Liege-Bastogne-Liege - 2018

Just one challenge for 2018.... But a tough one at that.....

  • Cycling!,  Liege-Bastogne-Liege - 2018

    Liege-Bastogne-Liege 2018 – Closing the Book

    Last week I wrote a fast, fairly emotional piece about Liege-Bastogne-Liege. A little more considered review is below.  It’s time to close the book on this year’s challenge. Just the one this year. The hard kilometres of preparation were done in the first three months of the year, getting used to the new bike and putting distance in my legs, well-wrapped up because of the cold in the early year. I was as ready as I could be, despite a back problem and the small issue of falling down the stairs four weeks before. A last piece on personal reflection before it fades in to the background completely. An Achievement Actually, before…

  • Cycling!,  Liege-Bastogne-Liege - 2018

    Falling Sideways

    You effectively spend the last year, mentally, building up to a ride. And one particular part it. The Cote de la Redoute… Oh, the name! So mythical! The core of Liege-Bastogne-Liege! And you fall off. Or, more pathetically, you fall sideways. You do everything right the whole day until that point. But then. Heat, tiredness. Whatever. You fall off. Or sideways. And get caught in your chain. Some lovely people help you up because you can’t stand up and they suggest that you should walk up the rest of the climb and you get up quietly and….. Walk a small way up the Redoute. Shattering. The whole pride of last…