I'm back again

Family hiking in Asturias. I regained contact with cycling this morning after a three week gap of indulgence and indolence. No comments...

Starting holidays. No more post for a month or so...

Worked intervals for a full hour. Not that bad... (things are looking up ;) )

Today I've hit the lowest point of the season (so far...) I've been more than three minutes down my worse time to Horta. I admit that climbed in appalling heat and really didn't fell like it and I could even fancy about a convenient illness just breaking through but... it's been a shameful, pityful, painful and forgetable climb.

Cyclomuletisme again. Spent a lot of time getting rid from that damm dust that gets in those greasy spots just planning to stay there and thrieve.

The long and hilly route to Tibidabo once again. My physical condition is obviously suffering from an irregular training schedule (all right, no schedule at all). Anyway it's a lot steeper than it looks.

Another charming house about to be demolished. It's like watching an old bike in a junk yard. How many memories are still hoarded among those walls? Sic transit...

Tourist-like ride by the seaside on Sunday. Rode at sight-seeing pace from Segur to El Roc mostly through weekender crowded lanes. Once more I forgot my camera (when will I ever learn...)
Got halted by local police and was politely but firmly seen off from a pedestrian-only zone. Fortunately, I was not fined (thanks guys!)
Spent most of my cycling time running errands on my do-it-all bike.

Low key riding these days. Last Sunday went for one of my favourites through trafficless lanes amidst vineyards (got some pics this time). The upper picture shows a slightly scaled down copy of la Giralda tower in Seville. No doubt the owner was an eccentric well doing fellow.
By the way, spent some time with hub overhauling. The right cone of the back wheel showed a noticeable indentation but seems to roll fine.

Still in loose gravel mood. Stopped to offer some help to a mountain biker fiddling with a leaking rear tube. My unexpected appearence on a drop-bar-fendered-bike had a persistent jaw-dropping effect. Poor guy...

Climbed to Horta on Monday. Spinned effortlessly (or so I'd wish to think...). Today was in a different, countercultural and more adventurous mood so shifted to true cyclomulestisme. Here are some pics.

week summary

I've not been able to cycle as much as I'd liked this week so I 've had to settle for a climb to Tibidabo (the hard way, what else?) and an outing through muddy country lanes in the rain ( a combo of drizzle and showers). As everybody can appreciate, this time I rode my heavily retrofitted hybrid bike. I'm quite proud of it.

It started raining at the small hours and kept going on relentlessly. Right now the faster guys should be close to the finish. As for the rest... may they have a tailwind and wear good waterproofs.
By the way.... is it a Hetchins? (see the curly stays?) I'd have liked to meet that guy.

I've been taking short spins all week while testing the new cycling shoes (newer than the former new ones). They are a pair of "city walking shoes" that hold an astonishing resemblance to vintage cycling shoes. Right now I'm fully aware that I'm in a good form (physical and mental) but for a vague sensation of relaxation as if I had already gone over the season's pitch point.

Brevet 400

403 km in 22 hours sharp. Not bad. Oh, by the way... I'm not going to this year's BPB (come on, that's not the end, it's just a new beginning)
Note: I'm not that fat, just donned every available piece of clothes.

Training ride to Horta; spinned up easily but felt legs slightly sore. Cleaned drivetrain ( and the rest of the bike) and sorted out equipment.
Right now, everything should be ready for the 400 (but the rider as usual...)

a pre-400 ride

Yesterday's outing: Coll de Parpers - Collsacreu - Coll Formic - Collsupina and back home. A character forming- leg crushing experience.
May 5th is the date limit for BPB applications and I'm in doubt. Yesterday's ride was less than satisfactory; I mean, did it but found it too though for me. So... as the old saying goes: "when in doubt, don't". Perhaps the most sensible thing would be waiting for the 400 before making any decision

Random thoughts

Last week's 300k was a rewarding experience. I rode it alone and though I have to confess that spent part of the afternoon hours talking to my shadow (till sunset, obviously) this day will always evoke fond memories to me. Where was the critical point? The climb to Prades? No. Perhaps the "seven sisters" past la Granadella? Closer but... no again. The turning point of the Brevet and I'd like to fancy that of the BPB was the last control at the Coll de la Portella when , with darkness falling and shaken by a gale-like wind, suddenly realized I was getting really pressed for the time . Not only was I able to navigate in the dark (with a "negligible" exception in Igualada) but spinned steadily regaining minute after minute. The last climb (Coll d'Odena) just 20 km to the finish was graced by heavy rain and to my disappointment, when I reached the finish nobody was waiting for me. But the fact, what really mattered, was some kind of mental switch that took place along the last 70 km. For the first time during all this months of training I felt different as if I had crossed an invisible line.

300 Km

I did it. It took me 19:35 minuts. Lost a good half an hour "touring" Igualada. It got quite close to my pre-ride schedule but the really important thing is that I brought back something intangible; a feeling of fullfilment I cannot put into words.

Made a couple of climbs to el Portell this week. Slow cadence; just enough to keep up muscular tone.
I've been studying with some detail Saturday's course profile and, well... the ride can claim quite a lot of AAA points (too many in my opinion for such a short itinerary). The leg from Valls to La Granadella will be the most challenging part. On the other hand, the whole Brevet will reward riders with lots of car-less lanes and terrific scenic views.

A fast ride to Moià. Was unable to stumble out of bed till half past seven (don't mean I'm that lazy just felt worn out after a heavy week). Good sensations. Followed the classic route to Calders spinning easily enough. Made a conscious effort to keep stops short. Arrived home in just six and a half hours. Met hoards of cyclists; was everybody out today?

First Outing

Made a slow climb to Horta. Felt the legs a bit heavy. I finally opted to shellac the bar tape (white gets dirty too easily)

And the day went well... (200 Km)

Manresa, Font dels Capellans, just before dawn. A field of 130 or so randonneurs assembling bikes and calmly sorting out equipment. Time to greet old acquaintances from previous Brevet while making efforts to pry out my bike from the rear of the car. There's quite a lot of people this morning and I have to queue up to get my card and route sheet. After minimal hesitation in the dark I manage to locate Prudenci (the only one displaying reflective cuffs) with whom I had made a mail appointment. To my surprise he was chatting to a Santa-like guy whom I'd stumbled upon on my last 300k under heavy rain but, after some kilometres, was unable to keep pace with. The man happened to be a cheery soul with a fresh Paris-Brest under his belt (at least that explains why he dropped me so easily last season). Someone from the organization said we were allowed to leave à la francaise since there were to many ciclists for a collective start so the three of us set out in the early light of what would become a wet foggy morning. We cunningly opted to follow a group that was apparently taking a short-cut just to realize (after a couple of kilometres or so) that we had missed a turn somewhere and were pointing in the wrong direction. After the due course amendment and some wasted time we proceeded towards the first control point. to be continued...

One day to go

I'd better say "half a day to go". Why do I get so nervous before the first brevet of the season?
Tomorrow by this time everything will be over (hopefully)

Spit and Polish

Two days to go. Bike clean and lubed. No turning back : Past the point of no-return no backward glances...

Today I went over wednesday's route and, this time, heard non undue noise. Start feeling a bit edgy.

Yesterday morning climbed to el Portell de Valldaura hearing again a little annoying noise that seemed to come from the bottom bracket. To make things even more baffling I remember having swapped the old cartridge for a fresh one not so long ago (three or four days, may be?) and, after a careful inspection, it didn't looked like coming loose. Thus, in a mood of empirical enquire I started to check the bike while riding and observed that the noise appeared when hitting hard on the left crank. I gladly assumed it just was the pedal axle asking for some grease but when I dismounted for a final confirmation it appeared to run smoothly. I was puzzled. Perhaps the frame had developed a crack? (cold sweat). No , I inspected it carefully last week (sigh of relief). Then, all of a sudden, when I was giving way to despair I accidentally touched the rear fender and... it sounded much like that intriguing noise. The final diagnose was simple: every time the frame flexed under my powerful (ehem) left stroke, the left chainstay touched the rear fender causing to vibrate. After a skillful field repair (squeezed up that bit of the fender) I retrieved my peace of mind. Now everything seems ready for next Sunday (but for the rider).

Changed my mind. In fact, there were three things conspiring against yersterday's intended target:
a) Changing to summer time (putting forward a full hour) That was an hour less of sleep.
b) Not having slept the previous night (I was on duty). And didn't feel like giving away a full sleeping hour
c) The recent overhaul prudently asked for a shorter ride. (A loose bottom bracket is a hard thing to fix on the road).
As usual, I made up for it with the hilliest course I was able to find around town: Sta Creu d'Olorda, Tibidabo and Portell de Valldaura. The pedalier worked fine and though I still noticed a squeak when hitting hard on the pedals I'd dare to say I can deal with it by just oiling the stem/front tube interface

Countdown

With only a week to go, tomorrow I'll definitely test myself (and the just overhauled bike): Coll d'Estenalles. (what else?)

Yesterday, after work, I comitted myself to the daunting enterprise of overhauling the transmission. To be sincere, the bottom bracket was calling for a new axle (with an insistent noisy squeak that disturbed my peace of mind every time the grade increased beyond a certain point) and with Brevets looming I prudently opted to keep ma petite reine in full working order. My concern now was my hability to replace the sealed cartridge since I had failed in my previous attempt. I'll stick up for myself: the frame was new and the threading needed to be rethreaded so I had no option but to swallow my (mechanical) pride and take the half-assembled bike to a mechanic. I would like to write that this time things ran smoothly but it would not be even close to reality. To make it short, at the end, and much to my surprise, I got through quite satisfactorily (stubborness, you know...). Of course, there's no need to mention here that it took me more than two hours and a couple of visits to the nearby bike shop (badly needed a huge wrench)

Today: Horta. I wanted to have a look at the new pedestrian bridge laid over the Portell de Valldaura (that's the summit). I must confess that I retracted from yesterday's statement and reattached the toeclips (a larger ones though) and, well, it seems it works (on the other hand I just couldn't stand that cheap- supermarket-bike look). Today's was not a fast climb but made up for it with a fast descent to Horta's viewpoint and the subsequent climb back. Lots of wind on both sides.

Tibidabo. This time by the classic route. Felt uncomfortable in the new shoes as though I was not able to push my feet forward enough. So... I stopped and removed the toe clips and, oh boy, it was a revelation! Now I could place my feet freely on the pedal and liked it a lot. It was liberating!I climbed quite comfortably and the descent was uneventful turning my concerns of high cadence pedal slipping unfounded. On the other hand, now the bike looks, well, how could I put it? The bike now doesn't look like the other bikes...

I'm back

Yesterday night came back from a family skiing weekend. This morning I cleaned up my bike and made some front wheel removal practice (the front mudguard stay fixing bolts make it a bit tricky and I can imagine myself in a wet inky night somewhere far from civilization...) Not a bad timing though.

Wednesday, 19th

Climbed Horta keeping a fast cadence. I'm still breaking in my new cycling shoes (well, they're a pair of thick soled running shoes) but I somehow managed to make quite of a time.

Tibidabo again (and again)

Have I mentioned stubborness as a randonneur's virtue? Oh well...
This morning I revisited Tibidabo purposely chosing the hilliest route and started to feel slightly optimistic. By the way, after Sunday's character forming experience I was really , really glad to sit again on my Brooks.

Montsoriu Castle

Another gruelling climb on poor pavement (yes, those small grey patches among potholes and loose gravel). This time I was riding an old Rieju I bought cheap two years ago. This bike has undergone only a partial makeover that excluded the traditional saddle swap. When will I ever learn...?
Oh , one more thing: I'd better replace the original brakes for anything with some kind of stopping power. I'm sure it'll be a dramatic upgrade when rolling downhill.

Segur-Sant Jaume dels Domenys- La Múnia

Got out for a relaxed ride in farmland. Quite a few hills but not enough to claim altitude awards. Nice country roads between endleds vineyards spotted here and there with old farm houses and cellar buildings ( no pics this time; forgot my camera). The tarmac was fine and motorised traffic conveniently scarce. Kept successfully on the big ring for long bits. Good feelings but I'm fully aware that it was just a four hour outing.

Wednesday, 12th

Tibidabo again by the hard way. Not that bad for a convalescent guy. This time rode home partially trough dirt lanes (scanning ahead for unfriendly dogs).
Got quite a fright when the front brake lever suddenly failed (someone , all right, me, forgot to tighten the cable nut properly). Fortunately I was on a flat bit; that will teach me to routinely check brakes before mounting.

Feeling better but not enough to ride. Let's take it as a new beginning. From now on every day matters.

Got a bad cold and been unable to train for a week. Feeling horrible right now. Am I supposed to make an outing this Sunday? No way, lad.

See the almonds trees in full white bloom? Tad early this year, isn't it?

Wednesday, 27th

Climbed to Tibidabo but purposely chose the hard way; that is from St Bartomeu following the itinerary of the Transcollserola. I felt good on the bike. Arrived home feeling quite optimistic.
Note: I'd better polish the front rim.

It's been a strange sortie. At early morning I started to pedal into the mist wondering if it would be a sensible thing to turn around and fetch a portable sonar. By midday I was steaming in my winter jacket making sad remarks about the glass-house effect. An hour later I was pulling the zipper up to my chin consoling myself with the thought that cold air is said to be beneficial to the skin.
Things went a bit better than last week. The Coll d'Estenalles is quite an ordeal, a gruelling climb that lasts for more than twenty kilometres but today I managed to get through with some dignity.
I'm not saying that things were allright, I'm just saying that they were just a little better than seven days ago.
By the way, this pic shows the summit of the Coll. Looks quite harmless, doesn't it?

It's widely acknowledged that long distance cycling spoils one's brain long beyond repair. Tomorrow, before sunrise, I'll give another try to the Coll-whose-name-must-not-be-spoken .
Most learned people agree that stubborness is a common unwanted side-effect of brain-softening activities (such as randonneuring). I know it too well...

Coll d'Estenalles revisited

It could had been worse but when I started riding before dawn could not imagine it was going to be so discouragingly bad. It was cold and damp with thick fogy patches as I entered the Bages. At the beggining things were uneventfully but for a vague sensation of slowliness. Climbed the Coll of Sant Llorenç and the Coll of Lligabosses steadily but got the bonk climbing the Coll d'Estenalles. The dreaded man of the hammer paid me a full visit and though I managed not to dismount and walk was just barely able to inch up painfully and slow. When I got home was half an hour up on my last attempt. It's quite a long time for such a short distance, isn't it?, I'm not in my best mood right now, seriously thinking on giving up any damn foolish idea of riding anything longer than a 200k.

Brake levers swap

Three days ago I finally swapped brake levers. It just took me a couple of hours work which included disassembling the old levers and brake shifters, untaping handlebar, putting everything back into place and retaping. Fortunately, there was no need to replace cables and housing and even the used ferrules were recycled into service (just trying to go easy...on the budget).
The bike looked good and if something looks good ... it probably works. So yesterday I went for my favorite short climb around here: The Coll del Forat del Vent aka "la carretera d'Horta" and , well, how could I put it? I felt reasonably comfortable or at least much better than in the previous setting.
By the way, the climb was uneventful; just spinned up lightly.

Sheldon Brown

Yesterday night I accidentally got the news of Sheldon's death. I was stunned. Many people in the cycling world were aware of Sheldon's health hurdles but nothing seemed to herald such a sudden and tragic ending. Needless to say that the whole cycling community will miss him more than simple words can express.
Bone route, cher ami.

All right, for the tenth time or so I'll treat myself to another amusing session of handlebar makeover. After carefully considering the pros and cons I finally made my mind to swap brake levers for the... uuh... tenth time, I said?
The fact is that the Tektro's benefit from a built-in quick release that makes wheel removal a lot easier, but for some unknown reason they make my right hand feel sore and this is something to be taken into account when you plan to ride non-stop for, ehem... 600 km or so. Then I will definitely assemble the BL 400 back (assuming an always challenging, crowd-gathering, tire-deflating-maneuver prior to wheel removal)

The first serious test

Deu ser cap a tres quarts de set que aconsegueixo sortir del llit. A les set i deu ja soc a fora. Encara és de nit i fa una mica de fred. Quan surto de la zona enllumenada me n'adono de que el llum frontal és gairebé sense bateria (mira que m'ho temia!). En fi, plat gran i cap a la carretera de la Roca. Moc els desenvolupaments amb facilitat. Arribo a la Roca en poc més d'una hora i pujo Parpers sense adonar-me'n. La carretera de Mata tampoc suposa cap problema, de fet, no començo a patir una mica fins les darreres rampes del Collsacreu (cosa força raonable). Tenia planejat esmorzar a la benzinera que hi ha abans de Vallgorgina però la trobo tancada per reformes. Recordo que fa un mes, quan hi vaig passar per darrer cop, l'encarregada em va comentar alguna cosa sobre "netejar els dipòsits" però jo em pensava que això es feia en un parell de dies. Tant se val, paro igualment a menjar-me un dels entrepans. D'aquí fins a Hostalrich a plat recuperant temps. Un cop allà, menjo el segon entrepà a la Plaça dels Bous, faig les fotos acreditatives i me'n torno direcció Sant Celoni. A la "recta de Sant Celoni" em trobo amb un ciclista de Sant Celoni (cosa raonablement probable) i em proposa que fem relleus. Déu meu! És com una mena de quarterback amb proteccions incloses (entenc que la seva bici grinyoli a cada pedalada). Les seves cames són una lliço en viu d'anatomia de l'extremitat inferior. Faig el que puc i, malgrat el vent que entra de cara, aguanto fins gairebé la sortida de Sant Celoni on comença a distancia-se per, tot seguit, saludar i girar cap el poble. Em sento força alleujat de poder baixar el ritme una mica. Poca cosa més a dir llevat de que arribant a Montcada comença a ploure cada cop més fort. Entrada triunfal per la cuina deixant petjades acreditatives de les inclemències metereològiques. En resum, uns cent cinquanta quilòmetres en poc més de vuit hores. La mitjana ha estat per sobre dels 18 quilòmetres/hora. Sí, és clar, anem millorant però...

Saturday, February 2nd

Tomorrow I'll face the first serious test: an alleged fast ride to Hostalric and back. Distance estimate about 150 km. Departure time: before sunrise (if at all possible). Arrival time: unknown. Average speed: Ha! Ought to feel a bit edgy but I don't.

Dijous, 31 de gener

Surto de guàrdia. Sembla que he abortat la grip. Cap a quarts de dotze agafo la bici i giro cap a Sant Cugat. Ja no plou però el terra és una mica relliscós. Al principi sembla que no tiro gaire però després, en arribar a Valldoreig, pujo les rampes sense ni adonar-me'n i és que vaig gairebé tota l'estona una corona per sobre del que és habitual. Arribo a casa amb ganes de més. De passada, potser caldria baixar una mica les palanques de fre però no em veig en cor de tornar a fer ajustaments per enèssima vegada. Començo a trobar a faltar les Shimano BL40 però, és clar, no tenen el "quick release" i això dificulta treure i posar les cobertes de 28.
En resum, sembla que avui la cosa pinta d'una altra manera. Tot i això no cal oblidar que estem parlant de millores en trajectes curts. Crec que el diumenge podria anar a Hostalrich (ja fa temps que vull unes fotos per a la col·lecció) però caldrà sortir molt dora.

Dimecres,30 de gener

Doncs sí, em fa mal tot el cos i em raja el nas.

Dilluns, 28 de gener de 2008

Horta en 33:22. Em trobo cansat. De baixada aprofito per tornar a fotografiar Can Valldaura. Pes: 90.5. Em sembla que estic agafant la grip.

Dimarts, 22 de gener de 2008

Surto de guàrdia i pujo a Horta. Temps: 32:22. Passable. Cames bé. Cal que trobi alguna manera de fer una tirada llarga entre setmana. Això d'anar a la feina en bici no ho descarto però ho veig poc pràctic. No sé, potser fer una sortida nocturna? Pes: 90.5

Diumenge, 20 de gener de 2008

Aquest cop he aconseguit sortir abans de les vuit, deu minuts abans. No feia massa fred (tenim el mega-anticicló a sobre) però, en canvi, hi havia boira i humitat. Sé que és un miratge, una il·lusió, no pot ser una altra cosa però les sensacions mentre pujava cap a Santiga eren bones, que coi! Un cop a Santiga em trobo en mig d'una boira espectral. Donava la sensació d'estar flotant dins d'un món lletós. Tiro cap a Polinyà a plat amb un pedalada sorprenentment fluïda. Si no fos perquè he estat fent una mica el ronso potser avui fins i tot "faria un temps". A mitja pujada cap a Sentmenat decideixo apretar una mica (per recuperar temps) i, home, recupero. La carretera cap a Castellar se'm fa fàcil (jo normalment "pateixo" una mica en algun punt). Un cop a Castellar agafo un grupet de tres ciclistes però giren a la dreta. Serà una drecera? Prudentment decideixo seguir tot sol pel camí conegut. Al cap d'uns pocs quilòmetres els torno a atrapar; òbviament coneixien una drecera. Vaig amb dos d'ells fins que comencen les rampes de veritat i... els deixo enrere. Òbviament no estaven en bona forma. Cafetó a on sempre i pujada al Coll de Lliga-bosses (vet aquí un nom força estrany). Corono sense dificultat , fins i tot el darrer quilòmetre, en mig d'un món espectral on , de quan en quan, es dibuixa la silueta d'un vehicle que s'acosta de cara. A plat fins gairebé Calders on vaig fent la ziga-zaga interminable però també amb facilitat. D'allà a Artés i, cap a l'esquerra, fins Navarcles. De moment ni jo em crec com estic tirant de bé! A Navarcles comença la pujada de veritat. Vaig fent ara amb una mica de dificultat. En arribar a l'església en runes paro a menjar i beure breument. D'allà tot seguit fins a Talamanca on torno a parar i em menjo l'entrepà. No hi ha gaire problema fins a la cruïlla de Mura. D'allà endavant comença el Coll d'Estenalles (bé, de fet, ja fa una hora que estic pujant). Què puc dir? Home, els quatre darrers quilòmetres són brutals però potser els recordava més dificultosos. Així i tot, a base de pedalar la corona gran (aquella tant gran reservada a casos d'emergència extrema i sempre que no hi hagi ningú mirant) vaig avançant gairebé -i això és molt significatiu- sense temptacions de posar el peu a terra. Hi ha un moment, prop del cim, que surto de cop de la boira i em trobo immers en un dia solejat d'hivern. La resta no té història. O potser sí; en arribar a Terrassa noto que he recuperat sorprenentment bé i això sí que no va passar fa dues setmanes quan notava la fatiga muscular acumulada pesant com una llosa. Estadístiques? Doncs 130 quilòmetres en 7 hores i mitja amb una mitjana real de 17.33 km/h.
De passada: rebut correu de'n Prudenci: li agradaria anar a Perpinyà però , per problemes familiars no pot entrenar massa.

Divendres, 18 de gener de 2008.

Doncs no sé què pensar. He carregat el plat sense dificultats. La pujada a Tibidabo se m'ha fet... ¿curta? No, potser no és la paraula. El cas és que he anat força millor del que és habitual. No sé ben bé si cal ser optimista o no; estic confós. El diumenge sortiré de nou. No tinc clar si anar a "carregar plat" per la carretera de la Roca o anar a fer "muntanya" i tornar a agonitzar pel Coll d'Estenalles. Suposo que ho decidiré a última hora.

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Diumenge, 13 de gener de 2008.

Sortida a les 08:40. Direcció Montcada. Fa fred. No estic de massa bon humor: el nivell d’entrenament ha baixat de forma inversament proporcional al sobrepès durant les Festes de Nadal. Decideixo tirar de plat i, al menys de moment, les sensacions són bones. Carretera de Sant Fost: a plat. Sant Fost: 40 minuts. Montornès 50 minuts. Vilanova del Vallès: una hora. La Roca: gairebé sempre a plat. Coll de Parpers: força bé (qui ho anava a dir?). Mataró: bé. Carretera de Mata: primer tram dur –com sempre- resta bé. Arribada a Arenys de Munt en unes tres hores. Pujada al Coll Sacreu molt dura. Baixada cap a Vallgorguina: amb molt de compte (asfalt mullat). Sant Celoni: a plat. C-35: tant a plat com m’és possible. Començo a notar incomoditat a les mans. Faig canvis continus de posició. Cardedeu: agafo de nou la carretera de Sant Fost. Vaig millor. Montcada de nou i Cerdanyola. Arribada: 15:00 Quilometratge: 115. Temps total: 6h 20m . Mitjana: 18.25. Fatiga muscular: considerable. Impressió: no me’n sortiré ni en broma! Millor deixar córrer aquesta història de la PBP.

Divendres, 12 de gener de 2008.

Publicats fa poc els recorreguts dels brevet d’enguany. No m’agrada gens: molta muntanya per a poder prepara millor el nou recorregut de la BPB (una mica més muntanyosa). El de dos cents passa per Avinyó- Sant Feliu- Prats de Ll. Els meus vint-i-un quilòmetres “preferits”. Potser és hora de reconèixer les meves limitacions.

A new start

La BPB'08

Doncs sí, després de deixar córrer aquella idea (deliri al·lucinatori, més aviat) d'anar des de París a Brest (i tornar, viu, s'entén...) heus ací la següent fantasia ciclista: la segona edició de la Barcelona - Perpinyà .. i tornar (a ser possible viu i dins del temps tot i que la segona condició no és del tot és imprescindible). La veritat és que aquest cop em sento una mica pressionat; la passada temporada s'assolí un 400. Ben cert que amb penes i treballs però, és clar, ara el pas següent és anar a pel 600. Per altra banda, fa dos anys, a la primera edició de la BPB ja vaig fer el ridícul tot el que es podia fer i, home, si ara la torno a espifiar... bé millor deixar-ho córrer tot això del ciclisme, no?
Potser que anem per feina: ja hi ha data (el 24-25 de maig). Els brevet comencen a primers d'abril i aquest cop estaria força bé fer-los tots. Pel que fa a l'entrenament, home...... ara mateix m'hi poso. El que vull dir és que el Nadal ha estat deleteri; jo em pensava que anava mitjanament bé però no. Per les raons que sigui el ritme d'entrenament ha baixat de forma inversament proporcional a la massa corporal. En fi... De totes formes encara hi ha una mínima esperança. Què vull dir? Doncs que el passat dia 13 (Diumenge) vaig sortir per la carretera de Sant Fost fins a Arenys i tornada per Sant Celoni bàsicament carregant plat i... bé, la mitjana no fou espectacular (poc més de 18 per hora) i la fatiga muscular fou evident però... el dimecres, de sobte, vaig notar que tenia la musculatura tensa però no dolorida i, vaja , que tenia ganes de... en fi... Ja sé que això no vol dir gran cosa, que la resistència no la tinc ni de lluny però quan no hi ha esperança hom s'agafa a qualsevol cosa. Per altra banda, ahir vaig llegir un article d'en Gonçal Fernàndez-Mills on explicava una seva pífia en un 600 amb tota naturalitat. Ja sé que no som comparables però mira per on: hi ha gent de gran nivell que de tant en quan es posa al meu nivell.

How it all began

Two years ago, in a pre-PBP year, I joyfully made up my mind to join the first Barcelona-Perpinyà-Barcelona. It was a great disappointment: got the bonk and was mercifully offered a ride back in a van before reaching the turn around point.I know I'll spend the rest of my life wondering if things could have turned to a different outcome. If only... Well, to be sincere, I was not fit for a 600. The question right now is wether I'll be ready in late May.