
CREWE CLARION WHEELERS CYCLING CLUB
ABOUT CCW
MEMBERSHIP
CONTACT US
CLUB HISTORY
CLUB 10 INFO AND RESULTS 2012
CREWE CW RIDERS CLUB 10's WEEK BY WEEK
FORTHCOMING EVENTS
EVENTS 2012
RESULTS 2012
CREWE CLARION WHEELERS 17 OPEN TIME TRIAL RESULTS 2012
NEWS and GOSSIP
SUNDAY CLUB RUNS AND CAFE STOPS
USEFUL LINKS
ENTRY FORMS
CLUB TIME TRIAL RECORDS
CLUB PHOTOS OLD AND NEW
CLUB CLOTHING STOCK LIST and CLUB POLO SHIRTS
CLUB CLOTHING ORDER FORM EXEL DOCUMENT LINK
DAVID ALLBUTT OBITUARY/DAVE RAYNER FUND
A DESPERATE DOZEN DALLY WITH DEATH IN DOLGELLAU 2012
DOLGELLAU 2011
THE FRENCH TRIP
A WEEKEND IN AND TO CHURCH STRETTON
A LETTER FROM DOWN UNDER

THE FRENCH TRIP

Trip to the French Alps

In the beginning……………… Wednesday 31/08/11

It’s amazing how easy it is that two or three pints of bitter can cloud one’s judgement and perception of reality. So it will come as no great surprise to read that the eight eager, with a dollop of apprehension, athletes lining up on the pavement ready to embark on a cycling trip to the French Alps included
 John Gallagher
 John Fiddler
 Ian Wilson
 Les Walley
 Andy Grace
 Mark Davies
 Jim Stringer
 Steve Parish
 Brandon Edgeley

Yes, I know that is nine but Brandon had a domestic crisis that prevented him from making the trip and came along to wish us luck. Still every cloud has a silver lining but more of that later on in the confessions of a bike dismantler section.

Are we there yet Dad…………………? Thursday 01/09/11

The journey down to Dover was a good one enabling us to catch an earlier ferry than the one we had booked. This was useful time to have in the bank as the scheduled stop for croissants and unscheduled stops for roast poulet always seemed to take longer than John G had accounted for. Although I am sure John G, Andy, Les and Ian didn’t mind one little bit waiting in that lovely lay-by whilst the others dined on roast chicken at the local supermarket.

The squat and the palace……………..

Barcelonette was finally reached after 900 miles and 22 hours of driving at 4pm local time and in order to preserve the natural balance of the universe the party was split into two groups:
1. Andy, Ian and John G – they will now be known affectionately as Camp Gallagher(order)
2. Les, Turkey, John F, Jim and Steve – to be known as Camp Chaos
By the time the two opposing sides had sorted themselves out into order and chaos it was too late to trundle into Barcolonette to eat out so Ian donned his chef’s hat and apron and produced a superb bowl of pasta and French bread from ingredients purchased from the local supermarket. As an aside I thought he looked as attractive in his apron as he does in his cycling kit. You have to realise it had now been 24 hrs since last seeing a woman. The wine and two cheap French tarts that tagged along with the pasta and bread went down a treat. I’m sure there is a joke in there somewhere but if I told it I would have to charge twice as much for writing this article. As all highly trained athletes are prone to do beds or pits, depending, were used to their full advantage in readiness for tomorrow, Friday, a climb of the Col de la Bonnette.

Marmite on the rocks…….or several alternative subtitles. Friday 02/09/11

The Col de la Bonnette is the highest metalled road (that actually goes somewhere as opposed to terminating at a ski station) in Europe at 2,800m or 9,600 feet in old money, rising 1,800 m over 22km from Jausier to the top. It has an average gradient of 8% - I can already hear you muttering under your breath get on with it man, get to the nitty gritty, who got to the top first? I find all that competitive codswallop rather irrelevant, nay childish, although Andy Grace may disagree slightly. As photos were taken and stories of human suffering swapped Les and Turkey informed a rather bemused group that they had been pursued by a wolverine up a considerable length of the climb. Les used to be a fisherman before turning to cycling and I think Turkey is still on alternative medicines. The wolverines were eventually correctly identified as Marmottes or the slightly smaller ones as Marmites (I kid you not) Their dietary habits may remain a mystery for some time. Fish at 9600ft? Its little wonder the blighters look so hungry.
The descent of the Bonnette was as exhilarating as the ascent was gruelling. The group made it safely back in time to eat that evening in Barcellonette with John G proving what a tenacious character he is during an epic tug of war with the waitress and HIS fork. Supremacy was finally established and the waitress slunk off to count her diminished tip.
It had also become very apparent that climbing for considerable lengths of time on a 23 rear sprocket was not going to be possible and to that end the rest of the group, against my better judgement and of course conscience, persuaded yours truly to liberate a frustrated looking 27 rear cassette from Brandon’s spare(ish) bike (that is about as close as you are going to get to a confession).

The Flies, the flies ……………Saturday 03/09/11

The circular route taking in the Col de Allos(2,200m). Col de Champs (2,000m) and Col de Cayolle(2300m) looked like a piece of cake (albeit a rather large stodgy piece) on paper. The ascent of the Allos produced a problem that Monsieur Michelin conveniently left of his detailed map – Flies. Each rider ascended surrounded by his own little cloud of misery, fighting both the gradient and the creatures that were hell bent on getting in your mouth,in your ears,in your eyes and up your nose.
Dinner of pizza in the village of Allos preceded the climb of the Col de Champs. The turn to the Col de Champs was craftily hidden by the French in Colmars. If it wasn’t for Andy both Jim and Steve would have stopped only when confronted by the Mediterranean Sea. The Col de Champs was not considered a major climb. This, I think , was a major mistake. Ascent in thick cloud and of course the obligatory flies. Descent in even thicker cloud using the white road markings as guides – scary. The ascent of the Cayolle (2,300 m) promised to be long, hard and interesting. It did not disappoint.Pursued by flies, dehydration and a duck billed platypus (Les is booked in at the opticians on his return) Turkey finally succumbed to madness by donning his birthday suit and sitting under a waterfall at the side of the road.
Bear with me now just a little longer and try to picture Pierre and Jeanette, an ageing French couple totally at ease with the small but comfortable world they inhabit.They were both war children and probably saw many atrocities committed by the Germans. They survived and lived to tell the tale. They are travelling back home after having eaten a particularly pleasant dinner with some friends in Allos.It seemed like a good idea to take the scenic route via the Col de Cayolle where halfway up is a small waterfall at the side of the road where Pierre proposed to Jeanette many years ago. As they approach this special place and gaze lovingly into each others eyes, there under the waterfall totally naked waving his arms around frantically sits a large pink man. The care home in Barcellonette now has 2 less vacancies.
Meanwhile on the sweeping descent Jim had decided to put his helmet manufactures claims to the test by leaping off his bike at 35mph and head butting the road. As by way of a memento for the mountain he left a bit of his leg and a lot of his shorts (see photo). By the time Turkey and Les had finished becoming as one with Mother Nature and started the descent of the rock strewn Col de Cayolle darkness had fallen. Andy to the rescue in the sweeper wagon. This was to become a regular feature of the week. What a ride. Let me tell you now that absolutely nothing prepares you, whatever you have seen on TV or read in guides, for the relentless length of these ascents. They are all vicious brutes. Vicious.

Pra Loup for some…………..Sunday 04/09/11

Steady downpours do not put off hard men. Steve, John F, Turkey, Les and Jim being the exception. John G, Ian and Andy made the short trip of only 8km up Pra Loup (only 8km! who am I trying to kid).
After dining, favourably this time, in Barcolenette Les dropped a bottle of wine but skilfully managed to catch it with his lips without spilling a drop. This encouraged several characteristics to surface:

• David Attenborough to stop looking concerned for his job(Les the smaller Marmottes are probably not known as Marmites)

• I’m very hot so I need to take my clothes off and meander around the campsite (Les photographic evidence is available)

• I’m now very cold so will invite Turkey into my sleeping bag (best not to dwell to long on this)

• I’m now feeling very ill (enough said)

Alpe du Huez or bust…………………..Monday 05/09/11

What a great day for climbing - Pra Loup in the morning then transferring to Bourg d’Oisans and climbing the shrine of Alp du Huez in the late afternoon. Andy, John F, Ian and Jim were proving to be the top climbers. What an amazing feeling to reach the top, what an amazing feeling to descend, what a dopey decision not to take a wind proof top.

The big one……..Tuesday 06/09/11

The Marmotte ride is considered to be one of the hardest if not the hardest on the calendar. I can now confirm this is so and this was our task for the day. Common sense had finally prevailed and the Alp du Huez finish had been trimmed of the end of the ride.This proved to be a wise decision, a very wise decision. The ride started at 8.00am with the less speedy climbers setting out first (myself, John G, Turkey and Les)with the intention of all coming together at the summit of the Col de Croix de Fer (2,400m). Refreshments were purchased at the summit café from Madame Grumpy and the descent down to St Jean de Maurienne started. Andy punctured at the side of an endless abyss. A front wheel puncture. It’s surprising how a 2,000 feet drop suddenly hones your bike handling skills. It was now mid afternoon with the climbs of the Col du Telegraph (1,560m) and the Hors category Galibier (2,700m) still to come. Halfway round and past the point of no return. Enter Wills Wheels cycling club and tidings of great joy. The Gol du Galibier was closed. Never ever, EVER, buy your wheels from Will. John F was persuaded to cancel the taxi back and the climb of the Telegraph commenced. At the summit of the Telegraph John G elbowing John F swiftly out of the way took rather a shine to a large female unit of ample proportions, sorry but Mrs G is entitled to know. Late afternoon Valloire and the start of the Galibier (yes you’ve guessed it the Galibier was indeed ouvert and not ferme). Andy, John F, Ian, John G and Jim all gained the summit before me and I will openly admit to feelings of panic as during the climb my mental calculations revealed that I would be lucky to make it back to Borg d’Oision in the light. Jim was still at the top when I arrived looking decidedly ill. Thus began the epic descent of 50Km off the Galibier onto the Lauteret and into Bourg d’Oisan. With daylight rapidly fading some of those tunnels on the decent flashed by at speeds exceeding 40mph. Les and Turkey reached the summit just as the sun dropped .They descended onto the Lauteret in near darkness. This prompted a flash of inspiration from Turkey. “I’ll ring for help”. It could have been a dialling error or a faulty phone but either way a considerably surprised and greatly amused John Waddilove back in Crewe proffered his support and advised to not stop moving in case you freeze to death and ring Andy Grace who was much closer to hand. Andy G and Ian were true gentleman and wonderful pilots of the broom wagon. I did warn you this would become a regular feature of the trip. Everybody safe, everybody hungry, everybody in the only (just) open restaurant in Borg d’Oisan.

What a fabulous trip everybody made it to the top of every climb under their own steam and nobody died on the descents.
• John G (impeccable organisation)
• John F (impeccable car driving and climbing )
• Jim (impeccable helmet testing)
• Ian (impeccable French and pasta)
• Andy (impeccable climbing and patience)
• Turkey (impeccable sense of humour)
• Les (impeccable wild life knowledge)
Brandon (impeccable rear cassette)
Ta! Steve P.

Below is a small sample of a good collection of photos taken by Ian Wilson,John Gallagher and Mark Davies.

Ready for the off

22 hours later

At the foot of the Bonnette

Crewe on top of the world