If you like your cycling then this post is for you! If not…
Cycling in France has been great. Not only do the people seem more accustomed to seeing groups of cyclists, motorists give ‘toots’ of encouragement and waves when they eventually get past.
The roads them selves are better in France then at home. Even the rural roads have very fine tarmac from curb to curb allowing a cyclist to always have good road no matter how wide they ride. With less rolling resistance we were able to up our average speed.
As for bikes everyone is riding an aluminium frame with carbon forks except for Walsh’s all carbon Focus. The German made Focus is also the only bike using the full range of Sram components (levers, brakes, mechs, cassette and freewheel). The Focus is by far the lightest bike and therefore it’s not surprising to see Walshy’s carbon wheels flying past on even the toughest climb including Day 2’s Category 4 ‘Route de Duclair’ which featured in this year’s Tour De France.
Specialized are the most popular brand in the peleton with three bikes: D’Urso’s Secteur and McLaughlin and I both on Allezs; 2013 Elite and a 2010 16 respectively. Simpson and Sweeney are both on Cannondales whilst Mr Reilly is riding a Scott.
Despite the all-Shimano set ups of most the bikes, the majority of riders have opted for Sram Power-Link chains for their ease of use, although Walsh still needed to use a chain tool to release his on Day 2. Other than that none of the bikes have presented any technical issues at all.
I’ve been the only one to experience any tyre issues. On our last training ride before R2R my front went, and at the start of Day 2 it was my rear that blew. I’m not sure whether to blame my ‘apparently’ impenetrable, Kevlar-lined Specialized All-Condition Armadillos as on inspection there are hundreds of holes in the tyres, many with debris in so to just have had two punctures perhaps I should be greatful?
Our riding style has also made a big impact on energy conservation. Without the luxury of a closed road to ride on full-peleton style we’ve been practising pace-lines as our type of drafting. What this means is that we are generally riding two abreast where the rider at the front of the inside line will drive forward and pull to the outside line allowing the next rider to do the same. In the outside line the rider can ease of the power allowing the rest of the team to pass on the inside. When at the back of the pack the rider will switch to the inside line and follow the rider in front until he is the front man and the ‘cycle’ begins again. This limits the amount of time each rider takes the full force of the head wind and also allows more active recovery whilst in the outside line.
Tres interesting, no?
Liam
Director Sportif
The Road 2 Rouen 