Mrs Rouleur

RideLondon Weekend – Part 1, Build Up

/ rolyrouleur / 2 Comments

Finally its here, a year after being stood at a standstill in Richmond park needing a lifejacket more than a cycle helmet, RideLondon 2015 has arrived.

Last year the tail end of hurricane Bertha severely tested the nations (and my) love of cycling to the limit. I honestly can’t remember ever being outside in quite such a downpour as on 10th August 2014. The rain played havoc with the route and before I had even crossed the start line I had heard that what I feared the most, the dreaded Leith and Box had been removed, PHEW. 87 miles in total last year, but this year would be different, this year I had unfinished business!!

Continue reading →

Moules Frites, the sweet taste of success!

/ rolyrouleur / 1 Comment

So the Tour de France is over for another year. The dust has settled, the champagne has been drunk and the hangovers are gone. It was a tour where the winner Chris Froome has had to defend multiple accusations of doping, Team Sky continued not to make friends, somehow a Texan continues to get publicity and Peter Sagan continued his merging into the incredible Hulk (in colour at least), some things just never change!!

But wait!! One thing has changed, The Roly Rouleur was finally victorious!! I actually managed to beat Mrs Rouleur in our annual fantasy Tour de France competition……. She blames Quintana.

Continue reading →

I thought I knew hills…..

/ rolyrouleur / Leave a comment

Last night I picked up Mrs Rouleurs uncles mountain bike to use for a couple of days for one or two ‘I O U’ rides.

The Roly Rouleur and his future Rainbow jersey winner.

The Roly Rouleur and his future Rainbow jersey winner.

Tires pumped and saddle lowered (Uncle Rouleur is at least 6ft 5in, I am 5ft 9in!), I started to plan my route. From my In-Laws I planned a ride along a gravel path and then up into the Harz mountains, heading for the Josefkreuz (a large iron cross that you can climb, that itself sits at the top of a mountain!), and then back via a lovely winding descent down a mountain road, 25-30k all told and not a bad little ride.

I thought perhaps 2 hours in total and so took just a little water bottle and one gel, and with the words ‘it will be a walk in the park’ ringing in Mrs Rouleurs ears I set off.

Continue reading →

Day 6 and 7 – Reflections

/ rolyrouleur / 1 Comment

So its been a little over 48 hours since I arrived at the Rouleur-in-laws after having to call time on the first and toughest of my cycle challenges due to injuries to my fellow Roly.

On arrival there was predominantly a huge amount of guilt to reason with, but added to the mix was a dash of anger, a spoonful of pain and a whole heap of frustrations, which overall meant, that like a cheese that had been out of the fridge too long I was pretty stinky (metaphorically of course).

Of course no option really existed other than to abandon given the injuries my colleague suffered (I am still waiting on the finding of the Doctors report but wouldn’t be surprised to hear that he is now a Eunuch!) but it was still hard to accept.

Continue reading →

I blame Sagan

/ rolyrouleur / 1 Comment

Almost every year since we have been together myself and Mrs Rouleur (no I am not calling her fat!) have had a mini Tour De France contest that has become more competitive and complicated with each passing year. As for the points allocation, well they are something that even ASO would be proud of and have been changed almost as much as those for the Green Jersey!!

Continue reading →