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).