For information on the next Etape du Tour, go to the VeloNomad Etape landing page. The 2013 Etape du Tour route announcement has caused a collective apoplexy amongst the Etapperati. “Sacre Bleu! It stinks!” “Mon dieu! It’s too short!” “Pooh-pooh, ziss stinks like a good French cheese! But in a bad way. (Sacre Bleu!)” Now […]
Finding cycling accommodation overseas can be particularly frustrating. You invariably have four options: Use a local travel agent Find a place via web search Wotif/Expedia/Booking.com/etc Wait until you’re there Let’s look at each option in more detail. Using a Local Agent Travel agents can be great in some situations, but my personal opinion is there […]
Wondering How to win Strava KOMs? To win Strava KOMs, ignore Strava KOMs. Timbo, VeloNomad head raconteur Now I realise this might cause a measure of apoplexy amongst readers, and catcalls of “The man’s daft!” as well as behind the scenes moves to prematurely and precipitously end my benevolent rule. But stick with me. Why […]
In the old days When I started cycling seriously and racing in 2009, I did no training. I could just naturally climb and race well. I started racing in 2009 and quickly moved from E to B grade. And then, disaster struck. I’d been drinking Bonsoy soy milk and got very ill (more about that […]
Knowing how to recover from long bike rides is really important if you’re doing Etape du Tour, Haute Route, Marmotte or some other sportif on your travels. Whilst it’s especially important to know how to recover properly each day during an event like Haute Route, it’s also important for “shorter” events like Marmotte, Etape du […]
I don’t know about you, but I love cross training for road cycling. Recently on a well trafficked Australian cycling website I made the comment that most cyclists would benefit from introducing some of (or even one of) mountain biking, swimming, running and weights into their training regime. Howled down in a cacophonous din of […]
Bagnères-de-Luchon cycling information, submitted by: Owen What you love about this place Close to some epic Pyrenean climbs and the Spanish border. Anything else you want to mention about the town? Great central location for cycling. Any climbs nearby? Col de Peyresourde Superbagneres Col de Portet d’Aspet Other comments from Owen We stayed at La […]
VeloNomad Places to Visit Bedoin Information Page – If you’ve got your own insights about Bedoin, add them into the comments! Bedoin is a beautiful little town nestled at the foot of Mont Ventoux in delightful Provence. I’ve been a couple of times now (2011 here and here and 2009) and it’s quite simply one […]
Hot damn I love this time of year – 2013 Etape Course rumours are now starting to filter through and holy leg burn Batman, it sounds like it’s going to be hard on les jambes! I’ve received a few emails – a couple from well connected Velo-Nomads – and the inside word is that we’ll […]
It’s 5AM. The alarm goes off. It is cold outside. And dark. And sounds wet. Cold, dark and wet. “Great”, you think. Your better half is sleeping soundly and provides a very warm cocoon in which to envelope yourself. What are you going to do – ride or hide – GO… You’re staring at the […]
Local cycling trips don’t get attention sometimes; the allure, glitz and glamour of a big cycling trip – especially if it’s to France for the Tour or Italy for the Giro or Belgium for the Classics – is pretty hard to resist. However, it can be a frightfully expensive (but worthwhile) experience. I mean, it’s […]
Today I awoke to the exciting news that there is now a Qantas Emirates alliance. I’ll not be offended, or surprised, if you are circumspect/nonplussed/ambivalent about this, so allow me to explain. In addition to being very exciting for Aussies and Kiwis heading to Europe, this announcement is important for those from EU and UK […]
When you plan tour trip overseas, chances are you don’t think about the dangers of cycling overseas. Nope, chances are, all you can think about is the glamour of the Tour de France, the challenge of Etape du Tour, or climbing the epic mountains of France. Oh, and croissants (don’t pretend you hadn’t). It’s pretty […]
Taking your bike overseas – it’s a topic I get a lot of emails about. Have you been planning your cycling trip and wondered about taking your bike overseas? …Wondered whether it’s worth it? …Worried about the cost? …Wanting to avoid hassle? Hiring a bike vs Taking Your Bike Overseas I’ve always taken my bike […]
In this Haute Route Guide, you’ll find out all about Haute Route, and whether it’s for you. Start reading, or click below for a particular section. Who should do this Cost Logistics – getting there Accommodation options Training Going with a tour group Nutrition and fuelling Recovery eating Recovery – massage, stretching and self treatment […]
Learn what to look out for on French peages, with a real-life “what not to do” example, and travel the tollways stress and hassle free. I just don’t know what it is about the peages (payment points) on French tollways. Despite my own extensive travel experience, they still make me nervous! I’ll ask Kate to […]
It’s always awesome when an Oakley package arrives on the doorstep, and this time the package contained a pair of vented Glacier Racing Jackets w/ Polarized Black Iridium lenses (and a spare pair of VR28s). The Racing Jacket is a replacement for the Jawbone but looks very similar. The Racing Jacket includes a retainer strap […]
Before we dive into this Oakley Radarlock Path Review (using the Polished Black with Black Iridium below), I’ve a confession. I am a rusted on, unabashed Oakley fan. Way back in the mid 90s, I bought my first pair of Oakleys – a crystal blue set of M Frames. Those suckers were way cool back […]
Do you have a Fuelling for Etape (and other gruelling events) eating plan or strategy for the Etape du Tour or for your endurance event? …Do you know what to eat, and when, during your event? …What about in the week leading up? …Do you just guess? …Ask some friends? …Scrounge around Google looking for […]
Want to know the 7 Habits of Highly Successful Fitness Programs, and why losing weight and getting fit is so hard? If you’re planning an overseas cycling holiday, doing Etape (or some other gruelling sportif), you want to be in absolutely the best shape possible. Because being unfit, especially on your dream cycling holiday, is […]
Supplements for cycling seem a no-brainer right? “Buy this and you’ll be faster.” I’m here to tell you why most supplements are a waste of money. They distract your money, time and effort from activities that provide measurable improved fitness and performance. So this isn’t a case of are you wasting money on supplements? but […]
Learning how to become a better climber is simple enough. But actually becoming a better climber, well that’s a different story. Read on to learn how to become a better climber in 2 simple steps and start demolishing those mountains! Climbing doesn’t come easy Whilst the pros (and some of our friends) make climbing look […]
Recently I sat down for an eye opening and enlightening 90 minute interview with Alan McCubbin of Next Level Nutrition to debunk some nutrition myths. It’s fair to say a lot of preconceptions I had about eating healthily every day, as well as eating to support a training program, were smashed to bits. We covered […]
The Etape du Tour is a massive undertaking. The two crucial elements to enjoying the day are training for etape and knowing how to fuel for Etape. Do you know how to fuel for Etape? Knowing How to fuel for Etape is a crucial part of making sure you really conquer Etape. I did a […]
Finding a protein powder that works and that isn’t filled with rubbish has until recently been an obsession of mine. So, after stumbling across 180 Nutrition I knew I had to test this for a 180 Nutrition Protein Superfood Review. 180 Nutrition kindly sent some samples to me for this review. Flavours What I really […]