Writing Blogs

Oh mon dieu! My dad has been pestering me to write a blog ever since we got back from Venice. I have no idea what to write about. I've been sick for the past month (and we think it might be mono), we haven't done anything exciting and he wants me to write a blog. I don't understand why writing blogs is so important to him. He says they'll be "great" memories for us when we get older.  He also wants us to improve our writing but for me, writing doesn't come easy! When I write a blog I really need to take my time to just get it right; and I'm not patient. It could take me up to two weeks to write a blog and that's just to get it started. Then I have to read and reread it and clean it up again and again. 

I can't wait for Easter break because we're going to Italy and my grandparents are coming to visit. At least after our trip I'll have something to write about. Then I won't have to hear dad bug me to write a blog for a while. Pweph...can't wait until that's over! Dad always says that there are so many things to write about..... oh yeah? " Name one thing" I ask him.  "Write a blog about how much you hate writing blogs half joking" he answers.  Okay dad here it is!!   

I guess all this complaining I've been doing about writing blogs gave me something to write about. Maybe it's not so bad. 

Going to Rome and Naples

Its Sunday afternoon and I am sitting in a bar with my dad and his "soccer friends" who are watching a game with Napoli against Bologna.  Dad wanted me to come watch a soccer game with him. Simona and mom stayed home because Simona has been missing a few days of school because she is sick. It was fun to watch dad and his friends argue over which team is the best. 

I decided to bring the iPad and write a blog.

Easter break is coming up soon and I am so excited, because we are going to Rome, Naples and, Pompeii. I am especially excited to go to Naples because my grandparents are going to be in Naples with us. 

The last time I was in Rome I was only 4 years old and I only remember the Trevi Fountain.  The Trevi Fountain is the biggest fountain in Rome. It is 85 feet high and 65 feet wide. The fountain was built in the mid-15th century and completed in 1762.  The Trevi Fountain sits in Piazza de Trevi close to Piazza Navona.  If you ever get a chance to go to Rome and see the Trevi Fountain remember to throw a coin into the fountain backwards, because if you get the coin in the fountain you are granted to come back to Rome again.    

This time when we go to Rome, we will go visit St. Peter's Basilica which is where the Pope says masses. It is supposed to be very beautiful. In Rome I have a cousin named Jennifer who came with us to Barcelona, I can't wait to see her. The night that we arrive I am going to her house for a sleepover.......I am so excited!    

I have never been to Naples but I am very excited to go. Dad tells me it's a fun and chaotic city.........and that the pizza and mozzarella di buffalo are great.    We will also visit Pompeii for one day, which should be interesting. Dad has been to Pompeii, he says that when we go we will see people covered in lava and we will also see Mt. Vesuvius which erupted in 79 A.D.  After our trip my grandparents will come back to Nice and stay with us for 3 or 4 weeks!

A suivre.... Maddy

La Charly

At the finish line

Its race day and we wait anxiously for the starter’s pistol to sound and get us on our way.  I have no idea how many cyclists there are – 700, 800, perhaps one thousand?  It really doesn’t matter, its just fun being here feeding off the energy.  Everybody seems to be huddled with members of their own club proudly sporting their multi-coloured club jerseys.   Back in January I joined Cavigal Cyclisme and while I decided to wear my new Charly B jersey, I too am huddled with many of the cycling friends who have welcomed and embraced me over the past months.

I stand chatting with Bruno who’s chomping at the bit and doesn’t conceal his objective.  Placing third last year was great but simply making it onto the podium won’t cut it this year.  Bruno wants to win!!  There is no money or other prizes but bragging rights are at stake.  As for me, I just want to complete the event and enjoy the day.  I have no idea how long it will take and set no expectations.  Unfortunately Eric injured himself 2 weeks ago and isn’t able to participate.   I will have to find others to pace myself with and share the work. 

Getting her hooked early

Having done harder rides during training, the ride itself isn’t so taxing with no climb exceeding 663 meters.  My biggest concern is staying on my saddle.  I've witnessed a few wipe-outs and having no experience riding in large packs I don’t enjoy being boxed-in by other riders.  It’s  not the climbs that I find difficult today but the descents.  I am terrified snaking down these hills, not knowing what’s coming around the corner.   One small mistake, a stone, pot-hole, sharp turn, a rider in front of me losing control and …..   No matter how fast I propel myself, I watch as dozens upon dozens of riders fly by me at frightening speeds.  On one straight-away where I could see a good distance ahead of me I decide to let go and hit a maximum speed of 64.8km/h before fear gets the better of me and I bring it down to the mid-50s.  I ask one cyclist later in the race what speed he peaked at and totally unfazed and nonchalantly responded 84km/h!!  Yikes!!  No thanks. 

At the start line

As I cross the finish line I am happy to be greeted by Nancy and Madeleine’s bright smiles.   Simona was home sick :(.  

Sure enough Bruno finished first in an incredible time of 2h 23’ 57” with an average speed of more than 35km/h.  Bravo Bruno!!   I was happy to finish in 2h 56’ 44” placing 120^th.

Sal

Crossing the finish line

At the finish line with Bruno

Preparing Pour La Charly Berard

So much for a clear day with only a 20% chance of rain. It’s coming down pretty hard with darker clouds moving in. The forecast said 16C in Nice and while it was sunny and warm when we left and I thought I'd have enough layers on I'm wet and downright cold. My toes are usually the first to go and as we climb I wish I had my foot warmers on. We are only half way up Chateauneuf Villevielle which sits at an elevation of 663 meters. It is one of the seemingly hundreds of small villages scattered in the hills to the north, east and west of Nice. They offer a great way for cyclists to avoid the heat in the summer and there is no better way to increase the intensity of the workouts and prepare for the upcoming race season.

Not having the benefit of riding hills back in Toronto, these hills were not kind to me back in the fall and I quite despised riding them.  But like anything in life, take it slowly or as the cyclists here like to say “doucement et tranquil”, keep at it long enough and it becomes more manageable; on some level even enjoyable. 

There are 8 of us today including Bruno a 30 something year old, super fit physed teacher who literally (no exaggeration) pushed me halfway up a 5km climb back in October all the while telling me to go tranquil and at my own pace. My own pace back then was barely moving unless Bruno was pushing. Then there are 2 guys in there mid 60s and it’s such a pleasure to watch these 'old' guys cycle so effortlessly. I've ridden with so many individuals in their 60s and 70s who have been cycling for decades a few times per week and they are like old diesel locomotive trains that just keep chugging along. One guy, Richard, I rode with back in February is 73 and insists this will be his last triathlon. I could barely keep pace with him up hills. Talk about inspiration!!  As well, Magdalie has decided to join us today since she's not training. Last year she finished the year ranked 4th in France among women and is an absolutely incredible rider who I can't keep pace with when she's humming along. 

Back in early February I decided that I wanted some cycling event or 'race' I could work towards. Christian and Herve at Velo Concept, the bike shop I go to, suggested 'La Charly Berard' an annual 'race' (for lack of a better term) which takes place in the hills behind Nice on April 10th.  Today is Wednesday, a mid-week ride and half of the ride will cover a portion of the 85km course we will be riding on April 10.  Bruno and some of the other 'power' riders are out for a 'relaxed, gentle' ride of 75km of mostly hills so I am happy they let me tag along so I can continue my training. I have no idea where they find the time to leave work mid-day to ride for 3 hours but they do a few times per week!  Vive la France!  Bruno and a few others that enter amateur races almost weekly throughout spring, summer and fall typically do one ride on the weekend of 130 - 160km and another ride 'pour la recuperation' of about 75-90km. Fortunately, I don't need Bruno to push me up hills anymore and at one point as we climb he jokes that soon he may need me pushing him up hills.  Sure smart-ass! 

The top of Col de Turini
with Eric and Antoine

Last Saturday I was out with 'Antoine' (not his real name) and Eric who I've been cycling with most of the past 5-6 weeks to prepare pour 'La Charly'. It was a beautiful sunny day and an even better day for cycling, not too hot and not too cold. In fact, apart for 4-5 rain-filled ugly days in March (which couldn’t have come at a worse time given we had our friends the Quarins from Toronto visit) it’s been a great time of year to be riding with mid-day temperatures of between 14-20C. Eric is 40, works for the family plumbing supplies business and is able to get away whenever he wants while 'Antoine' 33, has been on a leave of absence from the Nice police department for some unspecified leg injury which clearly restricts his ability as a cop but somehow has no impact on his ability to cycle 3-4 days per week. Vive la.... 

Like many outings I have no idea where we are headed and with so many options it's rare to do the exact same ride twice. We head west along the ocean, turn north at Cagnes sur Mer and within 15 minutes into our outing we begin our ascent towards St Jeanette en route to Le Col de Vence via Vence. We stop at Vence to peel away some clothing, hydrate and eat an energy bar. ‘Antoine’ also warns Eric and I to pace ourselves as the climb to Le Col de Vence 'c’est dur'. It's a 9 km climb from Vence to an elevation of 963 m with an average grade of 7%.  Being the strongest rider 'Antoine' pulls away within the first 5 minutes and after about 4 km I fall behind Eric who is hoping to get to the top under 45 minutes. I'm just hoping to get to the top! 

As difficult as it is, I enjoy the solitude of riding the last 5 km on my own.  Maintaining an even comfortable pace I literally feel like I could go forever (ok I'm exaggerating but just a bit). The mountainous landscape is breathtaking with views of the valley below. Picturesque villages are scattered as far as the eye can see. The vibrant colours, sounds and intoxicating smells of spring fill my senses and give me energy.  The fragrance of flowering rosemary bushes is in the air.  With violet flowers in full bloom, wild rosemary seems to emerge from every rocky crevice. The smell of smoldering, burning garden waste and brush as always fills the air. Oddly, I love that smell. 
  

The switch-backs up Col de Braus

As much as I keep pedaling, the road seems to extend in front of me, never ending. I'm convinced that the odometer and altitude reader on my bike is malfunctioning as the kilometers and altitude seem not to budge. Soon a sign posted on the side of the road indicates Le Col de Vence 1km and within minutes I spot Antoine and Eric waiting for me at the side of the road. I arrive not knowing whether to smile or grimace.   

Next week we will tackle Col de Braus which sits at 1002 meters with it's picturesque switch-backs before descending to Sospel followed by a 24 km climb to Col de Turini at 1607 meters. Col de Turini, a mountain pass in the Alps, is a famous stage of the Monte Carlo Rally (car race) and has featured in the Tour de France in 1948, 1950 and 1975. About a 6-7 hour round trip of between 115-125km I'm cautioned to get plenty of rest the day before and bring enough nourishment. Should be fun!  Not having my camera today I will be sure to bring it next week. 


Sal

Christian & Herve at Velo Concept

Now getting back to Nice