French Training Camp
French Training Camp
Hello People
and welcome to the 2009 season of Dean Downing.
First trip of the new year has been my trip to the South of France with the Rapha Condor boys, with 4 riders in the sunshine of Australia, Dan Craven still in Africa and Mr Newton training hard for the Track world cups and World Champs in march it was left to 6 of us, DS Mr Herety and we were all guests at Rapha fan and VIP member of the Rapha Condor Supporters club, Charlie Pearch's House in St Orens, Mauvezin, 40 mins or so west of Toulouse airport.
Hope u enjoy the diary of the weeks training.
Deano
Training camp
4th � 11th January 2009
4th. Sunday
1st camp of the 2009 season is in the south of France at one of Rapha Condor Team’s biggest fans Charlie Pearch’s French place.
What an amazing place this is for a camp, perfect roads, perfect terrain and the views are awesome.
So first of all thanks have to go to Charlie for letting 6 crazy cyclists and a manager into his fantastic Chataux l’Once.
It was an early start from the airport hotel, getting up at 5.30am to get a flight to France isn’t very kind, but after I was awake I realized I was on my first trip away of the season and with some new boys within the team it was going to be a good laugh. As Mr Herety always says ‘ same old jokes just different riders ’
Charlie met us at the airport in Toulouse and we packed ourselves into the hire Van and made our way to the Chataux a 40 minute drive west of the airport. On arrival Charlie showed us all around the beautiful converted barn house and to our rooms, wow is probably what most of the lads were thinking, I know I was. We had some lunch laughed a bit more and got the bikes together. Charlie was taking us for an easy spin around the countryside. Rolling small roads with hardly any cars to see and we were in training camp heaven, Charlie did ask us not to go too hard on the first ride for him, but we couldn’t get him off the front. After a 1 hour 30 minute ride we turned into the house all happy we had a hassle free ride, nice roads, dry, no dramas.
5th. Monday
After a great meal last night cooked by our very own 'Grand Chef' and Director Sportif John Herety, it was up and out at 10am on the bike. I only just made it after a very deep sleep was woken up by the DS, oops sorry bout that John.
On to the ride and a 3 hour ride around the French countryside was planned by our host Charlie, the roads he took us on were very quite indeed and perfect for group training, the terrain was rolling and perfect for, well training. A little longer than planned ended up in a nice coffee stop after 3 hours and 30 minutes of riding, after our espresso’s were down the hatch we made our 5 minute journey home to a warm house, a few hours in France at 3 degrees made up for all the snow we had been told about back home. After a shower and a bite to eat we all settled down to the hard afternoon of DVD watching. Hancock was the choice of the day.
6th. Tuesday
Well what can I say about the start to my day, as many people know I Hate Mornings. Today wasn’t any different, but as I had just woken up I had a knock on my bedroom door from new boy on the team, Matt Cronshaw. I hadn’t ordered any room service but with a cup of coffee in his hand he brought good news and bad news. The good news was it was snowing ( this most likely meant I could stay in bed) then as I got down to breakfast the bad news was that we were still going out in the snow, ‘ I didn’t sign up for this ‘ was my reaction.
After bragging to people back home that they had snow and the weather was great here in France I suppose it was justified that it snowed.
Oh well, off we went in the snow for a bit of a brisker ride of around 2 hours and lucky for us the snow stopped after 1 hour of riding and we ended up returning in sunshine, cold albeit at 1 degree. A 2hr 20 minute ride was certainly more than I would have done if it was snowing back home, I would have been on the internet straight away.
Today’s afternoon DVD Dark Knight, great movie.
7th. Wednesday
When waking up to a slight snow fall on the ground I was wondering whether I would be having a day off, but no chance there. We had come on training camp and off we went down the flat roads towards the town of Aussos.
It wasn’t very nice not feeling your fingers and toes but JH was happy in the van following us. After a few kms I went back to John to tell him we were going to keep the pace high so we could get warm quickly, and I think I shocked myself by looking at the car temperature gauge -4 degrees yes Minus. I didn’t tell the lads this as we had only done 30 minutes riding time. The snow in the air did stop as we got further away from the town we were staying but as we reached Aussos the snow had become thinker at the side of the road and we decided to stop for a photo at the town sign, bit of a comedy moment, the photo will prove it was a bit of fun, the decent down hill and the icey road after this wasn’t too much fun, with hands extremely cold trying to brake, Simon was close to jumping into the hedge his fingers were that cold. We got to the bottom and decided through and off was in order, this tempo was kept nearly all the way home and the return was much more fun than the journey out.
All in all I think we may have impressed ourselves today along with each other and the manager too, what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger they tell me.
120km in 3hr 45 in -4 degress stopping for a Aussos photo shoot now that’s just crazy.
To make up for the hard day in the saddle Charlie Pearch took us out to one of his favorite Brasseries in Town and wow was the food nice, lots of duck dishes to choose from and a nice Armagnac to wash it down with as dessert.
8th. Thursday
Rest day was in order or as my ex Aussie team mates used to like to call me Day Off.
We did plan to do a little on the bike, but as the snow had fallen so hard in the night and the temperature was barely above 0 degrees it would have been hard to even get down the hill from where we were staying, let alone keep warm.
After a couple of hours on the internet chatting to a few mates, we went in the van with everyone to a local working mens club type bar, for 10 euro's a head lunch, and wow it was worth every penny, simple great tasting food, these frenchies know how to cook good food.
In the evening it was DVD time again. After yesterdays epic ride we were all ready for a sleep in the afternoon, so some of us had one.
9th. Friday
After our bad weather days we were hoping for better signs, so both Charlie and John had checked out the weather forecast and said it was due to be up to 8 degrees, bonus we could get a long ride in today. It was a little chilly when we left at 10.30 about 2 degrees in the car temp gauge. On our route, a place where Matt wanted to go, Condom, the weather did start to warm up a little and after 75 km of undulating roads which reached our funny sign destination, of course we had to have a picture of this one, full team too. We also stopped for a croissant and coffee to warm us up for our journey home.
We needed more than that, it all started as we stepped out of the caf�, and it started to rain and then after about 5km Rhys snapped his rear gear cable in the STI so he was on the 14 sprocket for the last 2 hours, the rain came down heavier and was ice cold too, to make matters a little more challenging for Rhys he had a flat, I really thought he may jump in the van at this point, if it was me I would have been very close to it. He didn’t and we rode at about 35kmph back home squeezing our rain drenched gloves out and moaning how cold our hands were.
On our return we were in a bit of a state to say the least and we all proceeded to pat each other on the back for a big ‘ well done good ride mate ’
137 km 4hours 30mins and the last 2 hours of it in pouring ice cold rain, JH did say ‘what doesn’t kill ya makes ya stronger’ I bloody hope so, cos my hands are still tingling with hot aches.
10th. Saturday
Last day of bike riding on our French training camp and we were all hoping for better weather to get a good ride in. The good weather came, well at least it didn’t rain anyway. We went on the same route as the Aussos ride, we just didn’t stop for the funny sign picture this time, but the mist was coming in at the top of the climb today so I didn’t even see the sign. Matt was having a rest day today, back at the house home alone, so it was down to 5 of us. Charlie was back in the UK for the Hillingdon winter series, I just hope he took Johns advice on the tactics to go for.
So we finished off the camp with a nice ride, a bit steadier than then other longer rides we had done, but 120km in 4 hours was enough after a couple of epic rides in one week.
Another excellent meal cooked by our own resident chef Mr Herety and we were watching more TV and relaxing before our return to the UK the next day.
11th. Sunday
Nothing really happened to write about there, a normal travel day form taxi to airport to plane to baggage collection to car to home to sofa to bed. Trip over.
Until the next time away.
Hello People
and welcome to the 2009 season of Dean Downing.
First trip of the new year has been my trip to the South of France with the Rapha Condor boys, with 4 riders in the sunshine of Australia, Dan Craven still in Africa and Mr Newton training hard for the Track world cups and World Champs in march it was left to 6 of us, DS Mr Herety and we were all guests at Rapha fan and VIP member of the Rapha Condor Supporters club, Charlie Pearch's House in St Orens, Mauvezin, 40 mins or so west of Toulouse airport.
Hope u enjoy the diary of the weeks training.
Deano
Training camp
4th � 11th January 2009
4th. Sunday
1st camp of the 2009 season is in the south of France at one of Rapha Condor Team’s biggest fans Charlie Pearch’s French place.
What an amazing place this is for a camp, perfect roads, perfect terrain and the views are awesome.
So first of all thanks have to go to Charlie for letting 6 crazy cyclists and a manager into his fantastic Chataux l’Once.
It was an early start from the airport hotel, getting up at 5.30am to get a flight to France isn’t very kind, but after I was awake I realized I was on my first trip away of the season and with some new boys within the team it was going to be a good laugh. As Mr Herety always says ‘ same old jokes just different riders ’
Charlie met us at the airport in Toulouse and we packed ourselves into the hire Van and made our way to the Chataux a 40 minute drive west of the airport. On arrival Charlie showed us all around the beautiful converted barn house and to our rooms, wow is probably what most of the lads were thinking, I know I was. We had some lunch laughed a bit more and got the bikes together. Charlie was taking us for an easy spin around the countryside. Rolling small roads with hardly any cars to see and we were in training camp heaven, Charlie did ask us not to go too hard on the first ride for him, but we couldn’t get him off the front. After a 1 hour 30 minute ride we turned into the house all happy we had a hassle free ride, nice roads, dry, no dramas.
5th. Monday
After a great meal last night cooked by our very own 'Grand Chef' and Director Sportif John Herety, it was up and out at 10am on the bike. I only just made it after a very deep sleep was woken up by the DS, oops sorry bout that John.
On to the ride and a 3 hour ride around the French countryside was planned by our host Charlie, the roads he took us on were very quite indeed and perfect for group training, the terrain was rolling and perfect for, well training. A little longer than planned ended up in a nice coffee stop after 3 hours and 30 minutes of riding, after our espresso’s were down the hatch we made our 5 minute journey home to a warm house, a few hours in France at 3 degrees made up for all the snow we had been told about back home. After a shower and a bite to eat we all settled down to the hard afternoon of DVD watching. Hancock was the choice of the day.
6th. Tuesday
Well what can I say about the start to my day, as many people know I Hate Mornings. Today wasn’t any different, but as I had just woken up I had a knock on my bedroom door from new boy on the team, Matt Cronshaw. I hadn’t ordered any room service but with a cup of coffee in his hand he brought good news and bad news. The good news was it was snowing ( this most likely meant I could stay in bed) then as I got down to breakfast the bad news was that we were still going out in the snow, ‘ I didn’t sign up for this ‘ was my reaction.
After bragging to people back home that they had snow and the weather was great here in France I suppose it was justified that it snowed.
Oh well, off we went in the snow for a bit of a brisker ride of around 2 hours and lucky for us the snow stopped after 1 hour of riding and we ended up returning in sunshine, cold albeit at 1 degree. A 2hr 20 minute ride was certainly more than I would have done if it was snowing back home, I would have been on the internet straight away.
Today’s afternoon DVD Dark Knight, great movie.
7th. Wednesday
When waking up to a slight snow fall on the ground I was wondering whether I would be having a day off, but no chance there. We had come on training camp and off we went down the flat roads towards the town of Aussos.
It wasn’t very nice not feeling your fingers and toes but JH was happy in the van following us. After a few kms I went back to John to tell him we were going to keep the pace high so we could get warm quickly, and I think I shocked myself by looking at the car temperature gauge -4 degrees yes Minus. I didn’t tell the lads this as we had only done 30 minutes riding time. The snow in the air did stop as we got further away from the town we were staying but as we reached Aussos the snow had become thinker at the side of the road and we decided to stop for a photo at the town sign, bit of a comedy moment, the photo will prove it was a bit of fun, the decent down hill and the icey road after this wasn’t too much fun, with hands extremely cold trying to brake, Simon was close to jumping into the hedge his fingers were that cold. We got to the bottom and decided through and off was in order, this tempo was kept nearly all the way home and the return was much more fun than the journey out.
All in all I think we may have impressed ourselves today along with each other and the manager too, what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger they tell me.
120km in 3hr 45 in -4 degress stopping for a Aussos photo shoot now that’s just crazy.
To make up for the hard day in the saddle Charlie Pearch took us out to one of his favorite Brasseries in Town and wow was the food nice, lots of duck dishes to choose from and a nice Armagnac to wash it down with as dessert.
8th. Thursday
Rest day was in order or as my ex Aussie team mates used to like to call me Day Off.
We did plan to do a little on the bike, but as the snow had fallen so hard in the night and the temperature was barely above 0 degrees it would have been hard to even get down the hill from where we were staying, let alone keep warm.
After a couple of hours on the internet chatting to a few mates, we went in the van with everyone to a local working mens club type bar, for 10 euro's a head lunch, and wow it was worth every penny, simple great tasting food, these frenchies know how to cook good food.
In the evening it was DVD time again. After yesterdays epic ride we were all ready for a sleep in the afternoon, so some of us had one.
9th. Friday
After our bad weather days we were hoping for better signs, so both Charlie and John had checked out the weather forecast and said it was due to be up to 8 degrees, bonus we could get a long ride in today. It was a little chilly when we left at 10.30 about 2 degrees in the car temp gauge. On our route, a place where Matt wanted to go, Condom, the weather did start to warm up a little and after 75 km of undulating roads which reached our funny sign destination, of course we had to have a picture of this one, full team too. We also stopped for a croissant and coffee to warm us up for our journey home.
We needed more than that, it all started as we stepped out of the caf�, and it started to rain and then after about 5km Rhys snapped his rear gear cable in the STI so he was on the 14 sprocket for the last 2 hours, the rain came down heavier and was ice cold too, to make matters a little more challenging for Rhys he had a flat, I really thought he may jump in the van at this point, if it was me I would have been very close to it. He didn’t and we rode at about 35kmph back home squeezing our rain drenched gloves out and moaning how cold our hands were.
On our return we were in a bit of a state to say the least and we all proceeded to pat each other on the back for a big ‘ well done good ride mate ’
137 km 4hours 30mins and the last 2 hours of it in pouring ice cold rain, JH did say ‘what doesn’t kill ya makes ya stronger’ I bloody hope so, cos my hands are still tingling with hot aches.
10th. Saturday
Last day of bike riding on our French training camp and we were all hoping for better weather to get a good ride in. The good weather came, well at least it didn’t rain anyway. We went on the same route as the Aussos ride, we just didn’t stop for the funny sign picture this time, but the mist was coming in at the top of the climb today so I didn’t even see the sign. Matt was having a rest day today, back at the house home alone, so it was down to 5 of us. Charlie was back in the UK for the Hillingdon winter series, I just hope he took Johns advice on the tactics to go for.
So we finished off the camp with a nice ride, a bit steadier than then other longer rides we had done, but 120km in 4 hours was enough after a couple of epic rides in one week.
Another excellent meal cooked by our own resident chef Mr Herety and we were watching more TV and relaxing before our return to the UK the next day.
11th. Sunday
Nothing really happened to write about there, a normal travel day form taxi to airport to plane to baggage collection to car to home to sofa to bed. Trip over.
Until the next time away.
Posted on 28 Apr 2009 by Dean Downing
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