Day 3 - 2014 Haute Route Pyrenees - Recovery Ride

Day 3 - Ax Les Thermes to Bagnères-de-Luchon
162 km / 2550 m+ / 2600 m-

First pretty good night sleep with minimal coughing. It was peaceful and quiet as the hotel was 5 km out of town on a side road. Early morning start. Left the hotel with Vanessa 7 a.m. to bike into town for the 7:30 am start.

UK Team Salty Balls!

Met James, Adam and Adam's dad from team Salty Balls in UK. It was cool to find out James follows my blog and he said he started using spirulina because of my writings on the green drinks! 

Rough i-phone shot of Ax les Thermes from a race volunteer

COLD – 28 km neutral start downhill. Average 8°C. I started at the back of the first wave with the intention to keep warmer in the peloton, and to take the day riding a little easier to let my body recover.

Met up with new riders… Triple Crown rider Chris Fisher. He was looking well into his third 7-day event though mentioned he was just riding this last event into the finish. 

 

Denmark rider sporting a Café Roubaix jersey all the way from Cochrane, AB, Canada!! - photo Niels Gjerloev

A rider wearing the jersey from Canadian cycling store "Café Roubaix" of recent Specialized controversy fame caught my attention. Chatted with Niels Gjerloev from Denmark who was quite pleased with owning the jersey.

Saw a rider wearing La Ruta arm warmers and met Hans from Austria. We chatted about La Ruta and other epic races.

Riding near Amy, she enquired about my big ring climbing. Pretty easy to chat with anyone in the peloton.

photo Manu Molle

The best scenic view on the neutral start was making our way into the Parc Naturel Régional des Pyrénées Ariégeoises with views of the huge mountain face that looked like a rock climbing haven.

The pace went hard when the neutral section was over. I chilled back and eventually was where I needed to be within a new group of riders. Amy was in there, too.

Amy Brice and Marg Fedyna - awesome company! - photorunning.fr

The first climb up Col du Port (450m over 8 km) was relatively an easy grade yet my legs were tired. I made sure I drank consistently. The last two days of racing I was too focused on maintaining contact with the peloton and did not stop to fill up with water enough - not a good strategy in a long event.

The descent was on a narrow road snaking around. I passed a few riders as I was in a group of non-fast descenders.

The grade eventually leveled out and a peloton formed. It was a long haul in the Ger de Boutx valley over 40 km of slight descent or incline, with a strong headwind. The long line of 18 riders in a pace-line made for abit of accordion riding when I was at the back. The scenery was not overly exciting in the valley.

I was concerned with the next two upcoming climbs being how I was shelled on the prior day’s last climb. I maintained a good pace up Col du Portet d’Aspet (397m over 6 km) riding with Amy and a few other guys. It was time to use the small chain ring! and it felt good.

At the top, I took opportunity for a pee break I so much needed. I left my water bottle at the feed zone to get filled with water by the volunteer. Grabbed a few dates and an orange slice. Amy just made it up the climb and continued to ride by.

As the guys were taking their time at the feedzone, I began the descent on my own. It was a blast to go fast on another snaking descent choosing my lines. I was getting smoother and had to pass a couple guys.

Switchback up Col de Menté - photo Manu Molle

Just starting into the last climb Col de Menté (449m over 6 km) I caught up to Amy and startled her. She thought I was ahead of her. We climbed abit together. I was feeling ok so kept onward with my pace. 

Actually feel good. Grimace is due to small grade steep climb concentration in the, ahhh, small chain ring! Ha, caught on photo!- photo Haute Route

I began to catch a couple riders maintaining a consistent pace. What a great feeling than during the prior day’s last climb. This climb twisted and turned with short switchbacks.

I rode over the top and blazed into the descent. So many tight turns! I saw a couple guys way above me a couple turns behind. I managed to keep ahead for the end of the last sharp turn when a super large Swiss guy stormed by. The draft was huge behind him.

His nickname listed on his bibnumber was Erikkos from Switzerland who is Marc Streich. When we made it to the bottom Erikkos looked back to see who was following him – little me! I told him I would help him on any climbs though he was super strong for the descents. He laughed!

A few more riders latched on and we worked together. Fortunately it mostly worked out for me to get an ascent for a few of my pulls. When one was a descent, I pulled short and went to the side to the dismay of one guy. Some guys don’t understand the physics of a small body descending, or he was just tired.

Our peloton rode hard into the finish with a long 10 km stretch into the wind. Weather was reasonably warm, not hot, though had major cool drafts in the shaded valley.

 

hats from the village

Despite making a conscious effort for a recovery ride day, I only lost 6 minutes in the GC to Caroline. Well worth it, for feeling stronger on the latter part of the day's course.

Bagnères-de-Luchon is also popular for its thermal springs having 48 of them. Still never got the chance to try one out.

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Day 2 - 2014 Haute Route Pyrenees - Epic & Steep

Day 2 - Font-Romeu to Ax 3 Domaines

120 km / 3000 m+ / 3400 m-

Rough night with a fever. Slight sinus congestion though felt ok on the bike. Leaving the hotel, I followed a couple riders to get to the start line an easy way by road. Directions given to me to the hotel last night were just bad.

Cool early morning on the neutral start - photo Manu Molle

Neutral start for 9 km with a descent. I dressed on the warm side with my light Sugoi rain jacket and heavier gloves. Was almost not necessary as the sun just poked out. When we were in the shaded valley, the temperature dropped from 13C to 6C. I was glad with my choice especially with getting over a cold.

Wave 1 being lead out of the village in convoy - photo Manu Molle

 Needed to be attentive to descend with the peloton with riders all over, abit sketchy. Once the neutral section was over, the pace did not go much quicker. It was easy to hang onto the peloton on the slight ascents up the first two Cols, Col des Moulis (154m over 2.6km) and Col du Garabeil (222m over 3.8km). 

The first descent was ultra scary with one line of riders to follow down twisty shaded corners. Never knew when the rider in front would brake quickly. Just had to be cautious.

The canyon - Twitter photo Haute Route

I was first woman to the top. Long descent which was twisty into a canyon, shaded and difficult to see corners and bumps. I almost missed a couple corners which frazzled me so I dropped off the pace of a fast guy. 

 

Soon, I was caught by a small peloton which had both Caroline and Amy in it. We all worked together as the peloton grew. Slight long twisty descent finally headed into an uphill grade.



Only Triple Crown challenge woman racer - Amy Brice - at the start Day 2 - Twitter photo Roy Pearson

Eventually we started the next climb Col du Port de Pailhères (1207m over 14.9km). The grade started steep so I hung back letting the girls go. Once the grade lessened I caught up. 

Caroline pulled away again on a steep section with Amy hanging back. Then the winds hit. I clung onto a quicker guy when he passed me, and eventually caught up to Caroline. She attempted to go his pace then let him go. I stayed behind her as her pace was tough enough. 

Shattered by Caroline's pace into the headwind nearing top of
 Col du Port de Pailhères - photo Manu Molle

Caroline was amazing pulling strong into the headwind. I took a scant few pulls when the grade lessened but mostly hovered behind her. It was gruelling and still 5 km to go. 

 

I'm not smiling as Caroline pulled strongly up a steep climb into a headwind - photorunning.fr

The Col was scenic with the switchbacks layered above each other. Could see the riders just in front on a couple different switchbacks. I so wanted to let go of Caroline's wheel... though knew the wind would be tough alone. I clung on. I was shattered at the top still knowing there was a tough last climb.

Switchbacks of Col du Port de Pailhères - photo Manu Molle

Caroline received fuel from her support before the feedzone. I needed to stop at the feedzone as she began the descent. The guys were still refuelling so I started the descent. It was better on my own as the corners were more than 180. 

When one guy flew by me, I jumped and hung onto his wheel for awhile. Amazing draft! On a tight corner, he got away when he passed a vehicle. I was alone again before a few riders from the previous day caught me. 

One rider was Benoit Ramsay, a good climber from UK still working on his descending. I was wowed how he improved over a day.

 

We all started together into the last ascent to Ax 3 Domaines (670m over 8.4 km). The grade was instantly steep and I was fatigued. The guys went ahead. Later Benoit said they wondered where I was and momentarily waited for me to catch up – so cool to hear! 

How I felt and looked on that 3rd and last climb of the day
 - Twitter photo Haute Route

I got  into a survival pace mode and sauntered up. I was hurting and sat forward on my saddle in my littlest gear spinning like a mountain biker. Ouch… a few guys passed by quickly. It was took a long time for only 8 km!



the gals!

At the finish, Amy had gained good ground and was only 40 sec behind. Caroline finished a good 10 min ahead of me just behind Benoit. Oh well, I did what I could.



I chatted with Triple Crown rider Nicolas Raybaud at registration. We met last year at the Pyrenees race. He told me to join his team "For Adventure". Good thing I did, as it was laden with the top guys in the race and we were top team the whole race! 
L to R... Steve Richard (CH), Marg Fedyna (CA), Nicolas Raybaud (FR), Cyril Tiné (FR), and another Triple Crown rider Paul Hamblett (UK) - missing Christian Haettich (FR), Lizzy Foremen (UK), Triple Crown rider Nuno Luz (PT), Sergio Costa (PT)

Fun comradry post event with getting to know more people, Canadians from Quebec, riders I rode around, riders with just stories to share. Best part of this whole thing. 

 

It certainly was not the lunch provided, yes I know I come from the raw food world. Looked like leftovers from the previous day. The menu did not change. Unfortunate that the fruit provided (bananas, apples, pears) were not near ripe so not immediately edible. Just a logistics glitch.

My hotel was 5 km away on a quiet side road. Took opportunity to get a massage and see the amazing osteopath. I waited until after awards and briefing to check in. 

Ate at the hotel with the riders staying for the night, and roomie Vanessa who was at Pyrenees race 2013. Vanessa was a proficient GS skier in France years back.

 

Ax les Thermes renowned for its hot thermal spring used by the Romans. Ax 3 Domaines is a ski resort where the climb was used in 5 stages of the Tour de France (2001, 2003, 2005, 2010, 2013). I received a couple free passes to one thermal spa. Ended up giving the passes to the host of our hotel.

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Day 1 - 2014 Haute Route Pyrenees - Canada Grade!

Day 1 - Ripoll to Font-Romeu
93 km / 2500 m+ / 1400 m-

The race start was to be in the medieval town of Ripoll near the Spanish-French border. It is known as the birth place of Catalonia, which has a famous Benedictine monastery built in the Romanesque style.

At 7:15 a.m., a bus shuttle drove the riders from the race hotels in Barcelona, 100 km north to the village of Ripoll for the race start. - twitter photo Steven Richard, one of my teammates on Team "For Adventure"

 

Upon arriving, I picked up my bike waiting overnight in a gymnasium. The previous day, my bike had been loaded onto a truck at registration and transported overnight.

Had time to relax in the village centre before the 10:30 a.m. race start. There was a very casual atmosphere amongst the riders and nervous smiles.

Start of Day 1 - photo Manu Molle

After a loop around the village, the neutralized convoy of riders went over the timing mat at 5.4 km. As the pace picked up quickly, I hovered within the top 30 riders with a couple other women.

The road was irregular in its ascent though not steep. Eventually the pace on the ascents had some riders struggle the last distance to the top of Col de Merolla (259m in 11.8 km).

It was bumper to bumper riders on the narrow twisty descent which made it tough to progress as some riders slowed in the corners. Needed to be cautious for any rider braking unexpectedly.

Pyrenean landscapes - photo Manu Molle



The start of the 2^nd climb Col de la Creueta (880m in 17.4 km) began steeply. Scenery was beautiful with huge green hills and mountains. Roads were still narrow.

 

I was around a few riders though there was jostling for position. Got into a groove and started gaining on the riders that I had been bottlenecked behind on the descent. Most riders coasted when the grade lessened. I took opportunity to accelerate my pace and catch the next group.



Fresh on Day 1! - photo Haute Route

At the back of a group of 5 riders, I took the lead to increase the pace. Only rider Paul Donnelly from UK joined me. He took a strong pull then I continued on to catch the next group.

It was getting windy in the open sections. When I was alone into the headwind, I took the pace easier. When the wind was behind me, I hauled and worked to catch the next guy.
 

Windy ridge - photo Haute Route Twitter

At the top after crossing the timing mat, it was a stop time point. Our time would restart after we reached the bottom of the next Col. We were told this was for safety reasons or road construction. Grabbed an orange slice and quickly moved onto the descent.

As I descended, a group formed. The road seemed perfectly safe as it was wide and smooth with no traffic. A long untimed section 32 km made no sense whatsoever. Oh well, we all rode it casually together. Saw many herds of cows in the pasture, and huge stocky mountain horses. The baby horses were so stocky with thick fur.

Twins! My friend Philippe Itschak Zivan Süssholz from Israel

Had time to chat with a few riders on-route. Met Paul again who I rode with earlier. He is one of the Triple Crown riders – I was thrilled to be riding with him and told him so. He’s in the 50+ category and looked strong.

Last climb into the finish. Paul Donnelly just behind. - photorunning.fr

Stopped at the feed zone before crossing the next timing mat. Filled up with water and grabbed a couple apricots. Waited for a group of guys to leave at the same time. We started out on a gradual ascent then it rose quickly. I was more fatigued though was happy to work with a few of the guys. We dodged back and forth amongst ourselves with a couple of us bridging up to a few earlier departers. The last few km, I worked with Paul and another rider to the end.



Finish high up at Font-Romeu



After putting my bike in the secured bike park, it was a long walk uphill to book in for massage. Another walk to the showers. Walk back to the amazing massage. Had time to stretch. Downhill walk to grab lunch at the race village.

Remaining 10 Triple Crown riders at the Pyrenees - photo Manu Molle

Caught up with Triple Crown rider Nuno Luz. Amazing how much a Triple Crown rider eats! Nuno shared his recent Haute Route experience with riders sitting around us. We were all impressed with the feat of riding the three events. The best comment for Nuno’s strategy to the end was “Bring the ship to port”! Nuno lives in Lisbon so an appropriate comment.

That's my green drink amongst Nuno's small lunch

Also chatted with Lizzy who happily escaped the Lanterne Rouge. In October, Lizzy is going in the Mini-Transat off shore sailing event. Boat is 6 ½ metres, race is around 24 days. Nuno and I both thought that is more epic! Check Lizzyracing.com

Leaders Day 1! Marg Fedyna from CA with Paul Hamblett from UK

I had a great day coming in first getting the Leaders jersey! German woman Caroline Kopietz from Germany was only 4 min back. Amy Brice who is a Triple Crown rider came in 3^rd. 

Jersey is great as it is my size XS. Last year, all the XS sizes were wanted by every rider, top male and females. By the time I was Leader, the jersey I had to wear was way too big.

Town was very compressed on a hillside with pathways to link roadways. Font-Romeu is one of the oldest ski resorts in France and the oldest in the Pyrenees. 

According to the picture on the map, my hotel was to be down a goat path for 300m. Once down there, could then see the hotel high above the goat path, super small scale map. A kind local helped me find my way back and carried my bags. It was a long tiring day and lots to prep for tomorrow.

Many countries represented. Very cool to see the bib numbers on riders which showed their name and country. Made for easy conversation.

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Epic Climbs out of Barcelona

Arrived to Barcelona a couple days prior to the 2014 Haute Route Pyrenees race. The race hotel I am staying at is similar to a Holiday Inn, 10 km north of the airport, and 9 km west of downtown Barcelona. It is nice being away from the tourist action. The area called Cornella is within blocks and has good fruit and veggie stores, more of a local district.

Locals using the Bicing bike borrow system in Barcelona.
Photo taken at Plaza Espanya

Took a train part way into town to Espanya stop, then rode around from there. Lots of bike lanes, traffic seems to be ok with cyclists, wider streets than in Geneva. Fast way to get around.

Still in construction Sagrada Familia Cathedral

On-route to Guell Park, passed by the Sagrada Familia Cathedral with its amazing detail and crowds.

View from Guell Park 

An internet search listed Catalonia's top 10 cycle climbs. I put two of the top climbs together on one ride… Montserrat via Tibidabo.

Used this google map http://tinyurl.com/66uqfsl that I found on meetup.com on “The Barcelona Road Cycling Group”.

Started from the hotel headed towards Barcelona east, taking the ring road Ronda Del General Mitre eventually turning up into the hills. Lost for abit in residential climbs. Backtracked for the right road BP-1417, a nice 6% grade switchback.

The turnoff for Tibidabo was 6 km up this climb, with another 1 km to the top. Many cyclists out riding both directions.

The views were amazing from the lowlands as I could see the Temple de Sagrat Cor and an amusement park perched high up on the hillside from Sagrada Familia Cathedral. Funny seeing a roller coaster just below this cathedral. One way to attract the kids!

Back on BP-1417, it was a sweet twisty descent through the scenic Serra de Collserola range. Once down in the Sant Cugat des Vallès, passed thru many towns turning onto BP-1503. Ok for awhile then not so great riding thru the flats thru many suburban villages.

Leaving the wicked roads from Olesa de Montserrat

Taking B-120 from Viladecavalls to Olesa de Montserrat was an exceptional twisty scenic road until back onto the main hwy C-55. The climbs reminded me of Santa Monica Canyons as the terrain was similar.

Look way up to see the Monastery

From Monistrol de Montserrat, the final climb up is 8 km at 7% avg grade. Last km was bumper to bumper vehicles though easy to get around by bike.

At the top - ha, ha, selfie as in self-timer photo

View from top down into the valley I rode up

There is a tram that goes up as well as a train. I saw the train chug slowly up and thought it would be scary to go down. Bike was most fun especially the descent. I had to be careful as my eyes would linger to the fig trees on the sides of the roads.

Another option which seems to bypass the industrial sections:

http://www.meetup.com/The-Barcelona-Road-Cycling-Group/events/197022712/

http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/483727222

To take C-243c, BP-121 or BP-122 which looks challenging though likely scenic.

My total ride one direction including backtracking a few times and the side trip to Tibidabo… 90 km, 6070' elevation.

Took the train back from Monistrol de Montserrat only 50 min and 5.10 Euros. I was tired with all the extra tourist activities, not the ride! It was cool to be able to get an epic ride in from town, and have the return train option.

Last night, there was a lot of traffic noise and a constant whistle toot toot outside the hotel room as a policeman guided traffic. Apparently, there was a football game at the arena nearby. Amazing to hear all the chanting and singing coming from afar. It would be cool to go to one of those events!