Alpe d'Huez September 2011

I managed to sneak a bike ride into the family holiday once again, and made it to Alpe d'Huez.

I was tired and hungry at the start and got a headache half way up. the whole experience wasn't very pleasant, and I think I left a lung on the last hairpin.

Although this was shorter than Ventoux it felt a whole lot more aggressive, and I have no idea how anyone (Matt) can do this, and Galibier, and the rest of the stage, all in a day. Definitely not rubbish.

Anyway, it took me 65 minutes dead, needless to say the views were incredible, as was the relief when I stopped.

See y'all on the 16th...

Great Western Sportive

the last one before the Etape. The 170km price tag looked a bit hairy on a blustery day and starting in the first group that did not show much interest riding hard into the breeze. In the end it turned into a great ride, seemingly endlessly zig zagging across The Ridgeway and taking in Avebury stones and at least one white horse. I was too knackered to work out which one.

The group fizzled out by 90kms leaving me to slog on undrafted from there. Finished in 5 hours 45mins, 13th overall. Very pleased that a fat lad with a Duff Beer top got in amongst the stick insects.

Not rubbish enough

It is a lonely life in Team Rubbish these days. We have taken Rubbish to a new level by creating the first virtual cycling team. We have the blog, the email banter, the bikes, the photos and a huge number of out of date energy bars. All we don't do is cycle.

I have mistakenly continued to go out riding and seem to have lost my way. I am becoming distinctly unrubbish.

The mighty Rizzle 2011 (131kms) in 4 hours 29 mins and the SWRC Flyer (150kms) in 5 hours 21 mins. Both really good rides, lots of hills and a chance to employ my own unique strategy of heading off as though I am Fabien Cancellara, completely blowing up at half distance, and limping home in terrible pain.

I hope Rubbish get back in the saddle soon, it was more fun when we stopped every 15 minutes to adjust our saddles, have a wee and eat pies.

slutty italian

My hand slipped on ebay and i bought this. Unfortunately i dont think i'll ever get another day off again, so it will sit in my cellar with the other bikes i dont have time to ride (sigh).