9th June - 15th July 2010 - Europe

I’ve been away from the racing scene for the last 5 weeks, holidaying in Europe. My friend Alistair and I (meeting up with my brother and his girlfriend, Lauren, along the way) had quite a rollercoaster 5 weeks, spending time in London, the Lake District, Paris, Amsterdam, Venice, Florence and Tuscany, Provence, and catching a stage of the Tour in the Alps. With Imana coming up, I had to try fit some training in our travelling, sightseeing and wine drinking schedule (let us not forget that red wine is full of beneficial antioxidants and reversatol, which is important for sportsmen). If I am honest with myself, I never been very good with the blogging thing, so going to post some pictures rather – I feel this will be easier for all involved, and more entertaining. So here goes...


I was confined to running the week I was in London, and I did more mileage than I've ever done before. I found an awesome path by the Thames which I used every morning.


I did more running in the Lake District - the place is full of beautiful public paths through the mountains and countryside.


Riding a bike is the way to get around Amsterdam - there bikes everywhere, and the cycling paths are super organised.


That said, the Dutch have pretty rubbish bikes. Sasha here, my bike while I was there, weighed about 30kg and rode like a Harley Davidson - good thing there are no hills in the Netherlands.


It was hard to live with the scenery in Tuscany.


The front porch.




The top end bike I borrowed ;)


The roads were awesome, winding and hilly - lots of cyclists.




I went for an 18km run up and down the mountain we stayed on - broke my body, and couldn't run for a few days after that!


Italian ice cream, or Gelato, will probably change your life (actually, Italian food in general will). Unfortunately, I will also probably add a few kilograms to your waistline (don't judge an Italian for being fat!).


The dinner table in the South of France, where much time was spent.


An awesome little mountain road through a Ceder Forest in the Luberon Mountains.




The roads in Provence are spectacular, narrow and quiet - and, unlike in South Africa, the local French actually care more about your safety than getting to the shops 5 minutes earlier.


An amazing mountain pass I came upon unexpectedly - cycling is the best way to see the region.


Coffee and croissant rides in the morning are obligatory.


The beautiful lavender fields around Sault, a little village near the base of Mont Ventoux.




The hired bike I rode around on.


Riding up Mont Ventoux - I may have had to go onto the small chainring of my triple chainring road bike!


Super-supporters - Al and Lol.




It is always important to maintain a sense of style while suffering.


The radio beacon on the summit.


Mike and I near the top.


The sweet store at the top was too much for me - I felt sick for days after.


Lol, Mike, Al and I at the top.


With my Top Shop glasses I bought in London - probably the coolest cyclist on Mont Ventoux.


Did some intense Kayak training (actually probably better described at floating down the river on a boat)


The Sourge River we kayaked down was crystal clear and freezing cold in high summer - it bubbles straight out of the mountain up stream.


The Col de la Madeliene.


Every spot possible on the road is taken by tents and campervans. The first spot available to us was 5 km from the summit.


I took a run to the summit early in the morning - spectacular scenery.




The spot we camped out on - 1 km from the summit. The atmosphere is unreal - the caravan comes through before the race with endless freebies, people are everywhere - by the time the cyclists come through, you've kinda forgotten they're the reason you there!