With thanks to Noel (how apt) for the Cartoon and happy birthday to him on 25th.
Next dates for your new diaries:
7th Feb: AGM at the Duke, 8pm,
10th March: Richardson's Rumble
Paul

Swallowed hard and went for the Joux-Plane yesterday! After the Cat. 1 Col de Colombiere yesterday, this was a really daunting challenge - Hors de Categorie or too steep for a Deux Chavaux to travel up.

http://app.strava.com/rides/22911594

Not incident free as Phil blew a tyre (not a tube, a tyre) about half way up so we did some bike juggling when we others were on our way back down so that Phil could finish the climb on Paul's bike while the rest of us went to fetch the trailer.

Robin, David, Phil (from Fleet) and Paul's (shown here in the centre of Chamonix - nice of the locals to turn out to meet us in such high numbers) turn for some Alpine pain at the hands of Les.

This is what we managed after a morning flight to GVA and transfer to Les Houches:

http://app.strava.com/rides/22711870

Just a small preparation for what is to come

More tomorrow - if we return!

Another day, another Cat 1 climb.

Les and I tackled the Col de la Colombiere as part of a circular route, also taking in Mount Saxonnex after a nice 20 mile descent.

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/223921067

You guys are going to love the cycling here. Les has been a magnificent host, and I've told him to put you through some pain in the mountains.

Signing off for the last time,
Dom

Bit of a rest day today (yesterday has taken its toll somewhat). Les and I just went out on a quick leg stretcher in the afternoon.
A short sharp climb in Chamonix then a longer climb up to a ski station at Maisonneuve.

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/223443926

Noel is leaving us tomorrow and has been planning his ride on the road to Roanne (not ruin).

Planning a big one for tomorrow (maybe).

Dom

A full-on day in the alps yesterday.

A reasonable climb up to the Col de Aravis, with some lovely scenery and hairpin bends. Then a 10 mile (yes 10 MILE) descent down to Thones. Followed by an ~8 mile climb up to the Col de Croix Fry, finishing off with another another ascent of the Col de Aravis and down the hairpins again to La Giettaz.

I think the beer on top of the Col De Aravis had an effect, and I forgot to start up the garmin again for the last descent.

Les took it easy on us this morning.

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/222522140

Another ride planned for this afternoon

Dom

Brilliantly organised by Dom, now the proud holder of almost as many stopwatches as bikes (we will reimburse you for the former, Dom), Eleven of us (Frances was the photographer) took to the guided busway for a timed 4 mile run heading towards Westwick and back again. The French call it the Race of Truth and the times tell no lies:
Ken 13 mins 57 secs. = 17 mph
Dave Snr. 13 mins 17 secs. = 18 mph
Nigel 13 mins 00 secs. = 18.5 mph
Dave Jnr. 12 mins 30 secs = 19.2 mph
Paul 12 mins. 15 secs = 19.6 mph
Frances 12 mins 04 secs = 19.9 mph

On the day when Brad Wiggins became the first ever British cyclist to win the Tour de France, several thousand non-elite cyclists descended on the Big Smoke for the Tour d'East Anglia. 60 miles from London to Cambridge - a breeze for seasoned cyclists, but for the newcomers it would prove an impressive feat of endurance.
 

Darren writes:
The Cambridge CTC ride was good fun on Sunday (30.6.12). As the advanced group weren't riding that day, I think it made the pace of this 'moderate ride' much more challenging.

I rode 104 miles including my journey to and from Longstanton. Average speed of 14.17mph.

Here's the route we took:

https://maps.google.com/?q=http://share.abvio.com/5da7/087d/4d8b/9e1b/Cyclemeter-Cycle-20120701-0814.kml

More on the CTC blog: