the Vars, probably the best part of the day.........

Not an easy day and not an easy choice!

    
    Bravo, Roddy!  Excellent write-up and performance!  
    
    Your endorsement of "racing triples" will doubtless please Robin 
    and Bat.  :-)
    
    Ironic to think that an event like that in California right now
    (speaking of Bat) would eliminate people through heat-stroke
    rather than the opposite.
    
    cheers,
    -john

	Hi Roddy,

	Well done! I believe you, that under these conditions, it's not easy 
	to find the motovation to continue all day. But you did it. 
	Congratulations.

	When I did the "Portes du Soleil" in 1989 we had beautiful weather and 
	climbing up to Pas de Morgins at around noon or 2 p.m. was not 
	easy either. Many of the riders plunged into a foundain half way up.

	Nice story as well.

	By

	Norbert
		 

    
>>    Ironic to think that an event like that in California right now
>>    (speaking of Bat) would eliminate people through heat-stroke
>>    rather than the opposite.
    
	You can always rely on some smug git to rub it in, can't you.  :*)
    
    	Well done, Rod. The weather must've made you think of home...  :*)
    
    Graham.