Etape du Tour - The Hairy Legged Version

[Dave Barter]

Dear UK.REC.CYCLERS

I completed the Etape this year after many years of mountain biking. The Etape was my first serious
road race and you can read my account at:-

http://www.phased.co.uk/etape.html

I hope my report gives a "different" view of the Etape..coming from one with hairy legs and a muddy
disposition

I rode the Etape in aid of the RUSS Appeal at http://www.russ-appeal.org.uk If you like it, why not
sign up for our event to be held AUGUST 17th in Chekendon to raise cash for the Air Ambulance

 

[Michael Macclan]

In message <[email protected]>, Dave Barter <cf@?.co.uk.invalid> writes
>Dear UK.REC.CYCLERS
>
>I completed the Etape this year after many years of mountain biking. The Etape was my first serious
>road race and you can read my account at:-
>
>http://www.phased.co.uk/etape.html
>
>I hope my report gives a "different" view of the Etape..coming from one with hairy legs and a muddy
>disposition
>
>I rode the Etape in aid of the RUSS Appeal at http://www.russ-appeal.org.uk If you like it, why not
>sign up for our event to be held AUGUST 17th in Chekendon to raise cash for the Air Ambulance
>
>

Excellent article, Dave. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. Thank you.
--
Michael MacClancy

www.macclancy.demon.co.uk

 

[Dave Larrington]

Excellent! I particularly liked the bit with the mice

Dave Larrington - http://www.legslarry.beerdrinkers.co.uk/
===========================================================
Editor - British Human Power Club Newsletter
http://www.bhpc.org.uk/
===========================================================

 

[Graham]

"Dave Larrington" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Excellent! I particularly liked the bit with the mice
>
> Dave Larrington - http://www.legslarry.beerdrinkers.co.uk/
> ===========================================================
> Editor - British Human Power Club Newsletter
> http://www.bhpc.org.uk/
> ===========================================================
>
> Well done, I hope to do it myself some day ! The sooner the better.

Graham

 

[andywgg]

Great article, Dave - just a couple of questiomns;

Honestly, how fit are you? How much cycling do you normally do, and how much did you step it up for your training? And how much on road did you do?

Finally, what gearing did you use? I'm a believer in triples meself (live in the Dales and am very, very fat) but wondered what size rings you had/

Cheers - and well done!

 

[Chris Bardell]

Good article fella. Well done on the writing & on the ride.

If I can afford a road bike by next summer, I'd really like to do the Etape. See you there, maybe?
I'll be the other one with hairy legs.

"Dave Barter phased.co.uk>" <cf@<Nooooo spaaammm> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Dear UK.REC.CYCLERS
>
> I completed the Etape this year after many years of mountain biking. The Etape was my first
> serious road race and you can read my account at:-
>
> http://www.phased.co.uk/etape.html

 

[Tim Downie]

> Dear UK.REC.CYCLERS
>
> I completed the Etape this year after many years of mountain biking. The Etape was my first
> serious road race and you can read my account at:-
>
> http://www.phased.co.uk/etape.html

Great report. Well done on the result *and* the write up.

Cheers.

Tim
--
Time for a new sig.

 

[Dave Larrington]

Chris Bardell wrote:

> If I can afford a road bike by next summer, I'd really like to do the Etape. See you there, maybe?
> I'll be the other one with hairy legs.

I wish they'd do a flatter stage. Just once. Then even *I* might bring my hairy knees out to play...

Dave Larrington - http://www.legslarry.beerdrinkers.co.uk/
===========================================================
Editor - British Human Power Club Newsletter
http://www.bhpc.org.uk/
===========================================================

 

[Arthur Clune]

Dave Larrington <[email protected]> wrote:

: I wish they'd do a flatter stage. Just once. Then even *I* might bring my hairy knees out
: to play...

But it's the fact that it's in the mountains that makes it special.

They do (about one year in 3 - 4) do a stage in the "moyenn" moutains like the Massif Central. These
stages are necessarily easier mind since they can have a lot of up and down in them and even the
"moyenn" mountains are much bigger than anything in the uk.

Arthur

 

[Dave Barter]

On 8 Aug 2003 00:53:51 +0950, andywgg <[email protected]> wrote:

>Great article, Dave - just a couple of questiomns;
>
>Honestly, how fit are you? How much cycling do you normally do, and how much did you step it up for
>your training? And how much on road did you do?

Pretty fit. I do 100-150 miles per week and average 16-18mph over hilly terrain (Wiltshire downs). I
did my first ever club 10 yesterday and timed at 26.41 which I believe is reasonably fast. In
hindsight I could have completed the climbs in the Etape faster and got a better time .. next year

>Finally, what gearing did you use? I'm a believer in triples meself (live in the Dales and am very,
>very fat) but wondered what size rings you had/
>
>Cheers - and well done!

Front 52/42/30 Rear 11-25

Glad you enjoyed it Dave