3 Weeks to Go!

Scary, stuff now with only 3 weeks to go until the Etape and I turn the pedals ‘in anger’! 

It has come around quite quickly once the weather got better and I have spent more time outside on the bike.  I feel more confident about my ability on the bike and as such my chances of getting over the route.  I have spoken with many of the Kingston Wheelers and others who have ridden an Etape and whilst a lot of the advice is conflicting two things remains throughout.  1. Expect the unexpected 2. Keep turning the pedals!

In pursuit of the first aim, I have created a short list of my essentials for the ride/trip to France.

• Nutrigrain bars (open before the start)
• gel's (Hmm Energy)
• Seat tube bag
• Contact lenses (essential to see where I’m going)
• Sun cream
• Talc
• Diaper cream (allows for a smooth ride, say no more!)
• Bike (essential in my opinion)
• KW shorts
• Alz top
• Black shorts
• Livestrong top
• Leg warmers (could be a bit nippy at 2,500m ish)
• Arm warmers (see above)
• Gloves
• Waterproof (it has been known to Snow/Hail/Sleet/Rain in July)
• Shoes (Up there with the bike in terms of essentialness)
• Helmet
• Socks
• Saddle bag
• Inner tubes x 3 (hopefully not to be used)
• Multi tool
• Oakley’s (protecting the eyes? Looking cool, reason depends on conditions)
• Pump (Hopefully not to be used)
• Camera (scenic shots, proof, evidence of mountain goats walking going faster than I can pedal.)

As for the second option I have plenty of miles in my legs and about 300 more to go before I depart.