The triathlon season is now firmly behind us for this year but, here in the SW France, it is the time of trail runs, 10ks & half-marathons. There’s even the occasional course d’orientation if you have a prediliction for eshewing well trodden tracks and like being ripped to shreds by gorse & brambles.

Last weekend, some of our PPA (www.paupyreneesaventure.jimdo.com) team-mates took part in the very popular San Sebastien Half-marathon, along with 25,000 other runners, on a fast, undulating course shared with the para-athletes & people on rollers. A beautiful town to visit in it’s own right, they took advantage to sample the hospitality of this Basque port with it’s eclectic mixture of old & new… and more than enough cideries, partying away into the small hours of the morning.

This weekend saw a good representation of PPA turn up on a bright, chilly morning for the Foulées de la déliverance (the footsteps of release!) at Maslacq. Advertised as a 10km, this was to be a mixture of road & well-graded track, starting along the river on the Trail of St Jacques before climbing straight up to the top of a lung-busting ridge and then immediately plummeting down a thigh-slapping-quad-ripping descent on tarmac. Under a clear blue sky, the temperatures rose into the high teens as the race followed a rolling course on quiet country lanes, taking us back to the village of Maslacq, 11kms (sic) from the start.

We were greeted as usual at the finish with a wide array of refreshments, but no wine! The first race I’ve done where it hasn’t been available. But, of course, that’s not the reason I take part in these events. The ambience & camaradery are recompense enough! (Yeah, right)

PPA à Maslacq 2011

Discussing race tactics

Race Start Maslacq

It would be the last time I saw these guys from this range

Took advantage of some fantastic autumnal weather to give next years PlanetX Team kit an airing. It’s bright – perfectly complementing the blue Pyrénéan skies – and ideal for posing in the cafe after a loop of the cols. You are not likely to be missed!

1.Foothills of the Pays Basque

Quoted from the Planet X site,

“Coming next month, it’s a top end race level range of garments that combines Italian made boutique quality with industry beating value.

This new clothing range from Planet X mirrors both the technical needs and brightly colourful aesthetics of our Italian Guru pro race team.”

Can’t argue with that!

2.Does My Bum Look Big in This

3.Looking South towards the Frontier

4.Ascending

5.Ascending...

6.Still Ascending

7.Summit!!

8.Descent

9.Obligatory Posing

10.Product Placement? Surely, not.

Some of the pics maybe used on the PX site and I’m hoping the comments aren’t going to be too derogatory concerning the clothes hanger!

Exiting Rutland Water

Bright- but cold- Finish, 4th

After a cold, wet & windy National Championships in the UK, at the Damduster Olympic Distance Tri in June, with a slightly disappointing 4th place, it was off to Villeneueve-sur-Lot for the Aquitaine Regional Champs at the beginning of July. Here the temperatures were a balmy 33°C (air) & 25°C (water) meaning that wetsuits were prohibited. Drat, or sentiments to that effect.

The swim was a mass start of 2 retangular loops in the tepid river Lot, the 1st turn buoy being situated at 75m upstream. Being British, I was expecting a polite “No, I insist, after you” at this bottle-neck but, after being pushed under & swum over several times, it dawned on me that this wasn’t going to happen. Regaining my composure, I battled on to complete the swim, a little further down the field than expected. One consolation of not wearing a wetsuit, possibly the only one, is that transition is a tad quicker and we were soon onto the 2 loop bike course comprising of a challenging ascent followed by a fast, non-technical descent, linked with a flat section of quiet, well-surfaced road – quite the opposite to what I had experienced at Rutland Water, encountering a traffic jam on the Rutland Ripple at 8.30 on a Saturday morning. Where did that come from?

The course was ideally suited to hunkering down on the tri bars and letting the Planet X Exocet do exactly what it says on the tin, except that it doesn’t come in a tin and…..anyway, getting from A to B as quickly as possible & allowing me to move up 12 places.

No, this wasn't taken during the transition!

Another lightening transition & out onto the cross country course for 3 laps of track, hardpack, road and grass. Since the ground was baked solid, none of this proved too daunting, though it was 1km over-distance, a point that wasn’t immediately apparent until I noted with relief that everyones run times for the supposed 10km loop, were slow – I’d completed the “10km” 9 mins slower than the 10km at the Dambuster and was on the verge of chucking my running shoes into the river.

At the finish, under the welcoming shade of a large oak tree, there were plenty of cool drinks, fruit and cake to kick-start the recovery process while waiting for everyone to finish. Kath, altho’ disappointed with her slow swim (well, what can you expect if you wait for everyone to clear the 2nd turn buoy before starting?) finished in 2nd place in the Veteran/feminine category, winning a bottle of wine & a jar of myrtilles in vodka (suggestions on their use, please), Cris won her 60+ category and I won the Supervets (not a term of endearment but the class of 50+), comprising of the same prize fund as Kath, plus the Supervets Champ of Aquitaine trophy, which was nice. Well worth the 6hr round trip!

Kath, 2nd Vet Lady

1st Vet 50+

Managed to change club kit to the same colour as the bike!

active-vacances.com TCR Competion Winners, Kevin & Donna

Active Relaxation at Active Vacances – by Donna Clegg & Kevin Pink

We were lucky enough to win a holiday (all inclusive) with active vacances (www.active-vacances.com) at the TCR show. We extended the ‘win’ from 3 nights to 7 as we wanted to make the most of this great prize.

Both Kev and I had met on a ski instructor course two years earlier and we love the idea of an active holiday where you can learn new sports/improve existing ones and this was absolutely ideal for that. We opted for a beginners/intermediate triathlon week which would incorporate cycling, swimming and running.

Kev had done olympic distance triathlons including  London (2009), Hever castle (2009) and also the London to Paris cyclo sportive (2008). I had not done any triathlons before but had done lots of long rides and competed in running events including the London (2008) and Dublin Marathons (2007).

Paul met us at the airport and drove us straight to Gurs, on the way pointing out some interesting local features, he was keen to find out what we would like to get out of the week. As a beginner, I wanted to learn the ropes: from clipping in my shoes onto the bike to learning that perfect swim stroke in the pool! (every beginners dream). Kev wanted to experience the challenge of one of the famous Tour de France climbs and improve his open water swimming experience.

When we arrived at the gite, we couldn’t believe how beautiful it was. Including a luxurious room with en suite bathroom and massive comfy bed. It was the relaxtion you dreamed of whether you’d had a hard days training, or a hard day relaxing by the pool!

active-vacances.com Planet X Fleet

Arrival Day – Bike fit, kit check and easy swim.

On arrival, Kathy made sure that we were welcomed and settled and Paul organised our kit for the week. We had included hire of the wonderful quality equipment available – Snugg wetsuits and the excellent Planet X bikes. Paul set us up in a great position on the bike using a turbo trainer and helped Donna practise her first clips-in and out.

Day one -  swim (post analysis of technique via video) and 50k group ride to the Col De Barcus

We started with a few practice lengths in the 25m outdoor pool. Our wetsuits had extra floatation in the legs so we could practice our technique through the arms and upper body. I am a big fan of improving technique through video analysis as it worked a dream when I was learning to become a ski instructor. Paul set up the camera at one end of the pool and captured our swimming styles. We watched the video back later and it was easy to see the improvements we could make. Mine were leveling my head more when breathing, pulling back with more power and less leg kicking. For Kev, it was about learning not to cross the centre line with his arms, and avoid lifting his head. Super!

Swim Analysis – Click to view video

Day two – swim session and 10k run

Reinforcing what we had learnt from the video analysis on day one. Including swim drills to help improve our individual requirements. A 10k run in the local area of Gurs.

Day three – 90k ride over the  aubisque for Kev and swim for Donna

Col de Soulor to Col d'Aubisque

Kev:

So this was the big day, Paul had checked the weather and we were good to have a go at the mighty Aubisque. We drove to Louvie-Jouzon in the morning and headed out, 35km through rolling roads and started up the Vallee de l’Ouzom – I was escorted to the mountains like a GC contender!! First heading for the Col De Sulour, and from there to the Aubisque. Stopping at the village at the foot of the climb proper we agreed to climb at our own pace and meet at the cafe at the top. The start of the climb was steep, but it soon settled down and I was able to enjoy the beautiful surroundings, just me and the mountain (and the occasional cow).

Cresting the Solour felt fantastic although the weather had deteriorated and we couldn’t see much from the top. A brief coffee and we headed for the Aubisque, a little descending and then the rest of the climb to 1709m, an achievment for me! More coffee and a borrowed newspaper from the friendly cafe owner and we made the exhilerating descent through Gourette to the valley below. The fastest 19km I’ve ever ridden – Paul had to wait for me at the top of the climbs, but not on the descent!!!

A fast 15km back to Louvie-Jouzon rounded up a great day and one of the most beautiful day’s cycling I have ever been lucky enough to experience.

Day four – Rest day-  To the beach!!! Biarizz and St Jean de luz

Watched the surf dudes ride the waves at Biarizz (an hour from Gurs) and enjoyed a long lazy dinner in St Jean de luz

Day five – 45k ride to Charre for kev, 25k ride to Laas for Donna . In the PM, open water swim at Lac De Biron

PPA & active-vacances at Lac de Biron

We headed out on a 45k ride to Charre taking in some fast flat roads and a couple of short climbs. It felt rude to have sat on Paul’s wheel quite so much, so I did a token effort or two on the front of our ride.

In the afternoon we drove to the Lac De Birron, meeting some of Paul and Kathy’s Tri club friends for an open water swim in the lake. One of the things that I had mentioned that I would like to improve upon was open water swimming and as with all of our other requests, Paul and Kathy took it on-board and organised it. Wetsuits on, we popped into the water and swam across to the opposite shore; Donna’s first open water swim and she took to it like the proverbial duck. From the shore, we swam down the length of the lake to the fish reserve and back, with handy tips on sighting techniques for the open water from Paul and Kathy. Fantastic!

Day Six – Triathlon day! Sprint distance for Kev and Super-sprint for Donna

All Smiles - Before the Triathlon!

On day six, Paul & Kathy managed to simulate a race for us. All our gear was set up and they talked us through tips and tricks to save time on transitions. I was really looking forward to it as it was my first time in a simulated race situation so I was feeling fired up and positive with all the training we had done through the week. I was really pleased with my swim and focussed on what I had learnt. The transition times were good and the bike and run were good fun. All in all, I was beginning to feel like a beginner-no-more but a triathlete in the waiting! Watch this space.

Departure day -  Squeezed in an open water swim at the beach before being dropped off at the airport.

All week Kathy was preparing superb food to refuel us in between training and relaxing. Each morning we had a beautifully laid out breakfast with all of the tasty breakfast goodies that you could want. Lunches and 3 course dinners were tasty and varied throughout the week. We were blown away by the hospitality, and felt that this was a holiday that we would remember for a long time to come.

We return home reinvigorated and inspired for triathlon.

Au Revoir

Donna and Kev

Triathlon Training Week 6 – 13th October

Planet X bikes for Pyrénées Triathlon Training

We have just completed what is likely to be our final training week of the year with a small group of Norwegian ladies who arrived on a full-board Travelite Training package.

Pool-side at active-vacances.com

One can expect the middle of October to throw up some cooler weather and certainly, two days before they arrived, we had a morning of high winds, but this was followed by 3 or 4 days where the skies were clear and temperatures reached the  high 20′s.

The pool maintained temperatures between 22° to 24°C, ideal for trying out a few swim sessions in the Snugg wetsuits, followed by a relaxing sunbathe poolside.

Warm enough for swimsuits, though wetsuits are an option!

The women arrived here in high spirits.

Although Cris Milton, British Triathlon Association Level 3  triathlon coach, was to be their trainer/mentor/advisor, they hadn’t come here to train specifically for triathlon. More to try something different,  learn some new skills and enjoy themselves.

Full Board Option, fuelling up after the mornings cycle

First thing was a fantastic meal and time to talk about expectations and goals. Scared and excited would best describe the general mood. Everybody was assured that even though the week would be challenging we would cater for all levels of fitness and that nothing was compulsory, but that we would be encouraging people to push themselves.

Planet X Bikes set-up

Next morning started with the daily mobility/stretching class. After breakfast everybody was measured and had a Planet X carbon Nanolight bike set up specifically for them, taking into account their experience & flexibility while achieving an efficient and comfortable position. Then out for an easy ride in the sun. Home for lunch and relax followed by swim session. Everybody gained a lot from the day.

Next day was the mountain ride of the iconic col de Marie Blanque – just one of the famous Tour de France (TdF) cols in the region – brought forward as the forcast was for rain . Such is the reputation of these cols, the scene of many a celebrated duel amongst the great racers of the TdF, that most started this climb with trepidation but everybody was brilliant and reached the summit of the col feeling great. Down we swooped, feeling elated and forgetting our fears.

Col d'Aubisque next?

Marie Blanque Descent

Marie Blanque Descent

Sunday was a nice run on forest tracks & quiet country lanes,  catering for the  differing levels of the group. After that, off to watch a 2-up Time Trial race (where 2 riders race as a team against the clock, known locally as a “Gentleman”) at nearby Salies de Béarn, where Paul and Yves won their category and had the loudest support. Good job they won!!

More rides and time in the pool with a chance to try out the Snugg wetsuits, adjust strokes with video analysis with more “firsts” achieved  in the next few days.

For the final day it was decided to do a long bike to Aramits, Tardets, Mauleon and Hôpital St Blaise to take advantage of the beautiful countryside and favourable weather. For all but one of the group the  75km ridden with 500m of elevation achieved were a first and at a good tempo, all working hard, enjoying the challenge and encouraging each other. Brilliant!

Yet another well earned fantastic meal and a couple?!! of bottles to celebrate the achievements of the week.

Cups, glasses & smiles at the final evenings meal

A great success was enjoyed by everyone during their time at active-vacances, fulfilling and then surpassing their expectations for the weeks activities.   All left having learnt new skills, rekindled old ones, made new friends and most importantly, realised new goals and dreams.

WELL DONE EVERYBODY, or GODT GJORT (as you would say in Norway, I think)

1st of 3 waves of the 550 starters at St Jean de Luz

The good weather continues into mid September and “el Presidente” Pierre has suggested that the triathletes of PPA (Paupyrénéesaventure) meet up at the nearby lake of Biron near Orthez, to build on the successes of recent triathlons at Hagetmau & St Jean de Luz and to hone our open-water swim skills before the imminent sprint distance at Baudreix.

"Tally-Ho!"

A triad, flotilla or gaggle (whatever the collective noun for triathletes is) turn up at 18.45h sharp on Tuesday evening in perfect conditions; warm, still and with no other lake users to disturb.

Our group ranges from agéd veteran triathletes with over 50yrs of experience (that is between the 2 of them), from Ironman to Sprint distances, to novices contemplating their 1st event.

PPA and active-vacances at Biron

PPA and active-vacances at Biron

PPA "à fond" from the off.... as usual!

We undertake a counter-clockwise loop of the lake, stopping at various points to make sure we don’t lose anyone to wayward navigation, gliding effortlessly (I wish!!) thru the warm, – 21°C – calm waters to complete a 1.8 to 2km loop.

As usual, we finish the evening with a celebratory beer ( replacing the necessary B vits) and a few nibbles, enjoying the  pleasant, late summer  twilight while trying to keep up with the French banter & planning our tactics for next weekends’ triathlon.” Je vais battre Paul et Yves!” vows Pierre optimistically, as we part company. On verra!

Rans Coyote II

Not quite the Alpha Jet of the Patrouille de France, Frances equivalent to the Red Arrows,  non-the-less, the Rans CoyoteII was going to be exciting enough for me for our flight from the base ULM at Navarrenx to the nearby peaks of the Pyrénées.

Built by Olivier – an ex-French Airforce pilot – over a period of 400hrs, this Ultra Léger Motorisé was going to take-off from the grassy airstrip located on a crest of low hills above Navarrenx and make an hours circuit towards Pics d’Anie & d’Orhy before turning east until Oloron before returning back to the landing field via Gurs.

The morning of the 24th August had dawned warm,bright, clear & still, seemingly perfect flying conditions. However, at our rendez-vous at 8 o’clock, Olivier informed me that the slightest of breezes that was attempting to ruffle the limp airsock would be a problem over the peaks. A detailed look at the météo  had revealed that the air temperature above us was much higher than the 19°c on the ground.

Limp airsock (thats not a reference to the guy stood by the plane).

Following a series of checks, the engine was fired into life and while we waited for the engine oil temperature to rise to the pre-requisite 120°, Olivier engaged me in some light conversation ( his english is excellent). ” Have you experience of flying one of these machines before and do you think you can land it? No? Then you’ll need to know what to do in the (unlikely, hopefully!!) event that I have a heart attack. Pull this lever between the seats, all the way to the top (pointing to the roof) to release the parachute, which will lower the plane to the ground. Oh, and switch off the engine with these 2 switches and the fuel pump with these switches. OK, let’s go!” I didn’t dare ask if it had ever been deployed.

Ready for take-off?

As we trundled along the bumpy field, Olivier opened the throttle and within a few hundred metres, we were airborne. The air temperature continued to rise as we rose, upto 31°C, a marked difference from the 19° on the ground.

As we approached the Pyrénées, the air became more turbulent and altho’ 120kph had taken us to a height of 11,000m, the same speed was now seeing us loose altitude and so, prudently, Olivier abandoned the original plan to fly over the peaks and turned to the east to head towards Oloron.

Looking S over Navarrenx towards the Pyrénées

White Buildings of La Pierre St Martin Ski Station

Valleys of the Ariege(R) & Aspe(far L)

Pic de Midi d'Ossau

Gave d'Oloron & Gurs

No.5, active-vacances

Gurs, with the pool of active-vacances just visible before the maize fields

Medieval walled town of Navarrenx

The flight was a great way to see the country-side around where we live and despite the aircrafts small size, I felt secure with Olivier piloting his machine over this beautiful terrain and would recommend anyone to take the opportunity to do the same. Contact;

www.ulm64.com

active-vacances at La traversée

The 15 August saw the 2nd of the Traversée de la Baie at St Jean de Luz which are held each year (the 1st being on 14 July), crossing from the Fort de Socoa to the Grand Plage at St Jean, a distance of approximately 1.9km, depending on the swimmers navigational skills.

This popular event reaches its limit of 450 swimmers well in advance with on-line inscription making the process very easy.

Kath & I had previously entered the “quatorze juillet” edition and so had targets for the time to beat, although the conditions on the 15 Aug were distinctly cooler and breezier than the previous event, with quite a significant amount of cloud cover.

15 Aug Start at Fort de Sosoa

The Bay is well protected from the elements with its natural harbour and man-made breakwater, making the swim a safe prospect for even the most novice of sea swimmers. Many will complete the distance using front crawl while a few will use a mixture of back, breast & crawl to complete the distance.

The sea temperature in July & August is usually around 19-20°c and wetsuits are allowed which, if you have a made-to-measure swim specific wetsuit (like our Snugg suits) is a distinct advantage, especially to those with a poor leg kick or lacking in an excess of positive buoyancy material – more commonly known as body fat.

Snugg-wetsuited Kath

The swim start can be a frantic affair, not a place for the faint hearted and many more sensible or cautious swimmers hang back a moment or two to find some clear water. For those at the front, canoeists provide a target to follow while lifesavers on boards line the route. For those in the thick of things, the first few hundred metres are a little like kick-boxing underwater until the field begins to spread out and navigation can be difficult amid the flailing arms & plumes of water sent high into the air from hard kicking legs.

After the 1st 200 to  300 metres, the swimmers start to find their own rhythm, settling into a strong, steady stroke while others drop back, paying the price for setting off too exuberantly. Luckily,I tend to fall into the former group!

Distant shot of 2010 Swim Start

The swim is more-or-less straight across the bay, with a slight turn to the left through the line of buoys seperating the public swimming beach from the area used for fishing and the route used by the sardine boats to the port. (St Jean is still one of the best places to buy fresh fish, straight from the quayside or from any of the numerous restaurants around the bay).

A final concerted effort to the beach and a sprint to the finish line and the 2010 Traversée de la Baie was completed. A quick glance above the finish gantry revealed the time, immediately available thanks to the timing chip worn around the ankle of each swimmer, which, for me,was pleasingly faster than the previous swim.

Last 50m

Just a short run to the line!

Suitably exhausted

Kath at the finish

Both Kath & I managed to beat our previous times and bettered our placings, Kath moving up nearly 50 places(38m 40secs) while I took 6 placings to finish 18th overall (27m 51secs)and 1st in my age category.

The winning time was 23min 12secs and the last swimmer came in with a time of 1hr 18mins

Awards Ceremony 1st Veteran

"In your dreams, mate. You're going to have to wait another 30 years before you get your hands on this beauty!"

This is our 3rd summer at No.5 but this year, our mirabellier has produced an insane amount of fruit. Mirabelles are a plum variety, small, round and yellow and this tree was absolutely laden with them. Many had already fallen, strewn around the base of the tree, slowly fermenting and attracting hoards of bees who would spend the rest of the day drunkingly buzzing around the rest of the garden, bumping into windows, furniture & people.

Mirabelles at No.5

We decided it was time to collect some of the fruit before the branches broke under the sheer weight of the numbers. Spreading a bache under part of the tree, Kath gave a large branch a vigourous shake and quickly stood back as several kilos of mirabelles fell to the floor.

Collecting mirabelles

Mirabelle collecting juillet 2010

Kath then sifted through the pile, doing her quality-control bit and selecting only the best to be used for human consumption, still leaving 4/5 of the pile for the compost heap and the bees.

Kath has found several recipes using mirabelles, ranging from chutney, mirabelle tarts & brioche to mirabelle sauce to accompany roast pork. I’ve got a feeling that I may be sick of the sight…and taste of mirabelles by the end of August!

1st collection of mirabelles, juillet 2010

(Just a small!) Selection of Mirabelle Chutney Jars

O-symmetric Rings on Brajkovics Trek

David de la Fuente

Zabel discucces how the Manx Missile is going to win his 4th stage

Klöden at start of stage 18

Cadel Evans

Lance & Levi's Treks ready for start of stage 18

Pinarello fitted with O-symmetric Rings

Arranging to meet someone at the stage start of the Tour de France when riders, media, caterers, Tour caravan, hangers-on and several thousand members of the public are crammed into a small medieval market town with its narrow, winding streets in SW France, is no easy task. Luckily for me, Kath (my wife) and I found ourselves migrating to the same spot in Salies despite have entered the town from opposite ends. While standing at the park where the team buses where setting down, the Radioshack coach arrived, leading to the media scrum that forms around Lance like bees round honey (altho’ others may choose to insert their own metaphors here!) Even tho’ we were right opposite the coach, catching a glimpse of Lance would prove elusive – see last photo – and despite pleas & calls from the poor people behind the barrier(us), we were not going to get a look-in.

We did, however, spot a few of the other bit-players in the Tour de Lance and get to drool over the flagrant display of bike-porn shamelessly paraded infront of us.

For the record, Mark Cavendish won the stage in Bordeaux to claim his 4th victory of the 2010 Tour.

Really...? Lance is in there?