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Interviews with Three Cyclists from the Haute Route 2011
My daily chat over dinner - the brief was to ask different riders the same questions
during the week of riding
Day One
Saturday 20 August 2011
Location Geneva
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Name
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Jo Green
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Where From
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Crewe Cheshire England - near Manchester
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Age Bracket
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33
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Why Haute Route
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Duo - broke pelvis in 2010 - before ride across of Britain. So did this in 2011 and this is a good idea, since regretting
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Bike
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Specialized Tarmac 2007
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Secret for Haute Route
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Never stop the bike moving
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Top 3 excuses
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There is no excuse - this race is proving that I’m fit and alive ... over heart operation (Sept) and broken pelvis (May) 2010
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Name
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Mark O’Brien
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Where From
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London and born
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Age Bracket
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42 YR
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Why Haute Route
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Because it’s there - several stages - done 4 day races before, done etap, Sancy and others. To meet up with races each day. Finds closed circuit races are a little dull.
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Bike
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Specialised SL3
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Secret for Haute Route
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3 day bout of diorreha in Madagascar loosing 9kg
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Top 3 Excuses
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New tub tyres
Descend like a nervous granny
A month off bike - no riding at all in Madagascar
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Name
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Ian Streule
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Where From
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Glasgow - born England
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Age Bracket
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36
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Why Haute Route
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I’ve never cycled in Alps before, opportunity to do all the famous Col’s to do them in one go.
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Bike
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Trek 1.9 circa 2007
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Secret for Haute Route
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Spent three training in Pyrenees and two of that riding.
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Top 3 Excuses
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Second degree burn on foot - due to cooking in bare feet - a race dinner
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Day Two
Sunday 21 August 2011
Location Megeve
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Name
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Francois Lemaut
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Where From
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Nice France
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Age Bracket
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68 - weight 52kg - 90th place - 4:30mins
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Why Haute Route
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Because this is my last opportunity due to my age, it is now or never
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Bike
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Trek Madone 6.9 2009
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Secret for Haute Route
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Training in the mountains around Nice, home ground advantage as this is where we are finishing
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Top 3 Excuses
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If I could do better, I would try and do better, so I have no excuses. Maybe I went too hard today.
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Name
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Jeroen Wijngaard
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Where From
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Utrechd Netherlands
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Age Bracket
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25
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Why Haute Route
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Prize winner - sent in to a magazine and won
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Bike
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Cervelo R3 - 2009
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Secret for Haute Route
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His Holy Tatoo
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Top 3 Excuses
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Throwing up at the top of the first Col today
Dutch
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Name
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Mirjam van Dijk
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Where From
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Pijnacker Netherlands
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Age Bracket
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40-50
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Why Haute Route
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Long story - first cyclosportif, competition in Holland and broke her pelvis and tried to recover but not on same level as last year. It was very hard to compete, in Holland you have to compete with the best. Also also had her back slipped 3 times, now going against his orders, if I come back after this trip, I know I am healthy and can come back in 2012.
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Bike
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Museeuw - famous Belgian cyclist
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Secret for Haute Route
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Compact crank tomorrow - did today without it, 39-27 - OUCH!
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Top 3 Excuses
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No excuses - did have pain in back but that was because of the standard crank today. I’m 180cm 69kg and it is hard to climb. In Holland, everything flat, I do well in the rain and wind, this is race is not like that, 37C!
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Day Three
Monday 22 August 2011
Location Les Arc
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Name
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Chris Hill
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Where From
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London
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Age Bracket
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56
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Why Haute Route
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Entered with a bunch of mates - now a duo
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Bike
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Milani Stainless Steel
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Secret for Haute Route
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Riding with someone, doesn’t have to be my ‘duo’ particularly on a climb gets you to the top
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Top 3 Excuses
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I would have got a time if I didn’t spend so much time at the feed station and adjust the gears.
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Name
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Alberto Carzaniga
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Where From
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Milano Italy
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Age Bracket
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70 in Dec 2011
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Why Haute Route
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My friend Gabriele convinced me, tomorrow I will hate him (due to Galibier)
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Bike
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WR (small Italian company - started making Carbon Fibre for cars, BMW etc - then they started making carbon hubs, then handle bars, stem, next step frame. Now they do wheels as well. WEB - wrcompositi
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Secret for Haute Route
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I powder which is carbohydrates - called Maltidestrine
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Top 3 Excuses
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He will not make it tomorrow, I will do the first col then after I may decide to wait for the broom bus, because I was so shatter in last 5k, I could not see the road.
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Name
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Dorina Vaccaroni - Fencing Barcelona Olympic Gold Medal Winner, plus attended the Sydney 2000 Olympics and was also World Champion
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Where From
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Venice Italy
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Age Bracket
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47
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Why Haute Route
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I’ve been to Trans Alp now Haute Route. Champion in Italy, I have won Grand Fondo’s, inc Campag Italy.
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Bike
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Sponsored by Beraldo
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Secret for Haute Route
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I’m a vegetarian - pasta, cheese, tomato, vegetables, bread, fruit and coffee
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Top 3 Excuses
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No excuse!
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Day Four
Tuesday 23 August 2011
Location La Salle-les-Alpes
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Name
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Beat Stauble
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Where From
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Zurich Switzerland
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Age Bracket
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42
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Why Haute Route
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Always wanted to ride in the French Alps and by coincidence this fitted in perfect for training for the Ironman in Hawaii!
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Bike
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Cervelo S3 2009
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Secret for Haute Route
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Trying to stick to schedule after race which is immediately nutrition, massage then 60min nap.
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Top 3 Excuses
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Today - everything went wrong, but it was good prep for Hawaii. I got a flat, I rode alone during the 20k flat section and into the wind!
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Name
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Marg Fedyna
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Where From
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Edmonton Canada
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Age Bracket
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46
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Why Haute Route
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I found out about the Haute Route two weeks prior. I road and MTB and said to someone, if you can find me a 7 day stage race I’m in, I’ve been spending the entire summer on the sofa. A friend found it, emailed me and I’m one of those people who need to do things NOW, so I worked over time at my job and booked my flight one week out. I also wanted to ride all the French Alps.
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Bike
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Trek Madone 6.5 WSD - 2008
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Secret for Haute Route
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Recovery - especially drinks, I’m into healthy products, lots of plant based products such as Vega - a brand from Canada
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Top 3 Excuses
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No excuses - can’t even think of things! Today, Day 3, because of the heat, 4000m of climbing and brought my camera, I set reasonable goals and wanted to chill out on the day (note - she finished second in the ladies solo)
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Name
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Cedric Kohler
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Where From
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Geneva Switzerland
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Age Bracket
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42
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Why Haute Route
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I am not so good at going uphills, so it is good practice. Once I saw the Haute Route, I thought this is something I need to do, so I am here.
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Bike
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Cervelo S2 - 2008
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Secret for Haute Route
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Don’t give up
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Top 3 Excuses
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There are no excuses
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Day Five
Wednesday 24 August 2011
Location La Salle-les-Alpes
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Name
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Jaka (Jake) Jausovec jj-cycling.com
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Where From
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Slovenia (Ljubljana)
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Age Bracket
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25 time on ITT 47:06
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Why Haute Route
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I’m quite good at uphills in Slovenia, I’m also editor of a cycling part of the magazine in Slovenia - Sokol Magazine - outdoor magazine, 1/3 cycling, 1/3 outdoor, 1/3 fitness.
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Bike
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Carrera Hercules
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Secret for Haute Route
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Slept at altitude for 3 weeks at 2,500m in Slovenia in a tent. I also have my own mechanic and helper (Tadej).
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Top 3 Excuses
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I’m not the guy with excuses - this is why I wear the t-shirt ‘shut up legs’
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Name
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Brett McDonald
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Where From
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Brisbane Australia - based in Zermatt
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Age Bracket
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33
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Why Haute Route
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I haven’t spent any time on the bike in the last 6 months so I wanted to get on the bike. I have driven through here before, so I’ve always an ambition to ride the course as well. It is almost impossible to do it alone so to do it as an organised route, perfect.
SIC - Brett works at 2900m at Monte Rosa Hut 10k from Zermatt.
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Bike
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BMC - something - rented - alloy 105
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Secret for Haute Route
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Get as much rest and recover as you can
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Top 3 Excuses
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Lack of bike time this year, you can be fit but not bike fit (see above for reason). I have a sore neck and crook knee (reconstruction) but these don’t stack up, I’m not expecting to win.
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Name
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Andrea Scharrer
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Where From
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Regensburg Germany
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Age Bracket
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44 - first in total time (!) at this point.
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Why Haute Route
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We wanted to do one thing together, I did one thing like this, the TransAlp, with a friend of mine now I wanted to do it with my boyfriend Mario.
I have never been in this area before and this was a good chance to see and ride parts from the TdF.
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Bike
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Canyon - F10 - 2008
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Secret for Haute Route
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I drink beer, wine and sometimes I smoke cigarettes. I can’t hold discipline, I like to live.
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Top 3 Excuses
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If there is wind, I can’t ride. The hill was not steep enough, 3-4% I hate, the steeper the better, so I love this riding! Not even 8% is steep enough. I have also have a 11-32 cassette.
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Day Five
Wednesday 24 August 2011
Location Pra Loup
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Name
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Lynn Girdwood
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Where From
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Glasgow
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Age Bracket
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37
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Why Haute Route
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It was Jo’s fault (her teammate - interviewed Jo on first day). It is also a challenge, I’ve only done a few sportifs, I was over in Annecy (France) last summer and did some of the Cols from the TdF and wanted to do some more.
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Bike
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Scott Contessa CR1
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Secret for Haute Route
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My gloves - I’ve used the same ones each day, I’ve also got two pair of shoes but only using the one set. NOTE - Jo and Lynn are currently in first place in the Womens Duo standings
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Top 3 Excuses
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I don’t do excuses.
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Name
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Graham Edwards
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Where From
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Bath UK - two from the Bath Club
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Age Bracket
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46
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Why Haute Route
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Done the Etap three times, Marmot twice and I suppose I’ve done a lot of one day events. I originally planned to do the coast to coast ‘Pyrenean Raid’ but once I saw this, I couldn’t resist. It ticked all the boxes, it was timed, it was 6 sportifs back to back, had a TT hill climb and in the mountains. What’s better than riding the classic mountains.
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Bike
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Focus Izalco - bought through Wiggle
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Secret for Haute Route
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I read up a lot more on recovery, compression tights and protein recovery drinks. I bought some carbon wheels, tubulars, and have no regrets in buying them. They are fantastic, best bike investment I’ve ever made, Olympic Gold, Jan Ullrich’s wheels.
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Top 3 Excuses
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Not really an excuse but I was concerned of failure, doing 7 days riding on the trot and really wondered what the level of competition would be like.
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Name
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Simon Kenyon
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Where From
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London England
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Age Bracket
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42
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Why Haute Route
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The Haute Route seemed like a good idea when it was announced, and it still seems like a good idea. Originally entered as a solo but now as a team of 4. Surprising we are winning (the team classification) by miles.
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Bike
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BMC Pro Machine - 2010
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Secret for Haute Route
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Recovery - including eating, staying off feet and compression gear (currently not wearing due to smell).
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Top 3 Excuses
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If I do have an excuse it would be due to not eating pre ride, mainly due to be unorganised. Thank goodness, it hasn’t happened while at HR.
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Day Six
Thursday 25 August 2011
Location Auron
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Name
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Josie Heade
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Where From
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Windsor England
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Age Bracket
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36
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Why Haute Route
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It is a challenge and it gives Stuart (husband) a rest from running. Also I enjoy cycling in France, we’ve done an Etap and done some cycling ourselves in the area. We wanted to ride and not in UK conditions, such as potholes, rain, snow, sleet and in whats more in summer cycling attire. I’m not expecting to be competitive, it's more about the event.
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Bike
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Felt FW2 - 2008 - a Christmas present because we were signed up for the Etap in 2009.
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Secret for Haute Route
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Just showing up, I’ve had a copy of the route pinned at my desk for the last eight weeks, this is all the time that I have actually trained, to encourage me to get on the bike, rather than get the train home (from London).
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Top 3 Excuses
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I’ve had the wrong gears all week, my smallest gear was a 25, if I was to do it again it would be min 28. In reality I’m a runner not a cyclist.
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Name
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Paul Larsen
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Where From
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Healesville VIC - now lives on a boat somewhere between London and Namibia. [Note: Paul's is currently going for fastest sailing record - check out http://sailrocket.com/ for more information.]
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Age Bracket
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41
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Why Haute Route
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The Sun Tour use to come through Victoria and we’d host riders in our house. I use to watch the TdF, Phil Anderson, on Wide World of Sports and the Haute Route was something that I could sink my teeth into. To ride those winding roads which are used in the TdF, I see it as an honour and to be in that arena is just amazing.
This (riding) is something that we do on the side of sailing. I had a crash today and I know exactly why I crashed. I even feel satisfied that I crashed because now I have had the whole experience. I can now appreciate the professional riders that much more. I was fascinated watching the TdF and now even more so. I can now sit there, bore people, and say "I’ve been there" and "I know what’s coming up".
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Bike
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Chris Boardman - Team Carbon Pro
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Secret for Haute Route
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I've been training hard, we came here a few weeks before, I wanted to do the Haute Route justice and I wanted to enjoy being the fittest I had been ever in my life.
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Top 3 Excuses
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No excuses
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Name
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Martin Litterst
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Where From
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Heidelberg Germany
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Age Bracket
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48
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Why Haute Route
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Because I like races over more than 1 day, I did Tour Trans-Alp for four years. Now I’ve done Trans-Alp and Haute Route in one year. This region, I’ve been here, once but haven’t done every Col, it is the col’s of the TdF, the famous ones, spectacular mountains. Tour Trans-Alp, people from all over the world, very international. I get to meet people from other countries which is very nice.
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Bike
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Canyon Ultimate 2009
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Secret for Haute Route
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It is all mental - if I have someone I can fight against that helps me mentally, that makes me stronger, especially in the last climb. Todays sprint HR 170bpm. I am also riding with my friends, I do not want to let my three friends down in Team de Lux (England, Belgium, Germany and Lux - total # in TdL 20 riders)
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Top 3 Excuses
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If I don’t sleep enough, not good food. Also if it is raining!
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twowheeltours the Official Australian and New Zealand
Tour Operators of the Haute Route
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