May 2011
1 post
December 2010
1 post
November 2010
1 post
June 2010
1 post
2 tags
March 2010
1 post
2 tags
August 2009
4 posts
Etape du Tour 2009 - Some Thoughts
Well, it was a great day out for everyone who participated in this most prestigious of ‘sportive’ events - wasn’t it?
For some years now, the organisers, ASO, have sold a number (3000 this year I believe) of entries to tour operators in various countries. Those tour operators offer a variety of packages, including one where you buy only the entry, and make your own travel and...
July 2009
1 post
Article in The National
Had a very interesting interview with The National newspaper in Abu Dhabi last month. Here’s the result. Words by Helena Frith Powell, photos by Phillip Cheung.
June 2009
2 posts
Etape Time Again
Wow, one whole month since the last post. Either I’ve been lazy or training too hard. Guess which. We’re packing for the flight back to Edinburgh, then I’m off to do Etape du Tour number 7, this time up the fearsome Mont Ventoux on July 20. This mountain is famous for two things - the death of British cyclist Tommy Simpson in 1967, and the hailstorm which closed the road when...
May 2009
2 posts
April 2009
1 post
You win some you lose some.......
Good news and bad news last week. I got through the entry lottery for this year’s Etape du Tour, so have the fearsome climb of the Mont Ventoux to look forward to on July 20. Shortly after this, I got a surprise email from a journalist working for the Tour de France organisers ASO on the official Tour programme, which includes a section on l’Etape du Tour. He’s interviewing...
March 2009
3 posts
Dubai Triathlon Club Olympic Distance Triathlon
Another Friday, and other triathlon. This time it was the DTC Olympic distance triathlon. That’s a 1500 metre swim, 40 km bike, and a 10 km run. Once again, Team Tri2Aspire were up for it. It seemed every other triathlete on the course was in our team colours, a great turnout. As usual, I wimped out of doing the whole thing, and was able to find two willing accomplices, Jamie...
Mercure Challenge/Jebel Hafeet Duathlon Race 2
Having survived the first Jebel Hafeet duathlon, race 2 came around on 27 February. This time the competition was provided by former world Ironman champion Faris Sultan. It’s often said that athletes at the very top of their sport are real gentlemen, and that it’s only those a rung or two down who can be a bit ‘stroppy’ - well Faris is proof of that. A more approachable,...
February 2009
2 posts
January 2009
2 posts
November 2008
14 posts
Mercure Challenge Jebel Hafeet Duathlon
Now, you may be wondering why someone would want to make the climb of Jebel Hafeet harder than it already is. Isn’t it enough to cycle or run up up a 10 kilometre long, 1000 metre high mountain in baking heat? Indeed, why not just drive up the thing? Or even better, stay in bed? Well, this isn’t the time to get into that debate, and if you don’t get it, you probably never...
Race Wrap Up
What a great day out. 180 kms through Dubai, the desert, the mountains, and along the East Coast mountains. Starting near the newest Dubai mega malls to the finish near the oldest mosque in the Emirates. 180 riders from who knows how many countries. Over 1000 metres of climbing, 80 km/h descents, temperatures of 30 degrees, more than 4000 calories burnt for every rider. This much fun...
Race report
There had been a lot of discussion before the event as to how this would progress. 180 riders of varying abilities and experience in a road race is a recipe for crashes. Many thought they’d been entering a ‘sportif’ type event, while others expected a road race. The anticipated solution was for two events to form on the road - one hell bent on winning the generous prize money,...
October 2008
1 post
August 2008
13 posts
Etape du Tour 2008 Wrap up
Another massive event. 9500 riders registered, although I’m told a lot didn’t reach the start line when they saw the weather. 170 kms, mostly in the rain. 4500 metres of climbing. Freezing descents off the Tourmalet and Hautacam. All in all an epic day out, and all in the company of Team World - the nicest bunch of cyclists you could hope to meet! I’m looking forward to the...
Mark's Photos on Photobucket →
Better Late than Never
Far too long since this blog was updated, but before the events of 6 July 2008 are completely forgotten, here’s a belated update.