Jul
7
Matt, Joseph and the Ironman
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This weekend, my good friends Matt and Colette Swift, and their son, Joseph, are traveling up to Switzerland for the Ironman Switzerland.
They are doing this to raise money for research into finding a cure for Joseph, who has been diagnosed with an incurable neurological genetic disease called Leukodystrophy, and for others affected by similar demyelinating diseases. Joseph has a rare form of Leukodystrophy, called Aicardi Goutieres Syndrome, which leaves Joseph with very little control of any muscle in his body.
On 13th July 2008, Matt aims to complete the Ironman Switzerland Triathlon, consisting of a 3.8km swim, 180km bike ride and a 42km run. Matt posts the following footage on his website showing the limits that the body can be pushed to.
Leukodystrophy causes the white matter (or myelin) of the brain to be degraded. White matter is needed to transmit signals from our brain to the various parts of our body so that we can ‘do things’; sit up, pick up a cup, walk, talk, cycle. Without the white matter growing normally the signals from the brain may not get through, like a bad reception on a radio. Joseph has a form of Leukodystrophy of which there are only 50 known cases worldwide.
They have been writing a blog to keep their supporters updated on Matt’s training progress and on Joseph and his illness. Please visit the site to find out more about them, Leukodystrophy, and the journey that they have been on and wish them luck for this weekend’s race at their website www.tri4joe.com.
If you can, please help and sponsor Matt, no matter how small, so that one day, Joseph and every other demyelinating disease sufferer may experience the joy of swimming a stroke, pedaling a bike and taking a step.
Good luck, guys. We will be thinking of you.
Jul
6
Marmotte 2008 - the sixth Marmotte
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A quick link to my video diary of the 2008 Marmotte. I’ll get a ride report onto the site as soon as possible.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kldC4Mv_VeM
The above is the link to the video diary - and remember to click the High Quality link for the video. If not, you can see the standard quality video here.
Jul
2
Col du Mont Cenis
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Peter wrote to me to let me know about the state of the Mont Cenis, between Italy and France.
Hello Russell,
You may want to put up a note about the current state of the road from the Mont Cenis col to Susa. Although one can easily ride to the summit from the French side and farther, there is a large washout about 2-3 miles into Italy. The Italians are working on the road right now; from what I could understand, they will have it at least partially open to traffic by July 15th or so. Until then, it is possible, ( or at least it was when I was there last week) to carry one’s bike through the construction zone, which is about 100 meters in length. When I was there, about the only things that could get through were walkers and mountain bikes. Two motorcyclists turned around when I was walking across it. The good news is that there is NO car traffic on what is one of the best descents around!
Peter Askin
Jun
30
Vaujany 2008
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A week before the Marmotte, I used the Vaujany event as preparation. With family constraints in the afternoon, I rode the 109 kilometre option with 2450 metres of climbing.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yrUOPN2ZnnQ
The above is the link to the video diary on YouTube - remember to click the high quality option. Otherwise, you can see the standard quality video below.
Jun
15
Local Roads
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It was difficult to believe that we had made it to the middle of June, and still hadn’t had any summer weather over the Alps. With three layers and a wind jacket, I left home early on a cool and grey morning to ride the local climbs near home, heading south from Vif, to take in six climbs. If I ever have visitors who want to cycle from Vif, this is the route I take them on from home. It has great views, quiet roads and a few surprises to make it a memorable tour.
Some of the climbs, like the Col du Fau and the Col des Deux, were little more than a kilometre of climbing. However, the Collet de Sinard was a gradual climb over 18 kilometres to 880 metres, and the Relais du Serpaton took me to over 1,600 metres with gradients of 15 percent in places.
With over six weeks of training in my legs, I was feeling the benefit of regular riding, and enjoyed four hours in the mountains near home.
A little video to show you one of my favourite rides and to hopefully inspire you to discover roads that are not as well known as the Alpe d’Huez or Col du Galibier. Hopefully it’ll be a little warmer and you’ll have more sun if you decide to visit.