Thoughts from a toilet

I just wanted to share a story with you all.

Today when I sat down for my morning poo, my son Albert entered the toilet, saw what I was doing, crouched down and started doing likewise. Over the next few minutes we shared the the anticipation, the pain, the ecstasy - and the relief when it was all over. Then as we left the bathroom hand-in-hand to go and get his mother to clean up the mess on the floor, we exchanged a fleeting glance which lasted no more than a second - but what passed between us in that second was an understanding that we now had an eternal bond - and no matter what happened from then on, that bond would never be broken.

My friends, you are about to embark on the biggest poo of them all - no matter what happens, whether ulitimately you feel pain, proud, ashamed or cheated, remember that you did it together as friends. That is worth more than anything, that is what will keep you going and that is more than Cycling Dave can ever teach you.

Good Luck
Bodger aka Bias aka Toby

some bloke at the BBC did the etape route and this is his report, there is also some stuff on what to wear eat etc.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/606/A37115633

The Italian lakes

Italy is a hilly country.

Had a mixed week but focused on the hills.

Ride one --- 100k ride including about 17km uphill at around 7%
Ride two --- an hour recovery ride -- pissing about really
Ride three --- 2hr 10% hill ride --- hard but good, lots of steep bits and hairpins
Ride four --- 115km including a 20km climb
Ride five --- 7 hours including the Mottarone (a giro Cat 1 climb) --- 19km hill which was hard but good despite the torrential rain. However, I was the defeated by the second cat 1 climb that day. I only got 3/4 of the way up. I have an armful of excuses (it was raining, it was getting late, i had no water and as it was the last day I had run out of energy food so just had a banana ) but it was a dissapointing end and makes me fear the Hautacam.

Things I have learned from my week in Italy

1) dont put sun tan lotion on your forehead --- you just sweat it in to your eyes
2) take a nurofen for the last couple of hours
3) on big hills you need to eat so much more than normal riding. I plan to have three of four bars and gels saved for each of the etape climbs
4) I need to fit in a couple more low cadence 2hr grinders at the gym
5) Hairpins are great it's the long drags that stretch high above you that are the demoralising bits

Bike problem

Called with Transavia today to book a box for my bike on the plane....totally booked!
Right, minor detail, can't bring my bike. Help?

Sticking to the plan

Yes, my life is still controlled by Cycling Dave.
Followed the plan last week, can't be bothered to fill in the day to day plan anymore (does anybody read this?), so just a brief summary. Tortured my legs on the two-hour grinding session, did it in the gym, pain from ankles to thighs, didn't recover until days after. As mentioned before, discovered some Dutch mountains, so went there again last sunday, love riding uphil, unfortunately my bike doesn't feel the same way. Something with my 'lagers' (that's dutch, don't know the word) the thingy inside the cranck thing, of course you'll understand. It makes a funny ticking sound.... so will have to fix it.
All the work does seem to pay off, I'm died tired all the time, but still, feeling stronger every time on the bike.

Received the confirmation from the Etape-people this week, it's on.

the longest ride of my life

Last week went well. Pretty much fitted everything in - but instead of a 3 hour and 4 hour ride on Sat and Sun, I did an 8 hour ride and then a 1.5 hour ride. Dunno why.

But managed a 112 mile ride in 8 hours (6 hours 50 mins moving). Which averaged about 16.4 mph over the journey when moving. Then did 27 miles next day warm down.

Back in the saddle tonight. Should be going to a l'etape meeting tomorrow night to find out more, hopefully will see Fran there.

Oh, and my race number arrived in the post. In the guide it mentions how many people underestimate the itinerary of l'etape, which I take to mean 'don't realise how hard it is...'

Doing well

Yes, a small message that I am still alive!!! I am doing well, trying to stick more or less to trainingschedule! I am doing my kilometers on the bike and paying attention on eating and drinking while racing. So far it goes smooth on the flat, they only thing is that I am a little bit worried for the real climbs cos I am noticing my 84 kilo doesnt help me that much. Aiming on loosing 2 or 3 extra kilo, can do no more.

Next weekend forecasting to do 220 kilometers, with two stops and a climb at the end.