0

Your basket is empty

Go to shop »

We are showing you the Canadian version of our site: would you prefer a different location?

You don't know what you've got…

By Slate Olson • 14th October 2010 10:32pm • Posted in Rides

About forty-five minutes into my cyclocross race this past Sunday I looked down at my legs in pain and yearned for a feeling that I had just four short weeks ago. You see, a month ago when I stepped off my BMC in the middle of Ascoli Piceno on that last day of the Rapha Randonnée Appenninni I felt as invincible as I ever have on the bike. Legs swollen by six consecutive days of 6-7 big climbing hours in the saddle, I had transcended from weekend warrior to a hardened grimpeur.

But last Sunday, with distance, the days and the realities of work and family, my "good legs" were just a fond memory.

Since coming back I've kept in touch with some of the other riders and the guides from La Fuga. We're all back into the swing of our lives, and we are all already trying to figure out when we can get away next for a "camp" like that again.

I have spoken with some of the Randonné alumnus from the other trips and it seems that our Italian experience was true for the French tours as well. I was curious if that those trips were as hard and as rewarding as what I had felt of Italy, and if they would consider doing another Randonnée? To which I heard back:

"As I told Claire atop Alpe d'Huez (after the Madeleine and Glandon) 'That day was gift.' I was in tears, I had a Cavendish moment."

"Because of how delightfully wrecked I was at the end of each day. I dug deep and kept up for the most part- but wow was I was in tatters."

"To cycle is to suffer. Maybe I'll be faster next time."

(me, Carrick, Pablo, Arnie, Aussie, Ian)

Comments

Jon Cannings

15th October 2010 02:43pm

legs are lookin ripped in bottom pic there mate. Holty looks fresh, sat on the back all week?!

Bruce Rychlik

16th October 2010 12:22am

I went on the 6 day trip through the French Alps thinking it would be a great chance to check off some incredible mountain passes – one more impressive the next. But by the second day, I could no longer worry about the remaining cols of the day or the next day's ride - the terrain was challenging enough that I had to stay focused on the moment - and that, in fact, turned out to be the reward - and, I think, the beauty of a randonnée. The water's edge in Nice would reveal itself in time.

I made this video for the guides and the riders as a way of saying thanks – I think it captures the essence of our week together: http://www.vimeo.com/15628110

Tim Goode

19th October 2010 03:43pm

So…when are the new RAPHA bibs you are wearing going to be available?

Rapha Blog RSS feed