Quebranthuesos 09 has now been and gone and Im already planning next year´s trip and training programme .. I need a training plan as this year´s time was a little more than in 2008. BUT i still managed a GOLD..The day started well the flag went down at 07.30 hrs and w
e set off in warm conditions.. Although we had been warned that it was cold on the top of Somport. Cold but atmospheric.. T
he top 1 km was shrouded in mist and the road was dripping wet.. It was some relief to begin with, as it 
cooled everyone off after the days first climb..
Heading down hill into France once over the frontier, wasnt so much fun .. The descent of Somport is long long long,, and it twists and turns..
It was also cold & wet, At least for me as Im now very aclimatized to the Spanish h
eat.. Id not been so cold in years.
eat.. Id not been so cold in years. The result was that i just couldnt function,, couldnt pedal the legs just didnt work. I lost plenty of time,, and didnt get going again until near the top of the Maria Blanca..
From here I stuck with my original plan, didnt stop at the big feed station which is a couple of km after the top. But carried on down hill.
Id also planned not to work on the front of any groups as we headed to the base of the Portalet.
As last year I did too much here and then got tired on the main Climb..So instead I took it a bit easy and was fresh for the 30 km portalet..Found this climb easyish !! no cramp as in 08..
Arrrgh the cramp came on with about 100 mtrs to go before the top of `Hoz de Jaca´ Its not much of a climb on any ordinary day but after the Somport, Maria Blanca & Portalet and more than 100 mile done , This little one hurts..
I had´nt a clue what time Id done once finished as my bike computor packed the day before.. So i was suprised to get my second Gold medal & diploma in two starts. This years time was 7.59. hrs 51. seconds.. and still some time to spare for a gold.. Next year I really do want to get below 7.30 hrs..
Our club guys did very well with Ken Wills 8:35:29 & Eddie Dixon 8:12:04 John Fegan
7:42:46 All getting catagory golds.
7:42:46 All getting catagory golds.
Gavin 10:27:26 & Ralph 11:05:31 Both got Bronze..
I expect we will see Ron back from 2010 we all missed him this year
And our guests ??
Simon wright got Gold in 6:52:39 Very well done Simon you are now our fastest guest at the QBH
Steve Parun got Silver in 8.06. Steve´s first time at a European sportive, it wont be his last and he will def get faster and faster this guy has some style
Gareth Mchale Silver in 9:22:48.. quicker than last year !! Good job
Brian Perry Silver 8:47:26 Brian was also quicker having done some specific hill training.
Reuben Obrien got a Bronze in 11:03:57,, Rueben´s first time at one of the big ones and its been just a short while since he packed up the fags.. So def very much more to come from Reuben
Helen Oconnor. a dnf for helen.. after packing at the top of Somport she opted for a early bath, Sounds good to me helen plans to give it a go again next year..
Here a link to our 2010 trip. Hotel rooms are already booked.
more pics at
Off to watch the TOUR next week Plus a few days of riding in Andorra.. speak soon
