Since my last update I’ve been focussing a little better on my own training, as opposed to riding with clients and I finally got out for the 10-hr ride I had on the program yesterday.

I designed this one to have me on the saddle and pedaling most of the 10 hours, instead of climbing and descending (I’ll get more of that next week). The route went west, north of Montpellier to the Causse du Larzac, one of several high limestone plateaux in this area.

The end result was a little less that 10 hours, 229 kilometers and 2330 meters of climbing. Considering I need to ride 330 km and climb 8300 m or more at TMB, the fact that I didn’t suffer too much yesterday doesn’t tell me a lot. At least I got it in, though. I may have one more ride of this duration before the event. Maybe two.

Next up? I’m off to Briancon for a little climbing camp that I’ve put together for a client. This will have us ascending Galibier twice, plus Granon and Izoard, so should be a nice and efficient little block of climbing. If I can manage to stay away from the great beers they have up there that’d be even more efficient.

Fat chance.