Magicant's Magic Adventures - Report and Pics?

[merider1]

I've decided to start this thread in the hopes that he'll take time away from his vacation and riding all over Europe (as he damn well should :p) to post pics and give us an update on his riding over there across that big ol' ocean. So, Joel???? I know you've ridden at least one day or possibly two. Pics??? How's it going? Love it? Gotten your July century in yet? :D

[spingineer]

Gotten your July century in yet? :D
Just remember, it's 100.5 miles, not km ... :D

[merider1]

:lol: Good one, Ron. I wouldn't have thought of that and he could have gotten it by me. :p

[magicant]

Well, not many places with internet since leaving Pamplona.

I'll post and write later - I'm BUSY!!

Would have gotten that century in yesterday - had it all planned. Then I had computer issues AND then tire issues within about 5 minutes of turning onto the extended (and unsupported) additional loop I was planning on. So I took that as a sign to head back on the route everyone else was doing.

Guess I'll have to plan on 7/28 for my July century.

Today, we rode from Spain to France along some of the Tour roads. Foggy and wet much of the ride, climbing was spectacular. The only thing better was the descent into France. Going from the South to the North, there was an almost immediate transition from rocky, deserted terrain into lush green mountains and valleys. Without a doubt, the most stunning views I've ever had - on a ride or otherwise.

My friend and I were talking yesterday about Spain - the views are nice and very pretty, secluded areas but really would have matched up the Cali coast against anything we saw for sheer magnitude and beauty.

Today was most definitely another story --- I'll try and upload a couple of pics at least. With many more to come.

[magicant]

Let's see... forgive the lack of cropping, color correction, etc. Not many editing tools on this computer.

Heading up into the Pyrenees from Spain.

http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n256/magicant2000/Spain/spaintofrance011.jpg

Spain, after about 3000 feet of climbing (2500 to go).

http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n256/magicant2000/Spain/spaintofrance014.jpg

Heading down into France, after making my way through a ton of fog, which inhibited photos for a while.

http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n256/magicant2000/Spain/spaintofrance020.jpg

French village, probably 10 miles north of the border.

http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n256/magicant2000/Spain/spaintofrance024.jpg

There's a little house up in the hills here. You can barely see it in the center of the picture.

http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n256/magicant2000/Spain/spaintofrance027.jpg

Not sure if this green will come through as well as it does in person.

http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n256/magicant2000/Spain/spaintofrance030.jpg

Just outside our hotel.

http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n256/magicant2000/Spain/spaintofrance032.jpg

[magicant]

Just remember, it's 100.5 miles, not km ... :D
Since when did 100.5 miles become a century? Is this some new rule I haven't heard about?

[merider1]

You clearly do NOT have your priorities straight if you didn't rush out and find a computer to post pics on for Bike Forums, Joel! :p

Great pics! You win award for best scenery (although you did nothing to earn it). Be safe and have fun.

Yes, new rule is 100.5 is the century. Anything below that is NOT a century. Anything above that is a DOUBLE century. :D

[magicant]

You win award for best scenery (although you did nothing to earn it).
ummm... hellooooo... 10s of thousands of feet of climbing over the course of the week to GET here. If that's not earning it, I don't know what is.

Tomorrow is the biggest day. 70 miles, 9000 feet of climbing. Up, up, up all day. Col de Marie Blanque, Col de Soulor, Col d'Aubisque! Best thing is I can ride it tomorrow and see it in the comfort of my living room next week! :)

P. S. today we passed over the Col de Soudet... they were still paving for next week.

[mateo44]

Turn off the computer -- go eat, ride, and drink. That's an order.

Revised order -- you may use the computer only for activities directly related to (a) eating, (b) riding, and (c) drinking. Being on BF is consistent with (b), above, but let's not push it.

[chimivee]

Great stuff, Magicant! I'm envious.

[merider1]

ummm... hellooooo... 10s of thousands of feet of climbing over the course of the week to GET here. If that's not earning it, I don't know what is.


Big deal :p Now, quit boasting and take MORE pics. :D

[magicant]

Turn off the computer -- go eat, ride, and drink. That's an order.

Revised order -- you may use the computer only for activities directly related to (a) eating, (b) riding, and (c) drinking. Being on BF is consistent with (b), above, but let's not push it.
Don't worry, that's what I've been doing most of the time.

But tonight's in a little hotel with no real options for entertainment until dinner... I was shocked when I got a wireless connection.

[mateo44]

Good job! Sounds like you're having a blast.

[magicant]

Big deal :p Now, quit boasting and take MORE pics. :D I'm a little pic challenged. I have hundreds, but would have thousands if I hadn't had my primary (read: good) camera ripped off. I'm stuck with the old cam and only the on-hand batteries since I didn't bring the charger for that one. But I have enough juice left to last me tomorrow and maybe a few photos when I get to Paris.

[merider1]

Okay, be safe riding out there and have fun! :)

[jsigone]

great pics!!!!!!!!!!!!

[roadfix]

Nice Pics, Joel! I just saw similar scenery on OLN last night! Good stuff...and glad you're having a blast! :beer:

[Go_Fast]

would it kill you to take a few pix of the french chix? :rolleyes:

not a single pic of any spanish girls either. :rolleyes:


send a boy to do a man's job....


;)

[merider1]

not a single pic of any spanish girls either. :rolleyes:


send a boy to do a man's job....


:roflmao::roflmao:

[spingineer]

Need some pics of podium chix!!!!!

[magicant]

jeez guys, I have something like 1200 pictures. I'm not going to even sort through them until I get home. I took over 100 today and it was foggy half the day. But let me tell you this -- the views from the Col de Marie Blanque, Col D'Aubisque and descent down the Col du Soulor were the most amazing things I have ever seen in my life. There is no way the pics will do it justice, but I'll give it a try. Give me a few days.

Today was also the toughest ride I've ever done. I have never done climbs as long and sustained elevation grade as I did today. Only 4 of the people on the tour were able to do the whole 120km. Added up to 10k in climbing, most of which was in miles 15 - 50. It was just up, up, up relentlessly. I'll write a bunch more later.

[merider1]

How's it going over there?

[merider1]

How's it going over there?

EDIT: Okay, never mind. You updated your post.

[merider1]

Today was also the toughest ride I've ever done. I have never done climbs as long and sustained elevation grade as I did today. Only 4 of the people on the tour were able to do the whole 120km. Added up to 10k in climbing, most of which was in miles 15 - 50. It was just up, up, up relentlessly. I'll write a bunch more later.

I'm assuming you were one of the 4 and I bet you sprinted up the damn thing. :p

[magicant]

Okay a few more before bedtime...

Tivo this route next week!
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n256/magicant2000/tourclimbs004.jpg

http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n256/magicant2000/tourclimbs019.jpg

http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n256/magicant2000/tourclimbs023.jpg

http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n256/magicant2000/tourclimbs043.jpg

I thought a hobbit might live here:
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n256/magicant2000/tourclimbs053.jpg

Got foggy for the climbing, but here's me at the top:
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n256/magicant2000/tourclimbs073.jpg

Heading to the final climb:
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n256/magicant2000/tourclimbs075.jpg

http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n256/magicant2000/tourclimbs081.jpg

Cows in the road on the Col de Soulor, backed up traffic for a ways. I rode around them, had a cow's nose 6 inches from me.

http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n256/magicant2000/tourclimbs086.jpg

Lot more to come. I've offered to host the photos for the entire group so we can all share the different things we shot. So, in addition to my 1000, I'll have access to thousands more.

[magicant]

I'm assuming you were one of the 4 and I bet you sprinted up the damn thing. :p
I was one of the 4 and I sprinted uphill once in a while, but after 14km of 12%+, you pretty much have to put it in the granny and trudge on up.

[1955]

I was one of the 4 and I sprinted uphill once in a while, but after 14km of 12%+, you pretty much have to put it in the granny and trudge on up.

Wow, just wow.

Someday I hope to be able to get some of these in full size. As it is I'm having a hard time deciding which one/s to use as my wallpaper.

Thanks.

[magicant]

Home, sweet home.

I'll edit some photos later (once I've fully slept) and post a few more.

I offered to host the trip's photos for all of the tour participants to share with each other. Will cost me a bit in website hosting, but a small price to pay to get hundreds of additional photos of the route.

[thomson]

welcome home

[merider1]

welcome home

+1 - the more pics the merrier as you win in the "best scenery shots to share ever" category!

[magicant]

Here's the stage with the passes I rode last week... watch on Wednesday and you'll see them. http://www.letour.fr/2007/TDF/LIVE/us/1600/etape_par_etape.html

http://www.letour.fr/2007/TDF/img/parcours/_TDF_2007_PROFIL_1600.gif

Includes two category "H" climbs - basically, too big a climb to fit into the classification. Now I don't feel so bad :eek:

A group of Cofidis riders passed me on the Col D'Aubisque climb - I guess their junior team? They passed me like I was barely moving. Well, I WAS barely moving... when I got the bike with the triple crank, I was pretty cocky thinking - "triple? hell, I can climb anything with that!" Turned out to be true, but thank god for the triple - especially with the heavy touring bike and day pack on the back. Although I was actually wishing I had my bike with me while I did it.

Looks like a brutal stage. I did a lot of the route over TWO days and it was painful (but I loved it). If the weather is like when I rode this, it will be too foggy for the cameras to cover the ride from overhead.

[merider1]

YOU rode a triple! Wuss...



















...:p Just kidding. ;) Looks like you rode some epic climbs.

[roadfix]

Welcome home, Joel!

[Scootcore]

welcome home dude!

[magicant]

Wow, just wow.

Someday I hope to be able to get some of these in full size. As it is I'm having a hard time deciding which one/s to use as my wallpaper.

Thanks.I'll post a bunch more when I get them organized. Ralph, when I get the good ones posted, you're definitely welcome to have the full sized ones - just PM me and let me know which ones.

I have close to 1000 pics to sort through and I'll probably get a couple thousand more from other people on the tour. The friend I was with had a pretty good camera, so I'm sure I'll get some pretty good shots from him. I tried to take photos along the way, but there are times when you just get into riding mode and don't want to stop.

m.e. - I'll post one of the cows I rode next to - I came within 6 inches of the head of one of them (no, I didn't pet it). Sadly I didn't get any good close-ups since I was dodging them at the time! Animals created two of the more stressful experiences. Once in a dark tunnel, two HUGE goats were inside and we were worried they were going to charge. Then, sailing downhill at about 25 - 30 mph around corners, there was a cow right in the middle of the road. Fortunately, he stayed in the middle and I veered into the left lane to avoid him.

I also have a kml file of a couple of the ride days. I'll post them later.

[merider1]

m.e. - I'll post one of the cows I rode next to - I came within 6 inches of the head of one of them (no, I didn't pet it).

I'm disappointed in you, Joel. Really disappointed. :rolleyes::p

[magicant]

Here are the Google Earth files for two of the days.

[magicant]

http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n256/magicant2000/Europe/Europe492_edited-1.jpg

http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n256/magicant2000/Europe/tourclimbs040_edited-1.jpg

http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n256/magicant2000/Europe/Europe581_edited-1.jpg

http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n256/magicant2000/Europe/Europe570_edited-1.jpg

http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n256/magicant2000/Europe/Europe561_edited-1.jpg

[magicant]

http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n256/magicant2000/Europe/Europe551_edited-1.jpg

http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n256/magicant2000/Europe/Europe546_edited-1.jpg

http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n256/magicant2000/Europe/Europe538.jpg

http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n256/magicant2000/Europe/Europe531_edited-1.jpg

http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n256/magicant2000/Europe/Europe518_edited-1.jpg

[magicant]

A few more, then I'll stop. It's like I'm subjecting everyone to a vacation slideshow...

http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n256/magicant2000/Europe/Europe512.jpg

http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n256/magicant2000/Europe/Europe509_edited-1.jpg

http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n256/magicant2000/Europe/Europe497_edited-1.jpg

http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n256/magicant2000/Europe/Europe492_edited-1.jpg

http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n256/magicant2000/Europe/Europe485_edited-1.jpg

http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n256/magicant2000/Europe/Europe456_edited-1.jpg

[magicant]

Okay, last batch...

http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n256/magicant2000/Europe/Europe452_edited-1.jpg

http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n256/magicant2000/Europe/Europe433_edited-1.jpg

http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n256/magicant2000/Europe/Europe408_edited-1.jpg

http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n256/magicant2000/Europe/Europe387_edited-1.jpg

[merider1]

Thanks, Joel. Those pictures are beyond stunning. Next step is to get myself over there to experience that scenery first hand.

[Scootcore]

lucky.......

[Oleanshoebox]

please joel, you have no idea how banal my life is.

more pics.


please.

[ronjon10]

No need to stop on my account.

[Grumpy Pig]

Great pictures, Joel.

Once in a dark tunnel, two HUGE goats were inside Sounds like the Moose Lodge initiation I went to a few years back.

[jschen]

Awesome.

[magicant]

Thanks, Joel. Those pictures are beyond stunning. Next step is to get myself over there to experience that scenery first hand.Thanks.

For future planning, Spain was nice and I'm glad I saw it, but if I did it over again, I'd spend all my time in France. The difference in scenery was night and day. Spain was arid and rocky and largely brown. Pretty country, but seriously not any better than the region we ride in every day and I'd actually put our mountains and oceans and other scenery ahead of what we saw in Spain (we're spoiled in So Cal).

Sorry for the cliche, but the French Pyrenees were really magical. Crossing the border was honestly like when Dorothy leaves Kansas and lands in Oz -- everything changed when you crossed the imaginary line. Green and wet and little villages dotting the landscape. Houses in the sides of mountains in the middle of nowhere.

The border itself was kind of bizarre - in that there wasn't one. No border crossing, no signs, nothing to even tell you that you'd moved from Spain to France (except our guide's note in chalk on the route). But instantly, all the signs changed from Spanish to French and NOTHING is in both languages. I had expected something like San Diego where the signs are bilingual near the border and beyond. Nope. The signs, the people, the food in the stores, everything immediately transitions languages and that's it. Done.

(still a little on European time, so I woke up a tad early)

[merider1]

Well, from the looks of it, you aren't embellishing, and I'd choose France too based on those "magical" pictures. ;)

[magicant]

Cows:

http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n256/magicant2000/Europe592.jpg

http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n256/magicant2000/Europe594.jpg