Category: Ride Reports
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Visible from Space
We often find ourselves asking the question, “What can you do?” Or to be more precise, “What can you really do?! As the club grows, if somewhat slowly and very humbly, so does our appetite for adventure. This year sees members riding for worthy causes across France and Switzerland; others see racing as…
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Affliction
Sun’s out, Gun’s out. The mercury is rising as we roll out onto an open road to somewhere. The short and dark rides of Winter are becoming a distant memory. Spring, on the other hand, offers the chance to test the legs on longer-tougher rides. Where freaks get their kicks for affliction. Freaks aren’t born…
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Kings Lynn – The Return
The sun is at it’s zenith as we approach Norfolk – Nelson’s County, but can we make it? We travel from London and through 3 counties of the UK. If you want to see how we started this madness, look away now, and start the journey here. If you’ve read the story so far, here’s what…
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Big Chase to Kings Lynn
Have you ever watched the national weather on TV, and seen Kings Lynn on the map? You can’t help but notice its presence. It clearly stands north-east of London, and directly to the left of the weather forecaster for the evening. Big Chase nominates this as our destination of choice for Sunday’s ride. Why?…
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Mellow Yellow
Another interval sesh and DC adds a splash of colour to warm up an otherwise chilly morning.
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Bristol Belles
Take a moment, lean on a wall, feel the sun on your face, and breathe. Welcome to Bristol!. Bedminster is still sleeping. This southern district of the city is a quirky neighbourhood with an eclectic mix that boasts wardens, vets and artists as some of it’s residents. As we roll down from the house,…
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Seize the Mountain
Looking like the French National Champ. As well as a worthy GC contender; with his team in the background, and his Directeur Sportif alongside, consulting tactics, is our very own Baroudeur from Down-Under, Craig Shipton. In the summer of 2009, Craig decided to ride from London to Athens, and created 25000spins. He now organises…
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Park Life
Captain, Stu – on the Sufferfest, Daddy Cool, Jack, Rupert, Finn, Liz, and the Disco-Badger out today for intervals in the park at 05.45. Crazy? Sad? Or sick? Whatever we were feeling, we were feeling great by breakfast time, with the sun out to greet us. Very Barouder-us!
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Garden of Delights
For over 400 years the county of Kent has been aptly known as the ‘Garden of England’. Although I know one or two Yorkshire-men who would argue this. NuStu is on ‘easy Sunday’ mode and isn’t in the mood to fuss. He’s on hand today and invites us round to his neighbourhood side of…
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Sun Chasers
Congratulations to friends Down-Under, Craig Shipton and the growing team of 25000Spins. Well done on your Big Charity Ride of the Great Ocean Road! Raising a whopping $193,000 AUD (£104,154) and counting, for children charities on this one ride is phenomenal. A lot of people were on their first long-haul and the turn out looks amazing. A…
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Valentine’s Ride
A hot date The Baroudeur Big Ride is like a hot date that keeps coming back for more. Created for new riders, seasoned athletes, or simply the curious; the BBR is a great way of enjoying a chilled Sunday on your bicycle. February’s BBR is the first of many for 2014. It brings together a cheery…
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95 Miles and No Queen
“This rain, I’m bored of it now,” says Steve, and I nod in agreement. Tough, lean and at 6 foot 3, my physio, Steve, would make an awesome rider. He just looks like he’d smash it on a bike. That’s what I’d like to think. As I sit there waiting for him to return with…
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100 Things to do when it’s raining
– Ride a century around Regent’s Park. The outer-circle of this Royal Park is said to be 2.8 miles. Even on busy workdays, it’s still possible to put down some decent mileage in the quiet season. Supposedly 19 laps will get you a simulated ride to Brighton; just without the worry of a…
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Pilgrim Baroudeur
It’s Saturday and we’re sitting in the warmth of a Pain Quotidien. The mild weather permits us to dine al-fresco, whilst everyone else seems to be rushing for their Christmas shopping. Now transferred indoors, Malika and Laurence are enjoying their meal even more; as their husbands are with the kids, and this weekend, the city is all theirs. As…
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The Main Event
The first three stages of this year’s TdF took place on the stunning island of Corsica. Three Baroudeurs were fortunate enough to be there and witness the thrill of the 100th Tour and it’s Grand Depart! So when Glenn, one of our overseas brother’s followed this with a trip to England, we simply had to give him…
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Riders Of The North
No Surrey today. Nor Kent either. Instead, it’s a 15K warm up to meet Rob and Captain on the foot of Swains Lane, north London. Even in this sun drenched city, the neighbourhood is still fast asleep. It must seem quite peculiar for people waking up; drawing their curtains, and being greeted by smiling cyclists as they climb this little-big hill. …
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Cake
The Goods One good thing about riding all year round, is well, besides riding all year round, is that when the summer comes, it’s certainly been worth it. If the Spring Classics herald a call to cycle, then the sunshine which hopefully follows, is a call to test oneself and explore new horizons with confidence. Layers…
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Fade to Pink
Alex reminds me that this isn’t fast; in fact we’ve gone faster before! Toby smiles; it’s his second weekend out in a row, and I suspect he’s enjoying himself! We’ve pulled over on Guilford high-street to wait for the rest of the team and are enjoying a pain-au-chocolat in the unusual, yet altogether welcome sun. …
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Yes-terday
Knight Riders Again Today it feels like Spring: the temperature is reading double-figures and besides the occasional down-pour, there are moments of sunshine. Even Craig, on his Classic Challenge is smiling at the end of a hard day’s ride. Yet, it was only last month when five of us attempted a cycle to Bournemouth. It…
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Love the TDU
“Let’s go to Adelaide for dad’s birthday” my wife said. I didn’t dismiss the idea completely. Sure it was going to cost me a silly amount of money to fly myself, wife and 3 kids over to Adelaide, but I had just finished reading the Tour Down Under ride guide and I was sure…