Vaujany

After an uneventful first couple of months to the season due to illness I am pleased to say I've had my first result. I'm out in France at the moment, riding in the the Alps just below Grenoble. After around 2 months pretty much out of training, and with no real racing to speak of, I came out here hoping to be able to actually ride up the hills, because riding here is the reason I ride, its what I am good at.

The day after arriving we decided to ride from Alp D'Huez (where we are staying, 1800metres above sea level) to Vaujany, and then back again to sign on for the next days race...so quite a long ride and lots of climbing, but it was ace to be back on the bike and my lungs weren't feeling all that bad - although staying at altitude is making things like walking around quite difficult! The next day was the Vaujany (a cyclosportif which is the first part of the Trophee de L'Osians we are doing out here). The one I did was 109km, including three cols and lots of climbing! I decided to take it really easy, trying hard to not let my competitive edge show, just get back into riding and enjoy the day. I was really looking forward to the ride on the start line.

I did take it easy, just spinning (as much as I could with the 11/25 I've got out here, forgot to bring the 13/26) and actually stopping to eat at food stops, making sure I drank enough and applied the necessary suncream. When I finished I was just so happy to have completed what is probably the hardest ride I have ever done, 109km in 6hours and lots of hills. I deliriously asked the people at the pasta party for some food and then sat around talking to other riders. We decided to stay for the prize giving to show our support to the winners and watch the many cups being handed out, only for me to hear "Third in the Women's Category, Ware, Victoria". I'd come 3rd!

So, I was really pleased with my ride, so enjoyable and ace to be climbing in proper hills again...and a cup to take home too!