nick205
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 posted on 14/2/14 at 08:22 PM |
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Big 4-0 this year!
Well, this is it, just about to turn 40
...and been married 10 years this year as well
Long weekend in Barcelona with SWMBO is booked (went there on honeymoon)
My 3 longest standing friends from junior school all turn 40 this year as well. We've been discussing plans for some time and finally settled
on a cycle ride from London to Paris this summer. Route planning is underway, with suitable watering hole based accommodation along the way and a
SWMBO based support crew 
We all used to cycle a lot, but latterly not so much (if at all). We're using this as the motivation to get back in the saddle an get in
shape.
Training starts at 6am tomorrow come rain or shine 
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carpmart
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| posted on 14/2/14 at 08:32 PM |
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Well I hope its raining then!  Test you motivation if nothing else! 
You only live once - make the most of it!
Radical Clubsport, Kwaker motor
'94 MX5 MK1, 1.8
F10 M5 - 600bhp Daily Hack
Range Rover Sport - Wife's Car
Mercedes A class - Son's Car
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Simon
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| posted on 14/2/14 at 08:36 PM |
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Make sure you circle the area you live so if you start feeling like you're doing too much, you can get home quite easily 
Think the London to Paris will be an excellent ride, but do it on MTB and offroad !
And turning 40 ain't that bad, but just noticed a Saga ad in top right of page
ATB
Simon
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nick205
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| posted on 14/2/14 at 09:20 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by Simon
Make sure you circle the area you live so if you start feeling like you're doing too much, you can get home quite easily
Think the London to Paris will be an excellent ride, but do it on MTB and offroad !
And turning 40 ain't that bad, but just noticed a Saga ad in top right of page
ATB
Simon
MTB an off road all the way.
And my advert says Machine Mart
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sdh2903
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| posted on 14/2/14 at 10:14 PM |
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Myself and a few colleagues do a cycle run every year, we did the same run but we started in Paris and headed up to London, we're not serious
cyclists and on that particular trip we aimed for around 50-60 miles a day with refreshment breaks along the way. Was an excellent trip, the cycling
was especially good in France.
We've also done York-London (very good). Inverness to glasgow (hilly) and last year Prague to Berlin (awesome) and each year we've been
just a little bit fitter and the cycling has felt a bit easier. Get plenty of miles in the legs and long days on the saddle before you go and it will
be all the more enjoyable. Make sure you take some chamois butter it's awesome stuff
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nick205
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| posted on 14/2/14 at 10:27 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by sdh2903
Myself and a few colleagues do a cycle run every year, we did the same run but we started in Paris and headed up to London, we're not serious
cyclists and on that particular trip we aimed for around 50-60 miles a day with refreshment breaks along the way. Was an excellent trip, the cycling
was especially good in France.
We've also done York-London (very good). Inverness to glasgow (hilly) and last year Prague to Berlin (awesome) and each year we've been
just a little bit fitter and the cycling has felt a bit easier. Get plenty of miles in the legs and long days on the saddle before you go and it will
be all the more enjoyable. Make sure you take some chamois butter it's awesome stuff
We've done the South Downs way Winchester to Just past Brighton 110 miles) a number of times before together in 1 day (not much fun), 2 days
(OK) and 3 days (relaxed). We also used to regularly do 40 miles rides together, so there's no illusion as to what's involved.
It's a good 10 years though since any of us did much serious cycling!
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sdh2903
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| posted on 14/2/14 at 10:34 PM |
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It's amazing how quick you get back into it though. Last year we rattled off a couple of back to back 80 mile+ days whilst carrying tents too
without too much effort. The first trip we did I was dying after a 35 mile day.
I'm really cross at myself as I was the fittest I've been last year after the germany trip and was romping up hills etc, but due to work
commitments etc I let it go and am right back at square one. I was out the other day and was really struggling on the climbs.
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T66
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| posted on 15/2/14 at 12:04 AM |
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Barcelona -
Things you must do....
http://4gats.com/en/ Go for lunch, menu del dia - cost is about 15e each . Wine, starter, main and sweet with a coffee. Any doubts about how
spanish it is, this is where Salvador Dali Met Picasso for food and drink.
If you cannot get seated there go to , this isnt open during the day- http://www.loscaracoles.es/
The rooftop cafe in Cortes Ingles - big superstore in the centre. best views in town.
Then the tram up to the chapel & funfair at Tibidabo - there are bars about half way up, open fronted for a quick Dam or two, with fantastic views
across the city.
http://vimeo.com/76440793
Parc Guell
Guadi - the cathedral is good, but not worth the queues
The market off the Ramblas - amazing fruit and veg if you like....
The superyacht repair marina - walk toward the Columbus monument at the sea end of the Ramblas.
Dont eat on the Ramblas its a rip off, eat at Quatro Cats where Dali used to eat, cheaper and a real bit of Spain. Dont expect English speaking
waiters, just smile and trust them.....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8nJ6gpWTTmM
There is also the Montjuic fountain in the city centre http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S4F-shlD6U0
Only sightings I had of purse dippers was on the Metro, or lurking round the escalators waiting for the pinch points. Ladies without handbags are
simpler and less tempting, punch anyone who asks you the time.....
A fantastic city, been lots and it is one of my favourite places. Please post up your pictures
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nick205
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| posted on 15/2/14 at 11:34 AM |
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Thanks Ivan, some great notes there for the trip.
We went for a week 10 years ago and felt there was still a lot more left to see even though we didn't sit still while we were there.
I particularly like the Gaudi buildings and could spend days just absorbing all the details in them.
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