Despite things getting a little hazy as you can see, I was able to take some pictures of the "Col d'Haussire" as I had never seen it before:
vrijdag 10 december 2010
La Roche in winter
Despite things getting a little hazy as you can see, I was able to take some pictures of the "Col d'Haussire" as I had never seen it before:
zondag 5 december 2010
Who can resist this?!
I certainly can't! I guess it doesn't make much sense to go training on the track before breakfast to speed up the metalobism, if I indulge in loads of chocolates afterwards. The logic of a wannabe athlete:-)
Sent from HTC hero smartphone
vrijdag 3 december 2010
And so December begins...
November ended with 30 hours of sports, and with that more than doubling this month's objective of 238kms (what I did last year in November). That was kind of necessary to make up for dreadful September where I did (beware, this is not a typo:) 0 kilometers!But the feeling I ended November with seems to be the exact opposite of the one with which I started December:
*it's extremely cold and snowy outside
*My regular bike is broken so I couldn't make it to the track today
*Running is too dangerous, so not really an option either
*"Saint Nicholas" passed by at work and left some chocolates, which I couldn't resist of course. There goes the athlete's diet!
*And the weather seems to stay bad next week as well!!!!
Tomorrow, I'll swim 2,5 kilometers to make up for not doing anything today, and on Sunday morning I'll go track racing no matter what!
*it's extremely cold and snowy outside
*My regular bike is broken so I couldn't make it to the track today
*Running is too dangerous, so not really an option either
*"Saint Nicholas" passed by at work and left some chocolates, which I couldn't resist of course. There goes the athlete's diet!
*And the weather seems to stay bad next week as well!!!!
Tomorrow, I'll swim 2,5 kilometers to make up for not doing anything today, and on Sunday morning I'll go track racing no matter what!
donderdag 25 november 2010
Honesty Tour 2010: Video
What better motivation than to watch yourself and your friends cycle in the Alps?!
Unfortunately this video seems to be too large for blogger, the Youtube link will have to do.
maandag 22 november 2010
vrijdag 19 november 2010
Pitch Dark training
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/57199972
Thx to Pieter "The Cannibal" for the initiative!
(BTW, seems Garmin changed their connect-maps to Bing, I liked Google maps more!)
Thx to Pieter "The Cannibal" for the initiative!
(BTW, seems Garmin changed their connect-maps to Bing, I liked Google maps more!)
dinsdag 16 november 2010
Registration is complete!
"Congratulations! I am writing to confirm your place on the Rapha Cent Cols Challenge 11 – 23 September 2011: The Pyrenees"
Registration is complete as you can see! Yesterday I went to the track for the 2nd time this autumn, and (due to the presence of Delphine?) I put the hammer down! Felt I still have a lot of work in front of me, but it felt good to be riding in the fastest peloton all night...A nice night out!
zaterdag 13 november 2010
Flanders is flooding!
It just keeps on raining! 2 holidays this month (November 1st and 11th), but even on those days my training volume was seriously limited due to the excessive rainfall.
Last Thursday, I was home just before it started raining (after only a 2h bikeride, cfr. picture), and I can fairly say it hasn't stopped since! A whole month's worth of rainfall in just 2 days!
Overall, November has been quite a good month training-wise, although the number of hours spent on my bike are far too limited. Running on the other hand is going quite well. I even got up at 6 on Friday to go for an 8K run before work. Nice way to start the day, although I'll have to start cycling to work again if I want to do the necessary endurance rides. This week (November 8th to 13th), I did sports 5 out of 6, but this was only good for 5h20 worth of training. According to ancient cycling wisdom (ahum), I should be doing "long kilometers" (to put it in Pieter Heyvaert's words, although I firmly believe all kilometers are equally long), but due to the excessive rainfall this really isn't possible. I'll just have to hope it will stop raining soon, and start cycling to work!
I also went for a swim today, and was quite happy to see I did 2 kilometers in 45 minutes. Although I'm not that big a swimmer (I'm afraid I still have an awful lot to learn technique-wise), I quite enjoy the "flow" you get in if there aren't many people around.
I'm still waiting for the confirmation of my registration to arrive by mail, but in the meantime I'm planning the rest of my 2011 holidays. I might just go to New York directly after "The challenge", but girlfriend Delphine has the final say on this! Check the "goals 2011" section for an update on my programme!
Bye for now
Last Thursday, I was home just before it started raining (after only a 2h bikeride, cfr. picture), and I can fairly say it hasn't stopped since! A whole month's worth of rainfall in just 2 days!
Overall, November has been quite a good month training-wise, although the number of hours spent on my bike are far too limited. Running on the other hand is going quite well. I even got up at 6 on Friday to go for an 8K run before work. Nice way to start the day, although I'll have to start cycling to work again if I want to do the necessary endurance rides. This week (November 8th to 13th), I did sports 5 out of 6, but this was only good for 5h20 worth of training. According to ancient cycling wisdom (ahum), I should be doing "long kilometers" (to put it in Pieter Heyvaert's words, although I firmly believe all kilometers are equally long), but due to the excessive rainfall this really isn't possible. I'll just have to hope it will stop raining soon, and start cycling to work!
I also went for a swim today, and was quite happy to see I did 2 kilometers in 45 minutes. Although I'm not that big a swimmer (I'm afraid I still have an awful lot to learn technique-wise), I quite enjoy the "flow" you get in if there aren't many people around.
I'm still waiting for the confirmation of my registration to arrive by mail, but in the meantime I'm planning the rest of my 2011 holidays. I might just go to New York directly after "The challenge", but girlfriend Delphine has the final say on this! Check the "goals 2011" section for an update on my programme!
Bye for now
maandag 1 november 2010
A step closer to participation!
Registration and medical forms have just arrived in my mailbox! Here's the currently planned itinerary:
Day 1: Sunday 11 September
Travel to Perpignan (arranged and paid for by participants). Tonight there will be a group dinner & briefing on the challenge ahead.
Day 2: Monday 12 September
Stage One : Rivesaltes (Perpignan) to Ax-les-Thermes
Stats : 203kms. 4,450 metres climbing. (14 Cols)
Main Climbs : Pailheres, Pradel, Marmare, Chioula.
Day 3: Tuesday 13 September
Stage Two : Ax-les-Thermes to Bagneres-de-Luchon
Stats : 206kms. 4,300 metres climbing. (12 Cols)
Main Climbs : Port, Peguerre, Crouzette, Portet d’Aspet, Ares, Port de Bales.
Day 4: Wednesday 14 September
Stage Three : Bagneres-de-Luchon to Argeles-Gazost
Stats : 204kms. 4,900 metres climbing. (9 Cols)
Main Climbs : Peyresourde (east), Aspin, Beyrede, Tramassel (Hautacam).
Day 5: Thursday 15 September
Stage Four : Argeles-Gazost to Larrau
Stats : 178kms. 4,500 metres climbing. (15 Cols)
Main Climbs : Spandelles, Marie Blanque, Labays, Pic d’Issarbe
Day 6: Friday 16 September
Stage Five : Larrau to Oloron
Stats : 203kms. 3,900 metres climbing. (17 Cols)
Main Climbs : Soudet, Pierre St Martin, Port Larrau, Bagargui.
Day 7: Saturday 17 September
Rest Day
Day 8: Sunday 18 September
Stage Six : Oloron to St. Lary-Soulan
Stats : 192kms. 5,300 metres climbing. (6 Cols)
Main Climbs : Aubisque, Soulor, Ancizan, Portet (Pla d’Adet).
Day 9: Monday 19 September
Stage Seven : St Lary-Soulan to Oust
Stats : 165kms. 4,300 metres climbing. (7 Cols)
Main Climbs : Azet, Peyresourde (west), Portillon, Menté, Core
Day 10: Tuesday 20 September
Stage Eight : Oust to Saillagouse
Stats : 186kms. 4,100 metres climbing. (9 Cols)
Main Climbs : Latrappe, Agnes, Pailheres (west), Quillane.
Day 11: Wednesday 21 September
Stage Nine : Saillagouse to Prades
Stats : 230kms. 2,800 metres climbing. (10 Cols)
Main Climbs : Toses, Ares, Llauro, Palomere.
Day 12: Thursday 22 September
Stage Ten : Prades to Rivesaltes (Perpignan)
Stats : 201kms. 3,700 metres climbing. (8 Cols)
Main Climbs : Jau, Aussieres, Roque-Jalere, Auzines.
Day 13: Friday 23 September
Travel home from Perpignan (arranged yourselves).
Looks though indeed!!!
Rest of the week was nothing really special I guess. I have taken up sports again: 4 runs, 1 track cycling session and 100K "outdoor". Feeling a bit better in shape already!
Oh, and before I forget: the nice people from Wielerbond Vlaanderen have found thé way to make more people come to the track (was that necessary?!)... I'll let you judge for yourselves...
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| But we all go there for the infrastructure of course! |
dinsdag 26 oktober 2010
Registration...
...is currently being processed (I hope). More news on this very soon!
In the meantime, after over 1 month of doing absolutely NOTHING, my motivation to train and mind my food has finally come back. Winter 2010, here I come!
In the meantime, after over 1 month of doing absolutely NOTHING, my motivation to train and mind my food has finally come back. Winter 2010, here I come!
maandag 6 september 2010
Off Season
I can't really remember when I last had a real "off season". After the 2009 season (my best so far, which resulted in a 73rd place in that year's Vélomédiane), I rolled straight into the 2010 season. I felt fit all winter long, and by the time I went to the French Alps with 6 friends on our yearly "Honesty Tour" in August, I had ridden over 9000 kilometers. However, I couldn't find the motivation to have the same (ultra) competitive weight as the year before (something Delphine didn't mind at all), and in addition my being headhunted and changing jobs 3 weeks before the trip resulted in a disappointing performance when it really mattered.
The many training rides did pay off however, since I was still able to finish second, but only due to me being the one who best dealt with long distances and multiple cols per day. In all honesty, I must admit that although I finished second, I wasn't the second best climber. I was the 2nd best rider overall.
The fact that I couldn't perform at the same level as the year before was frustrating and a bit demotivating as well. I planned to ride the Vélomédiane and the Charly Gaul, but in the end I only rode the first one (held one week after our return from the Alps). I gave everything I had, which resulted in a 191st place. It was the best I could do on that day, but I know I have the potential to do better.
However, when I got back from Honesty Tour, my motivation was completely gone. I couldn't even pick myself up for the weekly wednesday evening ride along the "Schelde" the week before the Vélomédiane. Therefore, I decided that this year, I ought to have a proper off season.
Starting? The moment I got back from Honesty Tour
Ending? Whenever I feel like cycling again, or at least minding my nutrition, but certainly not before I get back from Rome (20/9)
Doing what? Everything even a remotely motivated cyclist who wants to perform shouldn't do: eating greasy food, drinking too much alcohol, going out, giving in to one's M&M's addiction, throwing parties,... the fun stuff! In sum: not thinking about the bike, and the best part is: I really believe this will make me stronger in 2011! En avant la musique!
The many training rides did pay off however, since I was still able to finish second, but only due to me being the one who best dealt with long distances and multiple cols per day. In all honesty, I must admit that although I finished second, I wasn't the second best climber. I was the 2nd best rider overall.
The fact that I couldn't perform at the same level as the year before was frustrating and a bit demotivating as well. I planned to ride the Vélomédiane and the Charly Gaul, but in the end I only rode the first one (held one week after our return from the Alps). I gave everything I had, which resulted in a 191st place. It was the best I could do on that day, but I know I have the potential to do better.
However, when I got back from Honesty Tour, my motivation was completely gone. I couldn't even pick myself up for the weekly wednesday evening ride along the "Schelde" the week before the Vélomédiane. Therefore, I decided that this year, I ought to have a proper off season.
Starting? The moment I got back from Honesty Tour
Ending? Whenever I feel like cycling again, or at least minding my nutrition, but certainly not before I get back from Rome (20/9)
Doing what? Everything even a remotely motivated cyclist who wants to perform shouldn't do: eating greasy food, drinking too much alcohol, going out, giving in to one's M&M's addiction, throwing parties,... the fun stuff! In sum: not thinking about the bike, and the best part is: I really believe this will make me stronger in 2011! En avant la musique!
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| I've decided to follow the example of this famous "off season"-er... |
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