Oh endearing public. I know I have forsaken you for oh so long. As you have pined for new posts documenting the flagrant mediocrity of our ragtag bunch, life's demands (and the evaporation of my mind's ink) have let this blog grow stale.
Well, buckle up. I finally have some stuff to write about. A trip so damn awesome that it will take ME about 5 posts to whip out some entertainment on y'all.
What event could be so awesome as to inspire multiple blogasms?
Damn sure not some crazy Everesting scenario, where I rode around in a hilly circle, doing a two-wheeled Sisyphus reenactment. Nope, that wouldn't WHIP me into a frenzy, on neither bike nor blog.
It's not talking racing strategy, or the latest crossfit WOD* at the Box**. Those things are lost on ME, And everyone else that wants their kidneys to stay INSIDE their bodies.
It's France. As in LeTour. And some climbs therein. If that doesn't turn your crank, then you are not welcome to read further. Please close this page and consider yourself uninvited to future entertainment. Good day, sir! I said Good Day!
Ahhhh. I see you read on. Good.
FRANCE BLOG POST #1 - THE PREPARATION
Nearly a year ago my good buddy Ullrich, with middle age nipping at his psyche, declared "I am going to France. I am going to see the Tour. And I am bringing my bike" Anyone that knows Ullrich is unsurprised at such a declaration. He is a man of bold action, particularly when a plate of sausage and soft cheeses are in front of him. But in this case, there was a glint of resolve in his eye typically present only when he uttered his signature phrase "Have I Ever Told You..."
So the dream of French conquest was seeded by a German with High T and a taste for sausage. No, this isn't a Gay-Hitler fantasy. It's leTour.
Coming off a pretty good year of work, count ME in! The Yeti shortly also jumped on LeTrain. We determined the best way to make this work was a couples trip. Behind every German is a woman holding a frying pan. And that woman wants to go to France too. Sales pitch to the ladies? This is a trip with bikes, not a bike trip. So we were at six. Then the Love Doctor also jumped on board (bachelor-style)! Sadly, our big friend, the Ticket had conflicting plans. Also unsurprising, as his schedule commitments rival the Queen of England. Pomp and circumstance are constant companions of today's high-powered CEO.
The initial biking plan was very high level. Find a kickass place in the French Alps, bring the bikes, watch the Tour at the Alpe d'Huez stage, and climb Alpe d'Huez and as many other iconic climbs as the trip would allow. Let the training commence! Our excellent coach, Jack Cartwright, soaked up the plan, and commenced to punishing us in earnest. Them hills over there are kind of steep, and long. As Kevin Livingston's old coach used to say "You are too fat!!" It was time to lose some weight.
Thoroughly excited about the new challenge, we dove into the training regimen. Time ticked. Pounds stingily dropped. And remarkably, the Ticket's calendar freed up! With a little help from the WHIP, The Ticket also located a sweet style-pad in our targeted home base of Briancon. This town was only a 90 minute drive down D1091 to the base of D'Huez, and a truly great place for touring with the ladies. This means quaint shops, lots of history, great views and great food. So we booked it up, with 9 in the Fellowship of D'Huez. All signs pointed to an excellent trip!!
Tomorrow's Post: The Tunnel Is Out!!
*WOD = Workout of the Day - includes kettlebells, tractor tires and compression socks
** Box = Crossfit garage. Typically a spartan looking, converted storage facility
Well, buckle up. I finally have some stuff to write about. A trip so damn awesome that it will take ME about 5 posts to whip out some entertainment on y'all.
What event could be so awesome as to inspire multiple blogasms?
Damn sure not some crazy Everesting scenario, where I rode around in a hilly circle, doing a two-wheeled Sisyphus reenactment. Nope, that wouldn't WHIP me into a frenzy, on neither bike nor blog.
It's not talking racing strategy, or the latest crossfit WOD* at the Box**. Those things are lost on ME, And everyone else that wants their kidneys to stay INSIDE their bodies.
It's France. As in LeTour. And some climbs therein. If that doesn't turn your crank, then you are not welcome to read further. Please close this page and consider yourself uninvited to future entertainment. Good day, sir! I said Good Day!
Ahhhh. I see you read on. Good.
FRANCE BLOG POST #1 - THE PREPARATION
Nearly a year ago my good buddy Ullrich, with middle age nipping at his psyche, declared "I am going to France. I am going to see the Tour. And I am bringing my bike" Anyone that knows Ullrich is unsurprised at such a declaration. He is a man of bold action, particularly when a plate of sausage and soft cheeses are in front of him. But in this case, there was a glint of resolve in his eye typically present only when he uttered his signature phrase "Have I Ever Told You..."
So the dream of French conquest was seeded by a German with High T and a taste for sausage. No, this isn't a Gay-Hitler fantasy. It's leTour.
Coming off a pretty good year of work, count ME in! The Yeti shortly also jumped on LeTrain. We determined the best way to make this work was a couples trip. Behind every German is a woman holding a frying pan. And that woman wants to go to France too. Sales pitch to the ladies? This is a trip with bikes, not a bike trip. So we were at six. Then the Love Doctor also jumped on board (bachelor-style)! Sadly, our big friend, the Ticket had conflicting plans. Also unsurprising, as his schedule commitments rival the Queen of England. Pomp and circumstance are constant companions of today's high-powered CEO.
The initial biking plan was very high level. Find a kickass place in the French Alps, bring the bikes, watch the Tour at the Alpe d'Huez stage, and climb Alpe d'Huez and as many other iconic climbs as the trip would allow. Let the training commence! Our excellent coach, Jack Cartwright, soaked up the plan, and commenced to punishing us in earnest. Them hills over there are kind of steep, and long. As Kevin Livingston's old coach used to say "You are too fat!!" It was time to lose some weight.
Thoroughly excited about the new challenge, we dove into the training regimen. Time ticked. Pounds stingily dropped. And remarkably, the Ticket's calendar freed up! With a little help from the WHIP, The Ticket also located a sweet style-pad in our targeted home base of Briancon. This town was only a 90 minute drive down D1091 to the base of D'Huez, and a truly great place for touring with the ladies. This means quaint shops, lots of history, great views and great food. So we booked it up, with 9 in the Fellowship of D'Huez. All signs pointed to an excellent trip!!
Tomorrow's Post: The Tunnel Is Out!!
*WOD = Workout of the Day - includes kettlebells, tractor tires and compression socks
** Box = Crossfit garage. Typically a spartan looking, converted storage facility
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