2016 highlights

58585

It's probably a bit early for some of you but the rest of my cycling year will be spent in the basement, so it's a good time to think about inspiration for next year...

What was your highlight of 2016 on the bike?

For me it's easy - summer holiday, left the family in bed for a 5 am start and a fantastic drive through the gorge to St Jean la Rivière (wouldn't fancy that on the bike), loaded the jersey pockets and took the climb to Madonne d'Utelle. A couple of the best hours riding I have had, and still made it back to the apartment in time for a late breakfast.

crispybug2

No photos but Mont Ventoux definitely!!

I've waited years to cycle it and it didn't disappoint, the hardest ride I've done bar none but worth every drop of sweat left on the tarmac!


The less said about the journey back the better.

Tashman

My first ride out on a road bike in 20 years after knee surgery, Just getting moving was good for me

flowrate

Hoping mine will be this weekend. Off to Mallorca on Thursday for 5 days.

laurentian

Two weeks following the Mekong in Cambodia - not "classic" cycling by any means but hugely enjoyable

Ibaz

Getting back on a bike in May after nearly 30 years and riding down the Mall after my first century (The ride in +93 miles).

phreak

Did some riding in Slovenia this summer. The Vrsic pass was a beautiful cobbled climb and highly recommended



but the highlight was the loop done over the border into Italy and then back to Slovenia via the Predil, up/down the Manghen and along the Soca Valley before heading over Vrsic from the other side. Magical.

alex222

2016 saw my first cycling trip outside of the South East of England and in to the mountains. 3 days in the French Alps with the Glandon / Croix de Fer climb the specific highlight. Just need to work out when I can do another trip like it.

briantrumpet

This is an easy one this year: Col & Cime de la Bonette. Do ascend it from both sides if you can. 2802m.



EDIT - more here: https://unanglaisendiois.wordpress.com/ ... a-bonette/

philbar72

2016 saw me get ill with Cellulitis twice which ruined a fair bit of my training, but my highlights were definitely the 100th edition of Flanders ( riding the cobbles and bergs) then watching Sagan/ Cancellara et al go round a little bit quicker. Also riding with a different group of people, made me understand that dull training and strava obsession is not the be all and end all. I’m happy that I’m now a fair bit fitter than I was earlier this year and that now I can manage my lack of ability to tolerate fly bites or anything Streptococcal , that I can now train properly and do social riding as well a bit more effectively. Next year is looking to be really good. an alps trip for a week, and Flanders and Liege again.

kiteloopy

Roubaix and north Mallorca.

shipley

Tour of Flanders and La Ronde Picardie.

Continental sportives are the best !!

JesseD

After losing the divisional crit series this year by drawing level on points with another rider who only beat me on positional count back, the highlight for me was winning the JCA Circuit race champs the following week, beating riders who are the next division up from me.

It wasn't just the win that made it a highlight but the fact I spent the entire race in the thick of the action, creating splits and trying to break off the front, then winning in a 3 way sprint by a good 2 bike lengths, everything seemed to just come together for me in one race!

Got my name and pic (attached) on the back page of the local rag as well :-)

I'm on the left.

svetty

JesseD wrote:

After losing the divisional crit series this year by drawing level on points with another rider who only beat me on positional count back, the highlight for me was winning the JCA Circuit race champs the following week, beating riders who are the next division up from me.

It wasn't just the win that made it a highlight but the fact I spent the entire race in the thick of the action, creating splits and trying to break off the front, then winning in a 3 way sprint by a good 2 bike lengths, everything seemed to just come together for me in one race!

Got my name and pic (attached) on the back page of the local rag as well :-)

I'm on the left.

Chapeau

kingrollo

ah how the other half lives......

My highlight was on a dull grey cloudy, morning, being given v signs by physco's in transit vans, as it started to rain I stumbled on a cafe - went in ordered beans on toast - paid my £1.20 - but was served beans, SAUSAGES, and toast - it was bostin - I was well chuffed !!!

(haven't been back in case they remember me and ask for the extra 40p)

JesseD

kingrollo wrote:

ah how the other half lives......

My highlight was on a dull grey cloudy, morning, being given v signs by physco's in transit vans, as it started to rain I stumbled on a cafe - went in ordered beans on toast - paid my £1.20 - but was served beans, SAUSAGES, and toast - it was bostin - I was well chuffed !!!

(haven't been back in case they remember me and ask for the extra 40p)

Winner right here!!!!!

shamrock134

Ironman Switzerland in 11 hours. (First and last Ironman )

pros

This will same quite tame compared to others on here but for me it was the Tour de Mon. After struggling with a knee injury for most of the year I wasn't sure that I would make it, but I reduced my entry to the 75 mile option and got round in just over 6 hours.

A great event,

pblakeney

Quite literally a high point. From the Ski Station at Luiz Ardiden.



My favourite climb in the Classic Cols of the Pyrenees.

JesseD

PBlakeney wrote:

Quite literally a high point. From the Ski Station at Luiz Ardiden.



My favourite climb in the Classic Cols of the Pyrenees.

Just been added to the bucket list, looks immense!

Phil&hisbikes

A man of simple pleasures .... Step forward the Fizik Aliante saddle!