Amazing Time at the Tour [3] The Contador moment

My Contador moment - mixing with the maillot jaune - that's if you can count nearly being run over by Alberto Contador as mixing with the maillot jaune!

Amazing Time at the Tour [2] continued

The souvenirs.......Bjarne Riis.....Andy Schlek ....[that's me in the grey T-Shirt]

Amazing Time at the Tour [2]

Check this out - post race, whilst walking back up the Champs Elysee towards the media frenzy - we were confronted by none other that Tour runner-up Andy Schlek - as he made his way through the crowds. Quick as a flash I asked him for an autograph, he duly obliged by signing the front of my "Vive Le Tour" book - In order for him to hold the pen & make his mark he handed me his champagne glass - before riding off down the Champs Elysee - how good is that!

Then as if that wasn't enough, I turned to be faced by Bjarne Riis [team directeur] of Team Saxo Bank - quick on the draw with the pen once again - Bjarne also signed the cover of my "Vive Le Tour" book. [Riis won the Tour de France back in 1996]

Sue was on hand with the camera & I will post a couple of photos very soon.

Amazing Time at the Tour [1]

Just got back from Paris & the Grande Finale of the Tour de France - A-MAZ-ING!. Here's a quick summary -

Alberto Contador did what the cycling world expected & won the maillot jaune.

The Manx Missile [Mark Cavendish] ripped the field & tore up the Champs Elysee cobbles to win the stage for the second year running - there really is no one faster at the minute with or without a team lead out - just pipped for the green jersey by 36 year old Alessandro Pettachi.

The french also had their day with Anthony Charteau winning Polka dot jersey [KoM] & Sylvan Chavanel winning most combative rider.

Andy Schlek 'the great white hope' finished runner-up for the 2nd year in a row & wore the white jersey of best young rider.

Dennis Menchov was third on the poduim

Tour de France - Grande Finale in style

Today we are off to Paris to for a bit of sightseeing & more importantly our Grandstand seats on the Champs Eleysee to see the Tour de France Grand Finale. This will be the third time that we have been to see the finish of the tour.

In 2004 Sue & I cycle a bit of the Alps & watched the time trials at Alpe d'Huez & Briancon before watching the finale on a baking hot day & a with a poor view with the masses on the barriers of the Champs Eleysee [which were 10 deep in places], was a bit of an anti-climax despite all the excitement of the day.

Then last year I cycled from London 2 Paris with Mike for charity & just as the Tour caravan hit the Champs Eleysee we had to leave to catch our Euro-Star train back to London, Sue & Clare also had to leave earlier to catch their flights, all in all major disappointment after a great charity bike ride.

So this year Sue, Mike, Clare & myself are back in style & doing it right with the Grandstand seats - fantastic - we are all so excited - its trains all the way today from Crewe to Euston then St Pancras Euro-Star to Gard de Nord Paris.

Finally...new rubber fitted

Finally...after three weeks & admitting that I got it wrong I fitted my continental GP4000S rubber - all black with chilli compound & silver logos t'boot - most excellent. Did a 48 mile ride out to Prees Heath & back yesterday very good ride apart from the last leg down the A442 from Crudgington - very busy traffic into a strong head wind, the new rubber was excellent, very comfortable & yes the final compliment to my black bar tape & carbon [effect] plugs.

Back to the bit I got wrong & the reason for the delay in using said rubber...? on delivery I noticed what appeared to be a defect - 2 holes in the outer layer - so I complained, as you do...unknown to me & quickly pointed out by the supplier they are actually tyre wear indicators, a quick check on Continentals website confirmed the fact [that I was indeed a numpty].

Video Bar

Having trouble with the video bar - so I've taken it off line for now

The Wyre Forest Stinger [Thumbs Up]

Apparently, official photos from the event are still in progress, but here's one of me taken by one of the event organisation helpers. This was obviously before my bout of cramp & the infamous Stinger section as I have the energy to ride one handed & give the thumbs up to the camera!

27+40=67

Managed to do two reasonable rides this last weekend with 27 miles on Saturday, a nice spin out to Haughmond hill down & around Wroxeter Vineyards & then climbing up around the Wrekin before passing through Wellington & home.

Sunday, I did my Wheaton Aston ride but in reverse, its amazing how different the ride is from the opposite perspective, although its still 40 miles which ever way you do it? So there you have it 27+40=67

Official Stinger Timing

Official mini-stinger times have now been released - my official time was 5 hrs 33 min 41 sec compared to my unofficial Garmin time of 5 hr 32 min 46 sec - the difference probably down to the waiting to scan my barcode at the finish - splitting hairs really!

My placing was 35th out of 72 riders so pretty much bang in the middle - also 3 riders DNF & a further 9 DNS - so despite my grumbling of not enjoying the day too much - I am quite pleased with the 35th place.

Other mini-stinger info:

Only two riders managed Gold & 8 who managed Silver

Fastest time was 4 hr 01 min 45 sec

Slowest 8 hr 06 min 04 sec

Mini-Stinger Summary

So I've been there & done it - here's a quick summary of my 'Wyre Forest Stinger' experience

1. Did I enjoy it? - No not really

2. Would I do it again? - No definitely not

3. Would I recommend it? - Yes if you weigh in at 9 stone, are part mountain goat & ride a bike with an engine.

4. Mini Stinger or Full Stinger? - see answer to question 3

Thank God I only registered on the Mini-Stinger - maybe I'm being a bit harsh due to my own personal failings.

Look, I know I'm not the lightest rider in the peleton & I'm certainly not the youngest - I can now hold my hand up & admit that this was one ride & climb to many for me...actually several climbs too many.

Sportives are meant to be a challenge & I'm certainly not put off by the experience on the Stinger in fact it makes me more determined to improve & I am already looking for the next one - stay tuned.

The Recovery

Section Three: "The Stinger section has now ended" this was the dayglo sign which signaled the end of the days climbing, pain & suffering. The last 10 miles or so where on rolling roads & I think I made some sort of minor recovery on this section as the cramping in my thighs subsided enough not to trouble me, I actually picked up a good pedaling cadence & speed and finished quite strongly.

I had a very close call on the run in through Stourport-on-Severn where I got cut up by a Vauxhall Astra who cut across my front wheel narrowly missing me by about 3 inches. I didn't realise that shouting abuse at the top of your voice [F****** W*****] could get so much attention on a busy high street, as every man & his dog stopped momentarily - The driver continued on totally unaware at how close he had come to knocking me down.

Finally I reached the Stourport Sports Centre in a time of 5 hours 32 minutes [by my Garmin] this has to be confirmed by the organisers timing chips & should be posted on their web page within 48 hours. This was a full 1 hour outside the target time to get Gold award - but all things considered even at my best I would have struggled to get anywhere near it on this route.

Stung!

The Stinger Section 2: Continuing from the first feed stop the road had a steady incline & in the distance I could see the terrain that had housed the infamous stinger section hidden between the hills & valleys. The scenery after cresting the top of Clows Top was beautiful to say the least, its a pity that this would be the last I would really notice as I spent the rest of this middle section with my head down staring at the tarmac. As I entered the Stinger section I wasn't prepared for what was to come as lung busting climb was followed by deathly descent with no time for recovery in between - 20% - 12% - 15% in quick succession.

It was about now, after these opening three climbs of the stinger, I suffered horrendous cramps in both quad muscles & was reduced to a quivering wreck on the road side for more than 5 minutes - in excruciating pain. This was the end of my day, as every-time the road went up, the cramps came back.

To make matters worse I still had 10% - 17% - 17% & 15% climbs to face and in between each climb a very dangerous twisting descents of similar gradient, on very poor road surfaces. End result was that on anything more than 10% I had to get off and walk the climbs. Finally got to the second feed station for very much needed refreshment.

The refreshment didn't really help much as I still had to negotiate 25% - 22% & 17% climbs. The elderly gent pruning his roses on Winniats 25% was a real bundle of laughs as I pushed by bike wearily up hill he chuckled 'You haven't reach the steep bit yet'.

The Stinger

Got a bit to tell from todays Sportive 'The Wyre Forest Stinger' so I will break it down into three posts - If I may.

Section 1: Arrived early at the Stourport Sports Centre - good sign on & friendly greeting, not too many riders though which was a little disappointing I noted only 112 last night on the internet. Maybe the negative forum comments from last years ride had taken its toll, we would see. Ride off was at 9.00 for the mini-stinger, we actually set off at about 5 past 9, everything began well and we were soon through the first 50 Km - a good early pace despite a very blustery wind which was intent on buffeting us for the whole ride. The first feed station was welcome with a decent spread of cakes sandwiches fruit & the like - So far so good!

Phew! Close One

Got the Pinarello back late Friday afternoon, gave it the once over & it all seems well, the new headset bearings are really smooth and a new cable has sorted out the gearing issues I've been having of late. The black Pinarello bar tape gives it a new fresh look & feels good t'boot.

Only thing missing are my new Continental GP4000S tyres - why are they missing I hear you ask? Well I started to fit them on Friday and noticed a flaw, what appears to be two holes or air bubbles which penetrate the tyre surface, so I have to send them back - they would really have been the finishing touch with the black bar tape. So, all ready for the Wyre Forest Stinger in the morning - hope the legs carry me to my 4 hr 30 minute target & Gold certificate.