Lecco race footage

Here's a video of the finish to the "Giro di Lombardi" cycle race on Saturday 29th September - may give a very slight indication of how wet it was 

If quality not good try this link 

http://youtu.be/pk9OmVIcqz8

More photos will follow in due course so keep looking.


Andy

And video of climbs

Here are a couple of links to videos of them climbing Stelvio and L’Alpe-d’Huez –


 Stelvio :-

    
or this link

http://youtu.be/eG8K8o5nfYY

And
 

L’Alpe-d’Huez :-  

or this link

http://youtu.be/22-Vf9X1m0w

Just gives a slight flavour and better viewed full screen in the youtube version.

Day 14 The Roubaix Velodrome

Desperate not to repeat the mistakes of yesterday, we decided to take the tolls on the chin and use the motorways which would give the opportunity for the boys to visit the iconic velodrome at Roubaix and possibly one of the war grave sites before camping near Calais.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paris%E2%80%93Roubaix

 They had seen a YouTube clip from a cyclist who passing had just gone in and ridden a lap and this had made them think they’d do the same.  And what do you know they did! 
 

There’s a cycling club opposite the entrance and Vince asked if it was possible and was delighted to be given permission as long as he wore his helmet – no other clothing was mentioned but fortunately for readers of a delicate disposition they didn’t take it literally.  

Apparently they likened it to turning up at Wembley or Lords with a ball and being allowed to run on the pitch, kick a ball or bowl an over.  Damned if I could see it as to me it was a shabby rundown bit of concrete but they were happy.

After their laps we adjourned to the club and had a small coffee 

whilst they stared in awe at some of the memorabilia and Andy was frustrated they’d run out of the small pieces of paving they were selling for 20 Euros –

– not to be disappointed he then searched for (and found) a small piece in the road outside.

 

Vince and I then wanted to visit one of the War Grave sites and set Tom Tom to seek one out for us.  It duly obliged with a site at Ypres supposedly some 13 miles away across the border in Belgium.  Andy and Geoff wanted one final cycle so noting down directions they set off to meet us there.  Now Roubaix is a suburb of the large industrial city of Lille and it was a horrendous drive across which would have been difficult without the satnav.   We got to our destination but it was not at all what we expected – a side road on the edge of this large town leading down to a canal and seemingly occupied by a couple of undertaking firms.  No sign of the graves. 

Bigger concern however was whether cyclists would find the destination – after waiting some 30 minutes Vince and I drove part way back to see if we could see them as despite leaving phone messages with Andy there was no reply and we were concerned his phone might be dead – seems to be a problem with his i-phone. No sign so we drove back through the town only to see them arriving at the destination as planned. 

Talking to a local lady – seemed upset to be addressed in French – she directed us to where the site was but sadly by this time we had to move on as still 2 hours away from our final projected camp at Licques.  A lovely site in the village some 45 minutes drive from Calais and with no provisions we settled for a meal at the camp restaurant and some very decent Belgium beer – oh and then we had a wine box to finish – well customs wouldn’t have let us bring it into the UK would they?

And to see them cycling in heaven -

http://youtu.be/cQ_yfV8o7YY

Keep viewing the blog as in next days there should be more video clips of them on the climbs together with their thoughts of the holiday – oops sorry I keep forgetting cycling venture.

Day 13 Macon to Chalons-en-Champagne

After the delights of yesterday a mind numbing day as we had to get some miles in travelling north towards the ferry port.  We had spent the night at the municipal site in the town of Macon which was fine except that the pitches consisted of that sandy mud which gets everywhere when wet which was the case after another night of heavy rain. 

After the experience of driving across from Italy on the Monday we had come over all Scottish on the cost of tolls and decided a cross country trip through idyllic scenery and quaint villages might be preferable – wrong!  It proved to be a long day sat in the van highlighted only by Andy’s desire whilst driving to wave to other motor home drivers and his excitement when they waved back – believe me that’s as good as it got!

The only other point for the day was the question of Andy’s nickname.  In previous days he had been trying to think of a suitable nickname for himself despite the often stated beliefs of Vince and myself that this had to be given by your colleagues and not self anointed.  He finally came up with – “Le Scorpion” – a choice he claimed verified on passing this establishment ...........

We finally arrived at our destination for the night of Chalons-en-Champagne – believe me a large grotty industrial town with nothing to recommend it.

Day 12 L’Alpe-d’Huez

A wonderful day after early morning mist and cloud burnt off with many photos taken but none of which actually do justice to the majesty of the landscape.

 Setting off early from our brilliant campsite at Saint Laurent-en-Beaumont for the hour drive to the foot of L’Alpe-d’Huez we traversed the smaller Col d’Ornon on the way with another narrow switchback road of the type we’ve come to love. 

Arriving at base camp for the ride there was just the hint of blue skies over some of the surrounding summits but overall the light was changing every minute. 

They set off with a target time of 37 minutes as set by Marco Pantani for the 14 km climb with 21 hairpins and a 10% average gradient. 

 They set off 

passing through the village of Huez

They proudly achieved a time of 80 minutes which is not too shabby as even the younger van struggled requiring excessive use of the cooling fan.  

On reaching the summit the village (?)

 was in full preparation for the ski season which is due to commence next week.  The Scots lad running the Trek bike store was getting ready to consign the vast number of bikes into store to be replaced by skiing gear.  Needless to say he relieved the lads of many Euros with another cycling shirt for Andy and other useful souvenirs such as milestone paper weights – you have to see one to understand!

He also explained that when the tour came through last there were in excess of 800,000 visitors in the village that day! 

Exhilarated after their climb Andy and Geoff hurtled down the mountain in approximately 18 minutes whilst Vince and I meandered back at a more leisurely pace as we wanted to get back in one piece! Sadly it appears the video camera strapped to Andy’s bike appears to have mal-functioned and has not recorded this for us all to enjoy!

After arriving back at base camp 

Vince produced more rolls with ham, cheese and tomato and a slice of lemon cake purchased from Intermarche had to be eaten (as was a slice of fruit cake from the same store on arriving at our site for tonight at Macon) but none of these purchased cakes are a patch on homemade – where’s that SOS parcel?

Day 11 Baveno to Saint Laurent-en-Beaumont

Leaving our campsite and it's unusual office 

it was a day of mainly motorway driving from Baveno on Lake Maggiore to our base south of Grenoble in preparation for the assault on L’Alpe-d’Huez tomorrow.  After skirting to the north of Turin there was some lovely scenery and extremely expensive tunnels 

– Frejus crossing the border between Italy and France costing the princely sum of 52 Euros 

making total tolls for the day just under 85 Euros.  

The problem arising from so much driving is there are not many photo opportunities but I’m sure tomorrow with the promised sun will make up for this.

Day 10 Lake Maggiore

Oh what a contrast in days.  Wonderful warm sunshine virtually all day with temperatures in the 80’s and glorious views around Lake Maggiore, taking in both Italy and Switzerland. The lads cycled some 45 miles around the northern lake and the photos are all you need – stunning in places so much so that they might not do it justice.  

 They started the ride at Laveno

passed through Maccagno

and crossed the Swiss border at Dirinella

Where locals have nice garages

then lunch near Locarno

The only blot on the day was me solo in the van having to negotiate the streets of Locarno and Ascona – grim but with a lot of cursing I finally made it.  

I met up with them then at Brissago just before the Italian border

Here Smith was amused by the local bus company!

Tonight camping in the small town of Baveno with the prospect of Smith’s famous leek and pancetta to look forward to – with just maybe 1 glass of wine.

Tomorrow we leave Italy and head to Southern France for their (next and final) big climb on Tuesday on L’Alpe-d’Huez not far from Grenoble.

And then to cap it all having finally got wi-fi access this evening to do the blog we find that the mighty Spurs won 3-2 at Old Trafford  - now there is a reason for a glass of red wine!!