Fabien Cancellara winning the london PrologueSunday 29 July 2007
Friday 27 July 2007
Tour pictures from England and France
Laurent Jalabert wine (yes, really) and barbecued duck at Salles Courbatiers
Tuesday 24 July 2007
Monday 23 July 2007
Home from St Ybard Sunday 22nd July 2007
Up betimes and breakfasted, there followed a frenzy of tidying up, hoovering, roll making, plum picking, back yard weed killing, bike loading and car packing. Den and Mick left at 8.30, Trevor, Dave and Paul left a little over an hour later. The weather was good. Denbo took the Chartres/Rouen route and Trevor went up through Paris. On the radio we followed the news of the Tour stage of the day from the Pyrenees, of the Formula 1 GP from the Nurburgring and a tragic coach accident near Grenoble. Mick and Den missed the delayed 6 o'clock boat from Dunkirk by 15 seconds but crossed on the 8 o'clock boat together with the other three lads. We had a good meal and a fine crossing with a beautiful sunset. It was a good end to an excellent week.
Saturday 21 July 2007
St Ybard bulletin Saturday 21st July 2007
What did that Scotsman say about the best laid plans of mice and men? You don’t need me to tell you that the couple of days visiting Chris Devereux at Salles Batties did not go to plan. During Thursday night we had heavy thunder storms and torrential rain that continued into the morning so our 0800 departure from base camp was delayed until 1130. Also it turned out that five blokes and five bikes and five loads of kit don’t go in one car so we took two. Driving in convoy produced further stress when certain individuals “went charging away like loonies”. Nevertheless we arrived in Chris’s village about 1.30pm to a warm welcome. After a cup of tea we went out for an excellent 25 mile ride and cracked the 13 mph barrier for the first time this week. Then we made a trip into medieval Villeneuve for an aperitif before returning to the estate Devereux for a fine barbecue which went on into the evening. The grilled duck with spinach, mushrooms, potatoes and baked leeks together with the fine selection of cheeses and 4 bottles of Laurent-Jalabert-endorsed Gaillac wines were particularly appreciated by our young athletes.
This morning we were up and out by 8 o’clock for a beautiful drive across the Aveyron to watch the TT stage of the Tour de France based at Albi. We chose the half way point at Ambialet to spend a sun-drenched rest day watching our heros speed through a tricky tunnel at two minute intervals. You know the sort of thing. After the best part of an hour the first rider shot out of the tunnel and slewed through the left hand bend to much applause and Geraint Thomas followed 10 minutes later. Before Bradley Wiggins arrived it had started to rain and by the time Charlie Wigelius arrived it was gutting down and we were soaked. Refuge was taken in a hotel’s gazebo about half a km from the course and we had left the race to its own devices by 1.30 before David Millar had gone through. Trevor and Denbo drove us out of the rain in mid-afternoon and we arrived back in Brive to listen to the news of Vinokourov’s marvellous win and Bradley’s excellent 5th place on the car radio. At 6.30 we were first in line for the evening serving of dinner in the hypermarket canteen before tearing back to St Ybard to watch on the tele what we were supposed to have been watching all day at the roadside. To add to the rich variety of the day we heard later that the alternator went on Chris’s old Citroen on his way home but despite the breakdown he was back in time to catch the overnight train back to Cheam. So now Denbo has just mucked up his last Suzuki (that’s Sudoku to you and me) and retired to his bed in a sulk because he is no longer the Suzuki King of England and the rest of us will follow shortly because tomorrow we have to drive back to blighty. “Little man you’ve had a busy day!”
Our sincere thanks go to Trevor and Chris for their excellent hospitality.
This morning we were up and out by 8 o’clock for a beautiful drive across the Aveyron to watch the TT stage of the Tour de France based at Albi. We chose the half way point at Ambialet to spend a sun-drenched rest day watching our heros speed through a tricky tunnel at two minute intervals. You know the sort of thing. After the best part of an hour the first rider shot out of the tunnel and slewed through the left hand bend to much applause and Geraint Thomas followed 10 minutes later. Before Bradley Wiggins arrived it had started to rain and by the time Charlie Wigelius arrived it was gutting down and we were soaked. Refuge was taken in a hotel’s gazebo about half a km from the course and we had left the race to its own devices by 1.30 before David Millar had gone through. Trevor and Denbo drove us out of the rain in mid-afternoon and we arrived back in Brive to listen to the news of Vinokourov’s marvellous win and Bradley’s excellent 5th place on the car radio. At 6.30 we were first in line for the evening serving of dinner in the hypermarket canteen before tearing back to St Ybard to watch on the tele what we were supposed to have been watching all day at the roadside. To add to the rich variety of the day we heard later that the alternator went on Chris’s old Citroen on his way home but despite the breakdown he was back in time to catch the overnight train back to Cheam. So now Denbo has just mucked up his last Suzuki (that’s Sudoku to you and me) and retired to his bed in a sulk because he is no longer the Suzuki King of England and the rest of us will follow shortly because tomorrow we have to drive back to blighty. “Little man you’ve had a busy day!”
Our sincere thanks go to Trevor and Chris for their excellent hospitality.
Thursday 19 July 2007
St Ybard Bulletin Thursday 19th July 2007
Today 50 miles were on the menu but rain in the morning and floor laying problems in the ancient roof meant we didn’t get out on the treaders until 2.30pm. Trevor devised another scenic route from the map that we are going to steal off him and burn tonight. The almost total absence of motor traffic means that every encounter with a car is unexpected for us and them. On some of this week’s roads we’ve seen more six-feet-long snakes and man-eating lizards than motor cars. Today Denbo made his second foray on the bike stolen from a tramp; he went up every hill in the vicinity and noted with the customary expletives the difficult nature of the terrain. It would have been worse if he’d tried to ride up them! Once again we managed to ride at less than 12 mph this afternoon - 22 miles in 2 hrs 45 minutes with a stop in a café without a TV in Masserat, so we still don’t know who won today’s stage. This morning we made a last trip to the Super-U in Uzerche to stock up on goodies and retire to the Bowler for a beer and for Mick to read their paper.
Paul Baby is currently cooking supper and Denbo has just started interfering so things are much as usual. Trevor has a new theory about laying the floor in the roof and Dave is retained to help at any moment. The washing machine has just been put on so the lights should go out soon and this computer will crash. Mick is waiting to collect the scraps of veg for his new compost heap – his first venture into the continental market. Local civil engineering matters are currently being discussed in the garden. There seems to be some difference of opinion among the assembled experts..
New chaos beckons for tomorrow when we leave at 0800 (some hopes!) to drive down to Chris Devereux’s (wherever that is) for a mountainous ride, an overnight stay and, on Saturday, a visit to the TT stage of the tour.
Good luck to Uncle Norman for his weekend from all in St Ybard – we’re with you mate!
Paul Baby is currently cooking supper and Denbo has just started interfering so things are much as usual. Trevor has a new theory about laying the floor in the roof and Dave is retained to help at any moment. The washing machine has just been put on so the lights should go out soon and this computer will crash. Mick is waiting to collect the scraps of veg for his new compost heap – his first venture into the continental market. Local civil engineering matters are currently being discussed in the garden. There seems to be some difference of opinion among the assembled experts..
New chaos beckons for tomorrow when we leave at 0800 (some hopes!) to drive down to Chris Devereux’s (wherever that is) for a mountainous ride, an overnight stay and, on Saturday, a visit to the TT stage of the tour.
Good luck to Uncle Norman for his weekend from all in St Ybard – we’re with you mate!
Wednesday 18 July 2007
St Ybard bulletin Wednesday 16th July 2007
St Ybard bulletin Wednesday 16th July 2007.
Yesterday was hot, >30 degrees, so we didn’t ride. In the morning we went into Brive to pick up the new staircase – you can imagine the fun getting that clunky-clicked onto the roof rack. Then it was to Decaflon for more retail therapy. Then it was on to the wine merchants to fill the plastic containers with good stuff which is good for you. Next we did some endurance training at Espartignac, two whole hours wading through the 11 Euro lunch menu by which time we were smashed. Soup with three types of local bread, ham salad, pork chops with gratin potatoes, selection of seven cheeses from the cheese board, choice of five desserts, coffee and three bottles of wine. Not bad for under £8, eh? Thank God we were not on the bikes, the climb back to Trevor’s would have been very difficult and it was too hot to crash out on the grass; it was a doddle in the cars. After a siesta and some scintillating erudite conversation we repaired the Bowler ‘at in Uzerche for some beers. In the evening we had a light salad, watched the last Alpine Tour stage and the Proms on TV. It’s hard work this cycling in Correze.
Sunday we rode the Route Richard Coeur de Lion, Monday the Tour Vallee de Vizere and today we did 62 miles up to 3000ft around the Circuit de Mondelieres including the Col de Lestards and the Suc de May viewpoint. We ended up back in Uzerche at the Bowler ‘at for beers and to watch the end of the tour stage to Marseille on TV. Meanwhile back at the ranch Denbo had devoted himself to creating the best Spog Bol ever, despite the supermarket closing for lunch, and very fine it was too!
Yesterday was hot, >30 degrees, so we didn’t ride. In the morning we went into Brive to pick up the new staircase – you can imagine the fun getting that clunky-clicked onto the roof rack. Then it was to Decaflon for more retail therapy. Then it was on to the wine merchants to fill the plastic containers with good stuff which is good for you. Next we did some endurance training at Espartignac, two whole hours wading through the 11 Euro lunch menu by which time we were smashed. Soup with three types of local bread, ham salad, pork chops with gratin potatoes, selection of seven cheeses from the cheese board, choice of five desserts, coffee and three bottles of wine. Not bad for under £8, eh? Thank God we were not on the bikes, the climb back to Trevor’s would have been very difficult and it was too hot to crash out on the grass; it was a doddle in the cars. After a siesta and some scintillating erudite conversation we repaired the Bowler ‘at in Uzerche for some beers. In the evening we had a light salad, watched the last Alpine Tour stage and the Proms on TV. It’s hard work this cycling in Correze.
Sunday we rode the Route Richard Coeur de Lion, Monday the Tour Vallee de Vizere and today we did 62 miles up to 3000ft around the Circuit de Mondelieres including the Col de Lestards and the Suc de May viewpoint. We ended up back in Uzerche at the Bowler ‘at for beers and to watch the end of the tour stage to Marseille on TV. Meanwhile back at the ranch Denbo had devoted himself to creating the best Spog Bol ever, despite the supermarket closing for lunch, and very fine it was too!
Monday 16 July 2007
St Ybard Bulletin Monday 16th July 2007
St Ybard Bulletin Monday 16th July 2007.
Yesterday Trevor, Paul & Mick did 60 miles up and down all day to St Yrieix la Perche where Barry had his wheel repaired. Well not all day; we didn’t leave until 1130. We met Denbo and Dave back at the lake about five o’clock and rode home together at six. Later that evening Mrs Martin and Mrs Peacock were having one of their kitchen tiffs while cooking supper. Denbo was complaining with the customary expletives about how slow the sausages were cooking because they were bent and Paul retorted bitchily “Well you should’ve got back from the lake quicker!” “Don’t keep on,” cried Denbo, “I was walking as fast as I could!”
All is peace and tranquillity this evening after 40 miles to Le Roc. Paulo has just shaved everyone’s head and the lads have just pushed the new chimney liner up the spout to the roof and filled the kitchen with soot. Now they’re arguing about who should take the glory for this remarkable feat of civil engineering. The next battle will be getting supper ready so Mick, who’s done nothing useful all day except fall in love with the girl in the tourist office, can get to his concert in the church by 8.30. And so to bed.
Yesterday Trevor, Paul & Mick did 60 miles up and down all day to St Yrieix la Perche where Barry had his wheel repaired. Well not all day; we didn’t leave until 1130. We met Denbo and Dave back at the lake about five o’clock and rode home together at six. Later that evening Mrs Martin and Mrs Peacock were having one of their kitchen tiffs while cooking supper. Denbo was complaining with the customary expletives about how slow the sausages were cooking because they were bent and Paul retorted bitchily “Well you should’ve got back from the lake quicker!” “Don’t keep on,” cried Denbo, “I was walking as fast as I could!”
All is peace and tranquillity this evening after 40 miles to Le Roc. Paulo has just shaved everyone’s head and the lads have just pushed the new chimney liner up the spout to the roof and filled the kitchen with soot. Now they’re arguing about who should take the glory for this remarkable feat of civil engineering. The next battle will be getting supper ready so Mick, who’s done nothing useful all day except fall in love with the girl in the tourist office, can get to his concert in the church by 8.30. And so to bed.
Wednesday 11 July 2007
Monday 2 July 2007
British Cyclosportive Sunday 1st July 2007
Caroline on Goudhurst HillWell done to all three finishers. Jeremy 7.21.55; Caroline 8.05.11; Chris 8.09.18.
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