How To Train - Chapter Thirteen

John Newsom had chosen a Geneva arrival, as it offered us easy access to the French Alps. Ahead of us lay a long transfer south to Mount Ventoux.

I was experiencing jetlag, so I told the guys I’d meet them at the base of the far side of the Ventoux. I woke up at 3am, started in the dark and rode over the mountain to meet them. There are three ways up Ventoux and many cyclists do the triple. I figured the double would be enough.

The climb from Malaucène is more moderate, and forested, than the traditional ascent from Bédoin.

I enjoyed a break at the summit then rolled down the far side, connected with our support crew, filled my bottles and waited for the group. The first day of any training camp is punchy. Everyone is rested, excited, and eager to see how they stack up against their fellow campers. While I had ridden over the top of the mountain, I had a hunch my morning had been easier than the group ride around the mountain. When they arrived, the group confirmed as much.

Riding up the classic side with the guys, the pace was on. I hung in as best I could but, as we left the forest, I rolled out the back for some personal time. Later, when I looked at the file, I saw I’d held season bests for 10, 20, 60 and 90 minutes on the climb (296, 292, 280, 263 watts).

My note to Julie… May not have been the best tactical move to set a season high 20’ power benchmark at the base of my second time up Ventoux. Paid a price for that after an hour.

The day itself was like what I’d done at home, and what I would need to do at the Alpe Tri: a total distance of 109 km with 3,330 meters of climbing (~68 miles, ~11,000 feet). Total output was ~3,700 kJ across 5.5 hours. Average and normalized power were similar at 231/233, respectively.

The main difference was coming close to my maximum heart rate riding with the group on my second time up Ventoux. Throughout the camp, I would be using the group to get my body, and my mind, ready to race.

Next up were two easy days that started with a long transfer to Annecy, which turned out to be an amazing city. I like to keep moving on my easy days. On Easy Day One, I ran before the drive and searched out a local pool when we arrived in Annecy.

Easy Day Two started with short run followed by an open water swim in crystal clear Lake Annecy. Over the last 40 years, the local community restored the lake’s water quality and it’s an amazing place to swim.

Rather than transfer in the vans, we used bikes and rode up to La Clusaz. I took things easy, and the ride took two hours. On arrival, some of the campers tacked on the Col de la Colombière. Wanting to keep my easy day easy, I passed on this opportunity.

The view from my room was out of a fairy tale. We’d be spending two nights at this hotel, and I was looking forward to the next day, and the official start of camp.