What is your cycling perfect moment?

macondo01

lol! The power of impending rain!! Good story.

iain_j

Haha it was the impending doom of a downpour that kept me powering on to Oswestry last spring. There were some horrible looking clouds that looked like they were heading for a rendezvous with me, and the stormy winds that day suggested they meant business, so I wanted to get to the safety of the train station before they did. But, with 40-odd miles to cover, I didn't want to overdo it and burn out with 20 to go and then get thoroughly soaked as I limped home. It was a great feeling, powering on for mile after mile after mile, feeling like I was on a knife edge between top form and exhaustion. The tailwind helped of course

And as it happened, it didn't rain.

fjellrunner

When le tour had the individual tt up Alpe D'Huez a few years ago they closed the roads after Grenoble and about a million cyclists watched the 15k race.
Afterwards, on closed roads, we rode in pelotons several hundred strong, chasing down other pelotons of hundreds til we got back to the hotels. Awesome.

macondo01

Any photos fjellrunner?

greg roche

Summer 2001. I am 24. I am yet to have any stress in my life and my younger brother and i are about to spend 2 months in the south of France racing. We both ride the Henry Burton Memorial, an elite cat race on the swinnerton circuit in Staffs. With three laps to go (25 miles) i felt aweful. I won by a length from GB international Ian Gilkes on his last ever road race. He'd beaten me into second about a month earlier in another race and at the time i was just there to finish him. Afterwards i realised it was my first elite win. Iain and i ate alot of maltloaf on the way to France and spent eight weeks just being young. I remember Iain waking up in his sleeping bag next to me in the boot of a battered old Golf in an Intermarche carpark in the ardeche, the sun blazing in, turning to me and observing 'this is no way to live' and we came home that same day. Other than the win in the UK, a day spent swimming in the med and a load of nocturne races, i've no ideal what we did with ourselves. Still smile now.

fjellrunner

Macondo01 wrote:

Any photos fjellrunner?

No photos I'm afraid. Found this on youtube which sums up the stage http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zVEOLZ7bbRY

There must be other people on this forum that were there that day.

I remember they closed the roads at midnight before the stage because of overcrowding. So if you weren't there by then you didn't get in. Me and my mate slept on a tennis court cause our hotel was outside the cut-off in Grenoble.
The things you do to see Lance take 3 stages in a row!

macondo01

Cheers felljrunner. Ah this is all making me warm inside remembering times past! Cant say I've slept on a tennis court though! But it is what it is all about, isn't it - time well spent, memories in the bank for rainy days....

Infamous

Had a few today, on one of my most enjoyable rides ever.

Nice weather for this time of year, even warm enough for mitts! Was a bit tired this morning, but as I got out the door I felt really strong for some reason, until about half an hour in when I felt like death... Turns out it was the headwind, went into that for about an hour until I got to llangollen, took me 10 minutes longer than it normally does so I thought I might struggle with the hills.

Climbing up the horsehoe pass, it had been raining lightly for the last 10 minutes, over the first steep bit, bottom gear, legs burning, directly in front in the distance is the eventual summit framed by a perfect rainbow! amazing. Then went down the Nant y Garth, almost pedalling as hard as I did up the horseshoe, 30mph down a wet slippery twisting road is always fun though. Through to Ruthin and up the hairpins of the Blwch, not a steep climb, but it feels endless when you're on it. Over a load more hilly bits and flew back home with the tailwind and whatever energy I had left. As I got home I realised I never unclipped a foot once on the entire ride!

Stats for the ride:
100.75 km (62.6 miles)
3 hours 30 mins
Avg speed: 28.85 km/h (17.9 mph)
Top Speed: 69 km/h (42.8 mph)
Climbing: 1195 m (3920 ft)

Profile of the ride:

Not bad for the middle of november!

Starwasp

Spent all one Friday summer day looking out the window at the blue sky wishing I was in it. Dashed off from work on time (for a change). Ran into the house to put on my gear and hopped on the new Madone keen to get an hour in before twilight hit. I bomb down the hill from Sevenoaks, through Tonbridge, up the Cote' de Southborough and out along Bidborough Ridge.

As I freewheel along the ridge at the top taking a drink, I am overwhelmed by the sensations: the warmth of the evening sun on my skin, the clear blue sky and great views back over the Medway valley and the way in which the bike smoothly responds to my slow pedal revolutions.

A moment of quiet reflection, thinking " I'll remember this moment"

macondo01

Still reading these! Would love to read some more.

Bhima

Recently, a mountainbiker, new to the city, asked me where the best places to ride were. He drives to the trails with his bike on the roof so I struck a deal with him - i'd show him the directions to some nice places in the peak district if he followed me in the car, effectively giving me a free neutral service vehicle. I did 50 hilly miles without having to carry anything on me or the bike, which usually adds up to about another 3/4kg and I had all my food/drink/spare wheels/tools/etc in the car if I needed them. I'd occasionally drop back to inform him of the current location and the places to ride while grabbing a banana. Being able to ride in the knowledge that you had all those spare parts and extra bottles was very refreshing. When we got to Macclesfield Forest, he went riding while I eat loads of food and prepared for the motor-pacing session back into Manchester.

It was as if I had a bike shop and cafe on wheels following me!

Bit disappointed that I didn't actually get a puncture though. :? I was dying to do the whole "throwing the useless wheel into the gutter while some chimp hastily gives you a new one and a bit of a push" routine.

Infamous

Bhima wrote:

Recently, a mountainbiker, new to the city, asked me where the best places to ride were. He drives to the trails with his bike on the roof so I struck a deal with him - i'd show him the directions to some nice places in the peak district if he followed me in the car, effectively giving me a free neutral service vehicle. I did 50 hilly miles without having to carry anything on me or the bike, which usually adds up to about another 3/4kg and I had all my food/drink/spare wheels/tools/etc in the car if I needed them. I'd occasionally drop back to inform him of the current location and the places to ride while grabbing a banana. Being able to ride in the knowledge that you had all those spare parts and extra bottles was very refreshing. When we got to Macclesfield Forest, he went riding while I eat loads of food and prepared for the motor-pacing session back into Manchester.

Is that a euphemism? It does sound pretty gay.

xover_runner

Tuesday night, late Spring, clubhouse after a Club 10 - the banter, gentle pi*s taking and excuses afterwards - priceless

dallasnewton

Getting to the top of Ventoux for the third time in 1 day...... not clever, but great feeling!!!!

flanners1

Starwasp wrote:

Spent all one Friday summer day looking out the window at the blue sky wishing I was in it. Dashed off from work on time (for a change). Ran into the house to put on my gear and hopped on the new Madone keen to get an hour in before twilight hit. I bomb down the hill from Sevenoaks, through Tonbridge, up the Cote' de Southborough and out along Bidborough Ridge.

As I freewheel along the ridge at the top taking a drink, I am overwhelmed by the sensations: the warmth of the evening sun on my skin, the clear blue sky and great views back over the Medway valley and the way in which the bike smoothly responds to my slow pedal revolutions.

A moment of quiet reflection, thinking " I'll remember this moment"

I cycle up (and down) the Col de Tonbridge 3 times a week after work,
Along Bidborough Ridge and on into Penshurst, Ide Hill etc via the resevoir is sublime love it. East Sussex over to Wadhurst, Bodiam etc 'Castle's Ride' is great too, C+had the route in a recent-ish issue.

AMcD

1) Cycling to work along the Croal / Irwell Valley (Bolton / Salford) on my MTB and meeting deer on the paths

2) Cycling around Ladybower Reservoir on a 2nd date with my, now, hubby and falling in love by the end of the date :oops: ! We were wearing helmets when we had our first kiss :oops: .

3) Cycling around Sherwood Forest with husband and his two brothers, with his brother saying to hubby "you struck lucky, a girl who drinks pints and rides a bike : "

4) Completing the Edinburgh to St Andrew's after weeks of long solo Sunday runs. Fantastic day, and the training days around the lanes of Fife were just as good.

5) Cycling home from work in the pitch dark and seeing an owl lit up by my Exposure Max light, only feet away .

6) Giving a dehydrated lamb the last of my water when I found it collapsed at a road side :cry

7) learning to ride a MTB with Spice Manchester whilst wearing flip-flps - classic!

sampras38

A few good moments for me, and all this year while out in France to see the Tour live for the first time.

First one was the feeling I had after racing a friend to the top of the Joux Plane. It was the first time for both of us so we didn't know how we'd fare, or how hard to push. Ego's got in the way and we went off like a couple of loons. I was quite a way ahead for the bulk of the climb but he came from nowhere in the last mile or so. I ended up pipping him to the finish with about 30 seconds to spare. We've both grown up together and been fans of the Tour since we were teenagers when it was first broadcast on Channel 4. Always dreamt of riding together in France but did it for the first time this year.

The next was a few days later when we rode about 20 miles to the base of the Colombiere. then climbed it in the pouring rain as all the media and fans started to hustle for their position. Then got settled at the top as the sun started to shine until finally when the riders started to come through, with contador and the Schleck brothers first, followed by the next group of Lance, Wiggins, Kloden and Nibali. All going past at speed about a metre from me. That was amazing, and to see the look of sheer grit in Lance's eyes as he went past.

After the riders had all gone through we started the descent back down the Colombiere and ended up getting into a little race with a couple of French riders. I don't have much experience of racing so it was all a bit new to me, but both my friend and I got the better of them after a few miles until we eventually split and went our seperate ways.

All in all a fantastic week.

jackfeeder

For me personally finishing the Dragon ride which was my first sportive a few years ago.
But really it has to be seeing my eldest daughter ride without stabilizers this year after geting frustrated with her lack of progress for ages, she was so chuffed. Can't wait for next spring when I can get her out more and go some places together. Credit to my wife who has just slightly more patience than me!

flanners1

sampras38 wrote:

A few good moments for me, and all this year while out in France to see the Tour live for the first time.

First one was the feeling I had after racing a friend to the top of the Joux Plane. It was the first time for both of us so we didn't know how we'd fare, or how hard to push. Ego's got in the way and we went off like a couple of loons. I was quite a way ahead for the bulk of the climb but he came from nowhere in the last mile or so. I ended up pipping him to the finish with about 30 seconds to spare. We've both grown up together and been fans of the Tour since we were teenagers when it was first broadcast on Channel 4. Always dreamt of riding together in France but did it for the first time this year.

The next was a few days later when we rode about 20 miles to the base of the Colombiere. then climbed it in the pouring rain as all the media and fans started to hustle for their position. Then got settled at the top as the sun started to shine until finally when the riders started to come through, with contador and the Schleck brothers first, followed by the next group of Lance, Wiggins, Kloden and Nibali. All going past at speed about a metre from me. That was amazing, and to see the look of sheer grit in Lance's eyes as he went past.

After the riders had all gone through we started the descent back down the Colombiere and ended up getting into a little race with a couple of French riders. I don't have much experience of racing so it was all a bit new to me, but both my friend and I got the better of them after a few miles until we eventually split and went our seperate ways.

All in all a fantastic week.

I was out in Les Alpes for 3 weeks in the Summer did the Joux Plane three times, awesome climb did a fair few as based in Morzine, can't wait for TdF as I will be in Morzine for the duration, a rest day in Town as well!

sampras38

Flanners1 wrote:

sampras38 wrote:

A few good moments for me, and all this year while out in France to see the Tour live for the first time.

First one was the feeling I had after racing a friend to the top of the Joux Plane. It was the first time for both of us so we didn't know how we'd fare, or how hard to push. Ego's got in the way and we went off like a couple of loons. I was quite a way ahead for the bulk of the climb but he came from nowhere in the last mile or so. I ended up pipping him to the finish with about 30 seconds to spare. We've both grown up together and been fans of the Tour since we were teenagers when it was first broadcast on Channel 4. Always dreamt of riding together in France but did it for the first time this year.

The next was a few days later when we rode about 20 miles to the base of the Colombiere. then climbed it in the pouring rain as all the media and fans started to hustle for their position. Then got settled at the top as the sun started to shine until finally when the riders started to come through, with contador and the Schleck brothers first, followed by the next group of Lance, Wiggins, Kloden and Nibali. All going past at speed about a metre from me. That was amazing, and to see the look of sheer grit in Lance's eyes as he went past.

After the riders had all gone through we started the descent back down the Colombiere and ended up getting into a little race with a couple of French riders. I don't have much experience of racing so it was all a bit new to me, but both my friend and I got the better of them after a few miles until we eventually split and went our seperate ways.

All in all a fantastic week.

I was out in Les Alpes for 3 weeks in the Summer did the Joux Plane three times, awesome climb did a fair few as based in Morzine, can't wait for TdF as I will be in Morzine for the duration, a rest day in Town as well!

Morzine...nice. We were on the other side of the joux Plane in Samoens. Ended up doing the JP twice in the week, the 2nd time was part of a 50 miler that started at the bottom of the JP, over the top and down into Morzine, then back up into avoriaz, then some more flat until turning round and heading back to Samoens. All in all that ride contained about 2 hours of climbing.

Splottboy

Riding from Vancouver to Whistler, with the Vancouver Vice Squad cops, then getting a Police escort to the Whistler Chateau, followed by a TV crew interview.
Felt like a "real" rider post a TDF stage!!!!

Oh, and being on the finish line in Paris for the final 2008 TDF stage. 4 days for 2, all expenses paid, courtesy of Giant...and a free bike too!

themightyw

Cycling along this Saturday on a beautiful, crisp Winter's day, with clear blue skies. On the last part of my ride - a 5 minute downhill stretch with stunning views of St Andrews bay.

Was thinking to myself 'this is why I love cycling' then looked over and noticed an eagle flying alongside me, about 20m away. He paralleled me for the next couple of miles, before we parted company. Stunning.

Though tempered slightly by the flu I went down with that night from not having wrapped up enough

afcbian

1. Sunday morning, out early before the sun comes up, riding my 40 miles road route in Dorset.
Coming down a tree lined avenue near Moor Crichel as the Sun begins to peak through the trees on a cold crisp bright day. Completely alone, no cars with just my thoughts and the scenery for company. Home before everyone else is up and the day begins.

2. Summer morning, out at 6am to catch the Sandbanks Ferry over to Studland for an MTB loop around the Purbeck Hills.
Killer climb up the Obelisk and as you come over the peak, there before you is Swanage Bay with the sea glinting in the morning sun. Bliss !

3. This September, did the BHF 78 mile London to Brighton, off road with 6 mates. I bonked big time about 50 miles into the ride due to lack of sleep and lack of food. My mates kept dragging me along and never once got hacked off, and my best mate never left my side. The feeling as I came down the hoofing great hill into Brighton and rode along the seafront to the finish was magic. Magic day out.

4. Summer evening ride in Moors Valley Country Park near dusk. Last of the suns rays filtering through the trees. I stop for a quick drink and as I am drinking i notice a large Deer stood there in the treeline looking straight at me. I just stood completely still as we looked at each other for a few minutes then he simply disappeared into the trees. Wow !

macondo01

Nice afcbian.

I used to live in Dorset as a kid and have fond memories of the old Sandbanks chain ferry - don't know if it still going? There was also a nudist beach somewhere around Studland, somehow my dad always chose a beach adjacent, I was too young to know/care!

afcbian

Macondo01 wrote:

Nice afcbian.

I used to live in Dorset as a kid and have fond memories of the old Sandbanks chain ferry - don't know if it still going? There was also a nudist beach somewhere around Studland, somehow my dad always chose a beach adjacent, I was too young to know/care!

New version of the Ferry but it's still going.
Beach is also still there

macondo01

Some years ago I was staying in Chiang Mai, Thailand. At the weekend we decided to go cycling. 'Tom' a local guide clearly thought we were a bit potty to want to cycle in the heat let alone want to cycle up some hills but obliged us. We set off with the sky beginning to darken - it was the rainy season. Climbing one the hills the heavens let loose. It was unbelievable. Within minutes the track was flowing like a river. In places the water came up to your axle. We were filthy but the rain was warm. 'Tom' sensing the weight of responsibility looked grave. We were giddy and felt about six years old. We needed to climb a bit more on our unsuitable bikes so we could come down and go back home. The technique was to bomb down one slope to gather enough speed to climb the hill up. 'Tom' hadnt the knack and would make only make it a little way up the slope before sliding back, slow motion into a giant puddle. I remember crying with laughter so far beyond the point of caring about anything but having fun.

sampras38

sampras38 wrote:

A few good moments for me, and all this year while out in France to see the Tour live for the first time.

First one was the feeling I had after racing a friend to the top of the Joux Plane. It was the first time for both of us so we didn't know how we'd fare, or how hard to push. Ego's got in the way and we went off like a couple of loons. I was quite a way ahead for the bulk of the climb but he came from nowhere in the last mile or so. I ended up pipping him to the finish with about 30 seconds to spare. We've both grown up together and been fans of the Tour since we were teenagers when it was first broadcast on Channel 4. Always dreamt of riding together in France but did it for the first time this year.

The next was a few days later when we rode about 20 miles to the base of the Colombiere. then climbed it in the pouring rain as all the media and fans started to hustle for their position. Then got settled at the top as the sun started to shine until finally when the riders started to come through, with contador and the Schleck brothers first, followed by the next group of Lance, Wiggins, Kloden and Nibali. All going past at speed about a metre from me. That was amazing, and to see the look of sheer grit in Lance's eyes as he went past.

After the riders had all gone through we started the descent back down the Colombiere and ended up getting into a little race with a couple of French riders. I don't have much experience of racing so it was all a bit new to me, but both my friend and I got the better of them after a few miles until we eventually split and went our seperate ways.

All in all a fantastic week.

Just found these pics from the trip

http://www.flickr.com/photos/9840520@N06/3783905113/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/9840520@N0 ... otostream/

Brian B

I have so many but the best may have to be cycling up the Gavia after doing the Mortorola before. There was no clouds, no wind but cold at the top but the senery was awesome and I had went thtough a bad patch on the climb but still kept the pace with my mate who is better at climbing than me. There was a good group of us spread out on the mountain during the ascent but we met up in the Refuge at the top and had a hot drink before descending in the freezing cold to Bormio. Top Class

Diogenes

Have had loads but one of the best this year was cycling across the Morfoot Hills toward Innerleithen as part of the Coast and Castles ride. A beautiful place, long winding up and down hills, good friends and a warm day.

Roll on Spring.

D

macondo01