tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30567396726964500262024-02-20T07:31:40.087-08:00Mountainbike reisverhalen / Mountainbike holiday storiesEen verzameling van meerdaagse mountainbike reisverhalen.
A story collection of mountainbike challenges.P.eterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09395258511785732800noreply@blogger.comBlogger19125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3056739672696450026.post-89746755841125346382009-05-23T08:24:00.000-07:002009-06-17T08:29:08.653-07:00Standplaats Eygaliers - 'Noodrit'<p>Dag 3 en de laatste van onze shortbike op en rond de Ventoux. Tijdens de voorbereiding hadden we een aantal noodritten voorbereid indien de Ventoux nog toe zou zijn of het te slecht weer zou zijn om naar boven te rijden. We hadden de twee afgelopen het wel gezien op de Ventoux, dus namen we de beslissing een 'noodrit' te rijden. Noodrit is wel een beetje oneerbiedig voor een rit van 130 km, 2300 hoogtemeter verspreid over 6 beklimmingen...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2MLeXbmMXPNRJ-_XvvkeJZUWqsqWvIhOvulYvcc1hLM6PFPRRIqpMHpkW3J2u1ZUoSzihdyZz2T8TdAqU8j6o9c0js2fAKDr8yWttE1zottm_E1AMKykB9vnPDQPI-S2Q0IUY3c2nSqkx/s1600-h/rit+ten+noorden+van+eygaliers+23-05-2009.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 184px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2MLeXbmMXPNRJ-_XvvkeJZUWqsqWvIhOvulYvcc1hLM6PFPRRIqpMHpkW3J2u1ZUoSzihdyZz2T8TdAqU8j6o9c0js2fAKDr8yWttE1zottm_E1AMKykB9vnPDQPI-S2Q0IUY3c2nSqkx/s320/rit+ten+noorden+van+eygaliers+23-05-2009.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346464175342800018" /></a><br /></p><p><br />We starten zoals de eerste dag aan <a href="http://www.le-petit-collet.com/">Le Petit-Collet</a>, deze keer gaan we richting Col de Fontaube een gezellige opwarmer 230 hoogtemeters tegen een sappig gemiddeld stijginspercentage van rond de 3% schat ik. Wat me vandaag al direct opvalt, is dat mijn achterste pijn doet als ik op het zadel zit, dat gaan afzien worden vandaag. Afdalen gebeurt kort en krachtig door Brantes en zo komen we op de D72 terecht richting Montbrun-les-Bains, dit stijgt lichtjes, maar we voelen dat niet zo vroeg op de dag :-) Juist voor Montbrun slagen we rechtsaf richting Ferrasières: Col de l'Homme Mort, de eerste kilometers gaan vlot tegen 5% naar boven, dan wordt het iets platter (2%), om juist na Ferrasières terug rond een stijgingspercentage te komen van 5%. Boven aangekomen wilt Hans onze 'trofee' fotograferen, maar één of andere bandiet heeft het bord meegenomen maar gelukkig is er een vervangbord:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi19Sruhb1kseY7zyJFHVPfK2K7l6sZWcS6iW139l38CtlEluMj4MnwT4soAM7ibrA4uQVDmME_iu2JxufXdXBl-kO3uG-kWYi-MRQJE4nxSB68u-jReV61rys1CSgNniEye8sBAtdXiDEw/s1600-h/SDC10467+(Large).JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi19Sruhb1kseY7zyJFHVPfK2K7l6sZWcS6iW139l38CtlEluMj4MnwT4soAM7ibrA4uQVDmME_iu2JxufXdXBl-kO3uG-kWYi-MRQJE4nxSB68u-jReV61rys1CSgNniEye8sBAtdXiDEw/s320/SDC10467+(Large).JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346468046984821442" /></a></p><br /><p>De afdaling is lang en plezant, in de vallei rijden we tegen 34 km/h tegen de wind ieder overhand aan de kop, precies echte profs :-) Een lokale jonge Fransman doet ook een paar aflossingen, maar na 5 km slagen we links af richting Eygalayes om de Col de St Jean te beklimmen. Ik geraak direct in mijn ritme, ik veronderstelde dit ook van Hans, maar na een tijdje merk ik toch op dat hij toch niet zo dichtbij zit, ik besluit maar effe te wachten, de warmte speelt hem parten. Nog effe doorbijten en we zijn boven, en daarna een afdaling tot in Laborel, een dorp zo dood als iets, maar gelukkig wel met een drinkwater fontein. Daar komen we twee fiets collega's tegen die de tour in de tegengestelde richting doen, zij vroegen zich af of zij iets zouden tegenkomen om te eten, maar we moeten hun teleurstellen. Gelukkig hadden wij op voorhand inlichten ingewonnen en weten we dat Saint-Auban-sur-l'Ouveze een restaurantje is langs de weg. Maar eerst moeten we nog over de Col de Perty, 9 kilometer klimmen tegen een gemiddelde van 5,4%. We blijven constant te samen nu tot halverweg ergens waar ik ineens een mentaal klopke krijg, ik laat Hans effe voor rijden en probeer mij mentaal terug op te beuren door eerst effe iets te eten zodat de gedachten zich terug kunnen focussen op het klimmen. Het lukt me toch terug te focussen en mijn klimritme te vinden, boven blijven we niet al te lang wachten; het is gewoon te warm om te blijven staan, afdalen zal ons afkoelen. Het eerste stuk van de afdaling is lekker, veel haarspeldbochten, geen verkeer: zalig. Daarna gaat het feitelijk constant bergaf tegen 2,5%. Hans en ik hebben zoiets van: gelukkig is dit de goede richting om de toer te doen, anders had je hier weeral een ambetante vals-plat aanloop tot de klim. Na 5 uur op de fiets komen we inderdaad het restaurant tegen, dit gaat goed doen eens op een stoel zitten, alhoewel mijn achterste niet zoveel pijn meer deed (of ik was het gewoon).<br />We kunnen niet echt kiezen van wat we eten, maar op zijn minst worden we vriendelijk bediend en krijgen we uberhaupt iets, en daarenboven kunnen we nog genieten van de heuveltjes van Erica ;-) Niet veel later staat de hete lasagne voor onze neus en laten we die goed smaken, hopelijk de laatste keer vlees deze vakantie...</p><br /><p>Na 40 minuten stappen we terug op onze fietsen voor de laatste twee hellingen van de dag, de eerste is Col de Peyruergue <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5HjB3MXEDDiIQbECNsWuegIZi7WB2srNJKqZ2wEjquKZTt_2kyw17TVB8QNIkAQPZxnXteKPD_6deWR-r-4zuxoC36qLQ5jS47vy3td4Qov_iGMAgzl_27zmxz76PVbI4PCgvzmWMPXUH/s1600-h/SDC10473+(Large).JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5HjB3MXEDDiIQbECNsWuegIZi7WB2srNJKqZ2wEjquKZTt_2kyw17TVB8QNIkAQPZxnXteKPD_6deWR-r-4zuxoC36qLQ5jS47vy3td4Qov_iGMAgzl_27zmxz76PVbI4PCgvzmWMPXUH/s320/SDC10473+(Large).JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346474852394986258" /></a> een puistje van 200 hm over 4,5 kilometers, leuk, vlot rijdend maar veel te warm. Ik koel mij benen regelmatig af door water erover te gieten uit de camelbak. Na deze col is het weer rustig afdalen tot Saint Jalle, waar we onder de platanen tijd nemen om ons colaatje te consumeren voordat we beginnen aan de laatste klim van de dag: Col d'Ey. Ik kom direct in een goed ritme juist in de helft wil ik op mijn binnenblad schakelen om toch losjes te kunnen pedellen, maar de ketting beslist om zich tussen de bracket en het kleinste blad te wringen, aaargh, uit pure frustratie gooi ik mijn fiets in het gras, maar dat helpt niet... Dus tang uit de rugzak, ondertussen komt Hans voorbij, die ik aanmaan om gewoon in zijn ritme rustig verder te fietsen, het probleem is niet zo groot en inderdaad na wat gepruts kan ik de ketting vrij krijgen; alles terug inpakken en verder klimmen. Boven staat Hans te wachten, maar we blijven niet staan, afdalen zal ons afkoelen. Tijdens deze afdaling worden we nog getrakteerd met een mooi uitzicht op Buis-les-Baronnies en de Mont-Ventoux, ergens onderaan de berg komen we Johan nog tegen (medegast van Le Petit Collet), die nu nog effe een toereke gaat doen. In Buis nemen we nog een verfrissing en rijden 'rustig' binnen.<br />Na een kleine 8 uur zijn we terug, voor een noodrit kan dit tellen... En ik ben blij dat we de goede richting hebben genomen, zo hebben we maar 2 kleine stukjes vals plat gehad.</p><br /><p>'s avonds ronden we de week af met een lekker maal en een spotgoedkope pastis (1,5 €/stuk) en bezinnen we over de afgelopen dagen: prachtig en de conditie zit op schema voor onze mountainbike avontuur van 7 dagen rond het Stelvio Naturpark in juli, hiervan kan je later een verslag vinden op deze site.</p>P.eterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09395258511785732800noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3056739672696450026.post-59935667003392486132009-05-22T10:37:00.000-07:002009-06-08T11:51:09.246-07:00Standplaats Eygaliers dag 2 - beklimming via BedoinDe weervoorspelling gisteren was gunstig voor vandaag, dus de beklimming vanuit Bedoin was doenbaar. Vertrekken vanuit Eygaliers vonden we toch niet zo goed idee (ongeveer 40 km heen en 30 km terug), dus met de fietsen op de wagen naar een vertrekplaats, we kozen niet voor Bedoin zelf zodat we eerst wat konden opwarmen, onze keuze viel op Caromb en inderdaad we konden ons opwarmen het ging licht naar boven tot in Bedoin.<br />De klim vanuit Bedoin begint geleidelijk aan en dit blijft feitelijk duren tot Saint-Estève, vanaf de eerste haarspeldbocht begint het betere klimwerk; constant 9% eens het goede ritme gevonden is dit plezant klimmen.<br />Wat me direct opvalt vandaag: veel volk, zelfs nog drukker dan toen ik met Sporta deelnam aan de Ventoux happening, de hoogtemeters tikken goed aan; eigenlijk waan ik me in België door al het Nederlands dat ik rond mij hoor. Grappige anekdote: zitten 3 jonge gasten achter mij in het wiel, ik hoor ze tegen elkaar zeggen: we moeten onze klim goed indelen, 1 minuut later steken ze mij voorbij. Dit was niet ver voorbij Saint-Estève, nog niet voor de helft steek ik de eerste op mijn gemak terug voorbij en voor Chalet Reynard heb ik ze allemaal ingehaald, en zoals de meeste weten ben ik niet een echte berggeit...<br /><br/><br />Even voor halfweg, een hevige donder en plots regen. Ik wou juist even wachten op Hans, maar besluit dan maar verder te fietsen met dit weer; hopelijk duurt het niet te lang. En niet veel later stopt het met regen, dit heeft goed gedaan; we blijven verder fietsen en kijk rond naar het vele volk, waaronder een groep met een handfiets (chapeau voor die mensen); voordat ik het goed en wel besef ben ik bij Chalet Reynard, dan weet ik dat het nog een dik half uur klimmen is; doordat ik in een goed ritme zit rijd ik rustig door en kijk naar het bos om te zien of ik Hans ergens zie; ik meen hem te herkennen en ik schat dat hij ongeveer 5 minuten achter is. Ok dat is geen probleem, verder klimmen dus. Het eerste stuk na de Chalet gaat redelijk vlot want dit is ook minder steil, maar wordt feitelijk iets steiler tot het laatste stuk nog een goede 11%. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilzhtnmnLnzLDPtyHmq9Allz0xCd4gohltxPicSkQGu468bJgMPoULBlf8vdLhUHkhIm1szqYN-aeVCEVje5WQK_ON_vKwz6FeUf9U7m04Nlxov0WC_7h5ij98OsEVp0CZpWv9-9vuurFm/s1600-h/SDC10455.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilzhtnmnLnzLDPtyHmq9Allz0xCd4gohltxPicSkQGu468bJgMPoULBlf8vdLhUHkhIm1szqYN-aeVCEVje5WQK_ON_vKwz6FeUf9U7m04Nlxov0WC_7h5ij98OsEVp0CZpWv9-9vuurFm/s320/SDC10455.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345020822103436258" /></a>Maar zo ver zijn we nog niet, maar het doel is in zicht. Halfweg dit stuk kom ik Inge (ook te gast in <a href="http://www.le-petit-collet.com/">Le Petit Collet</a>) tegen, ze staat te wachten op haar man en zegt dat ik hem ben voorbij gestoken (ik had haar al eens eerder tegengekomen en toen was haar man nog voor mij). Ben ik dan toch een berggeit? Nee, iets later wordt ik redelijk snel voorbij gestoken, oef realitycheck. Voor dat ik het feitelijk goed besef ben ik aan de voorlaatste bocht voor de top en doe ik een trapje rapper en ineens ben ik daar aan die laatste bocht, nog effe een spurtje op dat laatste stukje om echt op de top te eindigen. Een groot verschil ten opzichte van gisteren: veel volk, heel veel volk (file rijden met de auto), geen wind en de zon schijnt: zalig. 5 minuutjes later komt Hans ook aan, hij was ook onder de indruk van het veel volk en vond deze klim toch iets minder lastig dan de Noordklim vanuit Malaucene.<br /><br/><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5JZNmQwQP8CYHSORdQ8QMGoe6XI9RgN8a1toUbNMP9Kf1GzU3FbN88fs41kLG4T3B2Wt2cs5U4ZZUyIIk94W2n_75k85GAohbpwddbnbheXeI1rQcAryYlToOjWc5ohyphenhyphenajkuG5xpLx4L4/s1600-h/SDC10457.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5JZNmQwQP8CYHSORdQ8QMGoe6XI9RgN8a1toUbNMP9Kf1GzU3FbN88fs41kLG4T3B2Wt2cs5U4ZZUyIIk94W2n_75k85GAohbpwddbnbheXeI1rQcAryYlToOjWc5ohyphenhyphenajkuG5xpLx4L4/s320/SDC10457.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345024888240427314" /></a><br />We genieten nog effe van het uitzicht en doen iets winddicht aan om de afdaling aan te vatten naar Malaucene, van gisteren weten we dat we in het begin wat moet opletten omdat smeltende sneeuw sommige bochten nat maken. Deze afdaling is heel anders dan die van Bedoin, veel langere stukken en beter overzicht; we steken een aantal andere wielertoeristen voorbij, alsook een paar slakken van auto's. Aan Mont-Serein is het effe plat voordat het steilste stuk er aankomt; ik had Hans verwittigd dat we hier mooie snelheden konden halen, ik had ook twee waypoints op de track gezet: "Alles geven" en "afremmen"; twee jaar geleden heb ik hier mijn snelheidsrecord gebroken met 90km/h. Maar dit jaar bereik ik deze snelheid niet, ik moet mij tevreden stellen met 82km/h, tjaaa ik kan niet alles willen. We blijven verder afdalen en ik moet toegeven Hans daalt sneller dan mij, dat ben ik niet gewoon, maar dat is gemakkelijk zo kan ik zijn lijn volgen; dat is gemakkelijk iemand volgen in de afdaling.<br/><br />Beneden in Malaucene aangekomen, spelen we onze winddichte spullen uit en zoeken een plaatske in één van de plaatselijke brasseries die overladen zijn met Belgen en wielertoeristen. We eten daar een lekkere pasta, voordat we tocht verder zetten, deze tocht gaat richting Col de Suzette, een col die uitzicht biedt op Dentelles de Montmirail. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr8yF4HwLmHsXDfxamsMSceiEvnRCBm_vYBL-NKJe7gHHcn7MoTvljz2jHspUEEFUp8IkaudfBCMRcBIDalSt8Nq9WxyP_00O6X-oMvhyIlSrhnlkgefd6c7pkiS1XtwH6r8-ibdhgNK9H/s1600-h/SDC10460.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr8yF4HwLmHsXDfxamsMSceiEvnRCBm_vYBL-NKJe7gHHcn7MoTvljz2jHspUEEFUp8IkaudfBCMRcBIDalSt8Nq9WxyP_00O6X-oMvhyIlSrhnlkgefd6c7pkiS1XtwH6r8-ibdhgNK9H/s320/SDC10460.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345026723431001810" /></a> Hier laat de track getekend via routeyou.com ons een beetje in de steek, deze zou ons over een off-road track sturen, we kiezen maar voor de gewone weg volgens de wegwijzers en gezond verstand. In vergelijking met de Ventoux is dit een beetje vals plat en voordat we het goed en wel beseffen hebben we de Col de la Chaine en Col Suzette achter de kiezen. Aan Suzette pakken we de kaart erbij om te checken of de gps-track wel betrouwbaar is, en we besluiten: onbetrouwbaar. Dus we rijden naar Beaumes-de-Venise en gaan dan zo via de grote weg naar Gigondas, <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimnQgPl7ET7sdd_EkHbvbBpzXEtPd9bTndHFNkPMSkI0ZcMP8i_MW3EfAIXJ0mXxfgHKxZwaJPY0G_TL5X3lQPw-tlFZnEbxjvgBN1vbPUODZFmHaQxGcnWXWD1AHcDn33zRTyJ9qUVhx3/s1600-h/SDC10463.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimnQgPl7ET7sdd_EkHbvbBpzXEtPd9bTndHFNkPMSkI0ZcMP8i_MW3EfAIXJ0mXxfgHKxZwaJPY0G_TL5X3lQPw-tlFZnEbxjvgBN1vbPUODZFmHaQxGcnWXWD1AHcDn33zRTyJ9qUVhx3/s320/SDC10463.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345028453410334162" /></a>een pittoresk dorpje bekent voor zijn wijn. Dit is een verraderlijk stuk, dit is constant vals plat en tegen wind juist voor Gigondas wanneer het duidelijker begint te klimmen blokkeren mijn benen toch effe, gelukkig is het niet ver meer tot boven. Effe rondkijken en terug draaien, nu is het veel plezanter het gaat tegen 40 km/h richting Beaumes-de-Venise, daar aangekomen kopen we nog eerst een blikje cola voordat we terug naar onze startplaats rijden, want zo blijkt dit is ook constant vals plat naar boven, maar na een half uurtje staan we dan terug aan de auto; waar we de fietsen op de wagen plaatsen en ons verwennen op een drankje, voor mij een Leffe van het vat!<br /><br/><br />Statistieken: 92 km, 2200 hm<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_vUPR0bs33-B1Yh7ZonWEa6GOQ6TwQnJfqjUMcUrEohi_KKLUonaceL3TqAa0PFzfhpR0eOCZq19Y6DtrVik-w_P2jRN8FjmSsQounAv02pebuapC2jAXqAreY4IO5qWkfUMmP5qNOMk1/s1600-h/Bedoin+-+Malaucene+-+Suzette+-+Gigondas+22-05-2009.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 184px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_vUPR0bs33-B1Yh7ZonWEa6GOQ6TwQnJfqjUMcUrEohi_KKLUonaceL3TqAa0PFzfhpR0eOCZq19Y6DtrVik-w_P2jRN8FjmSsQounAv02pebuapC2jAXqAreY4IO5qWkfUMmP5qNOMk1/s320/Bedoin+-+Malaucene+-+Suzette+-+Gigondas+22-05-2009.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345030081735255874" /></a>P.eterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09395258511785732800noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3056739672696450026.post-80048679604732331152009-05-21T11:21:00.000-07:002009-06-07T07:01:08.325-07:00Standplaats Eygaliers - Ventoux via MalauceneDe weersvoorspelling was goed vandaag, 23° beneden in Bedoin en zon. Dus perfect weer om de Ventoux te beklimmen, we hebben gekozen voor een route die vertrok in Eygaliers zelf en die zo via de kleine baantjes richting Malaucene gaat via daar de beklimming te doen, om via de Gorges de Nesque terug naar ons huisje te gaan, een schatting van een 130 km volgens de gps-track.<br />Na het ontbijt zijn we direct vertrokken, dit was rond 9 uur. Eerst wat rustig afdalen en zo via Pierrelongue en Mollans-sur-Ouvèze om via de kleine baantjes richting Malaucene te gaan, dit was ideaal als opwarming met de twee kleinere colletjes op onze weg. Op een dik uur stonden we aan de voet van de klim, eerste effe iets gegeten en dan op weg om ongeveer 2 uur te klimmen. Ik kon me nog herinneren van 2 jaar geleden dat ik deze klim verschrikkelijk vond en inderdaad niet veel later weet ik terug waarom, tot Le Mont Serein is de klim onregelmatig in percentages, stukken boven de 10%, lange stukken waar geen eind aankomen en dan weer terug iets minder steil, niet mijn ding. Maar gelukkig heb ik toch genoten van de natuur, af-en-toe hebben we elkaar opgewacht, maar doordat Hans geen triple had moest hij wel sneller klimmen dan ik... <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhgAK4MUWq4Q29yZw6Tltlh93AOiwkj1XTPJ9z6w8pQGi3W1Vo2PCEa3BI2o2Cn0EW_YqXfYa00KiA35arID8RVBbDNdlwLSbSW4LsjyCcCxPxVeaUOi1rZKOEpGTnyF2C-RZr6UBzfEJN/s1600-h/SDC10418.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhgAK4MUWq4Q29yZw6Tltlh93AOiwkj1XTPJ9z6w8pQGi3W1Vo2PCEa3BI2o2Cn0EW_YqXfYa00KiA35arID8RVBbDNdlwLSbSW4LsjyCcCxPxVeaUOi1rZKOEpGTnyF2C-RZr6UBzfEJN/s320/SDC10418.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343918626584486674" /></a><br />Vanaf Mont Serein is er feitelijk niet veel meer aan, de klim is gestadiger en je ziet je einddoel; dit stuk ging voor mij een stuk vlotter, bijna aan de top zien we nog stukken sneeuw langs de kant, maar deze waren goed aan smelten. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBUlgYn0XqAtwwUANj3BffezRXl0fXeqmupc2Z4JxWSsp2uI-xWHj9ims0TP_BWkdnf-oxfvnJK7aM6HcKLLp1UMAahXtZ8HmEfb0zyCpaWymxm97pQHZKxKnXN05OjKdT1q-ZtXl1Ci1T/s1600-h/SDC10423.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBUlgYn0XqAtwwUANj3BffezRXl0fXeqmupc2Z4JxWSsp2uI-xWHj9ims0TP_BWkdnf-oxfvnJK7aM6HcKLLp1UMAahXtZ8HmEfb0zyCpaWymxm97pQHZKxKnXN05OjKdT1q-ZtXl1Ci1T/s320/SDC10423.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343919139045039698" /></a>.Niet veel later staan we op de top; daar was het redelijk koud door de stevige wind en de betrokken lucht, na de verplichte foto doen we warmere spullen aan en beginnen aan de afdaling richting Bedoin.<br /><br/><br />Het eerste stuk van de afdaling tot Chalet Reynard is een mooi en overzichtelijk waardoor de snelheden goed oplopen, aan Chalet Reynard is het effe oppassen door de drukte en vanaf dan duiken we het bos in richting Saint-Estève; in deze afdaling moeten we wat voorzichtiger zijn door de vele blinden bochten, na Saint-Estève rijden we richting Flachan en Villes-sur-Auzon, maar eerst doen we onze warme kledij terug uit want in de vallei is het een stuk warmer. Lekker bollend komen we aan in Villes-sur-Auzon, waar Hans en ik effe elkaar uit het oog verliezen; maar effe later vinden we elkaar terug en een leuk terras waar we plannen iets te eten, maar dit was zonder met de 'ijverige' ober rekening te houden: 'tros tard pour manger' en de tafel naast ons besteld juist twee pizza's... Hans is daar uit zijn krammen geschoten en heeft toch nog een 'mitraljet' (broodje met worst en frieten) kunnen versieren; het koppel naast ons blijken leuke Nederlanders te zijn, waar we een klapke mee doen, we krijgen zelfs een stuk pizza als zij horen dat we de Ventoux al hebben beklommen en dat we nog maar de in de helft zijn...<br />Na onze lunch zetten we onze tocht verder naar de Gorges de la Nesque, <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA5DSxESg-mHKTi6TH4OAkkzIkGW7qU33y4FpMjibUCmIngMfZh_DW5gayu0fxOlzjAi6DFX4vcIZtMY_PUUKBAfMBsxUeCE-UzVTfFPplmb5uU3TQo-LMDUDQx3Vo9ZtjcYShCcYwUuzY/s1600-h/SDC10438.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA5DSxESg-mHKTi6TH4OAkkzIkGW7qU33y4FpMjibUCmIngMfZh_DW5gayu0fxOlzjAi6DFX4vcIZtMY_PUUKBAfMBsxUeCE-UzVTfFPplmb5uU3TQo-LMDUDQx3Vo9ZtjcYShCcYwUuzY/s320/SDC10438.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343923768691606178" /></a>dit is een heel mooie en lichte klim van een 18 km tegen maximum 3%, dat bolt gemakkelijk weg en toch winnen we hoogtemeters (+-400), aan de belvedere nemen we effe rust en neemt wat foto's.<br /><br/><br />Hierna gaat het bergaf richting Monieux, waarna we constant terug heel licht stijgen tot voorbij Sault, waarna het dan lang bergaf gaat om dan via Col des Aires en Col de Fantaube terug tot in Eygaliers te komen.<br />Met 131 km en 2500 hoogtemeters zijn we blij met deze eerste tocht en zowel Hans als ik zijn het er over eens, de klim vanuit Malaucene is vettig.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip96Z9IoF-bpUofllwO9zXPJpsTS4nsSnCN4UhAUFoHZa2NwfonyzxjXMO9vZq-MozDyG9CJoFnf70syxdKK8NyXBb9-pjn13EJwmF26wJ6Rfn4-677qsxtYsGXq5dIxN4d7KDIcGSotWQ/s1600-h/Ventoux+Malaucene,+Nesque,+Sault+21-05-2009.jpg"><img style="margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 188px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip96Z9IoF-bpUofllwO9zXPJpsTS4nsSnCN4UhAUFoHZa2NwfonyzxjXMO9vZq-MozDyG9CJoFnf70syxdKK8NyXBb9-pjn13EJwmF26wJ6Rfn4-677qsxtYsGXq5dIxN4d7KDIcGSotWQ/s320/Ventoux+Malaucene,+Nesque,+Sault+21-05-2009.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344584210783216306" /></a>P.eterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09395258511785732800noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3056739672696450026.post-3968462142187159152009-05-20T11:23:00.000-07:002009-06-05T11:36:41.207-07:00Standplaats Eygaliers - InleidingHans mijn reis en mountainbike gezel voor geruime tijd had eind vorig jaar laten vallen dat hij de Ventoux eens wou oprijden om zelf te kunnen oordelen wat die puist nu juist voorstelt. Hij wist dat ik de Ventoux twee jaar geleden al een had bedwongen als Ventousiast (of zoiets) en vroeg mij wat raad; als tegenvoorstel heb ik voorgesteld dat we daar eens een verlengd weekend van konden maken tijdens hemelvaart. Vorig keer had ik gelogeerd in een gezellige B&B bij Jean&Agnes en ik stelde voor om daar terug te boeken.<br />In januari lag alles vast en begin mei heb ik en Hans ieder wat tracks getekend via <a href="http://www.routeyou.com">RouteYou</a> website, zo hadden we een mooie selectie klaar en konden we zien naargelang het weer wat we gingen doen.<br />Woensdag hadden we beide verlof genomen en vertrokken we 's morgens, heenreis verliep vlot tot na Lyon waar de drukte erger werd op de autosnelweg, we hebben dan maar iets vroeger de snelweg verlaten en via de kaartlees kunsten van Hans hebben we ons dan een weg gezocht door de verschillende dorpen boven Eygaliers.<br />Rond 19u waren bij <a href="http://www.le-petit-collet.com/">Agnes&Jean</a>, waar we heerlijk hartelijk ontvangen worden met een glaasje rosé, een beetje later kunnen we zelfs mee aanschuiven aan tafel, want maandag, woensdag en vrijdag kookt Agnes ook voor de gasten indien gewenst. Na het lekkere eten, hebben we nog wat gepraat en zijn we in ons bed gekropen, klaar voor het grote werk dat gaat komen.P.eterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09395258511785732800noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3056739672696450026.post-36099923372766287212008-07-18T05:05:00.000-07:002008-07-18T05:09:30.369-07:00Pictures of AndaluciaJust a overview of the pictures taken during the mountainbike holiday in Andalucia:<br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/peter.luxem/AndalusieSpanjeDag1">Day 1</a><br/><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/peter.luxem/AndalusieSpanjeDag2">Day 2</a><br/><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/peter.luxem/AndalusieSpanjeDag3">Day 3</a><br/><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/peter.luxem/AndalusieSpanjeDag4Dag1VanDeDriedaagse">Day 1 of high altitude program</a><br/><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/peter.luxem/AndalusieSpanjeDag5KlimNaarPicoVeleta">Day 2 of high altitude program</a><br/><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/peter.luxem/AndalusieSpanjeDag6DownhillVan2300Hm">Day 3 of high altitude program</a><br/><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/peter.luxem/AndalusieSpanjeDag7">Day 7</a><br/><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/peter.luxem/AndalusieSpanjeDag8">Day 8</a><br/><br /><p><br />Statistics total:<br /></p>P.eterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09395258511785732800noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3056739672696450026.post-91724482831759596602008-07-11T05:17:00.000-07:002008-07-12T02:04:20.953-07:00Movie Andulucia day 1<p>An edited movie of the switchbacks downhill of day 1 in Andalucia<br/><br />Small version:<br /><embed src="http://www.mtbroutes.be/player.swf" width="450" height="350" bgcolor="undefined" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" flashvars="file=http://www.mtbroutes.be/movies/day1_smallHQ.flv&skin=http://skins.longtailvideo.com/snel.swf&&stretching=none"></embed><br /><br/><br />Large version:<br /><embed src="http://www.mtbroutes.be/player.swf" width="700" height="520" bgcolor="undefined" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" flashvars="file=http://www.mtbroutes.be/movies/day1_largeHQ.flv&skin=http://skins.longtailvideo.com/snel.swf&&stretching=none"></embed></p>P.eterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09395258511785732800noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3056739672696450026.post-88313907648105803072008-06-13T02:40:00.000-07:002008-07-18T05:05:02.131-07:00Finding some good tapas in Capiliera<div><p><br />Today it's the last day in Spain, Thierry already said he wouldn't go out for a ride and Nicky also wanted to stay at home. So Steven, Ann and I took the idea to ride to Pampaneira over the road and back. Arriving at Pampaneira I wasn't tired yet so I said I would ride to Capileira, Steven and Ann decided to join because it didn't seem far.<br/><br />We ended up somewhere in the center of Capileira in a nice bar, which the best tapas of the week, this concludes the week nicely.<br/><br />Now just descending over the road and this vacation is gone...<br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/peter.luxem/AndalusieSpanjeDag8/photo#5214953706547562610"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/peter.luxem/SF88xB7fyHI/AAAAAAAACZ0/_eirNa07VG4/s800/pano%20dag%208.jpg" /></a><br /></p></div>P.eterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09395258511785732800noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3056739672696450026.post-7163322949293897562008-06-12T01:39:00.000-07:002008-07-18T02:39:43.686-07:00A mountain with an antenna<div><p>We had a plan today and that plan was to reach the antenna on the mountain we could see in the distance. We checked with David, looked at some maps and seemed doable, about 1600 meters of climbing on tarmac. David has been there before a few years ago and the only thing he remembered he wouldn't go back again, but in the end he went along to find out why. This is our target: <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/peter.luxem/AndalusieSpanjeDag7/photo#5214679904034549346"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 288px;" border="0" alt="" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/peter.luxem/SF5DvoFY7mI/AAAAAAAACU4/CwkdCU2YlpM/s288/IMG_20080613_1153.JPG" /></a></p></div><br /><div><p><br />We leave Orgiva and head for the direction of Alcazar, the climb is on the road and it's hot, no wind and no shadow: in Belgium I would love that, but now I would love to feel some wind or have a little shadow, I solve this by turning around and descend a little bit to keep Thierry company.<br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/peter.luxem/AndalusieSpanjeDag7/photo#5214679550951903122"><img style="float:right; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 288px;" border="0" alt="" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/peter.luxem/SF5DbEv7T5I/AAAAAAAACUc/dFmdd_tKPcU/s288/IMG_20080613_1104-3.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/peter.luxem/AndalusieSpanjeDag7/photo#5214679866868941330"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 288px;" border="0" alt="" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/peter.luxem/SF5DtdoawhI/AAAAAAAACUk/6uerWpY_FU8/s288/IMG_20080613_1122.JPG" /></a><br/><br />The road climbs gradualy and is very quiet with nice surroundings until we reach the top of the pass, no descending yet for us, we turn to the road going up to the antenna, the road gets graduallly steeper but all manageable. <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/peter.luxem/AndalusieSpanjeDag7/photo#5214679887495447426"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 288px;" border="0" alt="" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/peter.luxem/SF5DuqeKQ4I/AAAAAAAACUs/qIwQTOi0qQY/s288/IMG_20080613_1152.JPG" /></a><br /></p></div><br /><div><p><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/peter.luxem/AndalusieSpanjeDag7/photo#5214679927075198226"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 288px;" border="0" alt="" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/peter.luxem/SF5Dw96tVRI/AAAAAAAACVA/RtZRb4OvnGA/s288/IMG_20080613_1238.JPG" /></a>We climb and climb, this piece seems to go on forever but finally everbody reaches the top, we have to wait on Thierry for a while, most of us already have eaten our lunch. Thierry tries to eat too, but his body decides that everything should go the otherway around and his breakfast departs with his body (this was the best description I could give ;-)<br/><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/peter.luxem/AndalusieSpanjeDag7/photo#5214679947557976066"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 288px;" border="0" alt="" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/peter.luxem/SF5DyKOLuAI/AAAAAAAACVI/gALKxk58Lm0/s288/IMG_20080613_1405.JPG" /></a></p></div><div><p><br />After this Thierry feels a lot better and we go searching for some tracks, and indeed we really need to search for the tracks. The maps says there is and indeed sometimes there is something that looks like a track...<br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/peter.luxem/AndalusieSpanjeDag7/photo#5214679973552440354"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 288px;" border="0" alt="" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/peter.luxem/SF5DzrDvxCI/AAAAAAAACVQ/-D8zl8QwA2k/s288/IMG_20080613_1433-1.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/peter.luxem/AndalusieSpanjeDag7/photo#5214679998828199250"><img style="margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 288px;" border="0" alt="" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/peter.luxem/SF5D1JN9PVI/AAAAAAAACVY/FN8-pqz9kzQ/s288/IMG_20080613_1433.JPG" /></a><br/><br />We reach a little forest, this is the most difficult part, the underground is rideable but the branches of the trees make it difficult to get through and most of this wood we have to walk, until we can finally ride and we find a jeep track. In our slang we call this 'berenjagen' or 'berenjacht' which translates directly as bear hunting... <br /></p></div><br /><div><p><br />This jeep track gives us speed, but the track is rough with a lot of sharp stones and this makes our first victim: a flat tire for Thierry, while waiting we enjoy the scenery:<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/peter.luxem/AndalusieSpanjeDag7/photo#5214680037342551762"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 288px;" border="0" alt="" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/peter.luxem/SF5D3YsfntI/AAAAAAAACVo/3bGxhTYmb34/s288/IMG_20080613_1540.JPG" /></a><br/>After regrouping however I have a snakebite again, only problem is that I was at the back and Steven didn't have a pump with him, I didn't have a pump, I only had a spare tire and the rest was gone. The only solution was that Steven rode to them and fetch a pump. In the meantime I walked down so that Steven didn't had to climb all the way and indeed about in the middle we met again. Repairing the tire didn't take long and we were on our way again, I got the 'advice' to take it easy which I also did. I didn't flat anymore, but Nicky did in the last part. In the end everybody made it down, no we only had to climb to Orgiva again and for some of us this was harder then expected... But in the end the beer and tapas made up for it.<br /></p></div><br /><div><p><br />Statistics:<br /></p></div>P.eterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09395258511785732800noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3056739672696450026.post-21261988730412241762008-06-11T06:03:00.000-07:002008-07-16T23:45:05.830-07:00Downhill...<div><p><br />Today plenty of downhill, we're headed back to Orgiva which means going from 2500 m above sea level to 400 m. But first we take a last look at Pico Veleta our not reached goal of yesterday. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://picasaweb.google.com/peter.luxem/AndalusieSpanjeDag6DownhillVan2300Hm/photo#5214670285052583474"><img style="margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 288px;" border="0" alt="" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/peter.luxem/SF46_ulYHjI/AAAAAAAACQE/lKtaxpMNouQ/s288/IMG_20080611_0919-1.JPG" /></a> We'll be back !</p></div><br /><div><p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://picasaweb.google.com/peter.luxem/AndalusieSpanjeDag6DownhillVan2300Hm/photo#5214670316222436130"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 288px;" border="0" alt="" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/peter.luxem/SF47Bis2UyI/AAAAAAAACQU/2IKnxfUyoB4/s288/IMG_20080611_1106-1.JPG" /></a> The downhill is not for free unfortunately, we first have to climb the only road leaving the refugio, this means the same climb of about 200 heightmeters again before we can start the descend.<br/><br />We start of on a wide jeep track which is a nice start of the descend to catch some speed. The track brings us back to the vegatation, soon we're back among the trees and not for long we're on a nice single track through the woods which brings us back to the entrance of the National Park<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://picasaweb.google.com/peter.luxem/AndalusieSpanjeDag6DownhillVan2300Hm/photo#5214670340148630674"><img style="float:right; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 288px;" border="0" alt="" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/peter.luxem/SF47C71TFJI/AAAAAAAACQc/mdfUKm8x11A/s288/IMG_20080611_1115-2.JPG" /></a></p><br /></div><br /><div><p><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/peter.luxem/AndalusieSpanjeDag6DownhillVan2300Hm/photo#5214670384677028546"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 288px;" border="0" alt="" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/peter.luxem/SF47FhtsgsI/AAAAAAAACQ8/r6u1_0hwSCw/s288/IMG_20080611_1149.JPG" /></a>Now a little bit of descending on the large dirt track being carefull for cars, after a 10 minutes descend we're at an interesting spot: a singletrack which cuts down more steeply down the mountain then the dirt track. Here starts some real fun, this trail starts out nicely, then we meet some walkers going up so we slow down a bit, say hello and let go of the brakes again for some interesting twists and turns and all to sudden we're on the tarmac again. We regroup and do the next cut-off, which has more of singletrack feeling with more vegatation. After regrouping again on the road again, I was ready to go for the next bit which would bring us back to Capiliera, but David said we're going to take another way to Capiliera which meant a little bit of climbing again. But it was worth it! This descend is very challenging, the underground is like a large rock wall on which you ride but the rock is not vertical, but lies more horizontally (lucky for us). During this descent I manage to go over the bars and kiss the ground with no severe injuries, just scratches on me and my ego. David 'Moots' on the other hand falls too, but he isn't so lucky and hurts his wrist badly, he can only use his one hand now. Lucky for us and him we're in Capiliera now, so we take a break for a drink.<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/peter.luxem/AndalusieSpanjeDag6DownhillVan2300Hm/photo#5214670449233178610"><img style="float:right; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 288px;" border="0" alt="" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/peter.luxem/SF47JSNFL_I/AAAAAAAACRY/oB9lI1G80qM/s288/IMG_20080611_1251-1.JPG" /></a><br/>After the break 'Moots' decides to ride back home on the road, because he hardly can use his hand.</p></div><br /><div><p>We on the other hand continue our descend over the nice singletracks, we pass Bubion to follow the GR7 down in the direction of Pampaneira which has some nice urban technical bits and back on the GR7 again to finish this bit at the power central.<br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/peter.luxem/AndalusieSpanjeDag6DownhillVan2300Hm/photo#5214670473386069490"><img style="margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px;" border="0" alt="" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/peter.luxem/SF47KsLlDfI/AAAAAAAACRg/3I3N10Sj2Zw/s400/IMG_20080611_1341-1.JPG" /></a><br/><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/peter.luxem/AndalusieSpanjeDag6DownhillVan2300Hm/photo#5214670503129540450"><img style="margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px;" border="0" alt="" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/peter.luxem/SF47Ma--Z2I/AAAAAAAACRo/6tXvGG149uQ/s400/IMG_20080611_1342-3.JPG" /></a><br/><br />Now it's time again for a little bit of climbing, this time on the road. After 3 kilometers we leave the asphalted road again and find us some dirt tracks which will bring us back too Orgiva in a fast way.<br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/peter.luxem/AndalusieSpanjeDag6DownhillVan2300Hm/photo#5214670610132721954"><img style="margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px;" border="0" alt="" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/peter.luxem/SF47SpmhYSI/AAAAAAAACSs/p5gPAZahgIM/s400/IMG_20080611_1438.JPG" /></a><br/><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/peter.luxem/AndalusieSpanjeDag6DownhillVan2300Hm/photo#5214670639578262562"><img style="margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px;" border="0" alt="" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/peter.luxem/SF47UXS4rCI/AAAAAAAACS8/ibFl7TIgSxU/s400/IMG_20080611_1441-2.JPG" /></a><br/><br />We end our day's ride again in the bar on the market in Orgiva for some well earned beer and tapas, this concludes our 3 day high altitude program.<br /></p></div><br /><p>Statistics: ... to come</p>P.eterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09395258511785732800noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3056739672696450026.post-84493252270841345562008-06-10T03:56:00.000-07:002008-07-12T02:06:55.795-07:00Spain in June: snow...<p>Today is the big day: we're going to attack the Pico Veleta, at an height above sea level of 3394 meter; it will be a record breaking height (with the bike) for all of us. First thing I noticed today, it's cold: 6 C, that's rather cold but due to the fact that we starting with a climb, I decide to go for shorts and only arm warmers, which was a good decision. But before leaving I take the opportunity for a large panorama now that the sky is still void of clouds.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://picasaweb.google.com/peter.luxem/AndalusieSpanjeDag5KlimNaarPicoVeleta/photo#5214667853021325442"><img style="margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 800px;" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/peter.luxem/SF44yKj8KII/AAAAAAAACPY/egAurDCmFxg/s800/pano%20refugio%201.jpg" border="0" alt=""/></a><br/><br />The first part of the climb we already know from yesterday, but yesterday we did it in the other direction which was faster and easier. Now this first part is hard work, and is the steepest we'll do today.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://picasaweb.google.com/peter.luxem/AndalusieSpanjeDag5KlimNaarPicoVeleta/photo#5214664100851894594"><img style="float:right; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 288px;" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/peter.luxem/SF41XwpCSUI/AAAAAAAACL4/jG-RYgd15pY/s288/IMG_20080610_0959-2.JPG" border="0" alt=""/></a> After this steep bit, the track continues where we stopped yesterday (in other words we're back at 2711 and ascended the descent of yesterday). From now on the road has a more comfortable rising grade, we continue climbing but regularly stop to absorb the scenery. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://picasaweb.google.com/peter.luxem/AndalusieSpanjeDag5KlimNaarPicoVeleta/photo#5214664207794666226"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 288px;" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/peter.luxem/SF41d_CLevI/AAAAAAAACMY/ILXxkhzMoC0/s288/IMG_20080610_1106.JPG" border="0" alt=""/></a></p><p>In this environment you don't expect too much people, but all of sudden we see in the distance a runner, and he's gaining ground on us. After a while he catches us and we see it's the Spanish guy from the refugio, in the evening we hear that he had run up Mulhacen. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://picasaweb.google.com/peter.luxem/AndalusieSpanjeDag5KlimNaarPicoVeleta/photo#5214664225133231586"><img style="float:right; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 288px;" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/peter.luxem/SF41e_oA_eI/AAAAAAAACMg/QOeBAdEFnZM/s288/IMG_20080610_1106-1.JPG" /></a>. But our target for today is Pico Veleta, we pass the first snow easily and continue to follow to route at the foot of Mulhacen.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://picasaweb.google.com/peter.luxem/AndalusieSpanjeDag5KlimNaarPicoVeleta/photo#5214664287164780130"><img style="margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 288px;" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/peter.luxem/SF41imtfTmI/AAAAAAAACM0/RJyDdzkjuyg/s288/IMG_20080610_1138-2.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /></p><p><br />And the climbing continues steadily, no more vegetation at this height only rocks and a lost snow patch.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://picasaweb.google.com/peter.luxem/AndalusieSpanjeDag5KlimNaarPicoVeleta/photo#5214664324380387650"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 288px;" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/peter.luxem/SF41kxWYaUI/AAAAAAAACM8/4iseTU_bfN4/s288/IMG_20080610_1147.JPG" /></a> We pass an emergency refugio which is nothing more then four walls, a roof and some beds to provide you with the necessary shelter at this height, but we don't need it now luckily. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://picasaweb.google.com/peter.luxem/AndalusieSpanjeDag5KlimNaarPicoVeleta/photo#5214664412730502546"><img style="margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 288px;" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/peter.luxem/SF41p6esLZI/AAAAAAAACNc/Mshsv1JKTlk/s288/IMG_20080610_1214-1.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></a></p><br /><div><br /><p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://picasaweb.google.com/peter.luxem/AndalusieSpanjeDag5KlimNaarPicoVeleta/photo#5214664469656332338"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 288px;" border="0" alt="" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/peter.luxem/SF41tOi3aDI/AAAAAAAACN0/grlI3UbOUY8/s288/IMG_20080610_1227.JPG" /></a> Further up we can see the road carved in the mountain, the grade of the route is appealing: not steep just steady climbing; which is a good thing because of the height which has now broken the 3000m mark. At this altitude we ride continuously in the clouds, but it changes so quickly that we often see a small patch in the clouds and the sun shines on us. Finally we reach the hole in the mountain which gives us the easy access to the other side, Pico Veleta is not far anymore, we can almost though it.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://picasaweb.google.com/peter.luxem/AndalusieSpanjeDag5KlimNaarPicoVeleta/photo#5214664482887770338"><img style="margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 288px;" border="0" alt="" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/peter.luxem/SF41t_1fIOI/AAAAAAAACN8/6y4yv6BdaPE/s288/IMG_20080610_1236-1.JPG" /></a><br /></p></div><div><br /><p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://picasaweb.google.com/peter.luxem/AndalusieSpanjeDag5KlimNaarPicoVeleta/photo#5214664494640449714"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 288px;" border="0" alt="" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/peter.luxem/SF41urniyLI/AAAAAAAACOE/vjpYNgx28gs/s288/IMG_20080610_1304-1.JPG" /></a>After regrouping at this point we continue our route up, but <br />this snow patch is too large for my liking, so I stop and wait for the rest; Nicky however already starts the attack of the snow patch on the left side, which means 3 meters of snow on the right and a drop on the left of several meters, but after 5 meters she sees that it's undoable and sees I'm waiting.<br/><br />I suggest to lunch here and returning back, too me it looked too dangerous to attempt this with the bike; certainly because further up we could so hikers struggling up on another snow patch. The group agrees and after lunch and after some picture taking moments, we put on some clothes and start the descend which will bring us back to the refugio. But I decide to snake bite my rear tire again, which is fixed in no time, finally we reach the refugio which is bathing in the sun.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://picasaweb.google.com/peter.luxem/AndalusieSpanjeDag5KlimNaarPicoVeleta/photo#5214664583459074866"><img style="float:right; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 288px;" border="0" alt="" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/peter.luxem/SF41z2fjczI/AAAAAAAACOw/VfG36b5D6S0/s288/IMG_20080610_1457-1.JPG" /></a> Arriving there we stride us all on the stairs and enjoy the scenery, sun and each others company, the rest of the evening is the same as yesterday: showering, drinking, resting, talking, eating, some more drinking, talking and finally sleeping. <br /></p></div><br /><p><br />Is was a lovily day today we didn't reach our goal, we stranded on 3130m; but no one is really disappointed, we all look at the bright side: we can come back to try it again...<br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/peter.luxem/AndalusieSpanjeDag5KlimNaarPicoVeleta">More pictures</a><br />Statistics: 27.5 km<br/><br />Height gain: 950 hm<br/><br />Height profile:<br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/peter.luxem/AndalusieSpanjeDag5KlimNaarPicoVeleta/photo#5214667814350893074"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/peter.luxem/SF44v6gMMBI/AAAAAAAACPI/ZpiVCyMIeDY/s288/MTB%20Orgiva%2C%20Spanje%2010-06-2008%2C%20Hoogte%20-%20Afstand.jpg" /></a></p>P.eterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09395258511785732800noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3056739672696450026.post-20516203333084775462008-06-09T23:40:00.000-07:002008-07-04T03:55:44.598-07:00Andalacia day 4, the climb to the refugio<p>Today is the start of our High altitude program, the target is to reach the 3394 meters high Pico Veleta on the second day in this program, but first we need to get to the Refugio on 2500m.<br /></p><br /><p>At 11 o'clock David (yes yet another David) would come to fetch us and the bikes to bring us to Capileira, so the start of morning was relaxed no need to rush. David indeed arrived at 11, loading all our bikes in his van and away we were. After an 30 minute drive we arrived at Capileira: Height 1400, already 1000 height meters gained by doing nothing... David the guide parks his car safely for 3 days and after saying bye to David 'the driver' we're off into the direction of the National Park's entrance. The climb starts on asphalt and continues onto a wide gravel road, luckily the weather is a little overcast today so not too hot to climb. We make good progress, but stop regularly to enjoy the views. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://picasaweb.google.com/peter.luxem/AndalusieSpanjeDag4Dag1VanDeDriedaagse/photo#5214654200677704658"><img style="float:right; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 288px;" border="0" alt="" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/peter.luxem/SF4sXfnko9I/AAAAAAAACIs/LdfkGgZasPs/s288/IMG_20080609_1252.JPG" /></a> After a while we arrive at the entrance of the National Park, where we take the opportunity to take our lunch, but we're missing Nicky. Maybe she continued instead of stopping, so I go look for here, but don't find here directly, normally she wan't go that far in front, so I probably missed here and yes after returning to the lunchspot I hear she turned around the corner the moment I left, I suspect she has been waiting there all the time :-)<br /></p><br />After our lunch we continue to ascend and we're getting really into the clouds.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://picasaweb.google.com/peter.luxem/AndalusieSpanjeDag4Dag1VanDeDriedaagse/photo#5214654265212796818"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 288px;" border="0" alt="" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/peter.luxem/SF4sbQB7_5I/AAAAAAAACJE/VIN3FWwALms/s288/IMG_20080609_1433.JPG" /></a> it's getting colder too, luckily the gradient of the climb stays stable, we pass the viewpont to Trevelez but due to the clouds we can't see that much and a little later we're at the highest point of today: 2711 meters.<br /><p><br />Now it's descending to the Refugio which lies at about 2500 above sea level, but for this we need to climb twice, not much, but then out of nothing we see the refugio, finally we're there.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://picasaweb.google.com/peter.luxem/AndalusieSpanjeDag4Dag1VanDeDriedaagse/photo#5214654355786879522"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 288px;" border="0" alt="" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/peter.luxem/SF4sghce0iI/AAAAAAAACJs/caKjO4dghqE/s288/IMG_20080609_1620.JPG" /></a> We place our bikes in the hallway, no fear of thieves here and go inside where the fireplace is the place to be. We order our first "Vino Caliente" and enjoy the place. At 7 o'clock dinner gets served, after some strange moving of furniture we can eat a nice 4 course menu. After dinner the clouds clear up a bit and have a nice view of the valley.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://picasaweb.google.com/peter.luxem/AndalusieSpanjeDag4Dag1VanDeDriedaagse/photo#5214654410320249154"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 288px;" border="0" alt="" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/peter.luxem/SF4sjsmQAUI/AAAAAAAACKA/y0c8mavINj4/s288/IMG_20080609_2056.JPG" /></a> A little we go to sleep, which for some us seems harder to accomplish then for others, a loud snoring noise comes from one of the other dormetories...<br /></p>P.eterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09395258511785732800noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3056739672696450026.post-27056745166255729642008-06-08T22:56:00.000-07:002008-07-01T23:54:39.125-07:00Andalucia day 3, the dam<p>Normally we this would have been the first day of our 3-days high altitude program, but the refugio was full for tonight, so we postponed it till tomorrow. We start our day via the main road out Orgiva in the direction of Lanjaron, but there's a lot of traffic of runners, today a running event is held in Orgiva and our timing is so bad we're just stuck behind it, luckily it's not too long before we turn offroad in the direction of Canar. This piece of the ride is hot, very hot. We're in the middle of an old river, so there's no wind, lot's of sun and the ground which radiates the heat back. After a while we hit the road, and I'm happy we're on tarmac now, this road climbs easy towards Canar, where we can fill our camelbaks and bottles.<br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/peter.luxem/AndalusieSpanjeDag3/photo#5214652687552163714"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/peter.luxem/SF4q_ayVL4I/AAAAAAAACFs/5r4-afZd-V0/s288/IMG_20080608_1207.JPG" /></a><br /></p><br /><p><br />After our refill we ride through the streets of Canar in the direction of the GR7, a nice footpath which will lead us to the dam, here the pictures speak for themselves:<br /><div><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/peter.luxem/AndalusieSpanjeDag3/photo#5214652751290122834"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 288px;" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/peter.luxem/SF4rDIOpQlI/AAAAAAAACF8/DIb1Sn8U2pk/s288/IMG_20080608_1221.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/peter.luxem/AndalusieSpanjeDag3/photo#5214652800271174594"><img style="float:middle; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 288px;" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/peter.luxem/SF4rF-soy8I/AAAAAAAACGI/tdxUWn3GDVU/s288/IMG_20080608_1222-5.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/peter.luxem/AndalusieSpanjeDag3/photo#5214652826843018386"><img style="float:right; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 288px;" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/peter.luxem/SF4rHhr29JI/AAAAAAAACGQ/eeu42x_ssRg/s288/IMG_20080608_1224.JPG" /></a></div><br /><br/>Unfortunaly I have a flat tire, at first I thought a snakebite due the speed it deflated; but after checking the tire I saw a slit of 2 cm a sharp stone has taken a bite of my tire and liked it.... During this reparation the rest could take a rest<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/peter.luxem/AndalusieSpanjeDag3/photo#5214652928284372290"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 288px;" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/peter.luxem/SF4rNblXLUI/AAAAAAAACGg/XkyoLIkbftM/s288/IMG_20080608_1241.JPG" /></a>,the footpath continues untill the dam <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/peter.luxem/AndalusieSpanjeDag3/photo#5214653122093447330"><img style="float:right; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 288px;" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/peter.luxem/SF4rYtlC-KI/AAAAAAAACHU/bl3sX1gXT4A/s288/IMG_20080608_1336-1.JPG" /></a><br /></p><br /><p><br />The descent continues on this GR7 footpath in the direction of Soportujar, where we descent further in the direction of Orgiva on some wider tracks<br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/peter.luxem/AndalusieSpanjeDag3/photo#5214653233139442850"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 288px;" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/peter.luxem/SF4rfLQeZKI/AAAAAAAACHs/dDE_nCWUkpU/s288/IMG_20080608_1428-3.JPG" /></a>. <br/>However before we are in Orgiva we take a the last small hill on our way, it's a nice singletrack ascent and descent. And the proof is there that the ascent is rideable to the top; Thierry showed us how to do it.<br /></p><br /><p>And as the day before this we end up on the main square of Orgiva for our apres-bike and tapas, and there is always something strange there: the pints of Thierry always seem to contain less then the rest of us...<br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/peter.luxem/AndalusieSpanjeDag3/photo#5214653280438454930"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/peter.luxem/SF4rh7dcCpI/AAAAAAAACIA/qTch42pUVbs/s288/IMG_20080608_1515.JPG" /></a></p><br /><p>Statistics:<br />21 km<br />900 hm<br />Total time: 4:37<br /></p>P.eterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09395258511785732800noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3056739672696450026.post-3097666632658673072008-06-07T19:12:00.000-07:002008-06-29T23:19:14.181-07:00Day 2 of our vacation in Andalucia<p>Today we have another small ride planned for today, this time we ride in the direction of Lanjaron. The climb is mostly on the road, just before Lanjaron we turn back in the direction of Orgiva on a steep asphalted road which turns in a jeep track later on. We enjoy <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://picasaweb.google.com/peter.luxem/AndalusieSpanjeDag2/photo#5214646439782513282"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 800px;" border="0" alt="" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/peter.luxem/SF4lTwB9-oI/AAAAAAAACAA/04gYcaA11DQ/s800/pano_dag3.jpg" />the scenery</a></p><br /><p>At the end of the climb we come to the highlight of this ride: technical singletrack downhill to Orgiva. This singletrack starts out nice with a wide singletrack with scattered rocks, not too fast not too slow.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://picasaweb.google.com/peter.luxem/AndalusieSpanjeDag2/photo#5214646466988690130"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 288px;" border="0" alt="" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/peter.luxem/SF4lVVYbStI/AAAAAAAACAI/wlVw_dcSjN8/s288/IMG_20080607_1039.JPG" /></a> Three minutes later I spot a farm, a remember David saying please wait at the farm, I follow the track to find a suitable spot for a picknick <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://picasaweb.google.com/peter.luxem/AndalusieSpanjeDag2/photo#5214646500520795330"><img style="float:right; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 288px;" border="0" alt="" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/peter.luxem/SF4lXSTGnMI/AAAAAAAACAQ/-kmhKRMy4n4/s288/IMG_20080607_1045.JPG" /></a>. This was just the right spot to stop with a nice view of Orgiva and it's surroundings and a good look at the start of the gnarly section. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://picasaweb.google.com/peter.luxem/AndalusieSpanjeDag2/photo#5214646522509805602"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/peter.luxem/SF4lYkNsSCI/AAAAAAAACAY/x24Fg21iJtM/s288/IMG_20080607_1046.JPG" /></a><br /></p><br /><p>After our pick-nick we continue our descent, the singletrack now turns more technical with large stones and deep ruts, the descent also steepens a lot more then before <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/peter.luxem/AndalusieSpanjeDag2/photo#5214646577602402546"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 288px;" border="0" alt="" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/peter.luxem/SF4lbxcymPI/AAAAAAAACAs/Pdy57nYIh-c/s288/IMG_20080607_1126-1.JPG" /></a> but the most of it stays rideable for me :-) But all good things come to the end and this time it means the downhill reaches it's lowest point. Time to reflect the downhill:<br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/peter.luxem/AndalusieSpanjeDag2/photo#5214646751316832530"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/peter.luxem/SF4ll4licRI/AAAAAAAACBg/2CHKrlTkP3s/s288/IMG_20080608_1102.JPG" /></a><br /></p><br /><p>We end our's day riding with a tour around Orgiva to the main square we're we consume a drink a some tapas</p><br /><p>Statistics:<br />20.16 km<br />700 height meters<br />Total time: 3 hours 25<br /></p>P.eterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09395258511785732800noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3056739672696450026.post-25294836546550857042008-06-07T09:35:00.000-07:002008-06-29T23:18:46.562-07:00Day 2 recovery training<p><br />This is the height-profile:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://picasaweb.google.com/peter.luxem/AndalusieSpanjeDag2/photo#5214649739275414850"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 288px;" border="0" alt="" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/peter.luxem/SF4oTzmYLUI/AAAAAAAACEw/72mip-AMVQM/s288/MTB%20Orgiva%2C%20Spanje%207-06-2008%2C%20middag%20Hoogte%20-%20Afstand.jpg" /></a> and this we call an recovery training :-) That's offcourse the trouble being in a hilly surroundings, you have to go up and down.<br/><br />We went to the river to the place were we crossed it yesterday, there we just go along it up river till we had enough or we can't go any further. And indeed after a while we are at the end of the path, looking at the already travelled distance and time we decide we ride back, but first do some bear hunting so find another route back, which we find behind the trees.<br/><br />Back at the house it's time again for olives and feta...<br /></p><br /><p><br />Statistics: <br />15.48<br />250 height meters<br />Total time: 1:50<br /></p>P.eterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09395258511785732800noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3056739672696450026.post-43872632881326921332008-06-06T00:43:00.000-07:002008-06-22T02:42:04.048-07:00Switchback heaven<p><br />Our first real day of biking, we planned on starting early to beat the heat, so we got up early to eat some breakfast and prepare ourselves. At about 9 o'clock we head of with the light descent to the 'Rio Guadalfeo', after crossing it and a slight stretch of asphalt we were at the start of our long climb of the day <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://picasaweb.google.com/peter.luxem/AndalusieSpanjeDag1/photo#5213855532986975874"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 288px;" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/peter.luxem/SFtV-6nkxoI/AAAAAAAAB9o/0B20npuHIRE/s288/IMG_20080606_0940.JPG" border="0" alt=""/></a>. The climb is a steady climb in the beginning till some asphalted piece comes and the steepness of the climb increases, then the asphalt stops but the steepness continues, <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://picasaweb.google.com/peter.luxem/AndalusieSpanjeDag1/photo#5213855552941069026"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 288px;" border="0" alt="" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/peter.luxem/SFtWAE9AEuI/AAAAAAAAB9w/5H9IRZLIwVk/s288/IMG_20080606_1005.JPG" /></a> I just manages the first part but it continues to climb and have to walk a small piece too.<br />Finally the climb flattens a bit, but a junction we're faced with another 'wall', after conquering this wall we find a nice view of the Orgiva surroundings:<br /><div><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/peter.luxem/AndalusieSpanjeDag1/photo#5213855516551380290"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/peter.luxem/SFtV99ZBfUI/AAAAAAAAB9g/EWzJpUfiilk/s800/pano_dag2.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div align="left"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/peter.luxem/AndalusieSpanjeDag1/photo#5213855570931591330"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 288px;" border="0" alt="" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/peter.luxem/SFtWBH-RqKI/AAAAAAAAB94/A0qgsovuq4Q/s288/IMG_20080606_1034.JPG" /></a></div><div align="right"><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/peter.luxem/AndalusieSpanjeDag1/photo#5213855590486001794"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/peter.luxem/SFtWCQ0aSII/AAAAAAAAB-A/FivIdMDbxwU/s288/IMG_20080606_1045.JPG" /></a><br /></div><br /></p><br /><p><br />After spending our lunch on the highest point of the day, we started on our descent, which is divided in 3 pieces: a large fast jeeptrack descent with a lot of loose stones <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/peter.luxem/AndalusieSpanjeDag1/photo#5213862415023931794"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 288px;" border="0" alt="" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/peter.luxem/SFtcPgNDAZI/AAAAAAAAB-M/qZ_yGPHpN8Y/s288/IMG_20080606_1119.JPG" /></a><br/><br />The second part was the most exciting one and lends the name to this blog entry: single track with short switchbacks, I lost count of how many switchbacks there were but I guess about 30... At the end of this section you know from yourself which turn you like, for me it's a right turn switchback gives me a little more problems to take cleanly.<br/><br />The third part of the descent is the continuation of the single track without switchbacks. <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/peter.luxem/AndalusieSpanjeDag1/photo#5213862435688239378"><img style="float:right; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 288px;" border="0" alt="" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/peter.luxem/SFtcQtLzURI/AAAAAAAAB-c/gXW2FG5AeyY/s288/IMG_20080606_1155.JPG" /></a><br /></p><br /><p><br />After this fine descent we head back to the chalet, but we have to cross the 'Rio Guadalfeo' again, and we don't want to make the trip to the bridge... So some cycle through the water, others remove their shoes and the rest just go through it with their shoes on. <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/peter.luxem/AndalusieSpanjeDag1/photo#5213862449548908018"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/peter.luxem/SFtcRg0cVfI/AAAAAAAAB-k/i5sGwezk6Sk/s288/IMG_20080606_1212.JPG" /></a>. A climb on the road to Orgiva ends our biking for today.<br /></p><br />Video of the switchback descent is being edited at this moment...<br /><p>Statistics: 20 km, 800 m height gain, 3h50 <br/><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/peter.luxem/AndalusieSpanjeDag1/photo#5214637488116631954"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/peter.luxem/SF4dKsegiZI/AAAAAAAAB_U/wqANCsCNetw/s288/MTB%206-06-2008.jpg" /></a> <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/peter.luxem/AndalusieSpanjeDag1/photo#5214638426885511730"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/peter.luxem/SF4eBVqc2jI/AAAAAAAAB_c/kruOw7qHxgY/s288/MTB%206-06-2008%2C%20Hoogte%20-%20Afstand.jpg" /></a></p>P.eterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09395258511785732800noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3056739672696450026.post-76749202260894895692008-06-05T04:09:00.000-07:002008-06-18T05:04:05.917-07:00On our way to Orgiva, in Spain (Andalusia)It's finally here my first mountainbike trip to Spain, destination Orgiva located in the state of Andalucia in the south of Spain just beneath the Sierra Nevada after several visits to the Alps I was curious about the surroundings there...<br />We arrived at around 12 AM after a early morning flight, but we still had a 2 hour transfer from Malaga to Orgiva ahead with the car. The car ride was already an eye-opener, nice scenery and high mountains, I'm anxious to get on the bike.<br />After arriving in Orgiva, David (from <a href="http://www.bikingandalucia.com">Biking Andalucia</a>) showed us around our place for the next 10 days. David Jones (aka David Moots or Moots to differentiate between the two Davids) was already there a few days and came to say hello, he'll be going us the next days and will also participate in the High Altitude program.<br />We assembled the bikes, which survived the plane trip very well (I expected more damage to those cardboard boxes, but I don't complain :-) and went for a ride in the David's 'garden' a nice hill with a nice singletrack going over the top of it and a short ride through Orgiva 'City'. Except the surroundings which were a surprise, also the heat was a surprise, this will be our biggest battle each day probably...<br />After this short ride, the first of many resting sessions on the terrace began before we went to eat something. The first day was finished and was a nice appetizer of things to come...P.eterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09395258511785732800noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3056739672696450026.post-26196745272154277062008-06-01T22:04:00.000-07:002008-06-02T00:58:46.958-07:00Packing a mountainbike for transportation on an airplaneThis week I'm leaving on a mountainbike vacation to Andalusia, Spain, getting there is by airplane. The cheapest solution to transport your bike is in bike cardboard boxes, you can get them for free from your local bikeshop. I started out <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/peter.luxem/SELto5CboNI/AAAAAAAAB3M/dwJotp0kico/IMG_2672.jpg?imgdl=1"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px;" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/peter.luxem/SELto5CboNI/AAAAAAAAB3M/dwJotp0kico/IMG_2672.jpg?imgdl=1" border="0" alt="Cardboard boxes" />with two of them</a>. From one I cut the sideboards to put inside the other one, so that is a <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/peter.luxem/SELtpykWz4I/AAAAAAAAB3U/QpsiRSK0t5Y/IMG_2674.jpg?imgdl=1"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px;" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/peter.luxem/SELtpykWz4I/AAAAAAAAB3U/QpsiRSK0t5Y/IMG_2674.jpg?imgdl=1" border="0" alt="Box ready for the bike" />little stronger on the sides</a><p><br />Next step is preparing the bike to fit in the box, I removed the front wheel and quick release. Fixed the quick release <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/peter.luxem/SELtqU2KwTI/AAAAAAAAB3g/K5u3pEYiPw0/IMG_2677.jpg?imgdl=1"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px;" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/peter.luxem/SELtqU2KwTI/AAAAAAAAB3g/K5u3pEYiPw0/IMG_2677.jpg?imgdl=1" border="0" alt="Front wheel prepared" />to a spoke of the front wheel</a> and put away the wheel, you only need it in the last instance. I have disc brakes so special care should be taken to prevent the pistons from accidentaly falling out the brakeshoe, this is done by putting in a piece of cardboard and pulling the brake lever, <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/peter.luxem/SELtrKEbiLI/AAAAAAAAB3o/3HzfZqfKtGQ/IMG_2678.jpg?imgdl=1"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px;" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/peter.luxem/SELtrKEbiLI/AAAAAAAAB3o/3HzfZqfKtGQ/IMG_2678.jpg?imgdl=1" border="0" alt="Front lever pulled with tie-wrap, cardboard in brakeshoe" />with the lever pulled tie a tie-wrap around it to prevent the cardboard from falling out.</a></p><br /><p><br />Next step is removing pedals and protecting top tube. I also put a spacer in front fork; this spacer is normally used with a new aftermarket fork to protect it during transportation, your local bikeshop probably has one lying around.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/peter.luxem/SELtsXPsD3I/AAAAAAAAB3w/g3ufiP_61Ls/IMG_2679.jpg?imgdl=1"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px;" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/peter.luxem/SELtsXPsD3I/AAAAAAAAB3w/g3ufiP_61Ls/IMG_2679.jpg?imgdl=1" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/peter.luxem/SELttbJye1I/AAAAAAAAB34/hMrkitv5KNU/IMG_2680.jpg?imgdl=1"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px;" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/peter.luxem/SELttbJye1I/AAAAAAAAB34/hMrkitv5KNU/IMG_2680.jpg?imgdl=1" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /></p><br /><p><br />Now I removed the handlebar; I have an easy frontloading stem, after removing the handlebar I reattached the cap with the bolts so I don't loose them. Wrap your front fork with air bubble wrap and tie the handlebar with tie-wraps to the side of the fork <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/peter.luxem/SELtu9NlhQI/AAAAAAAAB4A/HhCCX-Kyf7c/IMG_2682.jpg?imgdl=1"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px;" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/peter.luxem/SELtu9NlhQI/AAAAAAAAB4A/HhCCX-Kyf7c/IMG_2682.jpg?imgdl=1" border="0" alt="Handlebar around front fork." />like this</a><br/>Later on in the process I noticed when the bike was in the box, there was no room anymore for my front wheel due to the handlebar, so I removed it from the front fork and putted it on the toptube as you can see <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/peter.luxem/SELt2VEOQvI/AAAAAAAAB44/wDtUIB_gYnM/IMG_2692.jpg?imgdl=1"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px;" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/peter.luxem/SELt2VEOQvI/AAAAAAAAB44/wDtUIB_gYnM/IMG_2692.jpg?imgdl=1" border="0" alt="Handlebar on top tube." >in this picture</a>. After this I tried fitting the bike in the box for the first time, big disappointement... But I forgot to let the air out of the rear tire, which helped a lot to fit the bike tightly in the box:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/peter.luxem/SELtvwi7eMI/AAAAAAAAB4I/O3vPcCuRRY4/IMG_2683.jpg?imgdl=1"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px;" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/peter.luxem/SELtvwi7eMI/AAAAAAAAB4I/O3vPcCuRRY4/IMG_2683.jpg?imgdl=1" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /></p><br /><p><br />Next step is removing rear derailleur and fixing it to a spoke on the rear wheel, I protected the spokes with a piece of cardboard and fixed the derailleur with a tie-wrap. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/peter.luxem/SELtzhfR1UI/AAAAAAAAB4g/jpjX8g5ai5Y/IMG_2689.jpg?imgdl=1"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px;" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/peter.luxem/SELtzhfR1UI/AAAAAAAAB4g/jpjX8g5ai5Y/IMG_2689.jpg?imgdl=1" border="0" alt="" /></a><br/>I also removed the saddle with seat post, next fitting in the box was with <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/peter.luxem/SELt0tRBDqI/AAAAAAAAB4o/SEbAujgZDpg/IMG_2690.jpg?imgdl=1"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px;" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/peter.luxem/SELt0tRBDqI/AAAAAAAAB4o/SEbAujgZDpg/IMG_2690.jpg?imgdl=1" border="0" alt="" />a little more success</a>, you can notice I still have to turn my stem to make it fit. It fits now:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/peter.luxem/SELt1e6VGFI/AAAAAAAAB4w/Lksyssz40AY/IMG_2691.jpg?imgdl=1"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px;" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/peter.luxem/SELt1e6VGFI/AAAAAAAAB4w/Lksyssz40AY/IMG_2691.jpg?imgdl=1" border="0" alt=""></a><br /></p><br /><p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/peter.luxem/SELt2VEOQvI/AAAAAAAAB44/wDtUIB_gYnM/IMG_2692.jpg?imgdl=1"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px;" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/peter.luxem/SELt2VEOQvI/AAAAAAAAB44/wDtUIB_gYnM/IMG_2692.jpg?imgdl=1" border="0" alt="" />Mountainbike completely packaged</a>, some details I didn't mention yet: <br /><ul><li>saddle with seat post fitted between seat tube and rear wheel</li><br /><li>Pedals attached to the inside of crank arm, on this picture the non-drive crank arm is still to much to the front to fit the front wheel, I changed this later</li><br /><li>Rear disk protected with sock to prevent it scrathing something</li><li>Protection all over with isolation material used to isolate warm water pipes in the house.</li></ul><br /></p><br /><p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/peter.luxem/SELt3e09DPI/AAAAAAAAB5A/ibRWyxKGzMo/IMG_2693.jpg?imgdl=1"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px;" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/peter.luxem/SELt3e09DPI/AAAAAAAAB5A/ibRWyxKGzMo/IMG_2693.jpg?imgdl=1" border="0" alt="" />Final result in the box</a>you can notice the <ul><li>camelbak</li><li>front wheel (tire slightly deflated but not completely because it's a no-tubes wheelset. Front disc to the inside (frame side)</li>Slightly too bulky where front wheel fits.<li></li><li>Extra spare packaging for the return.</li></ul>I still have a little room available to put in my helmet, shoes, tape for the return packaging. I don't take any tools along because at my destination everything is available, if needed this also can be put into the camelbak.</p><br /><p><br />Things I'm going to do when returning: trying to remove rear-shock absorber (is one bolt) so the rear suspension compresses and makes more room available in the box. The long wheelbase of my bike make a tight fit.<br /></p>P.eterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09395258511785732800noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3056739672696450026.post-37480107101003019402008-05-14T08:00:00.000-07:002008-05-13T23:00:11.598-07:00Mountainbiken in de HimalayaBas Lansbergen zit momenteel in Nepal tot en met 20 mei, ondertussen kan je <a href="http://www.himalayanleaders.be/new/content/view/146/1/lang,de/">zijn reis volgen</a>P.eterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09395258511785732800noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3056739672696450026.post-76229496832095261502008-05-13T22:47:00.001-07:002008-05-13T22:51:30.800-07:00InleidingIk heb deze blog gestart om een verzameling te maken van alle mountainbike reisverhalen op het net. Zelf ben ik ooit begonnen met reisverhalen te verzamelen en deze op mijn website te plaatsen in mijn layout, maar ik voel dat iedereen tegenwoordig zelf gemakkelijk websites kan aanmaken, dus maak ik het mij gemakkelijker en zal ik hier alleen links leggen naar mountainbike verhalen.<br />Mijn eigen verhalen zullen effectief hier geplaatst worden of op mijn <a href="http://pdoteter.blogspot.com">andere mountainbike blog.</a><br />Heb je zelf een verhaal laat het mij gerust weten op peter 'at' lexasoft.comP.eterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09395258511785732800noreply@blogger.com0