Sunday 31 January 2010
10 % of target achieved!!
A big Thank you, to everyone who has sponsored us already, we have passed the 10% mark, with still a while to go
Seem to be spending lots on the kit - bags and clothes now sorted
Thursday 28 January 2010
Wednesday 27 January 2010
Unconciously Incompetent>>>>>>>>>> Conciously Incompetent
4 practise rides in, and with only 30 miles under our belt from a training perspective Steph and I have certainly moved on from thinking this will be a leisurely jaunt through france and spain, to the stark reality that we have a heck of alot of training to do to get us close to the fitness levels required to even complete the first three days!!.... Big Gulp!
Monday 11 January 2010
Starlight Sponsorship Now Set up
Steph and I have chosen Starlight as the charity we would like to support in this challenge and have set up an on-line sponsorship page with virgin money to enable anyone who would like to support us the opportunity to do this with minimum hassle. so do click on the image on the left to be directed to the sponsorship page. alternatively click on:
http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/TheColesParisBarcelonaCycle
Starlight Children's Foundation brightens the lives of seriously and terminally ill children in order to take their minds off the pain, fear and isolation of their illness. for more information on the charity please click on: http://www.starlight.org.uk/
http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/TheColesParisBarcelonaCycle
Starlight Children's Foundation brightens the lives of seriously and terminally ill children in order to take their minds off the pain, fear and isolation of their illness. for more information on the charity please click on: http://www.starlight.org.uk/
Saturday 9 January 2010
The Route
Day 1 Paris (Eiffel Tower
Day2 Augerville-la-riviere - Les Naudins 69.0
Day3 Les Naudins - Pouligny-Notre-Dame 83.1
Day4 Pouligny-Notre Dame - Aubusson 52.1
Day5 Aubusson - Marcillac-La Croisille 61.9
Day6 Marcillac-La-Croisille - Lavergne 48.9
Day7 Lavergne - Caylus 52.0
Day8 Caylus - Cap de Castel 60.2
Day 9 Cap de Castel - Mirepoix 46.7
Day10 Mirepoix - Belcaire 31.1
Day11 Belcaire - Puigcerda 41.4
Day12 Puigcerda - Sant Julià de Vilatorta (Vic) 77.2
Day13 Sant Julià de Vilatorta - Barcelona
(All distances in Miles)
A total of 737 miles, average of 57 miles per day
(All distances in Miles)
A total of 737 miles, average of 57 miles per day
Progress.. but then the weather!
Since the last post, Christmas and new year has past by, and in that period the accommodation has been finalised and the bikes have been bought! A lot was learnt at the bike shop, and the result was the expected over spend on the budget. Steph and I went out on our first ride together from Rudgewick to Cranleigh and back. An hour in the saddle in very cold conditions, but very happy to say we completed 12 miles in an hour, and whilst we were not able to cycle any further it did fill us with reasonable confidence. Firstly that the bike’s were up to it, secondly that we could average a decent speed, but mainly from my perspective - that Steph enjoyed the experience………’all that stuff you said about the joy of being able to enjoy the down hill parts is true.. don’t get that when running’ stephs comment once back at base…. Pheew!
So anyway that was last weekend, and since then the UK
The Bikes
Well, here is an example of how sometimes the internet can actually mislead rather than aid in research. I have spent several weeks looking into the likely bike configuration needed for the ride, and the internet continually pointed towards touring bikes, a heavy sturdy bike which has the capacity to carry front and rear bike bags, this did not sit well with me as weight should be the most important consideration, and touring bikes are generally steel framed and heavy beasts, and we were all about reducing weight... especially considering the Pyrenees. A few visits to some reputable bike shops has led me to believe we will be able to do the challenge on road bike’s built with speed efficiency and weight as the most important considerations, but with the limitation of a 7 litre handle bar bag and a 7 litre seat post bag. It will be tough surviving on 14 litres of packing space each, but then focussing the mind on only the essentials will be a positive step.
Accommodation
This proved difficult, as there are not the number of hotels you would first envisage in the central French regions, and whilst Steph and I are humble in our expectations for accommodation, we are equally not inclined to ‘slum’ it. So we have established a good mixture of chateau’s and guest houses on the way down, and each hotel has been booked well in advance to avoid any late minute route changes being needed from not booking early enough, our route is following the tour de France in some regions and as such the accommodation at these times is tough to secure. And with the accommodation dictating the exact daily distances they in essence represent the milestone for each days achievement. Their location relative to each other has been and will continue to be an important consideration in the planning and execution of the challenge.
The Route
The route was clearly going to take the main share of the planning, and as such I ploughed straight into this, with the map wall at my service, and Google maps at my side the route planning commenced in earnest. Initially I located the likely towns and villages that sat at the average daily mileage points as you travel south from Paris. Bearing in mind we wanted to dedicate a day to the climbing of a Col in the Pyrenees, ideally the Col de Tourmalet. This procedure worked well in establishing a benchmark for the daily distance and aiding in the location of accommodation on route
The Kids
Clearly the logistics of the kids were the main show stopper, but with the support of the Grand Parents, this seemed relatively well assured. Quite early on Steph and I discussed how nice it would be to get the Kids over to Barcelona to share some downtime with us following the completion of the ride, and even this was relatively easily over come with the British Airways Unaccompanied Child travel scheme, I just hope they are still afloat by the time the ride comes about. I even secured quite early on an apartment in the old Olympic Village in Barcelona.
Early Planning
My planning started almost immediately, and it started with a trip to the map shop. I was going to need some maps for sure, and a big wall in which to display the route. So following a trip to the shops, and the clearing of a wall in the study, the planning could commence, before realising that folders, dividers, pins and a whole myriad of other resources were going to be needed along the way. Day one would therefore have to settle for a wall displaying the road networks running south from Paris, through the Loire and Dourdogne, into the Pyrenees and into Barcelona. One sliced up road atlas later, and I am peering up at the wall with probably the first realisation for the scale of the challenge at hand..... Brilliant I thought with a gulp... Steph just said ‘Holy Shit!’
So much to consider: The bikes, the kit, the charities, the route, the travel to and from, the accommodation, the kids, the Pyrenees, the financing. It all seemed quite daunting, but then it all seemed quite logical, make a list of the most likely show stoppers, prioritise them, and then start knocking them off! And so I set to it.
So much to consider: The bikes, the kit, the charities, the route, the travel to and from, the accommodation, the kids, the Pyrenees, the financing. It all seemed quite daunting, but then it all seemed quite logical, make a list of the most likely show stoppers, prioritise them, and then start knocking them off! And so I set to it.
Committed!
So from a smoke in the garden to a ‘Yes’ from Steph, and only a week between the two, and yet the commitment was now as assured as if I had been planning it for months, this was going to happen and nothing was going to stop it!
Support?
After a bit of shuffling with the holiday dates of our Grand Parents it appeared a two week window was starting to appear that could allow Steph and I to do the challenge together, but before we went ahead and confirmed this, Steph needed to make the decision... and knowing what a punishing nag I can be at times, I put the case to her and promised not to mention it again whilst she made up her mind, at which point the decision would be respected. Two days later the response came back and it was an excited Yes, followed by a couple of bottles of sparkly stuff!
Who?
My mind was set on the task, I had discovered a unique challenge which ticked all the boxes as far as I was concerned, and having committed to myself that it would be undertaken solo, there was no need to go out on the ‘big sell’ to get a team together , and no need to compromise on my own ideas as to how it would be achieved. I did spread the word of my idea to those who might have been interested, and did get some positive responses, however that was predictably as far as it got. And I was in it alone.
The first to hear of my idea was Steph, my wife, who’s initial response was slightly dismissive, and this was understandable considering the number of ideas I have had since the Paris trip which have failed to get past the initial ‘concept’ stage. Her belief did start to change however as she started to appreciate the rather more ‘joint up’ thoughts behind the challenge, and even suggested she would be very jealous of such a challenge, and would certainly look to do a challenge of her own in the following year.
Steph has favoured running challenges in the past having completed the London Marathon in 2007. This challenge did result , however, in a rather unfortunate turn of events, when the strain of the marathon combined with an undiagnosed hole in the heart , caused a mild stroke 5 weeks later.
Whilst the diagnosis was difficult and long, once diagnosed the procedure for fixing the hole was uncomplicated, and left her with no long term issues following the stroke, and fighting fit for the future.
Richard Cross responded to my email a couple of days following my email to him, and was full of encouragement for the challenge, he gave me some simple advice on route, and assured me that although they had spent 21 days completing the challenge, it should be more than manageable in 14. He also informed me that he had completed the challenge with his wife.
So my initial thought around the time for the ride would need to change if I was going to somehow find an open window for Steph to get involved. The main obstacle being that with Steph only available during school holidays, she works as a teaching assistant, and with the children sharing the same holidays, we would need to lean very hard on our respective parents for childcare, second to this the grandparents would have their own commitments for the holidays, so the chances looked slight. But the main obstacle at this point would be to get Steph to see the world according to two wheels and not two legs.
The first to hear of my idea was Steph, my wife, who’s initial response was slightly dismissive, and this was understandable considering the number of ideas I have had since the Paris trip which have failed to get past the initial ‘concept’ stage. Her belief did start to change however as she started to appreciate the rather more ‘joint up’ thoughts behind the challenge, and even suggested she would be very jealous of such a challenge, and would certainly look to do a challenge of her own in the following year.
Steph has favoured running challenges in the past having completed the London Marathon in 2007. This challenge did result , however, in a rather unfortunate turn of events, when the strain of the marathon combined with an undiagnosed hole in the heart , caused a mild stroke 5 weeks later.
Whilst the diagnosis was difficult and long, once diagnosed the procedure for fixing the hole was uncomplicated, and left her with no long term issues following the stroke, and fighting fit for the future.
Richard Cross responded to my email a couple of days following my email to him, and was full of encouragement for the challenge, he gave me some simple advice on route, and assured me that although they had spent 21 days completing the challenge, it should be more than manageable in 14. He also informed me that he had completed the challenge with his wife.
So my initial thought around the time for the ride would need to change if I was going to somehow find an open window for Steph to get involved. The main obstacle being that with Steph only available during school holidays, she works as a teaching assistant, and with the children sharing the same holidays, we would need to lean very hard on our respective parents for childcare, second to this the grandparents would have their own commitments for the holidays, so the chances looked slight. But the main obstacle at this point would be to get Steph to see the world according to two wheels and not two legs.
How?
The conceptual idea seemed simple enough. Catch Eurostar over to Paris, and cycle south to Barcelona stopping at hotels on the way down, essentially performing the task completely unsupported beyond the hotels I would be staying at, and purchasing essentials through France and Spain. Then flying home from Spain whilst freighting the bike back.
The task would ideally need to take 14 days, to fit in with work, although it became clear to me from very early on that this challenge was going to take a significant level of support from work, Keysource, if it was going to get off the ground, else the kids were likely to miss out on any sort of holiday or ‘daddy’ time during 2010.
So with 14 days as the ideal, I set to work on the internet to assure myself that this was possible, and my first discovery was how much of a friend Google Maps was going to be in this pursuit. Instant figures around the number of miles, type of terrain, local amenities, likely hotels, all there jumping off the screen in glorious Google style. I also searched to see if anyone else had ever attempted this less than obvious cycle challenge .
The good news was that the challenge was likely to be in the region of 750 miles, giving me a target of just over 50 miles per day, however my limited geography had not warned me until looking at the map of the small obstacle towards the latter part of the ride, more commonly known as the Pyrenees.
Great! Was my reaction, I will have to incorporate one of the famous Col’s ridden in the Tour De France. How apt considering the 2010 Tour De France will be celebrating its 100 year anniversary of ascending the Pyrenees. This led me to look at planning the timing of my tour to be within or close the period of the tour and its time in the Pyrenees.
So there I was, less than 2 hours into the idea, and I already had a concept with a plausible timescale, that had already gained depth, in the excitement surrounding the Tour de France and the opportunity to combine the distance with the challenge of one of the most gruelling cycling ascents , at a time of year which will have the worlds eyes on cycling and specifically the Pyrenees.
My search for others who may have completed the same journey resulted in finding only one person who had successfully completed the journey in the summer of 2009, however they had completed it in 21 days and not 14. The fact it was not a recognised cycle challenge only spurred me on even more, one of the reasons the Lands End to John ‘O’ Groats ride never really appealed to me, was the established and recognised position it holds in cycle challenges, not to take anything away from those who complete it, an awesome undertaking. For those who are aware of my car choices will not be surprised by my need to seek the unique before the sensible.
Having discovered someone who had completed the task, at least I had someone to ‘pick the brains’ of, and without further delay I sent an e-mail to Richard Cross introducing myself and opening up a dialogue so that I may seek advice as I go through the planning of the challenge.
The task would ideally need to take 14 days, to fit in with work, although it became clear to me from very early on that this challenge was going to take a significant level of support from work, Keysource, if it was going to get off the ground, else the kids were likely to miss out on any sort of holiday or ‘daddy’ time during 2010.
So with 14 days as the ideal, I set to work on the internet to assure myself that this was possible, and my first discovery was how much of a friend Google Maps was going to be in this pursuit. Instant figures around the number of miles, type of terrain, local amenities, likely hotels, all there jumping off the screen in glorious Google style. I also searched to see if anyone else had ever attempted this less than obvious cycle challenge .
The good news was that the challenge was likely to be in the region of 750 miles, giving me a target of just over 50 miles per day, however my limited geography had not warned me until looking at the map of the small obstacle towards the latter part of the ride, more commonly known as the Pyrenees.
Great! Was my reaction, I will have to incorporate one of the famous Col’s ridden in the Tour De France. How apt considering the 2010 Tour De France will be celebrating its 100 year anniversary of ascending the Pyrenees. This led me to look at planning the timing of my tour to be within or close the period of the tour and its time in the Pyrenees.
So there I was, less than 2 hours into the idea, and I already had a concept with a plausible timescale, that had already gained depth, in the excitement surrounding the Tour de France and the opportunity to combine the distance with the challenge of one of the most gruelling cycling ascents , at a time of year which will have the worlds eyes on cycling and specifically the Pyrenees.
My search for others who may have completed the same journey resulted in finding only one person who had successfully completed the journey in the summer of 2009, however they had completed it in 21 days and not 14. The fact it was not a recognised cycle challenge only spurred me on even more, one of the reasons the Lands End to John ‘O’ Groats ride never really appealed to me, was the established and recognised position it holds in cycle challenges, not to take anything away from those who complete it, an awesome undertaking. For those who are aware of my car choices will not be surprised by my need to seek the unique before the sensible.
Having discovered someone who had completed the task, at least I had someone to ‘pick the brains’ of, and without further delay I sent an e-mail to Richard Cross introducing myself and opening up a dialogue so that I may seek advice as I go through the planning of the challenge.
Why?
Life is great! Wife, Kids, Job, Car, Hot tub!... all there keeping the dream alive and kicking... but somehow that fag out by the backdoor led to an urge of adrenalin that kicked me into gear to sort and organise another personal challenge for the coming year.
So many ideas over the past 5 years since the last successful challenge of cycling from London to Paris. Yet no fruit to show! Lots of let downs resulting from the feeling the best challenges are achieved through building teams (however small) to complete the challenge alongside you. So this would be the change to assure a successful challenge.... I will do it on my own, and if they come then so be it, but prepare a solo challenge.
And in that flash of self assurance born from the independence of others, my mind quickly turned to the challenge itself.... on a bike of course!.... Lands End to John ‘o’ Groats? A bit boring!... I have at the end of the day spent the last 10 years of my career driving the length and breadth of the UK.... not exactly fresh. The mind quickly seemed to move towards the idea of extending the first challenge of London to Paris.... Let’s go south from Paris!..... I want to see Barcelona.... and that was the moment!... fag half burnt, the cold getting at me (along with the bin smell!) it was time to build some personal pride... and the journey had started.
So many ideas over the past 5 years since the last successful challenge of cycling from London to Paris. Yet no fruit to show! Lots of let downs resulting from the feeling the best challenges are achieved through building teams (however small) to complete the challenge alongside you. So this would be the change to assure a successful challenge.... I will do it on my own, and if they come then so be it, but prepare a solo challenge.
And in that flash of self assurance born from the independence of others, my mind quickly turned to the challenge itself.... on a bike of course!.... Lands End to John ‘o’ Groats? A bit boring!... I have at the end of the day spent the last 10 years of my career driving the length and breadth of the UK.... not exactly fresh. The mind quickly seemed to move towards the idea of extending the first challenge of London to Paris.... Let’s go south from Paris!..... I want to see Barcelona.... and that was the moment!... fag half burnt, the cold getting at me (along with the bin smell!) it was time to build some personal pride... and the journey had started.
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