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Kenilworth Wheelers

Kenilworth Wheelers Cycling Club

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L’Etape du Tour Ride Report – M Duncan

July 26, 2019 by Admin Leave a Comment

Last Sunday I took on the L’Etape du tour which this year run from Albertville to Val Thorens. It is Stage 20 of this years Tour de France and it had been labelled as a “tough one”. Although it was only 135km in length there was 4,563m of climbing to negotiate, which included 3 categorised climbs.

First the 1st Cat “Cormet de Roselund” at 19km 1203m Then the 2nd cat “Cote de Longefoy” at 6km 457m and finishing with the HC, the “Montee de Val Thorens” at 35km 1840m

This is the first time I have ridden in the high mountains so I was a bit anxious about the ride and had asked for advice from a few of the guys. Andrew McAinshs advice of “ride the climbs full gas and attack the decents” was ignored.

I was staying in a hotel in Les Menuires which is 10km from the finish at Val Thorens. To get to the start I had to get up at 4am to take a shuttle bus down the mountain with a bunch of French cyclists to the start which for me was at 7.30am.

I rolled out of Albertville in perfect weather to much fanfare with Didi the devil jumping around the start line. I was taking it easy warming up nicely with 20km to the start of the Cormet de Roselund. However, as soon as you get out of Albertville you are climbing all the way to the start of the climb and had already about 500m climbing done by the time I reached the foot. Got onto the first climb and I find myself going really well, going past 100s of riders, beautiful scenery, no problems, took me 1 hour 26 minutes.

After a fast decent, I stopped at the feed station at the bottom of the climb in Bourg-Saint-Maurice, after a few km of up and down I was onto the second climb. By this time the temperature was rising and I didnt feel as “fresh” on this climb as the road went up, also I could tell riders around me were starting to struggle with a few riders stopping on the hairpins for a breather. But still, I had no issues went past 100s of riders, making good progress feeling quite happy with myself. Down the other side of the second climb was very technical descent with loads of switchbacks which took us down to the bottom of the last climb into Moutiers.

By the time I arrived in Moutiers the temperature was about 35 degrees and I was well aware I had already climbed around 3000m, but I was loving it. I stopped in the feed station in Moutiers and it was like war. Although it was all friendly it was a fight to get water/coke/food, people going through it like piranhas.

Onto the last climb, 35Km to go to the finish, feed station at halfway. And the bottom of this climb is steep and relentless and I start to see casualties, people lying at the side of the road, riders coming back down the hill. It is tough, riders getting off their bikes to get water from the mountain streams, stopping to cool down from spectators hose pipes, I’m in the bottom gear for about 10 km, progress is really slow and I’m just grinding it out.

The feed station at halfway couldn’t come quick enough, I stopped lay the bike on the ground and rest for about 10 minutes, I was cooked as was everyone else around me.

Back on the bike and it flattened out for a few kilometres up to Les Menuires and then it kicks up again for the final 10Km up to Val Thorens. By now I am seeing riders really struggling, people pushing their bikes, throwing up on the side of the road, one guy had keeled over and was lying in the road, ambulances were running around. I recall thinking to myself “im never doing this again this is crazy, I work in IT” but I knew I had broken the back of it at this point.

I finally make it to Val Thorens, the finish line was at the other side of town and just to add a little sting the last 500m is a gravel section that kicks up to about 15%.

It took me 2 hours 53 minutes to do the last climb with about 10 minutes at the feed station and about 7 hours total in the saddle.

It’s the toughest ride I have ever done. I read that around 12500 people started and 10134 finished, I finished 3216th place. The is event is very well organised and the people at the side of the road are genuinly enthusiastic. I really enjoyed it and very happy I did it, and I would do it again in a h eartbeat.

Sunday September 15th! Kenilworth Wheelers Reliability ride!

July 16, 2013 by Jessica Conner Leave a Comment

Entry is just £3 on the day with all profits to Myton Hospice.
Venue= Barford Memorial Hall, Church Street, Barford, Warwickshire.
Tea/coffee and cakes available before and after the ride.
Two routes; A 43 mile loop towards Ilmington (with 2343 ft of climbing) or an 80 mile route out around Stow (with 5171 ft of climbing)
members and Non- members welcome!! Join us on September 15, 2013 at 8am

Dragon Ride 2009

March 5, 2009 by Admin Leave a Comment

For anyone who has entered the Dragon Ride, I have booked the house that we all stayed in last year and there are still a few places left if you are in need of accommodation. The cost is £30 each including breakfast and if you talk to members who stayed last year, I’m sure that they will confirm that it is probably the best B&B in all of Wales (for £30 anyway). Last year we arrived mid afternoon and sat in glorious sunshine in the walled garden drinking endless cups of tea (all included in the price). There is secure carpeted bike storage in the house next to the harp in the grand entrance hall.

I intend to book the restaurant again in Wick once I have numbers for the accommodation and of course other members who are not staying with us are most welcome. I will circulate the menu once the booking for the meal is confirmed. ItÂ’s pub grub but at least you are with friends!

Please e-mail steve.r.hesketh@ntlworld.com if you are interested in joining us for what has become the annual sportive extravaganza.

Wheelers team tackle Cat ‘n’ Fiddle Sportive

October 13, 2008 by Admin Leave a Comment

A successful trip to the Peak District by a few hardy souls from the Wheelers for the annual Cat ‘n’ Fiddle Sportive (Sun 5th Oct). The starters were Steve Hopkins, Debbie C, Roland Smythe, John McQuire, Dominic H, Dennis W and BMW Dave, who all completed it from start to finish as a single, well formed, badly fit, fully kitted out team (bar Roland who missed the Cat ‘n’ Fiddle cafe stop and finished the route while the rest were on their top up of coffees) . The route took the group from Stoke , north to Macclesfield, the long 7 mile climb to the Cat ‘n’ Piddle, then Buxton and south back to Stoke. The event was made more memorable by the accompaniment of ex-Pro Sean Kelly and Premier Rider Malcolm Elliot (and their hangers-on ) for most of the route.

Good team effort by all. 55ml completed in 3hrs 20. A gentler alternative to the previous year’s Autumn Epic.”

Support Chris May!

June 26, 2008 by Admin Leave a Comment

In his Charity cycle ride to the South Coast.

In spite of hardly riding my bicycle at all at the moment, I am endeavouring to organise a charity cycle ride in aid of the Acorns Children’s Hospice .

I will be very thankful if you are able to offer your financial support to this worthy cause in return for knowing that I will be suffering to keep up with the fitter guys all the way to from Leamington Spa to Shoreham on the South Coast!!

All donations are welcome – preferably via: www.justgiving.com/ricardocharitycycleride

Many thanks for your support!

Chris

Club Run Sunday 24th June – Steve Randle Special

June 17, 2007 by Admin Leave a Comment

This Sunday’s club run will start 9am from the castle as usual. However it will be led by Steve Randle through the fine lanes of South Warwickshire to his Bidford on Avon home for a tea stop. More details here.

Sunday 3rd June Club run – 8am start

June 2, 2007 by Admin Leave a Comment

Title says it all. To be lead my Neil G, route dependent on weather.

Sunday Run Update

April 16, 2007 by Admin Leave a Comment

The eagerly awaited revised Sunday runs list will be posted soon. This will include our much loved but as yet unsuccesful 8 am start on the first sunday of the month. This will commence on Sunday 6th May. The intention with the early start is in order to have a longer ride once a month and still get back at normal time. This will be useful for those taking part in sportive rides in the coming months as well as the racers.
If anybody else is interested in leading a ride please contact Jon Stephenson who leads the Sunday rides currently.

Track Session #1

March 12, 2007 by Admin Leave a Comment

A good day out was had by all at the Newport Velodrome on Sunday 11th.

Kenilworh Wheelers Track

More pictures can be found in the gallery here.

Sunday Run Photos Feb 07

February 26, 2007 by Admin 1 Comment

Neil G took his camera out for the first time on the Sunday run on the 18th February.

Kenilworth Wheelers Club Run

This and more pictures can be seen in the new club online gallery. Don’t forget all KW members can now upload their images to the gallery!

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The Kenilworth Wheelers are affiliated to the following associations

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