Sunday, 4 December 2011
Marmotte entries for 2012
The on-line registration for individual places in the 2012 Marmotte has already closed.
Another season over and time to catch up
Well, it's been a shamefully long time between posts, but now the 2011 season is behind us we can dust down the blog and post the odd bit of news.
Our season started in May with mu
ch higher than average temperatures for the time of year. This was bookended by some incredibly warm weather during the last week of October when our last guests left. The snow on the Galibier in July just before the Tour a bit of an anomaly though!
We had a great time during the Tour, it was thrilling to see the riders on the Alpe d'Huez again. I got the impression this year that there were more people than ever lining the route and in Bourg d'Oisans during 'Tour week'. With two days on the Galibier and the TT on our doorstep, we didn't have to go far to catch the action. I think the group of Aussies we had staying that week won't forget their trip for a while!
Not so much riding being done by Guy and I this summer due to the birth of our first child, Alice, in March. Since the season end however we have been making up for lost time. Firstly, with a trip to the south coast for Guy to take part in the Roc d'Azur mountain bike race (see photos above and left). Unable to get a spot in the main race, he found himself in a team from our local cycling club riding in a night time street race (Roc Ruelle). Several 1km circuits of 100% urban riding (including a descent of a triple flight staircase!) during half an hour in a tag-team of two. Exciting stuff! Mont Ventoux on the way home for me (photo right) during a lovely stay with Peter and Joan
where we have our Alpe d'Huez/Mont Ventoux week liaison.
On our annual trip back to the UK , Guy managed to squeeze in a cross race in Durham (photo right), close to his home town. The race took place on the morning that we were leaving to catch the ferry back to France via Hull. No time for a shower after the race, just a quick wipe down and off we drove/sailed!
Our spring plan was to be me riding the Flanders sportive, and Guy, Paris Roubaix. The clash of the Roubaix sportive with the Flanders pro race means that we will now do this over consecutive years. Short straw, I'm up for Flanders first! So, it will be a winter of turbo training and some good cross country ski sessions to keep me fit (snow permitting, which is not looking good at present - maybe I should have tried in July!).
One of our most enjoyable seasons yet without a doubt.
(For more Roc d'Azur photos see: https://picasaweb.google.com/106063581583726549371/Autumn2011).
Helyn
Our season started in May with mu
ch higher than average temperatures for the time of year. This was bookended by some incredibly warm weather during the last week of October when our last guests left. The snow on the Galibier in July just before the Tour a bit of an anomaly though!We had a great time during the Tour, it was thrilling to see the riders on the Alpe d'Huez again. I got the impression this year that there were more people than ever lining the route and in Bourg d'Oisans during 'Tour week'. With two days on the Galibier and the TT on our doorstep, we didn't have to go far to catch the action. I think the group of Aussies we had staying that week won't forget their trip for a while!
Not so much riding being done by Guy and I this summer due to the birth of our first child, Alice, in March. Since the season end however we have been making up for lost time. Firstly, with a trip to the south coast for Guy to take part in the Roc d'Azur mountain bike race (see photos above and left). Unable to get a spot in the main race, he found himself in a team from our local cycling club riding in a night time street race (Roc Ruelle). Several 1km circuits of 100% urban riding (including a descent of a triple flight staircase!) during half an hour in a tag-team of two. Exciting stuff! Mont Ventoux on the way home for me (photo right) during a lovely stay with Peter and Joan
where we have our Alpe d'Huez/Mont Ventoux week liaison.On our annual trip back to the UK , Guy managed to squeeze in a cross race in Durham (photo right), close to his home town. The race took place on the morning that we were leaving to catch the ferry back to France via Hull. No time for a shower after the race, just a quick wipe down and off we drove/sailed!
Our spring plan was to be me riding the Flanders sportive, and Guy, Paris Roubaix. The clash of the Roubaix sportive with the Flanders pro race means that we will now do this over consecutive years. Short straw, I'm up for Flanders first! So, it will be a winter of turbo training and some good cross country ski sessions to keep me fit (snow permitting, which is not looking good at present - maybe I should have tried in July!).
One of our most enjoyable seasons yet without a doubt.
(For more Roc d'Azur photos see: https://picasaweb.google.com/106063581583726549371/Autumn2011).
Helyn
Saturday, 27 August 2011
Alpe d'Huez Time Trial
I rode the Alpe TT on Thursday, a hot day even at 10am. It was well attended with maybe 40-50 riders taking part.
One of our guests, Glenn, very kindly attached a small camera to my bars for a time lapse photo shoot of the ride. He then spent some time editing last night and here's the end result, pretty nifty (even if I wasn't!):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AWtjBLNUFbc
It has to be said that the clip makes it look easy, if only it really was over that quickly!
Only a few more of these TT's left for summer 2011 so I'd better make my next one count...
Helyn
One of our guests, Glenn, very kindly attached a small camera to my bars for a time lapse photo shoot of the ride. He then spent some time editing last night and here's the end result, pretty nifty (even if I wasn't!):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AWtjBLNUFbc
It has to be said that the clip makes it look easy, if only it really was over that quickly!
Only a few more of these TT's left for summer 2011 so I'd better make my next one count...
Helyn
Thursday, 25 August 2011
Downhill & FourCross French Cup at Oz en Oisans Aug 2011
An amazing spectacle as France's finest gravity racers came to the area. A brilliant spectator-friendly bit of bike viewing!
Guy
Sunday, 24 July 2011
Alpe d'Huez to stage 2 Grand Tour stage finishes in 2012?
As the dust settles on this week's (frankly rather exciting) Tour de France stage on Alpe d'Huez, rumours are currently circulating about the inclusion of the famous climb next summer.
The Giro d'Italia organisers look set to include a stage finish for the first time there to celebrate the 60th anniversary of Fausto Coppi's inaugural win there in 1952. This seems almost certain to happen next May, according to the Italian sports daily Gazzetta dello Sport.
The Tour de France could also be coming to the Alpe next summer. This could be in the format of a mountain time trial (à la 2004) and would come reasonably early in the race (a clockwise year). Other rumoured local stage finishes are at La Toussuire and Albertville.
There you go! I am a big gossip.
Guy
www.kingofthemountains.co.uk
The Giro d'Italia organisers look set to include a stage finish for the first time there to celebrate the 60th anniversary of Fausto Coppi's inaugural win there in 1952. This seems almost certain to happen next May, according to the Italian sports daily Gazzetta dello Sport.
The Tour de France could also be coming to the Alpe next summer. This could be in the format of a mountain time trial (à la 2004) and would come reasonably early in the race (a clockwise year). Other rumoured local stage finishes are at La Toussuire and Albertville.
There you go! I am a big gossip.
Guy
www.kingofthemountains.co.uk
Thursday, 21 July 2011
The calm before the storm...
...and it's not very calm! Yesterday late evening I rode up Alpe d'Huez to soak up a bit of pre-Tour atmosphere. There was a huge buzz of excitement that I can only presume, after the stage today, is now at fever pitch.
Normally the biggest party is on bend 7, known as 'Dutch Corner' and it did not disappoint; DJ, beer, barbecues, fancy dress and singing. Other areas were pretty lively too and it would seem that some are trying to create a few 'Luxembourg Corners' along the route.
This is just one photo from my evening ride, for more see: https://picasaweb.google.com/Leicesterlittle/AlpeDHuez2DaysBeforeTheTourArrives
Roll on tomorrow for another gripping stage and to hopefully catch sight of 'Polka Dot Man' again on bend 7!
Thursday, 7 July 2011
King of the Mountains T shirts now available
They are here!
King of the Mountains/Alpe d'Huez T-shirts are now available as pictured and a powder pink, ladies fit version too. American Apparel, 100% cotton, S, M or L.
The design may be familiar to you; we have worked with Twin Six in the States whose design this is and they have produced a limited batch of their popular Alpe d'Huez T-shirts especially for us with our logo on the sleeve.
Selling for EUR 20 from us here at the chalet or EUR 25 packed and posted to the UK. Mail us if you want them mailed elsewhere and we'll let you know postage costs.
Drop us an E-mail with your order if you fancy one of the coolest T-shirts available since 'Frankie Says Relax' hit the catwalk!
We'll post a few pictures of us modelling them in and around the Alps. Could also be some potential for a little competition/photo album too of 'where did you wear yours?'.....
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