Paul is having a great time in France, riding then watching the pros cycle on by! What a life!
The last two days have been lighter days of riding and more watching, which I am sure the legs are thankful for. Wednesday was a flat ride and then they watched the cyclists zoom by in the afternoon! Apparently they hand out a lot of free give aways, so lets hope Paul brings some home!!
Today (Thursday) they biked the time trial route. Their hotel is right on the lake that the time trial went around, so they cycled it in the morning then watched from about 11-5:30ish. They even took a swim in the lake!!
Sounds like Paul is ready for some American food. Apparently they eat a lot of cheese, yogurt and bread. There is even a cheese + yogurt creation - sounds a little skeptical to me! Paul has already made some food requests for when he gets home - steak and potatoes yum!
Friday they are going to drive 5 hours and then bike a portion of the flat ride that the riders will do in the afternoon. Saturday is the big climb - again same ride as the real Tour de France riders! They will be taking on Mount Ventoux then watching the cyclists. Saturday night is their last night together so they are planning a celebration!
I tried posting a video of Paul watching the cyclists. One of the guys in his group took it one his phone. Paul is the guy sitting in front of the road - for once he is not the one on the bike!!
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
What Goes Up Must Come Down!
Paul Mikkelson representing Granby Bike!! Today was filled with lots of downhill and a VERY big climb. Paul sounded a bit tired today, must be from gripping those breaks. Did not get a long message from him. My mom has been taking the calls - easy to tell she is a non-biker from the reports! We did recieve a website with lots of pictues, but it is all in French so we are still trying to translate - so hopefully more pictures to come!
Tomorrow the tour goes right by their hotel. Paul said to report he will be in black biking shorts and a light green top - probably along with all the other bikers, but hey ya we may be able to spot him!
The route tomorrow will vary greatly on the tour crowds and the timing of the Tour de France. They can choose to watch the finish at Grand Bornand or at the top of Combiere for the final climb before the decent into Grand Bornand. They have to cycle wherever they choose to watch, so I am sure some leg fatigue will be playing into where they stop!
More to come, hopefully along with more pictures!
Monday, July 20, 2009
"The Bike and Paul have become one" - Paul Mikkelson
That is a direct quote from my dad today!! They biked the Aple d'Huez today woowee! Average 9% grade, some parts 12% for a total of 7,500 feet of climbing. Geez and I was tired on the Granby ride tonight (I mean come one we had to atleast do what 500ft!?!)
So they started out the day today - 45 degrees - and the first 5 miles were downhill, chilly way to start! I am sure once they hit that 12% grade they were wishing for that downhill! Paul's bike is okay, but has confessed that he does miss his bikes at home. (This was in response to my moms "I miss you"....dad replied "I miss my bikes"....hmm) So Paul is in the middle of the group in cycling strength. They ended up riding 60 miles, some guys couldn't make it the whole way and rode in the van. There were also a few that went a bit further. The last two miles were extremly grueling!!
Lots of switchbacks, but Paul is feeling more comfortable going down despite the Shimano breaks he does not really trust!!
Also on good news the food is great - lots of bread and cheese! YUM!
There are 15 guys in the group divded into two groups. One guy had his passport stolen and hasn't made it there yet!!! Paul is one of the oldest and most of the other guys are doctors (where do they find the time to cycle is what I am thinking!)
Interesting fact - gasoline is 7$ a galloon - WOW!!!
Tomorrow is the Col de Galibier - one of the highest parts of the Alps! They start off the morning with Galibier then descend down to Valloire only to climb up the Telegraphe (av grade 6.5% max at 12+). The day is category 1 and HC - aka the hardest and second hardest categories all day wowee. They are planning on riding 4-5 hours, but this changes according to where spectators are. They will drive to stay in a like side hotel in Duingt tomorrow night.
I'll update again tomorrow!
So they started out the day today - 45 degrees - and the first 5 miles were downhill, chilly way to start! I am sure once they hit that 12% grade they were wishing for that downhill! Paul's bike is okay, but has confessed that he does miss his bikes at home. (This was in response to my moms "I miss you"....dad replied "I miss my bikes"....hmm) So Paul is in the middle of the group in cycling strength. They ended up riding 60 miles, some guys couldn't make it the whole way and rode in the van. There were also a few that went a bit further. The last two miles were extremly grueling!!
Lots of switchbacks, but Paul is feeling more comfortable going down despite the Shimano breaks he does not really trust!!
Also on good news the food is great - lots of bread and cheese! YUM!
There are 15 guys in the group divded into two groups. One guy had his passport stolen and hasn't made it there yet!!! Paul is one of the oldest and most of the other guys are doctors (where do they find the time to cycle is what I am thinking!)
Interesting fact - gasoline is 7$ a galloon - WOW!!!
Tomorrow is the Col de Galibier - one of the highest parts of the Alps! They start off the morning with Galibier then descend down to Valloire only to climb up the Telegraphe (av grade 6.5% max at 12+). The day is category 1 and HC - aka the hardest and second hardest categories all day wowee. They are planning on riding 4-5 hours, but this changes according to where spectators are. They will drive to stay in a like side hotel in Duingt tomorrow night.
I'll update again tomorrow!
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Alberto Contador and Paul Mikkelson hit the mountains!!
The train ride went by fast and it was time to meet the group!! I don't know about you guys, but I was picturing your basic vacationer with a biking interest in this group. Well apparently I was wrong! The group is complete cyclists skinnier than Paul. WOWEE!! Sounds like they'll be in for some good rides. I guess one of the guys even bike the Giro race this year.
I did not get to many details because my mom took the call and her memory faded a bit. But they got their bikes and went out for their first ride today. Sounds like a quick group and I think the first few downhills were a bit hairy!
They are staying in a small, but cute town and I guess the weather is a little chilly, oh boy!
They are hitting Alpe'dHuez and Croiz de Fer tomorrow, the big hills, or I guess they are mountains out there!
Great day in France - I could not believe how quick Alberto is up those hills, makes it look like a Sunday stroll!
More updates to come, I'll try and get my mom to take more notes about the riding haha!
I did not get to many details because my mom took the call and her memory faded a bit. But they got their bikes and went out for their first ride today. Sounds like a quick group and I think the first few downhills were a bit hairy!
They are staying in a small, but cute town and I guess the weather is a little chilly, oh boy!
They are hitting Alpe'dHuez and Croiz de Fer tomorrow, the big hills, or I guess they are mountains out there!
Great day in France - I could not believe how quick Alberto is up those hills, makes it look like a Sunday stroll!
More updates to come, I'll try and get my mom to take more notes about the riding haha!
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Going to France
Paul arrived safely in Paris after a few long flights - waiting on the runway is not fun!! The weather is overcast and he is tired, but excited to start riding! Tomorrow morning he takes a train to Grenoble France where he'll meet up with the tour group. After meeting the group comes the bike fitting....just what Paul needs, another bike..!!!! If they have time they can take it out for a spin, before a dinner with the group.
The next morning they hit the Alps! The group is led by two tour guides who are both French and have professional cycling licenses. The roads they ride are closed, but the routes can vary depending on traffic from the Tour and spectators. Day 1 of the ride is going to be a big ride including what they tern an "HC" section - the "Cols": Alpe d'Huez- hors categorie climb - aka most difficult. Once they hit the top they will decende and go back up spending the night in Les Duex Alpes, aka doing the HC twice!!! Hopefully those big hills on waterworks got Paul ready for the HC ride!
The next morning they hit the Alps! The group is led by two tour guides who are both French and have professional cycling licenses. The roads they ride are closed, but the routes can vary depending on traffic from the Tour and spectators. Day 1 of the ride is going to be a big ride including what they tern an "HC" section - the "Cols": Alpe d'Huez- hors categorie climb - aka most difficult. Once they hit the top they will decende and go back up spending the night in Les Duex Alpes, aka doing the HC twice!!! Hopefully those big hills on waterworks got Paul ready for the HC ride!
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