As you know.....it's work dependent for me but it sounds like a good weekend.

I'm up for this. I had similar thoughts as a friend's parents own a flat in Italy.

I'll know more about specific dates by Tuesday.

I was expecting you four to be the one's who'd be interested in this. I've got a medical and registration in the first two weeks of September but this shouldn't interfere with that because it's only 3 week days that we'll be away for. I'll try and find out more information about when the medical is likely to be on Tuesday when I'm at the Glasgow med school applicants day.

Here's another photo I took on that day:



and a route elevation:

[quote]

euan:

Question. What about pedals on the rented bikes?
They've got a selection of pedals available but recommend that you take your own to avoid dissapointment. The first time I went, I took my pedals. The second time, I forgot them. All was well. As for clips and straps, they probably have some really rubbish ones so you may want to take your own anyway (that's if you haven't already bought a road bike and been drawn in by the lure of Look).


[quote]

euan:

Man that climb looks juicy.
It was a real killer. I think I stopped twice on the way up for 5 minutes each time. Climbs like that are what energy gels were made for. If it weren't for them, those stops could easily have lasted 20 minutes.

Some more information:

The Bikes:

The bikes available are:

Giant T-Mobile TCR Alu - 105 = €45


Massi M-Carbon - 105/Centaur = €60


Giant T-Mobile TCR Carbon - Dura Ace = €75


Massi Pro Carbon - Dura Ace = €75


All/most bikes are available with a compact chainset (we'll probably all be wanting one of these apart form rabsda).

Helmets:

[quote]

cyclingnews.com:

Most cyclists in Spain are legally required to wear helmets, so when a Spanish policeman saw a group out for a ride and one rider not wearing a helmet, he pulled that rider over. Fortunately, Team Astana's Chris Horner knew that professional riders are not covered by the law.

Astana is holding its training camp on Tenerife, in the Canary Islands, and a group of riders including Horner and Lance Armstrong went out for a ride, when the group was stopped by the Spanish police.

"Horner found it funny because he knew the rules – he lived for some time in Spain – and knew there is an exception for professional riders," Astana spokesman Philippe Maertens told Cyclingnews. "He had to explain the rules to the policeman." After showing his identification to prove that he was, indeed, a pro rider, he was able to go on his way.

The 37-year-old actually had his rider's license with him as proof. "He always has it with him as he knows the Spanish rules," Maertens said. "Probably he was the only one who had it with him."

The Spanish law requiring helmets took effect in January of 2004. The exceptions are: when riding in cities or towns, during "periods of extreme heat", when riding up steep hills, for medical reasons and professional cyclists. Any riders during a competition are not required to wear a helmet, either. Violators are subject to a fine of up to 90 euro.

I think I'm going to buy one of these before I go:

Which one? I'm tempted to go all out and get the Dura Ace Massi Pro-Carbon.

[quote]

johnnyhotdog:

I'm tempted by the Massi also......and although I don't really need one an '09 Ionos may be too much to resist.......
That's an Atmos although the Ionos is reduced more than the Atmos in some places so it might be possible to get the Ionos for cheaper.

I'm quite resolved to the fact that no helmet will look right on my head. I'm happy with my 2D though, especially considering the price. I'm amazed in the difference to comfort a high price makes.

Evans have the small in blue and black for £60

I had to buy it. I'm now the proud owner of a Giro Ionos helmet.

Its likely to be the 2008 model but there is no real difference in my opinion. If I hadn't already got my 2D I would have jumped on this. I prefer the Specialized adjuster though.

Haha.

This thread has made me start to wonder about technical base layers and shorts. I own neither, but I would expect they are required for cycling in Mallorca in September.

I'm a big fan of DHB stuff. It's reasonably priced and is really good - I use their Merston tights and baselayers/jerseys. Of course, the forum will also get a cut if you buy from wiggle.....

I like that I've called this a 'training weekend'. Training for what? The Glasgow winter evening sprint league?

Dates are still very much flexible. If you can, try and find out when you can take holidays and we'll see how things work out.

The weekend after definitely, weekend before possibly.

This sounds a bit serious, all lycrad up roadie helmet wearing putting in the miles malarky.
If there's enough interest/room at chateau rusty perhaps there could be 2 groups, one that hire geared bikes n do the miles and one who take their own bikes and are there more to enjoy the sun and the sangria and do some backwards circles down by the beach to try and impress the local senoritas?

Right - I've just been on to my personnel manager and operations director and they're going to let me know if I'll be on leave from the 10th to the 21st of September. As soon as I find out, I'll give a definite yes or no if that's okay?

I'm reasonably flexible regarding specific dates, as long as I book the time far enough in advance, so I'll let you guys sort that side out and then see what I can do.

[quote]

euan:

All this chat of the France expedition make me wonder if this is still on?
Sorry for not updating this sooner.

I can't pin down a date for my medical/registration for Glasgow Uni and so I have to keep the first two weeks of September free. That is partly why I looked into doing Ventoux.

EDIT: This will happen though. Just not in September.