Jonny & Tim ride the Alps

Good to see you making sure those upper bodies aren't neglected. Geared shoulder press, FTW.

good skills gents, nice litte have holiday spot you run upon there.
v nice

Hmm... maybe it's time to overcome my fear of gears and brakes (I've never changed gear in my entire life*). And hills. And France. And excercise.

..And hot weather.

...And clipless pedals.

....And reaching for a water bottle while cycling (which I have also never done).

*on a bicycle.

back in blighty at last! phew that was a hectic trip home which involved not being allowed on the train at marseille. hiding our bikes on the next high speed train fro the guards, having the window next to us shatter but luckily not cave in at 200 mph. then we had to hot foot it over to the eurostar and with 23 minutes to go we managed to get to check in only to be told that we were too late. after our story and some frantic pleading we not only got on the next train but we got bumped up to business class and got an invite to the business lounge because they thought it was their fault we were not able to get our bikes on as they only had one person working in that department.
I'm knackered but me and jonny would just like to say to everyone who posted on here ...a great big thanks for the support....we can't thank you enough...it helped...and a great big thanks to anyone we rode with over the last few months in an effort to get fit enough to do this and enjoy it. without you riders this would have been a fraction of the fun.

CHEERS

over and out

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I've never wanted to climb hills for "fun" before. This thread almost makes me want to give it a go.

Nice one guys. Looks like you had an amazing time.

Well done guys and an inspiring account. Thinking already of where to go myself.

good stuff chaps.

and jonny got to have his picture taken with Bert Kwouk

Chapeaux!

Brilliant stuff. Glad you are back safely. Thank you for sharing your exploits with us and....possibly....inspiring. I would have to become as thin as Jonny before I thought of something like that and I'll only be that thin when I reach the crematorium.

great trip and stories.
next year...who knows?

Loved every single post.

Absolutely great stuff. What a trip, and what a tale to tell. This thread deserves 5 3 1 stars.

Epic win!

Can't wait to see you both ion the pub for the drunken version of this thread.
Nice work.

Super! Tres Bien! Excellent!

Awesome and inspiring.

Brilliant stuff guys - best sales job on the Alps that I've read. Am fully persuaded that it has to be done now. Chapeau.

You two make a wondeful couple;

:D

Welcome back!

Great stuff guys. The pouting photos are funny as hell! I love your bikes also, geared FTW! (in the mountains of course :) ) Glad you enjoyed the trip!

Could you two go away again? Quite enjoyed reading your blogs

reckon i should say something on this, particularly as there are so many comments about enjoying the blog. it was all tim (clintsmoker) and i can't thank him enough for taking the energy and time to summing up our days, capturing it so eloquently and immediately.

it was tough riding out there. those hills are long. but ls and gs I got to say we were wearing big wide smiles 99% of the time. alpe d'huez probably accounts for the other 1%.

i had a week of the still life, away from pixels. but really enjoyed tim reading out the posts and kind words of encouragement on here. so thanks all.

riding in the high mountains is by far one of the best things i have ever done. if you get the chance to, do.

oh, and hippy, I took four pairs of shades. will take more next time.

yee haw

Nice trip, Jonny. I'm plotting one myself...

Anyone suggest some gear ratios for riding the alps without destroying knees? Anyone have any experience with a 42:22 ratio (or other combinations giving a roughly equivalent ratio)?

Anyone (or know of anyone who rides) ride the alps singlespeed or fixed? Suggestions would be welcome...thx

get a road bike.