Training Log Archive: Stijn

Best day of bike touring ever. The Col du Galibier is just unbelievably special to ride - especially just after it has opened for the season with plenty of snow still around. Check out the photos on our blog and start planning a trip now! ;) 37km of climbing to the top but we both found it much easier than the Izoard as the grades are much more consistent at 6-7%. Just the last 12% km that had us working hard and out of the saddle. The top part of the other side was still blocked with snow, so we went to the top, descended 1km and went through the tunnel to access the other side. Cccold descent (2200m of it!), but awesome smooth corners through the forest down the Col du Telegraphe. Camping in Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne and looking forward to the Col de la Madeleine tomorrow!

http://www.movescount.com/moves/move64232625

Giro day! Craig surprised us in Briancon yesterday so I had a partner in crime for today's mission :) And he was on a rented road bike, so my intensity was through the roof trying to keep up with semi-loaded panniers. We went over the Col du Montgenevre into Italy, had coffees in Cesana and then cycled the Col du Sestriere up to the finish line. A few beers were had soaking up the vibe in the sun before rolling down to find a good grassy spot 1.6km from the finish. We wiled away the rest of the afternoon until the race came past - Aru was attacking at the time, so they were flying! First time I've seen a grand tour stage live :) We were able to start cycling up to the finish again shortly after the leaders passed (with most of the race still behind us) at 17:30 and then it was a 2h cruise back to France via the same col. A fantastic end to a memorable day!

http://www.movescount.com/moves/move64144560

Col d'Izoard! I had been looking forward to this day for ages and it did not disappoint :) All of our ascent today was on just one climb - 1400m in 31km, with the meat of it being the final 8km at a solid gradient of 9-10%. Very much HC then... Fantastic being back in the Alps and this is probably the best Alpine col I've cycled. Snowy mountains everwhere and a lunar-like landscape near the top. Took us about 3h to get up and less than an hour down :)

In Briancon now for 3 nights - the plan is for me to do an out-and-back ride into Italy on Saturday to watch the Giro d'Italia finish at the top of the Sestrierre. Should be awesome! :) I'll be the guy in the Etixx Quickstep kit somewhere near the top.

http://www.movescount.com/moves/move63876135

Got welcomed to the Alps by the Col des Sagnes. Nothing too hard but some really compact switchbacks and views opening up all around us. Then a 2nd 500m climb after lunch to get around the lake followed by some fast cruising through to Embrun. The afternoon was soent cycling along the Balcon de la Durance, a narrow little road high above the river valley. We found a rural campsite just above Guillestre.

http://www.movescount.com/moves/move63876653

Heading into the Alps today. Started with some hilly stuff leaving Provence and then a nice long downhill into Sisteron. The mountains closed in around us in the afternoon, on our way up a narrow valley.

http://www.movescount.com/moves/move63671118

C • Brings back memories 3

Back in the saddle again and through the heart of one of our favourite parts of France, Provence. I had designed the route to take in most of the scenic hilltop villages on the Northern side of the Luberon Valley, hence all the ascent. Brilliant day going through Fontaine de Vaucluse, Gordes, Roussillon and Saint-Saturnin. Nice long lunch in Gordes too :)

http://www.movescount.com/moves/move63573562