It’s true, the holidays are upon us and as commercial as ever. Try as I may to start a new tradition, I have yet to convince anyone in my circle that gift giving is unnecessary. Inevitably when I start shopping for others, I’m attracted to things that I can’t live without. So, here’s my Top
Our Cycling Blog
I was dozing on the train to Grenoble when the enormity of the Alps filled the eastern window like an IMAX theatre screen. I’d cycled what seemed like half the world, but I’d never seen giants like these before. The mountains rose dramatically from a lush valley floor forming a natural ampitheatre of sharp peaks
The Giro d’Italia 2012 route will be announced on October 16th but stages are spilling out in what promises to be a showcase route! With a new race director at the helm, organizers have promised a ‘safer’ tour with less transfers. But Italians can’t do boring and safe is a relative term. Instead, in their
I used to have fond memories of Grappa. It reminded me of a time well over a a decade ago when I had a love affair with a man who preferred it. Something about getting the quickest buzz with the least amount of alcohol. In its simplest form, Grappa is fire water made from the
Nobody has ever explained to me why suffering opens up the mind. But if it weren’t for the mind, I’m not sure my muscles could have propelled me to the top of the Passo Mortirolo today. I use the term ‘propelled’ loosely. In no sense does it imply speed or ease. It only means, I
Serinya Volcano Loop, Girona, Spain 122 km (77 miles) 1300m ascent (4700′) – Garmin route It didn’t occur to me just how provincial the French really are until my 4th lap driving around the Dali museum in Figueres, Spain yesterday. The GPS-equipped French van couldn’t navigate me anywhere outside the French border just 20 km
Ride Stats: 78 miles, 6,500′ climbing, perfect roads, little to no cars, 78F I arrived yesterday in Girona, Spain to prepare for the upcoming triathlon camp with Dave Scott. Having toured the Girona region, I know the roads well and the routes we plotted well over a year ago. But there are still a few
Summary: Road conditions: smooth sealed most of the way. Total elapsed time: 2:30 (another 30 to get through town). Fuel: 2 bananas, milk coffee, 1 litre of water, buttery biscuits and Gu. Weather: Sunny and warm/30 C. There was nothing particularly tricky about getting to Trichy, it was just an uphill toil. From the get
Summary: Road conditions: bad to smooth sealed. Total elapsed time: 5 hours. Fuel: Dosas, bananas and gatorade water mix. Weather: Overcast to sunny hot. I awoke in a state of panic when I pried my eye opens and finally could look in the mirror. My upper and lower lids were swollen together like siamese twins
Summary: Road surface excellent sealed most of the way to pot-hole poor. Total elapsed time 5:00 hrs. Humid with cloud cover about 85 degrees. Fuel: Not enough, no breakfast! Marcus and I had spent most of the night prior pouring over maps, discussing distances, routes and departure dates. Two things became abundantly clear: Hercules was
