Cycling thread 2015

Bruce Wayne · July 23, 2015

Aside from the racing yesterday, the backdrop looked spectacular, especially with the storm brewing that thankfully hit the area shortly after the race finished. That's why I love this sport. What a place to compete in.

bluelife · July 23, 2015

Bruce Wayne said:
Aside from the racing yesterday, the backdrop looked spectacular, especially with the storm brewing that thankfully hit the area shortly after the race finished. That's why I love this sport. What a place to compete in.

What a stunning picture, love it when they're whittled down to a load of unique jerseys, great imagery

Bruce Wayne · July 23, 2015

On the menu today

Whistlin' Dixie · July 23, 2015

Bruce Wayne said:
On the menu today

Laavly!!

Bloody french! We used to own them. They shouldn't be allowed countryside like that. :dodgy:

Wasted on them, I tells ya.

Bruce Wayne · July 23, 2015

Whistlin' Dixie said:
Laavly!!

Bloody french! We used to own them. They shouldn't be allowed countryside like that. Wasted on them, I tells ya.

It's quite a remarkable road as the climb is only just under 3.5km long, yet has 18 switchbacks on it. So it's very tightly packed together. I wonder if that will impact on the ability to attack as it's quite feasible that riders will need to slow down to get around the corners.

Interestingly, I believe fans are not going to be allowed on the climb for the race so it will be an unusually barren summit finish.

Aside from the racing though it is a beautiful bit of road.

Whistlin' Dixie · July 23, 2015

Looks even more impressive on the 2nd photo. I thought the Corkscrew Road (Just outside Adelaide) was a boss drive - that looks amazing!

I'm knackered just thinking about driving up that! Gotta doff yer cap to the cyclists (And the route planners....and the road builders!)

The Esk · July 23, 2015

Bruce Wayne said:
It's quite a remarkable road as the climb is only just under 3.5km long, yet has 18 switchbacks on it. So it's very tightly packed together. I wonder if that will impact on the ability to attack as it's quite feasible that riders will need to slow down to get around the corners.

Interestingly, I believe fans are not going to be allowed on the climb for the race so it will be an unusually barren summit finish.

Aside from the racing though it is a beautiful bit of road.

Beautiful Col du Chaussy - done a lot of walking around there!

Bruce Wayne · July 23, 2015

Whistlin' Dixie said:
Looks even more impressive on the 2nd photo. I thought the Corkscrew Road (Just outside Adelaide) was a boss drive - that looks amazing!

I'm knackered just thinking about driving up that! Gotta doff yer cap to the cyclists (And the route planners....and the road builders!)

Aye, it's fantastic cycling in these kind of places. We were in Bourg d'Oisans a few years ago for a couple of days and rather than do d'Huez we went up the other side of the valley to Villard Notre Dame, a tiny hamlet. The road up to it is a narrow strip carved out of the mountain, and it has several tunnels on the way up that were largely pitch black. With progress past the village limited to an iffy dirt track you've pretty much got to come straight back down again, and the descent is nerve wracking to say the least :lol:

Sadly with the Villard not really fit to host the Tour it's unlikely a pro race will ever go up it. Stunning climb though.

The Esk · July 23, 2015

@Bruce Wayne - have you bee to Col du Chaussy?

You can do Col de la Madeleine from there - beautiful stunning countryside, not sure I'd want to do it on a bike though!

Bruce Wayne · July 23, 2015

the esk said:
@Bruce Wayne - have you bee to Col du Chaussy?

You can do Col de la Madeleine from there - beautiful stunning countryside, not sure I'd want to do it on a bike though!

I haven't. Whenever we've been in that part of France it's only been for a few days, as we've tended to go for Italy/Switzerland/Austria rather than France. A whole lot of climbs in and around Grenoble though and relatively easy to get to.

I think next year we may do a more touring style trip so I might suggest a train down to Grenoble and hire a bike in Bourg and explore a bit. Wouldn't mind giving Sestriere a go too, but that's a wee bit further out.

Very much liking this small dose of mountain porn though. Fantastic stuff