Les Enfants a Velo'.London2Paris 2015

Today guest riders from the last L2P are Derek from the beautiful Scotland and Andy from Essex.

A french delicacy,Steak Tartare.

Why did you decide to do it.

I have been riding with SD for some time now and it’s great to be able to ride with like-minded people from an excellent coffee shop in Paperback so close to where I live. 

So, when the Paris trips were announced  signing up was an easy decision to make.  Slightly more difficult was which month to choose. I opted for July as the weather was “ bound to be good”  ( how wrong could I be) and it coincided with the climax of the Tour de France.

What did you do to prepare for it?

Preparation involved a range of different SD group rides comprising Richmond park loops , hill reps and longer Friday rides to Windsor and beyond and of course plenty of Paperback coffee. 

How did you find it?

I really enjoyed the ride and was pleased that the training had put me in good stead for the event. An added bonus was no paperwork such as train/ferry /hotel bookings as this had all been taken care of courtesy of Stefano.

The mileage and terrain were fine the key challenges being the overnight ferry crossing ( ie no bed ) and the shocking weather, both of which I was able to mitigate to some extent with my self- inflating travel pillow , long bibs and overshoes. The rain was biblical in proportions and more akin to Scotland in Spring rather than the south of England in the height of summer. 

It was fantastic to arrive in Paris together adorned in the SD customised yellow kit, albeit slightly weird to have posed for so many strangers’ photographs in the vicinity of the Eiffel Tower !.

Derek landing in Dieppe with Heavy Rain & 42 Knots Wind Gusts

Would I do it again?

I wouldn’t hesitate and would encourage others to sign up.

What was going through your mind during the ride

The full gamut of emotions depending upon heaviness of rain, time of day, intensity of sun, speed, terrain and how the group were feeling but mostly......................I can’t wait to do more of these !!

Next is Andy with his speech.

Why did I do it?

I wanted to do the ride last year but unfortunately an injury meant I had to put it on hold, so this year I set myself some goals; what started out as personal goals soon became a reason to ride for a charity which is ‘Tommy’s.

How did I prepare for it?

I have been getting out on my bike whenever I can mostly during the week days and always on my own, I didn’t know anyone near where I live to ride with, so it has meant a lot of lonely training sessions. I have been gradually building up the miles riding 40, 50 then 70 then doing lots of spinning classes when I couldn’t get out on the road. I have also now joined Romford Cycle Club which is local to me and they are a great bunch of people, very welcoming and lots of good riders which makes the ride outs with them at times hard as they do push you on and I will always try and keep up with the stronger riders!!

How did I find the ride?

I had an absolute nightmare on Friday just to try and get to the start, I set off at 12pm in the car to be dropped off but the horrendous wet weather caused huge traffic problems on my route to the start. This meant that I never actually got there!! With the group setting off to the train station having taken the sensible decision to catch the train to Brighton where I had to meet everyone there. This was not something that I had contemplated we might have to do and was a bit deflated to start with, but the group were really upbeat and I soon perked up when we eventually set off to Newhaven.

I found the ride to be easier than I had thought it would be, maybe my training paid off after all!! Riding in the company of such a nice bunch of people also made it really enjoyable and despite the weather I had a great time riding through some great scenery and pothole free roads.

Would I do it again?

Absolutely!! I’m trying to convince my wife to take up cycling and do the trip next year.

I was also able to stop on in Paris to take in the Tour De France final stage which was a big highlight to be able to watch the professionals do their thing…they are so fast!!

I will be recommending the trip to everyone I speak to, who cycles next year it may well be our own stage of the TDF. Stefano has done a great job in organising the whole thing and was our very own Sat Nav at times.

Andy in Paris

What was going through my mind during the ride?

Mainly try and keep with everyone and don’t fall off!!

OK, so I was the only one to fall off…..!! but I did keep with you all.

The weather did it’s best to dampen spirits but to be honest I don’t mind riding in the wet I see it as just another challenge, I ride a motorbike and have ridden in all weathers including snow, so really didn’t mind it that much. However when the sun came out it allowed everyone to dry out before getting into Paris, I take with me from the trip some new friends and experiences and fond memories. I felt quite emotional riding to the Eiffel Tower where my wife was waiting for us to arrive and seeing the face of Craig when his mum tapped him on the shoulder was an absolute picture!! worth the journey on its own.

My thanks to everyone for making the ride so enjoyable and to Stef for organising, you don’t know how much I have been inspired to ride more often and will definitely being doing more rides and sportives.

Laundry in the room balcony.

Thank you Derek & Andy to pass over to others your experience.

Be safe on the Road.Be SaddleDrunk.

SD Team.

Tour De Pelso 2015, Hungary

Few months ago I received an email from a courteous gentleman that lives in a town along the “Lake Balathon” in reference to promoting cycling in the area.

After copious amount of emails,I finally travelled two days ago to Hungary to take part at the Tour De Pelso 2015(Balathon Marathon 200KM).

Flew out from London on an early Friday rainy morning to a sunny & scorching Budapest. Picked up the car I drove nearly 2 hours in a South East direction to reach the little touristic town of Balatonboglar.

In the front enjoy the sceneries at 45kmh.

On my arrival at this stunning house less than 100 yard from the lake,I was welcomed by an amazing couple, “The Gentleman” above mentioned and his wife.Laszlo & Sheila. An Hungarian Gentleman with an huge british history, and Sheila ,exquisite Yorkshire Lady.

They let me into their premises and I was embraced by 2 gorgeous Labrador Puppies,  2 young sisters one black and one white that escorted me to my 2 bed apartment.

The bike was reassembled really quick due to my rush to get out and explore the area while 33 degrees Celsius was stomping in our heads.

Lotsi a local rider with an amazing Olmo bike.

A gentle ride was the aim of the day, to regenerate fresh oxygen into my body and an injection of pollution free air into my lungs. It was a short day due to the early start the following day.

A 4am wake up call was needed to have a good breakfast(coffee and bread ) before embracing a long race at fast pace. An high temperature of 34 C plus was forecasted then plenty of fluid inside my body was needed.

The start of the Tour de Pelso 2015 was in Siofok, about 20 miles from my accommodation then a 30 minute journey helped to have an extra bit of rest.

Got to the start line after setting up the bike, and because I was invited and be part of one of the local team I was at the front with the “Big Boys”.

Inflate Tyres Costs as the same as a local glass of wine.

While waiting for the start gun to be fired up,I was wondering why some of the big boys had 5 big waterbottles with them. 2 in the normal standard location plus seat waterbottle holders like for triathlon and a final one inside their Jerseys like hunch backs. I did find out later during the race.

BANG…we started and a neutral zone of 20km was due to the road works. Police escort all the way about 35 motorbikes, leading cars ahead clearing up the road for us at the front. A good pace of  nearly 45km/h was held for the first 90Km with peaks of over 50 KPH.  Temperature was raising and my water was dropping quickly,I needed urgently water. We were at mark 112km and I was expecting a water station but I misjudged the mark on my computer.I was pumping hard and after 3hour 30 minute at the 140km mark I had to find water, I was licking my own sweat to get some salt into me as the computer was showing 34.7 Celsius. Initially I did find pleasure in leaking my sweat but it was just temporary ,my body was in urgent need for H2O. I knew if I stopped I would never be able to rejoin the main peloton I was riding in the top 50 and feeling confident. My aim was finish ,therefore decision was make to stop. Few others along the route dropped out but no one wanted to push any harder. So average dropped down to 34km/h including the lovely head wind to cool us down.

Pasta Party with the sunset by the lake and a great concert.

I was pleased to finish the 203 Km race around the Lake Perimeter in 5 hours and 53 minutes. Finishing in GC in 98th.Still good result out of few thousands.

There was a lovely pasta party with an amazing  concert by the finish line along the lake admiring the sunset.I was even lucky to cool down by jumping into the water for a swim.

Some interesting numbers;

20 kg of cheese 
840 liters of Coca-Cola 
1,008 kg of Bananas
2800 Powerade bottles
6190 pcs Horalky wafer 
6519 liters of H2O 

Crossing the line after 5 hours 53 minutes.203km.

My personal considerations about this stunning Hungarian region are absolutely speechless.

The Cycling is catered for the fast & furious but also for the more relaxed cyclists.

The lake offer all the way around a flat cycling lane on the edge of the water.

This sceneries are completed with delicious restaurants , bars, vineyards and warm and friendly people willing to share part of their lives with you.

Recovering with a swim in the Lake.

I would like to say thank you to Las & Sheila, Mate’ Group to be part of their team & Tour de Pelso to let me experience this adventure.

If you need advise about in the cycling around the Lake Balaton please do not hesitate to get in touch with us or with info@balatontourism.com .

SDx.

Art IceCream in Budapest..Not mine.

SD Official Cycling kit supplier of Neil Bikes Back's Charity

SaddleDrunk Team is pleased to announce the collaboration with Solent Cycles to design and produce the cycling kit for "The Neil Bike Back" charity ride.

The SD team met with the Director of Solent Cycles,Mike Paget to listen about the amazing project of Neil. We then returned to our HQ to get the ball rolling.

As usual ,the SD team worked hard to produce a perfect design which covered all minimal details and requirements of the various sponsors. The results of this hard team work will be transferred to  high end quality kit,all "MADE IN ITALY" by "HAND" to fulfil Mike & Neil expectations.

We are looking forward to delivery our products to Mike & Neil in the next few weeks.

Please help Neil to raise money for Harbour Cancer Support on this link.

Thank you everyone for you help.

SD Team.

A visit to one of our Sponsors.

The SaddleDrunk Team (minus Carlos) flew out to Scotland to visit one of the Team sponsors last Friday.

Part of our principles at SaddleDrunk is to meet the people behind the team. These people matter a lot to the SD Team enabling us to achieve great results. These are the sponsors.

We traveled to the Moorlands to arrive at  Charlie Mils Coffee Roasting House. The drive was just flabbergasting by the scenery.

While I was driving, I hoped that I could rivet on the bike, this was due to the great presence of hills. The element of the weather made it even juicer. 

After my brain was blown away by the beauty of the location, the staff at CMCRH provided astonishing hospitality. We were welcomed with copious variety of Home-Made Scottish delicacies.  We were left speechless by X Y & Z stories about the history behind CMCRH. We felt intoxicated by the joy to being part of their lives.

Coffee Master P working on a Rocket Espresso Machine.

We sat on the coffee beans bags to taste the various blends available from the TIP TOP to the KOM. Just a full on initiation of a pleasant tachycardia (heart rate that exceed normal range).

Loads of ideas and projects erupted from this coffee scented atmosphere. The freedom of cycling was streaming along our veins letting us to feel SaddleDrunk. 

We emphasize the simplicity and the purity of the CMCRH coffee. We will now always look forward to drinking their coffee blends during our daily routines, meetings, parties & gatherings.

You can purchase their coffee via this link.

The SD team would like to personally say thank you for hosting us.

You will be able to admire some photos of the trip in our gallery.

Don't forget to sign up for the newsletter.

SD.

Final stage report Yunnan Gran Fondo

Final Battle-stage at Jade Mountain

The best stage was saved for the last with a splendid course laid out for all of the Gran Fondo participants, it was not the longest stage of the week but it was one with parcours that was packed with action, beginning in the quaint ancient village of Lijiang in front of a large crowd. The weather was fantastic with the skies impossibly blue and the centre-piece: The majestic snow-capped Jade Mountain rising into the sky, with its jagged peaks reaching upwards. It was a splendid climax to what was a brilliant week of racing in five different areas of Yunnan Province. Dali and Lijiang were by far the favorites with the Gran Fondo peloton. It is hoped that the 2015 edition will see more stages centered around the Dali and Lijiang areas, perhaps even as high up as the Shangrila region with its distinct Tibetan influence. 

Back to the racing. The GC battle was down to just two riders: John Cattrall (England) and Wei Kui (Specialized). Cattrall had the lead by a slim 45 seconds and would need to perform at the top of his game to beat a superior climber and ex-professional rider from the Specialized team. Further, Wei Kui had three team-mates at his disposal while Cattrall had zero. The battle at Jade Mountain unfolded with Wei Kui emerging victorious, but this was not decisive till the last five kilometers where he was able to dance away with ease from Cattrall to finish 7th for the stage, but more importantly finishing up to the base of Jade Mountain with 2minutes 15 seconds over the Englishman. This gave him the overall win at the inaugural Colorful Yunnan Gran Fondo by a convincing 1min30 seconds. 

Another big eye-opener was the incredible performance by 16-year old kid Lv Xianjing who simply powered away up the final slopes in a big gear to blow away the opposition. No one had an answer for this young teenager's, hailing from the high mountain villages of Yunnan,  turn of speed and in short time Xianjing who has never heard of the Tour de France, opened up a massive gap that would continue to increase all the way to the finish-line.  This young rider, who also won the mountain ITT, is definitely an emerging talent worthy of world-class and could be the next Chinese super-star. Stay tuned to Saddle Drunk to learn more about this special prodigy. 

Carruthers Perspective - How it unfolded

This was the last stage in what has been a big month of racing for me! My super-crazy-hectic month of racing began on October 13 when I did three stages of Poyang Lake, then over to do the Tour of Matabungkay and back to do the last three stages of Poyang Lake. I then raced two more Chinese races before jetting down to New Zealand to do the week-long 1000km Tour of Southland. I arrived at the Colorful Yunnan Gran Fondo already fatigued from my cycling adventures and this brought my total race days to 24 in just over a month! As you will have read from my previous reports about the Yunnan Gran Fondo, I had been plagued by bad luck that ultimately lead to the destruction of my high GC placing (the unfortunate but beautiful stage of Dali), I was determined to be rid of the bad luck and sign off my 2014 season with a good stage.

The parcours of this stage did not really suit me, featuring two laps containing a 6% 2.7km Temple Climb before racing up the 12km Jade Mountain climb.  However, I was still very active in the race in support of two riders. While lining up on the front row of the race, I was next to John Cattrall who was shivering quite violently, perhaps from a combination of the cool temperatures and nervousness? Cattrall knew that Wei Kui from Specialized could climb better than him and he would need to pull something extra special out of the bag to stay with the lighter rider. Cattrall asked me for help during the stage so I agreed to help to the best of my ability; this would mean sacrificing my own aspirations for the stage and focus on keeping Cattrall close to Wei Kui and sheltered from the wind as much as possible, at least for the first half of the race.

When the gun went, the Mongolians went on the attack immediately, like they always do but it was back together after they made an error at the round-about. The usual counter-attacks flew up the road one after the other, but nothing was allowed to go. I was riding on the wheel of Wei Kui for the majority of the time with John right behind me. A few times he would lose my wheel as the attacks would string out the field and I would find him and pull him back to the front. Sometimes it was not always necessary to be behind Wei Kui.

About 5kms before the Temple climb, there was a dangerous breakaway of about 8 riders and I took it on myself to bridge the gap with John in tow, it took several minutes but I made the catch and coming into the climb I was on the wheel of Wei Kui. When the road pitched upwards, Wei Kui rose out of the saddle and accelerated hard. I followed immediately and John was still right with me as we motored up the climb - however, within the first 1km my legs had exploded, perhaps due to the altitude; I was no longer able to sustain power and it was up to John to look after himself from here on. In a blown state, I managed to get over the climb about 30 seconds in arrears and managed to get with some other riders to rotate hard to catch the front group 10 minutes later. But not without some drama from some of the Chinese riders who refused to contribute evenly to the collective effort of the chase group. I recovered somewhat in the front group and was able to survive longer with the front group up the climb before getting dropped yet again just after the half-way point. I caught up with Shannon Bufton who was 5th on GC and was clearly not having a good day. He was struggling on the climb that I gave him a quick push and then helped pull him back to the main group right as the 12km climb begun. I had worked extremely hard to make the catch yet again after the Temple climb that I was already well into the red-zone as we climbed towards the 3,000m mark. With about 7km to go, the front group surged forward, most likely the attack from the young wonder-boy Lv Xianjing, which broke up the front group into pieces. I was already out the back when this happened. I was climbing solo for quite some time, before a group of three Chinese riders caught me with 3km to go. It was weird, I was riding steady tempo and they would have been riding faster in order to catch me. When they made the catch, they slowed down. I don't know why but thats what they did and the pace was slower than the pace I was riding at on my own. When I pulled to the front, they all slotted behind me. Clearly they wanted a draft and easy ride to the top. I swung wide and forced them to do the pace-setting; they responded and the pace went up. But soon they slowed down again, obviously watching for the foreigner (me) who was barely clinging on at the back. I had enough of this cat and mouse games with 1km to go, so I attacked. As I went by, I yelled some Chinese words that obviously riled them up. One of them yelled at me as he charged ahead with vigor. I wonder how come he was not expending this energy earlier? My surge forward was short-lasting, at this altitude I notice that my attacks are shorter and it takes longer for me to recover. So I rode the last kilometer up Jade Mountain with heavy lead legs with absolutely no acceleration left at all.  At least I gave my all and made the Chinese riders fight hard. It was truly an epic end to an epic week of racing in Yunnan. 

With the finish up at over 3000m, the wind was icy cold and it was important to get down the mountain before we got too cold. It was a splendid downhill run all the way back to the city of Lijiang. I did not want to leave this region, it was so beautifully majestic with the jagged peaks of Jade Mountain as the center-piece and the numerous rolling hills unfurling out across the horizon. This region is what many cyclists would die for to have the opportunity to ride in; we had only barely scratched the surface with the 82km raced from Lijiang to Jade Mountain, there are plenty of other roads and other vistas waiting to be explored. It is the collective hope of the peloton that the Yunnan Gran Fondo 2015 edition will see more stages held in the Lijiang region.   It is also the bicycle tourist dream region, do consider adding Yunnan to your cycling destination bucket list whether its for the 2015 Colorful Gran Fondo or if you are embarking on your own organized adventure!

Visit the official website: www.granfondochina.com and also "like" the page www.facebook.com/asiacyclingnews .

Thank You very much for your help during the week Daniel,we wish you merry Xmas to you and your family.

SaddleDrunk Team