Etape 2009
Comments
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As FransJacques says, just ride the bike! People seem to be worrying about too many details rather than just sitting back in anticipation of a fun ride in some scenic part of France.0
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Thanks Kleber - just asking for some constructive advice. I'm quite new to cycling, and had heard rumours about tyres popping etc. Lots of people have posted questions/advice which I've found extremely useful. Thanks and please keep it up.
If anyone else is interested, the advice I've now found elsewhere is:
"- the altitude doesn't make an appreciable difference as far as tyre pressure is concerned. Atmospheric pressure at sea level is ~15psi, falls to ~12psi at 2000m - clearly your tyres can handle this
- atmospheric heat doesn't matter, but braking heat might if you "comfort brake". But some people reckon that's actually due to burning the tube, not from pressure increase, suggesting again that normal pressure is fine."
Which confirms FransJacques contribution - thanks! Good luck everyone0 -
Flippin heck yes, how does it get coudier AND hotter - prob my least favourite conditions: http://www.meteorologic.net/meteo-franc ... date_get=4
http://www.xcweather.co.uk/FR/observations (similar model and similar updates)
Why do almost no shops in London sell Nuun tablets? Just wasted 30 mins trapesing around the City in vain. Tabs are so superior to riding around like a Medellin drug mule with several carefully measured baggies of white powder.When a cyclist has a disagreement with a car; it's not who's right, it's who's left.0 -
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"Why do almost no shops in London sell Nuun tablets? Just wasted 30 mins trapesing around the City in vain. Tabs are so superior to riding around like a Medellin drug mule with several carefully measured baggies of white powder."
FransJacques - bought some Nuun tablets yesterday at the Cotswold shop near Spitalfields, near Liverpool St Station. None of the bike shops I looked in round there had any.0 -
starting areas marked in town centre - on the web site - I'll see those from 8000 to the 9500 at the back. Sorely tempted to be the absolute last out the blocks with the Mrs to see just how many we can overtake on the day - at least that way we cant do worse than last - bit of a high risk strategy though - we'll have the broom wagon for company but at least a bit of a lie in as no doubt everyone will be panicking to get started!
anyway have fun folks - enjoy the what looks to be hideous weather humid and 30 degrees - thats me offline / at the airport and left my computer at home on purpose...sick of it!
cheerio and good luck0 -
Hello everyone.
I've just tried to read through all the posts here !
I thought I would join in.
If I repeat anything that's already been posted ; ; ; SORRY !
A) The last post from Popette re TV coverage.
I'm not sure if you're talking about French or English programs. I bought next week's French TV guide today. Unluckily the time normally occupied by the Tour is being used to show a summary of the French Mountain Bike Championships, which are this weekend. I can't find any reference to it, although on the local news in the evening on France3 there's bound to be some coverage. The programme's called "France Soir".
I saw the list of additional water points between Nyons and Bedouin/ChaletReynard, posted by Craig of VeloVentoux (I know he used to live in Nyons). Please let me make a few comments.
At the fountain in Nyons, there are six outlets, but BEWARE, only three of them are drinkable (potable). The others are not (non-potable). It's alternative outlets. If there's a long queue there (or unruly crowd !), you can find three other taps in the Place Doctor Bourgongle, by taking the third exit from the roundabout (probaly by foot), and walking about 30 metres. The taps are on the other side of the square, to the left, in front of the paper/lottery shop. The rounabout is that at which you normally would have to take the second exit, so be ready to return to where you left the route (I know a short-cut, but that would be naughty !).
On the same subject, halfway between Nyons and Les Pilles is the village of Aubres La Begude (just Aubres on the signs - I think). Just after the garage, down the side of it, there is a superb source with a very strong water flow, and a superb taste. They recently put a tap there, but it's easy to turn it on.
The fountain in Les Pilles is very limited, and will certainly be blocked by others with their bidons in their hands.
If you see a black dog come out of the house opposite ("Sa Boucherie"), he's called Max. Tell him to go back indoors ! He understands English !
C) As you descend into Nyons there is a bike shop on the left, the "Coin du Velo". Normallly he opens at 9 o'clock, but I spoke to him today, and he will open earlier on Monday (it might be useful to know if you need a repair without waiting for the Mavic men, or the broom wagon !).
Wow, I've written a lot. For a lot of poeple it might be a bit late, but you can all pass on any info you find useful.
I went up the Col d'Ey yesterday. Very hot. Lots of other cyclists. The ambience was really good. It was like a United Nations of cyclists.
Ok, that's all, except to say to all of you "enjoy yourselves". Above all, take a bit of time to look at the scenery (the small river between Pont de Curnier and St Jalle is attractive, and it always makes me feel refreshed. I know, that's bizarre, considering I'm about five metres above it. Make sure you look back into the valley from The Col d'Ey. It's special.
Allez !0 -
Just had another thought.
If the fountains in St Jalle are "over-subscribed", just before the bridge at the start of the Col d'Ey, on the right, is the municipal camping.
I'm sure you can fill up your bidons there.
It's where I've booked a pitch from 19th-26th, to make it easier to be on the Col d'Ey on "TdF day".
Just pretend you're looking for the English cyclist with the long ponytail.
Enjoy !
Chris0 -
I am so jealous! Have a great time everybody.0
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back on the subject of nuun tabs - my tip is runners need (usually hidden in the back (or above) a cycle surgery). Invariably the selection of drinks/gels/tabs/powders is near useless in the cycle bits, but the runners are very well supplied with the identical poisons!
Have fun - see you all in the pens on Monday. Popette - you're in the same pen as two of us, so look out for the shirts on the left - we'll say hello if we see you!
Remember kids - it's just for fun, so enjoy it!0 -
Eurostar - I called them before I booked and they said I could take bike on as normal luggage, no need to book it in. Looking at the website though, it says that large items of luggage (these bike boxes from bike box alan are substantial - similar looking thing to scicon ones) need to be paid for separately and be booked in.
Anyone any experience of large box on eurostar?
reading the stuff on the website makes me a little uneasy.0 -
Just blag it popette. But the smaller the better, a bubble-wrapped bike or in a simple big bag makes it easier to transport.0
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I asked about bike boxes and they said they were fine as long as they'd go on the luggage racks - I'm sure they will. I think there's a special large luggage rack one per two coaches. I guess the rule applies more to unpacked bikes. My box got smashed up on a swiss flight to Geneva a couple of weeks ago so have replaced it with the 'Alan' which is quite a bit bigger - not sure it'll fit through the x-ray machine though. Fingers crossed, and I'm planning on arriving early. We're switching to the TGV in Lille where I'm sort of assuming the French will turn a blind eye.0
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Kléber wrote:Just blag it popette. But the smaller the better, a bubble-wrapped bike or in a simple big bag makes it easier to transport.
man, it's effing huge!
Trying to fit my husband's bike into the box has sparked world war 3 in our house. Not looking good for a loooooong trip to France.0 -
Eurostar will take bagged bikes as carry on luggage. They are much less keen to take boxed bikes, especially those Scicon case types, in my experience.0
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A bike wrapped in a bag will fit in the racks and the end of the carriage, indeed a smaller frame and two wheel bags can be stored on the shelf above the seats. But a bike box is often too bulky to fit on the train. But you can't travel with an unwrapped bike, it needs to be bagged or at least wrapped in bubblewrap etc.0
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Have they all gone yet?If they can get you asking the wrong questions, they don't have to worry about answers.0
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xio wrote:I asked about bike boxes and they said they were fine as long as they'd go on the luggage racks - I'm sure they will. I think there's a special large luggage rack one per two coaches. I guess the rule applies more to unpacked bikes. My box got smashed up on a swiss flight to Geneva a couple of weeks ago so have replaced it with the 'Alan' which is quite a bit bigger - not sure it'll fit through the x-ray machine though. Fingers crossed, and I'm planning on arriving early. We're switching to the TGV in Lille where I'm sort of assuming the French will turn a blind eye.
If not, you'll just have to ride from there! Good luck, will have to catch up for a beer soon to hear all about it.0 -
popette wrote:no still here. feeling crap.
Crap or nervous?
If the monkey's are running round your head just say hello, wave goodbye, put on your lucky white socks and enjoy the ride.
Good luck.If they can get you asking the wrong questions, they don't have to worry about answers.0 -
Rev\'d Gatlin wrote:popette wrote:no still here. feeling crap.
Crap or nervous?
If the monkey's are running round your head just say hello, wave goodbye, put on your lucky white socks and enjoy the ride.
Good luck.
not sure - much internal dialogue going on -
On the one hand, I do have physical symptoms - coughing up green stuff that you would not believe! Feeling dizzy today. On the other hand, I'm telling myself to stop being such a bloody wimp and get on with it.
I had the same internal debates before my heart problem was diagnosed - I even asked the cardiologist if I was making it all up just to get out of riding. Err, No.
I will be in the pen on Monday. I've felt crap before other rides and once I get going, it is long forgotten. I'm not aiming for silver anymore
just want to get round and be healthy. 0 -
Better to get this out the way the week before. You probably won't be the most popular person to be around in the days leading up to the event though.0
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I'm the same - it's flu for sure, not sure if it's swine type but I have a really bad throat and sinus pain + coughing and sneezing. I'm going to go down anyway and see if the hot weather can clear it up.
What I'm not comfortable with is pushing my body for 6.75 hours (target for Silver in B category) in 30C heat, not sure my heart and lungs want that kind of load while fighting a flu.
I've already played out scenarios of starting in Montelimar and riding slowly to Mt Serein direct. I could not start in Montelimar but ride slowly up the Ventoux from Bedoin. Many possibilities to still ride a bit and feel part of the event.
No, I'm not too worried about getting on to the course mid point...fluent French lubricates these processes :-)When a cyclist has a disagreement with a car; it's not who's right, it's who's left.0 -
"6.75 hours (target for Silver in B category)"
Where are the standards? I've not seen them on any website. Mind you, I've no chance of 6.75 hours so it's all pretty academic.0 -
Apparently French riders talking of sub 6.05 for gold and sub 6.45 for silver for ages 30-39, and sub 6.15 gold and sub 7.05 silver for 40-49.0
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just arrived at our etape hotel in Valence. Dark as night, cool and pouring down here. Hope for some improvement soon. Only consolation is watching the tour riders out in the rain on eurosport...
Peter.0 -
set off, back home already - forgot elastigirls number, my french phrase book and PORRIDGE!! how could I?
now I'm really going byeeeeee0 -
Cyclosport having a punt at the standards here
http://www.cyclosport.org/article.aspx?id=1108
(Seems to support idea that, for those that did it, long Dragon time there willl be pretty good guesstimate of likely Etape time unless weather conditions get way worse than predicted)Martin S. Newbury RC0 -
For those still to travel on Eurostar worrying about bringing the bikes... Am sat in the departure area now with the bike box alan - possibly the worlds largest bike box - and nobody batted an eye when I brought it through. They even had an x-ray machine big enough. Enjoy!0
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Who was asking if it was on telly?
It's here -
http://www.letour.fr/2009/TDF/LIVE/fr/1400/et_aussi.html
Good luck to all those on here doing it!!0
