Yr 16 of this weblog and my foolish annual biking challenges. It was clearly a reasonably awful yr. First, let me want everybody properly. Right here’s to a greater new yr.
In fact, 2020 was a wierd biking yr for me. Zero in a single day journeys and few formidable new rides. However I positively used biking as a means of managing my private well-being. The after results of train are extremely underrated and at any time when I felt down, I went pedaling.
Listed here are the outcomes versus my 2020 Biking Problem.
160,200 Metres of Vertical Ascent
- 525,600 minutes in a yr
- 525,600 ft = 160,200 metres.
So principally climb a foot for each minute of the yr.
SUCCESS! Mainly, I get pleasure from biking slowly uphill on quiet routes. I primarily cycled from dwelling, normally on hilly unpaved native roads. I’m fortunate to reside instantly under the very attention-grabbing Mont Salève. I cycled its many routes and the a lot smaller Mont Sion quite a bit. So whereas my distance totals have been decrease than common, I achieved my ascent aim.
Through the November French lockdown, it was inconceivable to cycle as we have been required to remain inside a kilometre of dwelling. I missed my bike.
Some 2020 Mont Salève pictures:
Get Wholesome
August 2019 I fractured my neck and backbone on an area experience. Much less critical than it sounds but it surely’s been a wrestle. I nonetheless have ache and discomfort as I seek for an answer. However I can train, so let’s transfer on.
20 New Climbs
I failed this a part of my problem. I did handle just a few enjoyable new routes. The highlights:
- An unpaved route up Col de la Biche and Grand Colombier. Particulars.
- An unpaved route above the primary path to Col de la Madeleine. Particulars.
- Col de Sapey by way of Les Lacets de Montvernier. Particulars.
- La Route de la Soif by way of the 42 hairpins of Col de l’Arpettaz. Particulars.
Cycle 100 Completely different Cols
Whereas I might need cycled my native Col du Mont Sion 100 occasions, I failed at this problem. I imagine I managed 70 distinct cols – with some “dishonest.”
Dishonest? Through the first French lockdown, March – Might, I used to be motivated however confined. So I rode roughly 30 cols on the house coach. On this publish I detailed my lockdown actions – I particularly loved BigRingVR.com software program. So whereas I completely hate the coach, I did get to nearly go to Stelvio, Mallorca, Galibier, Swiss and Austrian Alps, and so forth. 🙂
At the very least one nice dawn experience.
Woohoo, a dawn experience has develop into an annual custom, particularly with my nice buddy Tim. This yr we stored it easy and rode the steep Le Coin facet of Mont Salève at the hours of darkness to see the dawn up excessive. This was my final in-person interplay with a buddy (!!!) … and it was a enjoyable one. Particulars. Thanks Tim.
Orion constellation behind me.
Extra Adventures with Doreen
The love of my life. My spouse has been my saviour in 2020. She retains me cheerful and sane. We spend loads of time mountaineering collectively however we managed just a few rides too. The spotlight was a go to to Lac du Bourget (largest lake fully in France) and Col du Chat. Particulars.
Favorite Rides of the Yr?
Listed here are three different nice rides not talked about above.
1. Col des Annes by way of Col de la Colombière 4 Col Loop – particulars. An outstanding route climbing the well-known north facet of Col de la Colombière after which increased unpaved.
2. Col du Joly – particulars. A favorite climb within the shadow of Mont Blanc – on a sunny day with some snow up excessive.
3. Plateau des Glières and Above – particulars.
Remaining Ideas
I feel we’re all relieved that 2020 is ending. Hopefully, issues enhance. I do know I haven’t posted a lot lately and the November strict lockdown with no biking was not enjoyable – I hiked quite a bit, in small circles. However making an attempt to remain match retains me cheerful. And my foolish challenges preserve me motivated. 🙂
All the very best to you. Higher New Yr!
Will
Leave a Reply