Cycling forum Raid Pyrénéen trip 2012

manafana wrote: »

yeah not sure id wear that crazy maepei stuff.

Would be open to ideas thou, the more pockets the better too.

That gear is absolutely class I will have you know.

All jerseys come with 3 pockets, so I doubt you will get more unless it is a winter jersey (some have 4).

While the days will be very long, I would advise against packing your jersey pockets - it can be very uncomfortable on long climbs in hot weather.

I am going to get a bento box like the tri folk (http://www.wiggle.co.uk/lezyne-energy-caddy-nutrition-bag/#more) have to keep sun cream, bars, elctrolytes etc.

In the jersey I will carry a lightweight gilet and armwarmers (unless it is very warm), a CO2 cannister and a small wallet.

Given the heat, anyone buying new jerseys should consider full zip and light colours. Most jerseys that are around are not full zip.

Captain Havoc wrote: »

In relation to jerseys, I too have no end of them. My idea was something along the lines of themed days like boards gear day, club gear day, Irish day, attire appropriate for the George day etc.....

Sounds good

What is George Day? Do we celebrate that here (I guess Lumen and Beasty do, but the rest of us?)
Maybe you're still concussed?

Captain Havoc wrote: »

Itinerary? Fairly simples really, get up at 7h30, breakfast at 8h00, out the gap by 8h30, the French only serve food between 12h00 and 14h00 so you stop in the first village you come to after midday, then you start to pray you get in before a) the restaurant in the hotel shuts or failing that b) before night fall.

Given (1) French intransigence to actually welcome paying tourists to their beautiful country & (2) the heat . . .

Maybe it would be worth starting at 7am, getting a good cut at the day. Have a big lunch between 12 and 2. Then take it handy in the afternoon sun knowing that we have plenty of time to make it to that days destination for dinner.

I know what it is like to be hungry after a cycle in the French countryside, and I dont care to repeat that feeling.

Not suggesting this for all of the days, but it maybe worthwhile for day 3 which (if the orginal plan is correct) is 195km with 4000m of climbing.
Day 1 I think the idea is that you start close to 9am, so that you have until 1pm to finish on the final day.

Day 2 is 100km, so no real issue.
Day 3 is 195km - so very early start.
Day 4 is 140ish, so again 8am should be fine.
Day 5. Downhill from Prates to the finish over 90km IIRC?

With 10 of us on the road, we should have enough for 2 to 3 rough groups.
The reality is that Astra and Capt Havoc are significantly faster on the climbs that I am (I dont know the rest of ye).
Manafana - on the basis that you could speak when we went up Cruagh, I am putting you in the climber category.
Lenny, looking at your Strava times and mine - they are remarkably close. So I guess thats group 3 sorted.

lennymc wrote: »

do we have routes for the days? Manafana suggested maybe getting some routes done up to stick to the top tubes of the bikes for each day. Peter also suggested maybe getting dogtags with blood type, name, contact details, medical conditions etc. Might be a good idea.

Day 1: 193km Hendaye - Laruns. You can go over the Marie Blanque or avoid it. Distance is the same.
Avoiding it takes out a 4km climb at 12%.

Day 2: Larun to St Marie de Campan
(Aubisque, Solour, Tourmalet).
Between the Solour and Aubisque there is a large town (Arglese Gazost) - a natural stop off for lunch.

Day 3: St Marie to Tarascon sur Ariege
195km with 4000+ m of ascent.

I think this will be toughest day,
Aspin,
Peyresourde

Col de Ares
Portet Aspet
Climb to Tarason

Day 4: Tarascon - Prades (130km)
20km climb.

Day 5 Downhill all the way.