Discovering Cycling on a New Level

When I discovered cycling on a whole new level - from vineyards to mountains from Australia to France

My ride priorities have changed for the better.

Cycling has always been a fun sport for me, intense, challenging and at times risky. In fact I did always love cycling for the scenery, the beautiful roads that I pedaled along and the company I kept - I guess what I didn't realize is that I wasn't quite "doing it right" and that the whole experience could be so much better.  Fast forward a year or so; I've moved half of my life to France from Australia (which is a beautiful place, but is not "made" for cycling like France seems to be) and really started to experience life through the bike and experience cycling in what I can only describe as "in its purest form".  At one with nature and most certainly challenging, still fast, still risky just like in Australia but without the hindrances that often plague the Australian cycling experience. 

What has been a magical discovery for me is the endless roads that twist, wind, intersect and go on forever, countless circuits to chose from, unbelievable views of magnificent countrysides, climbs both short and long, descents, again with amazing views... I can drive an hour or two and be in the Pyrenees which must be one of the best places in the world to ride a bike - tradition, beauty, the "cute" factor of little hill-side villages, awesome climate (warmer than the Alps and with less traffic) and climbs that will leave you gob smacked for words on how beautiful they are!  This, for me, is cycling for how it should be! How it could be if you were to try and make it as good as possible.  I don't focus on trying to ride really fast anymore to make it a "good ride".  It's challenging without thinking of average speed, and on the climbs even if you are the strongest grand tour contender, you are still humbled by the slopes and the length of the high mountain passes. 

Other regions of France are sometimes even more taxing on the legs as you never really get a rest.  In these regions you wont find long climbs of 10-20km but even after 40km of going up and down and left and right, your legs will know about it! I do 100kms back at home in Australia, I may have climbed 900 metres but that may have been in two sections while the rest of the ride is dead pan flat, and I've been on busy roads most of the time. By comparison, in France I might have gone straight out of my front door onto the quietest roads I've ever seen, with scenery that forces me to notice just how good I've got it.  So I pedal along and instead of worrying about how fast I'm going I'm lost in the moment, aware of my surroundings and at one with life.  This, feels right!

Find your life changing experience on www.thebookinghub.com

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