PedalDancer.com is a bike blog for travelers and cyclists. Intended as a free educational source for the public, with stories from Colordo, California and France, with bike event calendar lists, bike race dates, bicycle and travel stories, cycling and bike race photography, bike routes, recommended bike climbs, cycling travel tips and maps. With France road sign and tollway travel tips.
But he is not. Enjoy this very quick read, with some equally quick laughs, from non-other than David Zabriskie: Tour of Spain – Stages 15
And this comment from Zabriskie's other teammate Christian Van deVelde yesterday on Twitter: ChristianVDVMy daughter told her class today that I was a bull fighter in Spain! I can't stop laughing.
Have you noticed how many different riders and teams have won of stage of the Vuelta a Espana this year? That is simply good stuff. Because a stage win in a Grand Tour is a really big deal for a cyclist. Here is how it looks right now, and there is more to come.
Stage 15 Results
1 BARREDO LLAMAZALES, Carlos (Quick Step)
Stage 16 Results
1 NIEVE ITURRALDE, Mikel (Euskaltel - Euskadi)
All that variety and Joaquin Rodriguez Oliver (of Spain) is in the (red) leader's jersey ahead of Vincenzo Nibali (of Italy) by only 33 seconds with the Individaul Time Trial coming up (Nibali is favored), exciting stuff. It is a rest day today. The riders, teams, and fans will return on Wednesday for 5 more stages; finishing this Sunday in Madrid, Spain.
Ah, Madrid! Tapas, wine, the Prado, Botero (who was Columbian), football and the home country of Rafael Nadal, who yesterday became the 7th man in history to complete the Grand Slam of tennis.
A good read put out by VeloNews this morning highlighting the possible route cities in the Quiznos Pro Challenge, the professional cycling tour coming to Colorado in 2011. The bids are in and we should know more in the next weeks. If anything, it is nice to read about the cities in Colorado. Although I laughed when the town of Breckenridge mentioned a Time Trial - hello uphill and altitude.
Who didn't bid: Grand Junction, Montrose, Fort Collins, Estes Park, Winter Park, Fraser.
Who did bid: Denver (for the Finale!), Aspen, Boulder, Breckenridge, Colorado Springs, Crested Butte, Durango, Golden, Gunnison, Salida, Steamboat Springs, Telluride, and Vail.
Exactly 5 months ago I decided to start writing a cycling travel blog. I was inspired by my brother Michael who had always encouraged me to do something with the domain name PedalDancer.com that I bought back in 2003. I was also motivated by a friend who was traveling at the time in Belgium for the Spring Classics. I needed an outlet for my voracious appetite to hear travel and cycling stories all wrapped into one.
What better way to learn and hear about a topic then to write about it. Writing meant I would be experiencing all facets of my favorite two topics - cycling and travel. If I was curious I could learn, if I was interested I could go, if I was excited I could share. Thanks for sharing the interest along with me and viewing my blog 10,000 times.
Thanks for following! (*PedalDancer.com has had 10,000 views in 4 months, since May 18, when the counter was placed).
Here are some of my favorite cycling travel photos that bring back fond memories.
Happy times riding Trail Ridge Road in Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado in 2009(Photo by Monica B.)
Being a Tour de France fan with Suz in Pau in 2005
Stevo & Straw at the Tour de France in 2001
Mont Blanc in 2007
Mont Ventoux in 2003 (2007 and 2010)
Mountain biking the White Rim Trail in Moab, Utah in 2006
With Suz, Phil Liggett, and Paul Sherwen in Solvang, California, in 2009
Riding Alpe d'Huez with Michael in 2007
Cycling in Tuscany 2004
With Monica and Christy in Crested Butte, Colorado, on Bicycle Tour of Colorado in 2009
National Triathlon Championships with Kenny in Portland, Oregon 2008
Playing with bikes in the Pyrenees with Dash in 2008
My favorite place in the whole world (France) in 2010
A symbol of achievement in 2010 (and 2008)
Paris: a city like non other in 2003 for the 100th TDF celebration
The feeling of being a cycling fan in Santa Barbara, California in 2007 with Michael and Suz
Thanks to my parents for teaching me the love of travel. There will be more to come ... stay tuned
People like to ask me, "did you have a really good time in France, what was the best part?" At the time I was busy living it, and found 5 weeks of adventure hard to summarize into two sentences to friends I knew well, and others I did not. Now that I have been home for 6 weeks, I could answer the question with, "Yes, I had a good time in France. Yes, it changed my life".
I already knew that travel affords me a different view for a short time and leaves me with lasting impressions for a lifetime. Travel teaches me that there is a lot going on in this world every day. And when I return home to my neighborhood and my routine, all that going on, is still going on. I like to think about the places I have traveled, and imagine what is happening on this day in that same place.
Travel reminds me that freedom of choice and a light schedule are good. Three activities a day is more than enough. A good meal, a great view, and an interesting conversation is about as good as it gets. Traveling seems to lighten my load, slow my pace, and offer me a different view of my own life upon return home. That is the true gift of travel.
The fun part for me has been to try to maintain the feeling, the lifestyle, and the choice of how I spend my time.
I have not missed the typical 3-5 hour road bike rides in the mountains that filled so many days this past spring and summer. Fall is my favorite time of year in Colorado. I have been riding my townie bike everyday - to the market, to the bakery, to the wine store, to the University swimming pool, to the movies, to friend's homes, to restaurants. I have enjoyed keeping it simple.
This is my old road bike, the one with Tour de France road paint splashed underneath the down tube, that affords me freedom and brings back memories of the TDF. I love to ride this bike.
I was riding past the Denver State Capital Building one day as the sun was setting, I stopped to be a tourist in my own town.
I look forward to morning rides (for a baguette!) to the French bakery in Denver
I have the freedom to stop and enjoy the view in the local park, with my baguette and coffee (in my water bottle)
Very nice days in Denver, and I didn't have to travel that far. This morning I enjoyed watching the exciting finish and changes in the Vuelta a Espana race on Eurosport TV. Western slope fresh Peaches are in season in Colorado, and Hatch Chilies were being roasted at the local market in Denver. Tonight we are having a Block Party, where the neighbors close down our local street and roll their BBQ grills out front to share some beer and food. Simple times are more than enough.
Picture of the Day - Landmark bike sculpture in the Pyrenees
Do you recognize this well-known piece of cycling art? It is located along the peage tollway, at a rest stop in the French Pyrenees called Les Pyrénées aire. There is something thrilling about seeing this sculpture every time I pass the area. If you are driving on the A-64, and happen to see the rest stop sign for Les Pyrenees, east of Pau/west of Tarbes (you must be traveling in the eastbound direction to access this rest stop), get off the peage, go behind the gas station and walk up to the sculpture.
History on the bike sculpture: the 80-foot Tour sculpture entitled, “Le Tour de France dans les Pyrénées” (The Tour de France in the Pyrénées), was inaugurated in 1996 with cooperation from organizers of the Tour de France and highway officials. Designed by artist Jean-Bernard Métais (made from 30 tonnes of steel) it is located at Les Pyrénées aire. There are 12 panels around the base of the sculpture giving a history of the riders and Le Tour.
Photo by: Straw
[I have been working to put together a pictorial collection of photos of the Valleys of the Pyrenees as a visual guide to the different areas, but it is taking me awhile to complete. In the meantime I am finding lots of great old photos of France.]
Picture of the Day - A bike in Valloire, Rhone-Alpes, France
Riding my townie bike around Denver, Colorado lately reminded me of the old rusted out beach cruiser bike my brother Tom found for me last fall. That bike is sitting at his house near the beach in southern California. I then thought of this old bike I saw sitting outside a shop in Vallorie, France. A town located between the Col du Telegraphe and the Col du Galibier in the French Alpes.
Bikes are wonderful old or new. Look at the contrast between then (plus a little added weather)
They must be wanting to celebrate the end of the season by now, like the rest of us. Plus - they are in Spain! How can you not relax and have fun in Spain.
[The two riders did not take part in Tuesday's 10th stage, a 175.7-kilometre ride from Tarragona to Vilanova i la Geltru in eastern Spain, it said. Schleck, who had said he was taking part in the race to help his younger brother Frank, was in 77th place in the overall standings, 37 minutes and 16 seconds behind the leader, Spain's Igor Anton of Euskaltel.]
Farm & Wine Country in the Foothills of the Pyrenees
LOOP ride near Pau for cyclists
This is one of my favorite places in France to ride a bike. I have been fortunate to ride in the area for many days in the past years. It is an area of rich farmland, growing in popularity for vineyards and vacation homes. The area is beautiful beyond description and can easily be enjoyed on a bike. Avoid the busy larger roads, and you will find great riding almost everywhere else. You may stop at local bars, bakeries, and cafes in the small towns and enjoy peaceful roads with few cars. This area is down valley (north) from the Col d'Aubisque, between Laruns and Pau, France. An area of spectacular scenery in the foothills of the Pyrenees.
The Tour de France visits this area every year, usually for a couple of days.
My favorite bakery is on a corner in the town square of Gan.
There is another great tasting bakery up in the town of Buzy.
There is a bar on the corner of the square in Nay with a large screen TV.
There is also a bar at the square in Gan with outside tables.
There is a funky place for coffee at La Bastarde in Rebenacq.
Photo ops abound on the roads between Nay and Rebenacq.
The road to Lasseube has picturesque vineyards.
Lasseube has a bar where the locals hang out in the center of town.
Avoid the city of Mourenx (very unattractive).
Oloron-Saint-Marie is a large confusing town with huge stores, but has a good morning market.
Nay has a morning market as well.
There is a river that runs from Laruns to Arudy through Rebenacq.
There is a bike shop on the corner in Jurancon.
There is a great restaurant for lunch and dinner by the river in the town of Lastelle-Betharram.
The Gave de Pau (River) runs through Lastelle-Betharram to Pau, and offers rafting.
Major climbs nearby include: Col d'Aubisque, Col du Soulor, Col de la Marie Blanque.
The route above is a 99km loop ride, but you can ride any part of the area. Allow plenty of time, it will take awhile because it is hilly and you will want to stop to take pictures along your ride. I recommend getting out your Local Michelin Map #342. On the map you will find the detailed roads:
Including: D24, D34, D936, D938, D278, D37, D36 (any of the small farm roads between the larger D934, D937/D938). The D934 is okay to ride on although heavier in traffic, I would not recommend riding on the D937/938 due to high speed of the cars and no shoulder/bike lane.
Renting a car still boggles my mind. It is nerve racking. I have rented cars in Europe for bike trips, tourist trips, hiking/climbing trips, and to simply transfer between towns. Every time I rent, I still question how much car insurance I need, and who will cover damage. In fact, we have begun leasing cars simply because they come fully insured.
My own car mysteriously gathers weekly parking lot dents, but other than that, its life is pretty boring (although sorely neglected). Driving in Europe is an entirely different ball of wax. Driving is different there, and things just sort happen when you are busy being a tourist in someone else's country.
Let's see there was the time my brother's car got stuck in a steep narrow street in Italy and slid backwards into the retaining wall that was probably pre-roman and required the assistance of a local to drive it out of there. Or the scratch he put on the rear view mirror during the I think we can make it mode in an alley in Sevilla. The time I crunched the back bumper after dropping off the edge of a blind steep town exit in the French Pyrenees and popped the bumper back in place and reconnected the rear light. Or when I left the car in a parking lot in Girona, Spain, for two days because I was too afraid of the prehistoric underground pillars to get it back out. Or when I said, "No" to a non-welcoming hotel garage in Toulouse where the sides were marked with enormous I thought we could make it since it was a hotel parking lot mistakes.
How about the unexpected navigation on 4-wheel drive roads in a 2-wheel drive car. The rotations of the traffic circle 3 times before exiting. Steep starts with an unfamiliar clutch on gravel roads. Far too many narrow mountain roads and near misses while holding my breath. Dogs, cows, horses, tractors, road barriers, rock walls, tunnels, construction, gravel, on-coming Tour buses, one way streets, two-way farm roads, local delivery trucks, constant toll-booths, and god help me - cyclists on the road!
I remember cycling announcer Bob Roll joking after he had returned the rental car they used for a month working the Tour de France, "We trashed the car, if you get this car after us, sorry, sorry about the burned out clutch".
My brother advised, "first do no harm" don't hurt anyone, what ever else happens, can be dealt with. Still I was getting increasingly wigged-out driving on the tiny roads in France. With no co-pilot other than the car GPS system, any time I successfully reached a destination, I celebrated! I survived, every one else survived, this was a good day in France!
Clearly, if you did not proclaim "whoa!!" three times a day while in France - you were not driving a car.
I say, insure me. I learned that my Capital One World Master Card, covers my car insurance, but only up to 30 days of rental. (*tip: sort through your credit cards to know which ones do not charge transactions fees, and which card to use for renting a car when traveling abroad). You need to call the credit card you use to book the rental car to ask exactly what they cover abroad and the time frame and method of reporting incidents. My brother found this helpful article in the New York Times about renting cars: When Renting Cars Abroad, It’s Renter Beware
This will give you the feeling - try this for 100km a day. Thrilling.
One of my favorite roads to ride on a bike, is much trickier in a car - Col du Soulor:
Roads in Provence:
This is a city I often drive through - and it seems like one of the easy ones:
Also please revisit my post from June 2010 when I was in Saint Savin, France. There is a video clip at the end of the post of driving a car into the town of Saint Savin:
*if you want the perfect rental car model for cyclists with bike cases, try a Renault Scenic, or a Ford C-Max. Without bike cases, the smaller Renault or the VW golf will do just fine.
I was watching the Vuelta online this morning. Listening to the coverage on Eurosport, when the announcers began to talk about how the area around Malaga is great for riding a bike. Many of the Spanish professional cyclists train in the area. They were commenting on how different areas become trendy for pros to live and train. In the early 1990s Italy was popular, then the south of France and the area near Nice was popular until road traffic became too much.
A few cyclists gathered in Girona, Spain in the mid 2000's, and then more came and a reputation grew. Now Malaga, Spain is growing in popularity. For those of us who enjoy traveling with a bike and experiencing new roads and new adventures, it is always nice when someone blazes the trail first and makes recommendations. I was curious about the area.
I've never ridden in the area before, so I started to read about it. I'm not quite sold. It looks like there could be plenty of mountain biking and road cycling. But I also read of busy roads, tunnels, dry heat, questionable drivers, and lots of hills. Sounds like most cycling areas. An area that might be great for a pro riders, but maybe not as good for standard riders. I do however have very fond memories of being a tourist in Sevilla and Granada. Tapas, and wine, and evening music in the cafes.
It might be more fun, simply to keep watching the Vuelta online. Today Philippe Gilbert won Stage 3 of the Vuelta a España that finished in Malaga, Spain. Vuelta News: Gilbert enjoys first leadership in a Grand Tour Steephill.tv Live Dashboard for the Vuelta 2010 with links to watch the race live online
