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Climbing for Life - from start to finish
The coming weeks you will read here how our Axxes team members prepare for Climbing for Life. On Thursday, June 16th, they will depart with 35 members towards the French Alps to climb Col du Mollard the next day, and on Saturday, June 18th, they will tackle the mythical Col du Galibier!
Barry vlogt!
The moment everyone has trained so hard for is here. Who will reach the top on day 1 (Col du Mollard) and day 2 (Col du Galibier)?
You'll see it below in Barry's vlogs.
Robin & his climbable mountain - Final
Thursday, June 16th
At 6 am, my phone alarm goes off. "I'm at your door." I read: There's no way back!
My daughters quickly come to give me a hug, and after some light struggles with the bikes, we're on the road twenty minutes later. Coffee is ready, so we won't be showing any withdrawal symptoms right away. While driving, I immediately notice my watch going wild, so I suspect all my colleagues are equally excited.
Our first stop is a gas station in Arlon. We're on the right track because we spot two other Axxes cars there. Still, I quickly check WhatsApp to see that everyone is starting to share their location. They are clearly eager too! Jeroen and I fuel up with coffee again and munch on a croissant to get into the French mood.
By now, it's half past nine, and it's time to set the GPS to Valloire. Let's go!
We arrive in Valloire around half past five after a flawless journey, and some of us take advantage of the remaining daylight for a longer ride. I join them and immediately feel that it's going to be challenging.
Friday, June 17th
We get to sleep in a bit today; the alarm is set for 7 am. I fill up on breakfast, and we're ready to go. After a short drive towards Col du Mollard, we pose for a fresh and smiling photo. It quickly becomes clear that there are few flat roads in the area. The fast riders shoot ahead, and the rest of us brace ourselves for what lies ahead. Many twists and turns and roadworks later, I reach the top. I struggled, I must admit. Yet, my first thoughts were of the cows on the mountainside. Climbing does something to a person. The second half of the ride was mostly downhill, and except for a red light, nothing could stop me.
It was time to return to the hotel and take a dip in the pool. Later, one by one, the cyclists return, undoubtedly having endured even more around Mollard.
Saturday, June 18th
Today is the day. The day we rise above the tree line and climb the legendary Galibier. Some start in Valloire, while others start lower and include the Télégraphe. I begin in Valloire. The journey to the top starts well. I handle the first kilometers well, especially with the knowledge gained from the day before. So, I take my time at the supply stop after ten kilometers.
The eleventh kilometer brings a first setback. The climb gets steeper, and the legs heavier. Kilometer twelve, thirteen... they follow each other slowly. Trees disappear, oxygen becomes scarce, and the heart rate skyrockets. The suffering begins.
Yet, there is also beauty in cycling. Streams flow with fresh water, there's Pantani's monument, and the cheesemonger calmly sits at a table writing. I draw strength from it. Eventually, the finish arch comes into view. The blue arch appears far on the horizon. It's a struggle now; I can hardly call it cycling, but inch by inch, I make my way up.
At the top of the Galibier, I've never forgotten all the pain so quickly. What a view! What euphoria to have succeeded! We stay a while longer to admire the wonders of nature. Then it's time to descend and cheer on all the colleagues who are still climbing. It's also time for a beer and a fun afternoon/evening. Climbing for Life, it was amazing!
Robin & his mountain to climb - Part 2
The 'hardest' part was yet to come, going on vacation... That means packing the running shoes and hoping that amidst the enjoyment, the courage will arise to do a bit of exercise. It wasn't always easy, but my determination is strong - cough - and I managed to put on my shoes twice for running and once for paddle tennis. Mission accomplished, I would say!
Vacation was enjoyable, but I must admit that I missed my bike. Where I used to enjoy a long run, cycling has now taken its place. I was glad that I could head to Haspengouw to pedal among the beautiful blossoms again. One thing became clear to me in the meantime. When Jacques Brel sings about 'Le Plat Pays' (The Flat Country), I don't think he's referring to our Belgium... Goodness!
Now come the tough moments. I can't join the Axxes Cycling Team to suffer on the bike. <Insert Sad Panda> So, I'll go cycling alone! I can assure you that suffering together is still okay and having a chat on the bike makes it pleasant. But during solo suffering in the afternoon sun, I've questioned myself a few times why I was doing it again... Hopefully, I'll get an answer to that on Saturday, June 18th!
Meanwhile, I've got the hang of cycling. I now go cycling at least once a week, and often even twice. That helps improve my fitness. I also notice that during climbing, I'm getting smoother and smoother going up. One thing I'll have to deal with: there will still be 98kg to haul up.
See you in France! (Yes, I still see it happening)
Barry vlogt!
Instead of writing about it, Bart Van Raemdonck prefers to show you his experiences on the bike. Enjoy! ;)
Steep, isn't it? Is this already the Chartreuse? No? I was afraid of that...
I'm now riding on the semi-mountainous road. Officially, this isn't a climb. But with a heart rate of 167... It's not flat either, right?
Pray for me to make it to the Galibier!
Robin & his climbable mountain - Part 1
This is the story of someone who is going to conquer the Col du Galibier but isn't built for climbing on a road bike... In a series of blog posts, I'll take you through the preparation and ascent of this legendary mountain pass in the French Alps.
April 12, 2022
At the beginning of January, the registrations opened for Climbing for Life. Without hesitation, I signed up immediately. At that time, I didn't even consider that my 100kg might be a downside.
When the first practice ride in Ypres approaches, I only have 43km under my belt in 2022. With a nervous heart, I embark on the 85km ride with 666 meters of elevation gain in and around Ypres. Cycling through the countryside and between the cemeteries is beautiful. It's so beautiful that we miss our turn somewhere around the Kemmelberg.
So far, the climbing is going well. Short and steep sections alternate with rolling terrain. Until we are presented with the famous Kemmelberg. The beginning is easy. The asphalt is in good condition, and the slope is about 4%. The second part is steeper, but since the asphalt is still good, even the sections up to 14% are manageable. But then... The road surface turns into cobblestones, the gradient increases to 21%, and perhaps the legs are starting to feel it. Reluctantly, I admit that I dismounted here. It's the first time I've questioned why I signed up to go climbing in the French Alps. Being crazy doesn't hurt, right? The rest of the ride goes better, and in the final kilometers, I push on with Joey.
Area for improvement: Maybe it's time to do something to get below the 100kg mark.
Maybe I took a two-week break until the next practice ride? Perhaps...
On to practice ride 2 in Boutersem, where on the day of Flanders' finest, a ride with 787 meters of elevation gain was waiting. Not with four Axxes riders this time, but with three. So, sitting in someone's wheel was not really an option again. The morning didn't go smoothly, to say the least. I burnt my breakfast, and I had to detour due to an almost empty tank. Anyway, I got my bike ready and off I went! It quickly became clear that there were few flat sections in the region. Unlike the Heuvelland, the Hageland is constantly up and down. There were some tough sections here too, but I must admit that my knowledge of these hills is non-existent. That might be something to work on as a novice cyclist. Overall, it was a struggle until the end, and the last ten kilometers may have been a bit too much this time. But I guess we've built some character here. On to the next one in Haspengouw! This time, I won't leave my bike hanging for three weeks.
