Deux Cols to Trois Cols

I've got to know Chris through Twitter (one of the riders in the film), and as yet we have not met, but I feel if we did I feel that we'd get on and have a few Belgian beers and go for a ride. In the process of chatting he told me about a ride he and some of his buddies did around this time last year.

They wanted it to have an Epic feel about it, while at the same time being rooted and not pretentious. Watch the video, it captures a great essence of what a great day in the saddle is all about. Last year it was a small group of friends, which for this year has been expanded to include a whole bunch of new riders.

Having watched the video I so wanted to be there this October to ride it. If after seeing this you'd like to join you'll have to wait next year as the entries are now closed. The more I see of the great riding in the States I'd love to take a month off and travel with the family.

The ride is run off at a sensible Fall pace, and it's not a Race, even a Gentleman's Race, but a true Epic Ride. Last year it was deux cols and this year trois. The ride itself will be around 88 miles or 142km, and will be a little more lumpy, but still an epic day out for guys with a little bit more round the middle.

I'm hoping that in the coming weeks I'll get chance to partake on a similar ride, a real end of year triumph, a celebration of everything from the change of seasons to Good Times with friends, old and new. I look forward to Chris's report back and if you want to know more I'll put you in touch. Chris tells me next year it'll be open to International invites, better start saving now!

Posted via email from Sprinting for Signs's posterous

Monday Musings - The Hope of a Good Ride

It's just over 8 weeks to Flanders and with 7 weeks less training in my legs I feel that the next 6 weeks are going to be brutal. I sent a confessional email to my Coach last night telling my woes and asking what I should do. I only sent it last night so I've not had his view on what I should be doing. A Coach you may say well let me explain.

Without something to aim for on a regular basis I'd probably just plod round the Lanes, and to be honest I'd probably enjoy myself nicely. But there is a competitive spirit that lies dormant within me for most of my working week, but put me on a bike and I like sprinting for signs like anyone does. My competive activities these days are confined to Sportives and Fondo's but I am being goaded into riding some Crits, which could be interesting! Having a Coach allows me to obtain some discipline and focus to my cycling, and in many ways backs up things I have read. It's a bit like cyclings version of having a priest to tell your sins to as you feel obliged to get out and do it, if not your excuse better be a good solid one.

So I'll be setting the turbo back up tonight with the hope that doing a session will not only sort the body out but the head also. Fear can be a good motivator but knowing that your legs have the ammo to carry you round is a friend I am looking to catch up with soon, and is much more of a welcome partner than knowing you haven't done enough. Well if it all goes wrong at least there will be Duvel in the evening :-)