Back From my European Trip (including TdF) Report
 

I just got back last night.

This was an incredible trip, with much to share.

I am going to work in a little bit :(

Anyway all of the pictures are still on the camera, but should get to that tonight. I will also share my experiences/stories when I get a chance.

PS (FYI): Folding bikes are amazing for tips like this. We saw so many things, in short order, without feeling rushed.

** Anyway, I wouldn't be so mean as to leave you with nothing in the thread so here are some shots from a pro I bought online. They were taken on Alpe d'Huez. Ruth and I rode the folders up the mountain on the morning of the TdF stage, and then watched the race.

I instantly entered attack mode when I saw the camera, just a bit of fun ;)

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3207/...e8cf348a_b.jpg

Here's Ruth

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3075/...e4dc666c_b.jpg

They even got Ruth a TdF style close up:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3188/...ee266465_b.jpg

Nice pics! Although how come you guys weren't even sweating at all?

Totally dig the helmet-less look!

Aren't folders great? I brought my Friday to France in May, got lots of interested comments. Great pictures!

Can't wait to get the full report!!!! What an excellent adventure!

Great pics. Check out the people in the background looking at your folders.

Welcome back!

Sweet!
What are the jerseys you guys are wearing?

Descending must have been fun on the folders with that awesome gear ratio... ;)

SPIN SPIN SPIN!!!

nice pics! I have a feeling I'll be saying a lot more of that when you post more pics.

I have images of the small rims melting from the heat from braking down Alp d'Huez :eek:

Really cool! These folders are amazing, what kind of gearing do you have on them? I don't see a granny ring on yours. :eek:
Can't wait for the full report and photos. :thumb:

Marco, nice pics! :)

Acutally, somewhat true.

I had a front tire blowout on the descent, since people were braking alot. Wasn't all that scary, besides the sound. I just pointed the bike straight into the grass and came to a stop.

The Downtube with the 16" rims got pretty hot. Plus the non-performance tires/tubes/rims weren't good at handling the increased pressures.

After changing the flat, I had no more extra tubes, so I couldn't get another blowout.

I ended up pouring water on the rims every couple miles, and the water would sizzle.

I also bled off some air every time I stopped for cooling. Since the pressure would keep increasing. I had a pump, so adding air afterward was no big deal. (Similar to auto racing, the bleeding of air to keep ideal tire pressure as the tires get hot).

The 50k route from Grenoble to Bourg-d'Oisans (the ride we did to get to Alpe d'Huez in the AM) was actually the same road used in stage 18 for the riders to leave the Alps, except we went the other way (to the Alps). That road was basically a steady up hill the entire time through some incredible scenery and had one long descent in the middle that was amazing. Since we were alone, and the turns were gradual there was no need for braking much. I hit 38 mph on the downtube, and that was as fast as I wanted to go on that thing :twitchy: It was awesome though, one of the descents where experience riders could hit like 60 mph!

The jerseys are the store/race team jersey from a bike store we stopped at in Florence. The store was called Bicisport, and they were very helpful. The jerseys are so nice in person, great fit and materials.

Yeah, I was worried about that. I'm glad it wasn't any worse - that the wheels didn't buckle on ya :eek:!
I'm just picturing water sizzling on the rims - wow!

Since you didn't mention it, sounds like the Dahon must have fared better. It's a high quality machine, after all.

Next time bring the Bike Friday ...

FOLDER FLAME WARS COMMENCE!!!

Why would you settle for a Bike Friday when you can have a Moulton? :p:p

My next bike will be a Bike Friday Tikit

Attaboy!

Some of us BUY AMERICAN!!! :p

THIS SUCKS MAN!!!! YOU MEAN WE GOTTA SIT AROUND HERE ALL DAY AND WAIT FOR U TO WORK! I'M COMPLAINING TO THE MODERATOR...I MEAN WTF 3 PICTURES...WHAT AM I SPOSED TO BE DOIN ALL DAY JUMPIN JEEPERS!!

ANGRY MOBSTER...WITH TORCH

WELCOME BACK FOR CRYIN OUT LOUD!!!!!!!

I'd ban him, but I don't think that'd help any... :P

Pete is definitely "The voice of the People". :thumb:
So far, all we have is a cheeky Laurent Fignon impersonation... Where's the beef?

http://www.gitaneusa.com/images/hist...limbing-to.jpg
http://www.cyclingphotos.co.uk/cycling2/fignon1.jpg

I'm seeing some side-boob in the scenery. Can you please blur the background as I find it rather offensive.

;)

Don't you know? These two never sweat! :eek:

Glad to hear from ya. Looking forward to the full report!

Awesome Marco and Ruth. Staying tuned for further pics and story :thumb:

We would call that "Mutton dressed as Lamb" where I come from :D

It goes to prove how good looking Ruth is when I miss the boobie!!!!Thanks for catching the ball...I'm losing it:mad: