Hi all,
It’s been a pretty full gas couple of weeks since arriving in France. We arrived to our new apartment in Roquebrune Cap Martin all set up and ready to go, which was a real comfort and peace of mind instead of bunking down on friend’s couches for the first couple of weeks. We made the move down to the coast near Monaco at the end of last year, but it was short lived when I realised I had a broken elbow and it was on the plane home.
The team called the day I arrived first to say hi, and second to explain they needed me for the race in the weekend as another rider was injured, leaving the team only five riders for GP Laiguelia and needed 6 to start. So as our new home away home was only an hour away and on route to the race I was asked to pin a number on.
So this meant full medical testing the next day to apply for my french racing licence, I was half asleep by the time I got on the SRM bike for the Vo2 max test but never the less proved myself fit to race.
Friday we awoke to see from our balcony the Mediterranean sea raging in anger as the waves crashed onto road, and in true french style caused a massive traffic jam for no reason. So while I was more tempted to go find a surfboard and get amongst it, I duly packed my suitcase and waited for the Director to pick me. The next morning the storm had passed and we were greeted with a clear crisp day, though it would not be a long one for me. The race hit the first climb at a furious pace and I was cautious not to push myself too hard too early, and was told by the director to turn round and go rest. So I took his advise as it’s not often they say that to you.
Anyway training camp was to follow the next week and I knew that was where I would start my real build up for the season. The team gathered over the following days as some riders were still racing the Tour du Haut Var, which was won in great style by Christophe LeMevel continuing the team’s great early season run and starting the camp off on a high.
Training camp for me was time to get my bikes and other equipment sorted for the year, and time to speak with the coach about my training and race program for the next couple of months. The camp was based in Draguingan, which is the base of the French Military. We did some good rides up into hills where snow still lined the roads after the very cold winter that has passed through here.
Though camp wasn’t long I was eager to get back home and get settled into our new home by the sea. I have over two weeks until my first real race and then more time after that to continue trying to get my body back into race shape. There is a really good group of guys around here so I am looking forward to some long rides in the hills over the coming weeks.
Today we replaced the car battery which was a bit of fun in the pouring rain, and tomorrow its time to get the scooter up and running too. Then we’ll be down to Italy for some cheap supermarket shopping, always making time for a coffee stop as you don’t really get it better anywhere else.
Thanks to you all for your comments great to hear from you.
Cheers
Tim

Checking the heart and lungs

Testing begins

The view from our balcony on a stormy day

The usual calm Med sea, looking back to our bay