This week it’s sunshine and the open road that’s kept me amused and off the computer, and I’m pleased to report that there are already more cyclists on the road than normal for this time of year. Undoubtedly there are a couple of reasons for this enthusiasm:
1) Cycling is free!
It’s also great fun but in these times of financial strife being free is a greater attraction than being fun. So stick your hand in your pocket, spend 1000 euros on a bike, and that will be the last big expense of the year. Just get out of bed each morning and cycle until you’re too exhausted to do anything else. You will even spend less on food, as you become obsessive about losing weight, so you’ll recoup your 1000 euros in no time at all.
2) The Lance factor.
Love him or hate him, Lance Armstrong draws the crowds and the attention to cycling. It is clear that if he does take part in the Tour de France this year (which is looking pretty likely now) the race will have lots of extra spectators and publicity. And whatever you think, you can’t really dislike someone so dedicated to raising gazillions of dollars for cancer charity. Something about him makes people want to leap on a bike.
Mrs B bought me a ‘heart rate monitor’ for Christmas, either as an indispensable aid to cycling training, or perhaps as a polite way of telling me to calm down and take up gardening instead. Whatever the reason, it makes cycling even more interesting. A chest strap and a thing like a watch on my wrist keep me constantly informed of whether I am trying hard enough or not.
To add to the excitement, towards the top of hills when I’ve been overdoing it a little alarm goes off indicating that if my heart beats any faster there is an imminent danger of collapse and death at the edge of the road. So the trick is to try extra hard to get to the top of the hill before the alarm notices…
As well as heart rate, I also need to keep an eye on cycling cadence (pedalling speed), actual speed, average speed, the choice of gears, wind direction etc. Maintaining correct body fluid levels is of course also crucial. I don’t have a bike GPS system or power meter yet but I’m sure it’s only a matter of time.
When I’m cycling with someone else I also need to keep an eye on drafting – cycling very close behind someone, for the wind protection it brings – and how often to take the lead (these are both very big issues when cycling in a group).
They tell me there are hundreds of miles of beautiful roads to explore near where I live, although all this monitoring and gadgetry does mean that I have no time left to actually enjoy the scenery, take a photo, or stop to look at the views. I might just have well been cycling through an inner-city slum or on a training bike in a gym.
But the weather man tells me I had a lovely trip out today, and can do the same again tomorrow.
You’re a lucky sod. I’m currently getting ready for work where I will be until 10pm tonight. Even if I was off it’s cold outside and too windy/wet to get on a bike. What I wouldn’t give to be cycling through quiet lanes in the Dordogne instead…
You can’t believe how happy I am not having an office job to go to (although I work a lot of hours at home, they are often morning and later evening so I can usually go out in the afternoon). Today it’s about 20 degrees, sunny and clear, perfect weather for cycling. Now, where shall I go this afternoon: Chateau Milandes, Molieres…
Thanks for compounding my misery Boris.
Your misery is my pleasure. As I always tell people who stay in our gites…
1000Euros on a bike!!! There must be money in the gites business. Mine cost 250 and i am a very happy little camper. Love your blog by the way.
Mark, the bike was a present and the most expensive thing I’ve bought in years! I cycle about 5k miles a year and my earlier cheaper bike started to fall to bits after about three years of hard use so I figured it was worth paying a bit more. But you’re right it’s not necessary to pay 1,000 euros. On the other hand lots of enthusiasts would pay 3,000 euros plus and still not think they were buying a great bike, so 1,000 is really pretty reasonable.
But you are a golf pro…most golf enthusiasts I know pay quite a lot for expensive clubs I think, although some are a bit secretive about the prices…
Boris, you have inspired me to get the bikes out this weekend and take a ride down the cycle path to the English pub in Port Grimaud for a bit of Sunday lunch. Joking aside the cycle paths down here on the Riviera are just fantastic. My wife and I have been cycling now for about 3 years, we started after a short stay in Paris where we discovered the ‘Velo libre, we now try to cycle every weekend.
As far as expensive bikes are concerned some ‘NUTS’ like my accountant can spend 5000euros on a bike! In fact if my accountant reads this, “we need to discuss your rates Eric”
‘although some are a bit secretive about the prices…’ No comment!
Hi,
We have a house in Sarlat where we intend to spend a lot of time. I am a triathlete and wonder if there are any long-distance cycling clubs, or triathlon clubs in the Dordogne???
Thanks,
Emily
Hi
I’m sure Sarlat will have a decent cycling club – ask in the Mairie or Office de Tourisme as a good starting point, or ask in the local bike shop.
As for specific long distance cycling clubs or a triathlon club, that might be harder, I’ve never come across one around here – but perhaps that’s because I’ve never looked…depends partly what you mean by long distance, club rides are often 80-100 kilometres. Do you mean something much longer than that by ‘long-distance’?