My Biking Blog

Sunday, 22 July 2012

Oaks 2012

Birchgrove Lodge

relaxing on Saturday morning at Wenty Falls

Wentworth Falls

Charles Darwin walk

This is the 8th time I have ridden the Oaks from Woodford to Glenbrook on the Oaks Fire Trail. Our usual group were present including Pierre, Jonesy, Mike and Dorian. Garmin Connect link Oaks 2012 http://connect.garmin.com/activity/192085618 Wenty Falls MTB http://connect.garmin.com/activity/192085632

Wednesday, 11 July 2012

Day 16 Nice - Milan

Hotel Anis - not the best reservations system!

Gare de Nice Ville

along the Mediteranean

stations along the way

Genoa station

Nona and grandchild

Malpensa Express Milan Rail

Novotel Malpensa

Milan Railway

a final EU meal - half Calzonne half Pizza delicious

espresso and dessert

a great adventure

A great train trip along the Mediterranean Coast and up to Milan from Genoa. I saw lots of tourist and sunbathers on the shores on the Med, all sunning themselves on beach deckchairs. They seldom get in the water, just get up and shower and apply more suncream and lie down on the sun chairs. Arrived in Milan mid afternoon and made my way out to the Malpensa Airport (about 45min journey) to check into Hotel Novotel. Travelled back in to Milan for some gift/souvenir shopping and a meal. Had a great cold beer and pizza followed by dessert and espresso at Bar San Giorgio. A perfect meal to finish my EU adventure. Tomorrow the 26hr flight back to Oz...

Day 15 Nice

The sunny Cote D'Azur - time to hang out the washing

lunch in Nice

Railway at Nice Central

Nice Central

Siesta time at the rail station

Rue de la Californie

Harry and Phil enjoy a cold drink

Simo, Glyn and Darrell enjoy their just desserts

Today was very much a day for relaxing, recovery and reflection on our achievement. A swim in the hotel pool was refreshing. The Hotel Anis stuffed up many of the reservations. Harry and I managed to sort out our booking and had to transfer to another room on the second night. After a steak and salad lunch nearby, I headed off to Gare de Nice Ville for the train ticket to Milan the following day. A few of the riders did a short ride into Monaco and Monte Carlo. A few of us walked up toward the centre of Nice for a meal. Very tired as adrenalin starts to wear off from previous weeks efforts.

Day 14 Les Dix Alpes Stage 10 Entrevaux - Nice (St Raphael/Vence)

Arrivee! Great weather! This mornings ride was really enjoyable - not too much hard climbing. Coffee stop at Roquesteron. I then got lost at Consegudes, a small hamlet en route to Bouyon. After a couple of honest climbs and amazing descents through national parks the run into Nice along Route Bord-de-Mer and the finish at Site de l'ancient Chateaux was memorable. Gathered for coffee at Vence before riding together into Nice. With the blue waters of the Mediterranean in the background we lined up for chilled champagne and photos. It was good to wake up in a hotel bed and not have to worry about packing a soggy tent, wet cycling kit, three days washing and getting my sorry arse back on the saddle! Stats on the bike (incl Alpe D'Huez on rest day);

Total Distance 1206km 27436m elev (over 3x Everest!) 67hr 8min riding 18.5kph avg

Garmin Connect link http://connect.garmin.com/activity/189366300