Training round up

No miles on the road bike this week due to getting food poisoning whilst in Dublin. I just about recovered for the weekend and was able to make a Mountain bike ride in the Peak District. Phil had organised a 16ish mile route around the resevoirs, see http://www.routeyou.com/route/view/13100/.en.

The weather was foggy and bitterly cold in the valleys but warm and sunny on the hills. I was a bit nervous about tackling the route on my old hard tail GT but I was assured it would be fine. After a slow start, mainly walking out of the valley, I soon found myself picking up speed and taking things on. It was good to watch and talk to people with experience on rough terrain.

The highlights for me were the climb and decent done visiting a trig point and throwing myself down the Roman road. The Roman road was like nothing I thought I’d ever attempt, steep and made out of brick size loose boulders. It hurt the hands and legs but it was a rush; might have been a different story if I’d have come off though!

All in all an awesome day and such a buzz that I might just have to do it again!

See the photos

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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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