News - Champsaur OffRoad

7-8 July 2007

After a scorcher of a day for the kids events, Sunday morning looked a little on the disappointing side weather wise.

But what the heck - babysitters organised, bikes fixed (by the lovely Jerome... fingers crossed!!) and adrenalin pumping (okay slight exaggeration but feeling motivated!) - everything us girls could want for a successful event!

We decided to do the 'rando' 40 a non competitive 40 km ride starting off in St Leger Les Melezes. Did wonder about the 'rando' 65 which had a superb descent from Orcieres, but wimped out on the grounds of having done no training! And as for the Raids - the timed competition courses, well I for one hate being last....!

St Leger Les Melezes was heaving! After a bit of shenanegins trying to park the van in a tiny parking space about the right size for a mini, we were just about ready! Nope sorry false start - Ingrid forgot her helmet. Five minutes to go and no helmet!Luckily Ingrid is a flirt queen and there just so happened to be a very good looking car park attendant with a spare helmet. I made sure I bagsied taking it back afterwards!

Finally we lined up about half way down the pack which must have been about 300 deep - need to confirm these numbers. And off we went.

The usual getting in each others way, bustling past slowees and getting overtaken by fasties went on for about 2 km and then we were nicely spread out and ready to start enjoying!

The first climb was a killer, gravelly, steep and never ending and then the sun decided to come out half way up. One shouldn't moan but god was it hot! And the flies - there were hundreds of the little nasties feasting on our sweat! The bikes got walked a fair way - poor babies!

And then wow what a descent, single track accross grassy alpine meadows, teaming with flowers and butterflies and spectacular views of the valley. It was a challenge not to get distracted which I paid for with an embarassing side slip and tumble!

Then we had the first refreshment stop in Ancelle - fruits, biscuits, jellies, cake mmmmm and chocolate. there was savoury stuff there too by the way for those that wanted it!

Apparantly the next climb was worse than the first so we set off in slightly less than eager anticipation. It wasn't that hard - actually nearly managed to pedal all the way up to col de Moussiers- just a little 5 min walk at the end! I thought it was a very pleasant climb - challenging enough to stem the boredom but not enough to get exasperated!

And then another amazing amazing descent - more of a downhill traverse that lasted for ages - providing lots and lots of minutes of sheer enjoyment - beautiful. There were a few technical bits to keep the brain working but generally an easy ride.

The route then traversed alongside the canal. Don't picture in your mind a luke warm, browny grey british canal here by the way - it was clear blue cold water, rushing past and slightly chilling the air above it just enough to be felt by sweaty hot cyclists!

Another refreshment stop and then a beautiful climb through the woods to the Col Bayard. I have to admit I was a bit tired at this point and was letting the team down a bit - but hey it wasn't a race!

And then of course just 5 km before the end - the inevitable - yes a puncture! Apparantly punctures are 80 percent your fault - did you know that? Anyway, Ann went for it a bit on a corner and got a snake bite! Ingrid pumped, Ann held and I swatted flies!

We arrived at last, feeling triumphant, exhausted and very pleased with ourselves. What a great event!

The Raids were apparently much more technical and the fastest were doing the 40km in just over 2 hours (we took 4 hours) so I think we made the right choice!!

Roll on next year!!