This time of year, we normally hit the hills for some pre-cyclo cross season training. This year we are in the French Alps for 2 weeks. We’ve done the research on the altitude, the area we’re in, and have set training that we think will have a great effect on the riders. However that doesn’t mean it will be good for me.
Every morning, setting off from 1700m altitude is great. The only way is down and I go downhill fast. It’s at around the final corner that depression is knocking at the door, as it is far too clear that the only way home is up. It is getting easier each day, but that doesn’t really mean it is actually easy.
I’ve taken on some cool climbs and have a lot more to go. Helen and Ian are having a private race out front (although Ian has to soft tap to allow Helen to keep up!). Annie is riding really well, and more importantly, has nearly got to the end of her book in the evenings. It’s taken most of the season for her to find a book that isn’t ‘boring’ after the first 30 pages. So I should really pass on my congratulations to her, and the author.
The apartment we are in is small. Not that functional, and small. But we are making do, and it is allowing us to train hard and get ready for the season ahead. While we are here, the team also has 2 riders in the Tour of Holland, and Sarah preparing for the National TT Champs on Sunday. Britt is still racing in Belgium and Holland. Much of our time is also being taken up planning for 2011, in terms of sponsors, programme and riders. It looks like being a great year.
To add a bit of a difference to my ride yesterday, I took a route to Venosc which appeared to have a passage to Les Deux Alpes where we are staying. Having ridden around 90kms already, and feeling pretty tired, I really hoped the road would be OK. It started well, but soon turned into a dirt track. At the end of this it turned into a walking trail. The first sign showed me it was only 1.8kms to Les Deux Alpes. The second, however, told me that the route was extremely dangerous, parts of the route would require climbing equipment, and once you start, there is no turning back. Standing there in my cycling shoes with my bike on my shoulder, I thought better of it and returned on the 30km road route. Tired, but glad I had tried; I had a very quiet night watching England play on TV.
I’ve now completed a 20 hour training week (some would call it touring) but it’s been fun. If I can put in the same hours next week, it will have been a great trip. Simo is training well, and getting herself ready for a structured winter, while Ian and Helen keep on with the fine-tuning for the cyclo-cross season which starts later this month in Belgium.
I’ll try to check in again before we return to our new base in Belgium.