In the Teapot

A few months ago, Johan, a friend from school had a crazy idea: going to the sea using one of the heavy rental bikes you can find in Paris, the Velib’.
At the time, I thought he was crazy but I told him that if he’d do it, I’d come along to support on the cycling… He did it

Why using a rental bike you’ll ask? Well, it’s simple, since a while now, the company renting the bikes in Paris has decided to offer 15 minutes free of cycling every time a user would bring back the bike to an ‘altitude’ station, above 60m… As Johan is working in Montmartre, he is getting everyday 15min free, and does not use them! He thought to himself he should use them and thought about the sea.

The shortest distance was placing the destination roughly around the Normandy and Johan decided to go for Le Havre.

The photos speak for themselves, but you’ll also find a few videos in the sources folder

The stats:
Day 1:
210Km
Average 21Km/h
max speed 57.7Km/h

Day 2:
207Km
Average 24.4Km/h (!!!!)
max speed 72.9Km/h

We set off at night from Porte Dauphine, at midnight, thinking it would take Johan much more time to go forward with the 22Kg, 3-speed bike equipped with drum brakes and fat tyres, but he’s been much faster. And after a very cold and windy journey, we arrived in Le Havre at 1300 with time to spare for a nice shower, a great nap and a dinner among the group of the music festival!
The way back, much more optimistic, started at 8am, and we arrived around 1700 with an amazing speed, the back wind helping.

Johan was knackered, but he did it, hats off to him!

After all the long distance training it really paid off and legs have been absolutely fine. Bum a little less…

(Sorry dad I hid it from you because I did not want you to get worried, but I think I am ready for September :p )

Gone yesterday from Shoreham-by-sea marina, a few miles west of Brighton, the goal was to reach Eastbourne as part of the first leg of a 2 days regatta.

Unfortunately, the easterly winds and the tide were against us, established at more than 20Knts, with gusts to 30Knts by 1600.
The ride was a bit rough, getting our asses wet on the weather rail and enjoying being at the front of the flotilla that left at 1100.

We were all (and specially me for my first night on a boat and first time for a bit of distance sailing) looking forward to a nice curry at Eastbourne, but following a report from a passing by fisherman saying the sea past Beachy Head was rough, David, the skipper, decided to go back to Shoreham, rather than battling against the elements for another 5 hours at least.

The pilot in the almanach said anyways that the entrance to the marina would be very difficult and should not be attempted in easterly winds anywhere out of ±1.5h around high water… We were to arrive at HW-4, and the Sovereign Shoals were on the way. David and his decades of experience took the right decision and we headed the 9 tonnes 42ft Moonlight Saunter back home.

It was in the end still a 53Nm trip and the longest I have ever done, the furthest I have ever been from land on a sail boat (12Nm) and the strongest winds I have ever sailed, so I am very happy about it.

What I like about the sea is the fact that never anyone will be able to predict, control or even dictate its state, its behavior and its willingness to let you through. She can be calm and welcoming, but can also remind you easily that she is not just all sweet.

To all seas, sea gods and mermaids, thanks for this lesson of humility, I hope there will be many more in the future!

I will always remember ‘Le petit Nicolas’ and ‘Spirou’ where countless “dis bonjour à la dame” were thrown in. Old fashion? Or still in use?

The education I received makes me feel it’s still right to let women in first, hold doors etc etc, but what would have been rewarded with pleasure with a thank you, a look in the eye or even a smile some time ago seems these days to not even be noticed anymore by the majority…

So can we still speak about gallantry as it was perceived decades ago?
Does it make only old men looking charming, and let young ones look like ridiculous with obsolete fashions?

Or does it still have this ‘je ne sais quoi’ that were in the past part of not only a polite courtesy, but also a seduction game… And in this, both parties have a role to play, not only men holding doors, but also women greeting men back…

The debate is on!

Good to see you doing well buddy!

Please continue to support them over there!

25C, not a cloud, big sunburning day, and a few Km to accomplish…

The distances

Swim: 800m
Cycle: 30.5Km
Run: 7.5Km

The goal: under 2h.

Contestants: 200.

——————–

result: goal thrashed! : 1h43min

overall ranking: 39
category ranking (25-29): 7

Swim: 16min56s (absolutely rubbish!)
T1: 1min12s (crap)
Cycle: 51min59s (absolutely flying!)
T2: 56s (could do better)
Run: 31min56s (great for me considering what was before!)

That was the longest distance I have done so far, and I except the swim, I absolutely loved it!
Next is end of June Velib’ challenge with Johan, then the London and Stockholm Olympic distance triathlons in August!

photos soon

On the train, on the plane, in my thoughts, I travel. On the web, on couches I surf (almost). Another few days with the extraordinary people, and again I have to leave them on their own ways… Why is it so damn hard to say simply ’see you soon’ when it is actually really meant!? And why is it that the best people I know are far away…?

The platforms of gare du nord are almost deserted now. Time for the late trains to where I am not sure I want to go…

I still need change

In Paris, having fun with team car red, I got married without knowing it with an ‘african’ bracelet… Tourist stuff… Well, it’s holidays

Daily selection –> only wine by the glass… And the caption at the bottom says: “recommended by healthy people”

the weather would be better to see team car red in Paris this week end…..

Huge smile on my face during this morning coffee, Stef, a very nice colleague of mine told me whe he sees me from far away, he can see a genius lying betneath, but when closer he sees a clown…

I don’t know if it means i am a really a clown now (I guess it’s the whole ‘take life the rigth side of things’ philosophy I try to follow since a few months… But the idea of being a genius clown made me laugh

Thanks Stef, you made my day!

Appealing to sponsors (yes I can ride your colors :):) )

My next ride will be this:
Quintana Roo Seduza… No compromises this time! Let’s race!

…a hymn for past and future road trips, for friendship and love…

Road trippin with my two favorite allies
Fully loaded we got snacks and supplies
Its time to leave this town
Its time to steal away
Lets go get lost
Anywhere in the U.S.A.

These smiling eyes are just a mirror for
These smiling eyes are just a mirror for
Your smiling eyes are just a mirror for
Send “Road Tripping” Ringtone to your Cell

no comment…

Yesterday was the SPW Hyde Park triathlon.
Besides reaching and smashing through the initial fundrasing goal of £250 (I am now at £470!!), I also reached my goal of finishing the event under an hour.

Although not entirely satisfied with my race (that’s the personal competitive bit in me… never happy ) I did 59min 40sec, placing me 8th in the mens race, and 9th overall!

I also have the 4th fastest bike time across all competitors and I am quite happy with it (but I paid for it on the run :p )

Anyways, I want to thank you all for your support, financial for SPW (http://spw.org) and moral for me, thank the few people that came early morning to push me hard (they know who they are) and invite you some day for a drink.

Thanks also for the people your financial support is going to!

next race is on May 23rd for a 3/4 triathlon: 800m swim, 30.7Km bike and 7.5Km run!

————————————–

En plus d’atteindre et d’ecraser completement mon objectif initial de
recolte de fonds de £250 (je suis en ce moment a £470!), j’ai aussi
reussi a atteindre mon objectif de finir la course en moins d’une heure.

Meme si je ne suis pas completement satisfait de l’ensemble (c’est mon
cote competitif… jamais content celui-la ), j’ai fini le parcours
en 59min 40sec, ce qui me place 8eme dans la categorie hommes et 9eme
sur l’ensemble des participants.
J’ai aussi le 4eme temps en velo et j’en suis assez content! (Meme si je
l’ai paye sur la course par la suite :p )

Merci a tous pour le support que recu,
finencierement pour SPW (http://spw.org), et moralement pour moi!

Merci aussi pour ceux a qui les fonds collectes sont destines!
Prochaine course: 23 Mai pour un 3/4 triathlon: 800m nage, 30.7km velo, et 7.5km course a pied!

swim: 08:55.1
T1: 00:42.9
Cycle: 25:44.8
T2: 00:47.6
Run: 23:30.1
Total: 59:40.5

Merci a Yaser pour les photos!
Thanks Yaser for the pics!