Training round up

  • 08
  • June
  • 2008

Rest week this week but still managed 50 miles and some rowing.

After a tough ride yesterday my knee felt a little better today. This combined with some lovely weather encouraged me to go and take on the Malvern hills.

I covered 20 miles by lapping round the high level roads; this is a lovely combination of long climbs and fast descents. The highlight for me was descending down though Colwall and past the water factory until my bike coasted to a stop. I then turned around and climbed back up. Just as I crested the hill I noticed what looked like a steep drive, so I went up this for and added extra. This drive turned out to lead onto a concrete path that, although rough in places, was rideable all the way up to the beacon. There were some real steep parts but in total it was a good 5 mile climb. The view at the end was well worth it and made my day.

Path I climbed to the Malvern beacon

Pictured: The path that winds its way up to the beacon.

Bike at the Malvern beaconBike at the Malvern beacon

Pictured: Gratuitous bike shots at the Malvern beacon.

Video: The view that greeted me after climbing from Colwall all the way to the Malvern Beacon.

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L'Etape du Tour 2008

Etape profile
Pau to Hautacam
8,000 riders will take on the 154-kilometre stage from Pau to the summit at Hautacam, via the east side of the Col du Tourmalet.

The Bike

Trek Madone 5.0
Trek Madone 5.0 (2007)
I love this bike, some would say too much with the amount of time I spend maintaining it! But if I'm going to be going 50mph down a mountain I want to know its in good shape.

Latest images

  • Me at the Col Du Soulier summit
  • Me at the Col d'Aubisque summit
  • Mark at the Col d'Aubisque summit
  • Mark with the big bikes
  • Me with the big bikes
  • Mark at the Col Du Soulier summit
  • The last corner
  • Alex, Mark and I
  • The summit sign and statue
  • Sun breaks through
  • Clouds rolling in
  • View to the east
  • View to the west
  • Alex and Mark after Hautacam climb
  • Mark and Paul
  • View down Col Du Marie Blanque
  • The C4 loaded up
  • Col d'Aubisque summit
  • Mark and Alex in Biarritz coffee shop
  • Mark at the top of Pier St Martain

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About this blog

Welcome to the personal blog of Robert A J Ford, a professional interaction designer and developer based in the UK.

I started this blog in 2007 to record my cycle training leading up to the Etape. I've never been one for diaries but this format works well with my job and lifestyle so I expanded it to record details of other training and events.

As the blog grew it became a space where friends and family followed my activities. Their feedback has inspired me to keep writing. I hope you find something of interest and please feel free to leave comments.

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