Author Topic: Le douze cent du massif central. 23-July-2012 (Read 5563 times)

mzjo · « **Reply #25 on:** February 25, 2012, 08:41:17 PM »

Quote from: rottenhat on February 04, 2012, 08:52:46 PM

Quote from: mzjo on November 27, 2011, 07:51:17 PM
It's too tough for me by half. I don't know Mt Aigoal but I do know that side of the Pas de Peyrol, it took me 20 mins and 3 rest stops just to cross the car-park at the summit (loaded for camping , in a heat-wave - but still...) and this route starts the climb well below the level of the road from the Col de Neronne.

Mont Aigoual is gentle but it's a long, long climb (20k+) - the view from the weather station at the top is fantastic. And it features in the finest cycling book of all time - the Rider. How can you resist? The Pas de Peyrol is tough enough, but wouldn't you rather a handful of long climbs where you can get into a proper rhythm than a couple of hundred k of rollers?

No

Salvatore · « **Reply #26 on:** February 25, 2012, 10:49:28 PM »

Quote from: Andrew on February 25, 2012, 08:42:40 AM

The Brit was a Scot as I recall. My entry went in last week but I have no idea what I'll be classed as!

He's an exiled Englishman in the far north.

Andrew · « **Reply #27 on:** February 26, 2012, 09:14:46 AM »

Quote from: Salvatore on February 25, 2012, 10:49:28 PM

He's an exiled Englishman in the far north.

I read that as "excited"!

Pete Mas · « **Reply #28 on:** February 27, 2012, 01:29:01 PM »

Quote from: Salvatore on February 24, 2012, 06:49:01 PM

Quote from: Salvatore on February 14, 2012, 01:42:42 PM
Quote from: Andrew on February 14, 2012, 01:33:45 PM
Organiser confirms the registration of one Brit!

There may well be another one before the ~~day~~ ~~week~~ month is done.

Now entered. 7 euro for 1200km. I couldn't afford not to.

For that money, presumably its an X-rated type event, and you sort out your own food, sleeping, etc? (Sorry , havent read all the website).

mzjo · « **Reply #29 on:** February 27, 2012, 02:00:04 PM »

Quote from: Pete Mas on February 27, 2012, 01:29:01 PM

Quote from: Salvatore on February 24, 2012, 06:49:01 PM
Quote from: Salvatore on February 14, 2012, 01:42:42 PM
Quote from: Andrew on February 14, 2012, 01:33:45 PM
Organiser confirms the registration of one Brit!

There may well be another one before the ~~day~~ ~~week~~ month is done.

Now entered. 7 euro for 1200km. I couldn't afford not to.

For that money, presumably its an X-rated type event, and you sort out your own food, sleeping, etc? (Sorry , havent read all the website).

That is correct - standard french distance event - carry it all on the bike.

Panoramix · « **Reply #30 on:** February 27, 2012, 02:20:59 PM »

Quote from: Pete Mas on February 27, 2012, 01:29:01 PM

For that money, presumably its an X-rated type event, and you sort out your own food, sleeping, etc? (Sorry , havent read all the website).

Be careful not to translate x-rated to "classe X" as the person you are talking to may be a bit shocked.

Panoramix · « **Reply #31 on:** March 15, 2012, 04:24:58 PM »

For your information, the organiser is going to cap the number of participants at 49 (apparently events must be declared to the administration if 50 or more people are taking part). Apparently 20 people have already registered.

Andrew · « **Reply #32 on:** March 15, 2012, 05:34:27 PM »

Previously, the law said 20 max.... so the recent change to 50 significantly reduces the organisers work load by capping the number of riders. I can completely understand why the organiser would want to do that!

mzjo · « **Reply #33 on:** March 15, 2012, 08:11:08 PM »

Quote from: Andrew on March 15, 2012, 05:34:27 PM

Previously, the law said 20 max.... so the recent change to 50 significantly reduces the organisers work load by capping the number of riders. I can completely understand why the organiser would want to do that!

.... particularly on a long event since the event has to be declared in every prefecture that the route passes through, all of whom may have the right to enforce last minute route changes if there are are more than a certain number of participants (I think the old limit was 20 riders needed a simple declaration and 50 riders required authorisation - which is a whole new can of worms as they say). Again there are advantages in having no motorised support and no organised groups. The latest regulation changes can only be a help to organising an event like this, provided participants are prepared to accept the restrictions (which aren't restrictions at all to some of course).

Panoramix · « **Reply #34 on:** March 15, 2012, 09:18:55 PM »

Oh yes, i won't blame the organiser for this... May be there are better now but one soon get bored of filling forms in tripiclate and of moving goal posts.

Andrew · « **Reply #35 on:** April 04, 2012, 09:19:13 AM »

10 places left as of this morning.

http://ledouzecents.blogspot.fr/

swiss hat · « **Reply #36 on:** April 07, 2012, 10:49:20 AM »

Emailed my entry this morning after checking availability with Org. So it's at least 4 Brits now. Interested to hear others thoughts on travel to/from start, ride planning & rest stops.

Andrew · « **Reply #37 on:** April 07, 2012, 07:13:36 PM »

In truth, I've not even looked at the route seriously to plan rest/sleep stops. I live close to the 900km mark so obviously I'll take advantage of that, but my gut feel is to look at hotels etc around the 500 - 600km point too. But, as I say, no idea at this point. I may just wing it....

veloboy · « **Reply #38 on:** April 08, 2012, 03:44:44 PM »

7 places available as of 05/04/2012 - Too tempting to resist! Have emailed an entry today and will see if I get a place.
OTH, I think cycling is going to bankrupt me this year (if it hasn't already!)

veloboy · « **Reply #39 on:** April 08, 2012, 09:41:33 PM »

Ha, I'm in (apparently) - confirmation from organiser!

Very much looking forward to this!
I reckon it's possible to ride to Tours from Ouistreham (Caen) via portsmouth (~260km) - a grand tour in France indeed!!

Andrew · « **Reply #40 on:** April 09, 2012, 07:47:22 AM »

Quote from: veloboy on April 08, 2012, 09:41:33 PM

I reckon it's possible to ride to Tours from Ouistreham (Caen) via portsmouth (~260km)

Indeed it is! At least I hope so since that's what I'll be doing in a couple of weekends time when I bob over to ol' Blighty!

Good to have another anglophone on the ride veloboy, I look forward to saying hello (instead of the usual bonjour!)

Andrew · « **Reply #41 on:** April 09, 2012, 07:29:45 PM »

Ride full and inscriptions closed. I look forward to meeting people come the day.

Panoramix · « **Reply #42 on:** April 09, 2012, 09:45:03 PM »

Andrew was quicker than me. There are 9 entries from the UK.

Salvatore · « **Reply #43 on:** April 09, 2012, 10:24:20 PM »

Among the French riders are Bernard Piguin, with whom Maverick and I have ridden many hundreds of kilometres in France, Belgium and Germany in the last couple of years (and I think Valkyrie may also remember him from a rainy morning somewhere east of Cologne), and also Jean-Claude Chabirand, who has completed 10 PBPs. Some familiar names among the Germans, as well.

I'm looking forward to July.

Maverick · « **Reply #44 on:** April 09, 2012, 11:54:47 PM »

Quote from: Salvatore on April 09, 2012, 10:24:20 PM

Among the French riders are Bernard Piguin, with whom Maverick and I have ridden many hundreds of kilometres in France, Belgium and Germany in the last couple of years (and I think Valkyrie may also remember him from a rainy morning somewhere east of Cologne), and also Jean-Claude Chabirand, who has completed 10 PBPs. Some familiar names among the Germans, as well.

I'm looking forward to July.

Yes, I recognise a few of the names too and am looking forward to the ride. The more I look at the route and ponder times and distances the more convinced I am that I'll be taking the 'Salvatore solution' to accommodation on the ride - there's going to be competition for the bus shelters on this one

From the website: 'Ce n'est pas une course, c'est un défi personnel' It's certainly going to challenge me.

akin · « **Reply #45 on:** April 10, 2012, 07:29:37 PM »

Im in.

My plan is likely to involve riding down from London to the south coast, potentially on the Friday, to catch a ferry over to France. Tour down over the weekend, taking in the penultimate stage of the tour de france (TT from Bonneval to Chartes) en route. Ride the event. Then make my way back in a similar manner over the following weekend.

As it is July I'm considering taking a sleeping bag, bivvy bag and (maybe) a tarp. Hopefully the weather will be kind.

That plan is based on the assumption that there will not be a provision to leave luggage anywhere at the start/arrivee. If I am told otherwise I might treat myself to a tent for the journey there and back.

Andrew · « **Reply #46 on:** April 10, 2012, 07:50:27 PM »

Quote from: akin on April 10, 2012, 07:29:37 PM

That plan is based on the assumption that there will not be a provision to leave luggage anywhere at the start/arrivee.

I believe there is, I seem to recall the organiser mentioning it on the French forum. I'll have a read through it again and confirm.... might take me a while though as the thread got derailedsomewhat!

Edit: Yes, there is somewhere to leave bags etc. In response to that question, the orgnaniser responded....

Quote from: jpm

on peut laisser ses affaires dans le garage puisqu'il y aura une permanence pour l'arrivée

Andrew · « **Reply #47 on:** April 11, 2012, 07:53:29 AM »

Hmmmm, just looked at the circuit profile.... guess I'd better think about a training plan, it looks like I'll need my... no, scratch that... somebody else's climbing legs!

GrahamG · « **Reply #48 on:** April 11, 2012, 09:12:20 AM »

Quote from: akin on April 10, 2012, 07:29:37 PM

Im in.

My plan is likely to involve riding down from London to the south coast, potentially on the Friday, to catch a ferry over to France. Tour down over the weekend, taking in the penultimate stage of the tour de france (TT from Bonneval to Chartes) en route. Ride the event. Then make my way back in a similar manner over the following weekend.

As it is July I'm considering taking a sleeping bag, bivvy bag and (maybe) a tarp. Hopefully the weather will be kind.

That plan is based on the assumption that there will not be a provision to leave luggage anywhere at the start/arrivee. If I am told otherwise I might treat myself to a tent for the journey there and back.

Barsteward. I'd love to do this.

Mind you, at least I'll be on my bike elsewhere (on tour with the missus in Denmark), so I can't complain too much...

akin · « **Reply #49 on:** April 12, 2012, 01:26:33 PM »

I felt a little envy when I noted your plans of heading to berlin then off around denmark.

I think we can both be quite content with our lot.

Although I am really looking forward to this. My first taste of some 'real climbing'.