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| Title: | Bicycling |
| Notice: | Bicycling for Fun |
| Moderator: | JAMIN::WASSER |
|
| Created: | Mon Apr 14 1986 |
| Last Modified: | Fri Jun 06 1997 |
| Last Successful Update: | Fri Jun 06 1997 |
| Number of topics: | 3214 |
| Total number of notes: | 31946 |
484.0. "Col de la Croix de Fer" by RDGENG::MACFADYEN () Wed Oct 14 1987 14:20
My brother and I went on holiday last week in France and Italy, and chucked
the bikes in the back of the car. With all the driving, we got just
three days serious cycling. First, over the 550m Col D'Eze behind Nice
(higher than just about anything in Britain). Then, over a 995m and
a 1058m pass in the Appenines near Florence (nearly killed us!). Finally,
full of confidence, or maybe bulls**t, we thought we'd tackle a Tour
de France climb. Our unsuspecting victim was the Col de la Croix de
Fer, 2067m (6781 ft), a first-category climb near St. Jean de Maurienne,
itself at 540m.
It was an extremely windy day, which significantly helped us up the initial
climb out of the village, which was good, because it was an absolute pig.
The views became absolutely breathtaking (just like the hill). The first
summit is in a tunnel at 1287m - here the wind was gale force and cold,
rocks were tumbling on to the road, and we put on our extra clothes in a
hurry; it was a bit frightening. After a short descent and a longer climb,
we had lunch in St. Jean D'Arves, at 1400m, after two hours of cycling.
Soon we could delay our attempt on the summit no longer. After moderately
steep climbing for a few km, you pass through a ski village and the real
climb begins. The road hairpins up the side of a huge bowl. You can see
lorries (and your brother) crawling up the road beneath you, which takes
your mind off a constant 10% gradient (a bit, anyway). After a while the
road swings more into the mountain and the view disappears. I saw HINAULT
painted on the road, then 1KM A SOMET, then 100M A SOMET, then I was
there! 58 min from St Jean D'Arves for me, 76 min for my brother, no
stops. Wonder of wonders, there's a cafe at the top, so after photos,
we dived in there. He said he had felt the altitude, I said I hadn't. There
was snow only about 200m higher.
When we came to descend (down the Col du Glandon), it was very windy, very
cold, raining hard, we were freezing, I began to feel short of breath. He
punctured! No spare tube! (used two days previously) Repair wouldn't hold!
6000 feet up a mountain and dying of cold!
Well, we ditched the bikes and luckily got a lift back to the hotel. I felt
awful, got a touch of exposure I think - we were the unsuspecting victims
as it turned out. Drove back up next morning to collect the bikes. I had
plenty of respect for the Tour riders, but I've got more now.
Finally, the question. Anyone else been there or thereabouts, and how
did *you* get on?
Rod (happier but wiser)
| T.R | Title | User | Personal
Name | Date | Lines |
|---|
| 484.1 | The boy done well | RDGENG::MACFADYEN | | Tue Oct 20 1987 14:13 | 31 |
| The brother (Niall) referred to in .0 had to cope with a fair amount of
adversity before the holiday even started.
Four weeks prior to going he had a minor knee operation to correct
a niggling injury resulting from the cross-country running he used
to do.
Three weeks prior to going the knee became inflamed and sore for
several days, so he couldn't train (necessary for someone as overweight
as him! (not THAT overweight though)).
Two weeks prior to going, we went out for a cycle togther, and a
maniac in a car who thought he could get past Niall before Niall
completed the right turn he was indicating, was wrong, and sent
my unfortunate brother flying. Into hospital. With a very badly
bruised leg. I was amazed it wasn't much worse - the accident was
quite nasty (the case is with the police, and I'd be astonished
if they don't charge the driver with speeding and reckless driving,
just for a start). And the bike was a write-off. And Niall was on
crutches even when we were on holiday (ironically, cycling was less
of a strain on the damaged leg than walking).
But he bought a new bike and went just the same, and did the hardest
cycling he'd ever done. A veritable triumph of spirit!
Rod
PS The bike he bought is very nice, an Orbit America. A racing
bike, 531c tubing, Shimano new 105 components, Ambrosio (by Mavic)
rims.
|
| 484.2 | ...and regards to Niall | DARTS::MHARRIS | Plus de soleil, moins de nuages | Fri Oct 30 1987 12:51 | 5 |
| Great tale of adventure, Rod! Sorry you can't send your photos
through the notesfile. Tant pis pour nous...
Keep 'em coming,
Mac.
|
| 484.3 | Col du Glandon today! | RDGENG::MACFADYEN | Roderick MacFadyen | Thu Jul 14 1988 08:15 | 13 |
| .0 (me)> When we came to descend (down the Col du Glandon),
The Tour de France ascends the Col du Glandon today! 1900 m of
torture...
As a delayed addendum to .1, about my brother being knocked off
his bike by a car, the driver was charged with "driving without
due care and attention". The case came to court in February, we
all stood up and said our piece, and he was found guilty. Three
points on his licence (12 gets you banned), �50 fine, �100 costs.
Big deal - you'd get that for jumping a red light.
Rod
|
| 484.4 | | JUMBLY::MACFADYEN | Red nose | Wed Jul 19 1989 06:40 | 5 |
| ...And today the Tour ascends the Col de le Croix de Fer. Hope Delgado
doesn't blow everyone else away (Hi Alfonso!).
Rod
|
| 484.5 | | PICKET::CANELLA | Sandino Vive | Wed Jul 19 1989 13:37 | 9 |
| Howdy Rod!
Actually, he blew everyone 'cept Theunisse. If you ask me, I'd much
rather have the pony tail of Robert Millar in the yellow jersey than
the pony tail of Fignon (I guess the latter uses it to make up for the
lack of it up on top!). I think Delgado is just about out and, so, I
leave my hope on LeMond, who's shown much more grit than Fignon.
Alfonso
|