Category Archives: Cycling

anything to do with cycling mainly in Ireland and the south west

Camper van cycling road trip France

Camper van cycling road trip France a two week trip with 4500KM of driving and a few hundred KM of cycling up some epic French mountain passes.

Start off with a 328KM drive to Rosslare for the Irish Ferries boat to Cherbourg

Waiting to board

Crossing was rough.

The cabins are very good, great night sleep 13 hours non stop.

Entry to Cherbourg, I guess Napoleonic Fort

First stop “Chez Ginnie” a friend of Nadette’s who she met in India.

“Drink”

Then on to Baudelys “chez Jean”

Sardines and squid

Saturday Market

Neil cycled up the Pic de Nore two times in two days, the second day was a French race he entered. There were some issues with his UCI licence but it all worked out in the end. 24KM of uphill all the way.

Jean shows Neil his vines

Jean Sandrine Neil Richie and Nadette

Cycling past this sign, it aint no 2 minutes  😉

Stopping for lunch on the way to Mt Ventoux

Drying Tilleul in the sun, whilst Neil and I ride the Mt Ventoux from Malaucene

Getting ready

Made it, very hot I was slower than last year at 2hours and 10 minutes. Neil was 1 hour thirty five

Shadows

Lunar landscape at the top of Ventoux

Neil does Ventoux second time from Bedoin, 90 minutes, one of the fastest on that day.

Looking down from the top

Proud Mum

We stayed for a few days “Chez Fabienne” in a tiny hamlet, Provence near Buis le Barronils.

“Chez Fabienne”

Unlike Ireland, French people are still driving their old cars, if they pass the MOT why not. The most ecological car is an old one. Not consumerism

Night talking

Scorpion

Lunch stop on our way to Col de la Bonneta

Top of Col de la Bonneta almost 3000 Meters

Van-Rouge

Found a great place to stop the night 2500 meters

Spot the MArmot

Road blocked at the very top

Neil searches for a mobile signal to upload his Strava time for the climb

Campsite for the night

Watch a short video here Col de Bonneta

Plenty of natural beauty

Breakfast

We then moved on to the Col de Galibier

Tough climb my sixth in seven days. Neil was much faster than me…

Looking down the Col de Galibier

Evening Meal at Alpe de Huez

Nice evning meal, were going to camp here the night but tractor started cutting grass very late. So moved down to campsite at foot of Alpe D’huez

Breakfast before cycling up Huez

Neil under the hour me 75 minutes

Last few days in the Jura with Catherine, Lionel and Augustin.

When in France

Lots of cows in the Jura, the home of Compte Cheese

Camper van cycling road trip France

Last spin in  France

Boat trip home

Camper van cycling road trip France

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Strava record attempt

Strava record attempt by Neil Hodges. Riding a Viner Super Prestige cyclo cross bike. Neil beat the record for the ascent of the local hill known as Goula and is the current King of the Mountain. Here is the link to Strava

Watch a short video of Neil riding Goula here

Strava record attempt

The Viner Super Prestige is a 9KG cyclo-cross bike. It comes supplied with Sram Rival 11 group set by Planet X cycles in the UK.  A few problems in the ordering process meant I missed out on a few races. However the value for money from these guys kind of makes up for it. Fabulous bike to ride and very responsive.

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Neil cycling Irish Nationals

Neil cycling Irish Nationals over the weekend taking part in the Criterium race and Road race. The races were organised by the O’Leary Stone Kanturk cycling club and participants travelled from all over the country.

The Criterium was run on a horrible wet and windy day and of the 47 starters most managed to finish. A tough race where you had to be careful on every corner due to the slippery conditions. Neil came in at 18th place just 5 seconds behind the winner. (Guessed time). His team had the three highest place riders in the team category so they came home with a National gold medal for the team. The actual individual winner came from North of the country, a great sprinter.

So with that result Neil was ready for his main event the 55KM road race on Sunday. He was confident and feeling strong. He got a King Of Mountain (Strava) on the first lap. Unfortunately at 35KM on a bad bend he slid off the bike due to the dampness and had to ride the last 20 KM on his own to try and catch the bunch. He did not make it so came in a minute behind the winner which was a great effort. He was disappointed, but that is racing.

Watch a short video here of the Criterium

Neil cycling Irish Nationals

Neil cycling Irish Nationals

Neil cycling Irish Nationals

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