The life of a quasi-pro cyclist
Posted August 18, 2011
Holidays are fantastic things, the chance to escape the day to day humdrum cycle of life and kick back in warmer climbs with family and friends. For my family at least, holidays never mean sunning oneself by the pool, but more a whirlwind adventure, often set in some picturesque part of France, and true to form, this years holiday was set to follow such a formula. Lake Annecy was the chosen destination.
Lake Annecy is set in Eastern France, close to Geneva and provides one of the most stunning backdrops for activities from water sports to cycling and paragliding. At the risk of sounding a lot like a glossy holiday publication, the area really is stunning but more importantly it boasts all of the things a cyclist could want: hills, good road surfaces and a cycling culture which feels welcoming and even encouraging towards all devotees of two wheelers.
The two week break began with three days solid riding; a first ride of around 35 miles took in a local 12km climb, which to my untrained eye had seemed worthy of the Tour, yet upon further investigation it would seem that the climb would be lucky to be given a 3rd or 4th category classification in the worlds greatest bike race!
The lung bursting exertions of this climb were, however, only a prelude to the 4th ride of the week, a monstrous 60 mile epic across the Col de la Columbiere and smaller climbs around the Annecy area, this is to be the main feature of my second piece on this holiday which shall be coming soon!
The main point I’d like to convey through this article is the shocking yet incredible difference between the way in which the French and English view cyclists. After nearly 6 combined hours of riding on my first three rides I was yet to encounter a blaring of horns from a disgruntled motorist and even more shockingly was yet to receive the two fingered salute which many English drivers in the New Forest feel appropriate to pay me when I so much as dare to venture out on my bike at home!
I think its not so much a difference in attitudes, but more a difference in the visibility and awareness of cycling in France. Everywhere I’ve been in France, although granted its not the most comprehensive of lists, cyclists are everywhere, from the streets of Paris and Angers to the countryside of Annecy and Brittany. It’s something which British Cycling appears to be very much aware of. The BC campaign to get 1 million more of us on our bikes by 2012 has been a tumultuous success. The SkyRide initiative has seen city centres closed and hundreds of thousands of us out on the roads enjoying cycling. It’s what biking is really all about: getting fit, meeting people and enjoying the great outdoors!
Happy Cycling :-)
picture featured in the Daily Cycle Flickr Group – added by Roermond op de fiets!
