My turn to have gawn and dunnit, just signed up for the 2012 L'Etape du Tour in the Pyrenees!

As some of you are already aware I'm close to leaving blighty to start a new life in the Pyrenees. We are aiming to setup a cycling based B&B which will have access to some of the most awe inspiring climbs of the the TdF. Naturally once we are up and running I'd hope to see some of (all would be nice) you come over to ride some of the most spectacular scenery in the world, I'll be sure to let you have details when we are ready, there will of course be discount for club members.

We will be living in the area close to the staging of the Etape whilst we look for suitable property, so thought that I needed a challenge to aim for, the Etape seemed like a good choice, although at present I can't imagine the fitness levels I'll need to accomplish the whole stage! I'm starting with a tough Sportive in the area on the 19th of February, so will be thinking of you all running the Kentish Killer, you now know why I can't help out ;-)

I look forward to getting in some rides with you all before I go....

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Permalink Reply by Chris Dines on January 5, 2012 at 10:18

Exciting! I'm committed to the Marmotte with a bunch of mates....but just reread Stephen Joseph's account of last year!

Chris

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Permalink Reply by Brian Willis on January 5, 2012 at 10:31

You will be fine mate you know how to suffer on cobbles, I'm however going to be relying on living in the area and getting lots of riding in, the Col du Aspin will be literally at the end of my road!

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Permalink Reply by Chris Dines on January 5, 2012 at 10:36

Not sure whether you can say, but when do you plan to be up and running with the business?

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Permalink Reply by michael farla club captain on January 5, 2012 at 15:56

excellent stuff Brian !

wish you and wife all the best in new venture m

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Permalink Reply by Brian Willis on January 7, 2012 at 11:58

Thanks Michael hope you can get down at some point!

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Permalink Reply by David Howard smith on January 6, 2012 at 12:10

Need advice from us old hands at the Etape we can give the low down on how not to do it. Ian Soper, Simon Lumston, Mark Cope, Colin Rance and myself rode seveval Etapes between 1999 and 2004 including two in the Pyrenees.We have many tales of epic adventures, of driving through the night to make the signing on in Pau in the south of France, of freezing rain make hands so cold you can't brake on the decents etc.Say the word and one of us will Bore you silly with our yarns.

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Permalink Reply by Brian Willis on January 7, 2012 at 11:50

Always glad to hear your yarns mate, not stupid enough to think that I know it all, as I surely don't. Certainly looking forward to have the Col Aspin at the end of my road though, that should help with the training, so long as I can get up it!

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Permalink Reply by David Howard smith on January 7, 2012 at 21:46

You will have an advantage over all our Etape rides, by moving out to the area you will not have the problems involved in getting to the start. The trips to the Etape is always more demanding than the ride.You will also have the advantage of knowing the climbs.

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Permalink Reply by Brian Willis on January 8, 2012 at 13:02

The only one that really concerns me is the Tourmalet, if I can cope with that (and I will have time to try a few times) I will only have the average speed to deal with, being my first Etape, I'll be starting towards the back, so the broom wagon will never be far behind me
;-)