THE CHAMPS

Day 4

Well they are off, lovely sunny day and shorter ride today. There was positive talk this morning of actually completing the 8 days so things are looking up. Lots of faffing around in the morning and by the time they are gone the girls are glad to get rid of them so they can get on the road. We are always the last to leave everyday - not down to girls lack of organisation - I might add!

So we're all feelling positive and looking forward to Italy - good food, wine and coffee for the girls. For the boys more big mountains and single track!!! (we're trying to learn some of the cycling lingo but failing miserably)

Thanks for all the supportive texts they are really appreciated

Aram getting annoyed building bikes

The support team!

At the start at Fussen

more bike building

At Ischgl finish line with our mascot - Tommy

DAY 2

We're on day 2 and team car has arrived in Ischgl, Austria. The first riders are home after 3hours 26mins. Our boys we think haven't made it to the top of the mountain - boy they look high. We're expecting them here in another couple of hours.
Its been fun so far - went to the pasta party last night, in pissing rain to carb load (although the girls could have done without it!!). The storm went on all night and woke this morning still cloudy and cold.
The knees seemed to have held up on both boys, they are sore but doing ok. However today is the real test as it's going to be tough!
We'll report back again at the pasta party! to let you know how they got on for nowenjoy our photos

First day

78 km, 1939 m of climbing, 2500 calories. 4 sore knees and two sense of humours lost. A team car stuck in traffic jam for 3 hours!!!! Raining heavily and in Mc Donalds for free WiFi
Nervous for tomorrow!

T-3

The big day is nearly upon us. Almost there. One day of work left!

T-5

Did some packing yesterday and wrestled with the Garmin for a while. Did some foam rolling in the gym - its all glamour! Knees are OK I suppose......as long as you dont need to do a very long mountain bike ride on them then they would be fine! Work has pretty much nailed this week for me and I have to go to Norwich now until Wednesday evening! Better get my people to get some last minute supplies for me!

heads, shoulders, knees and toes, knees and toes...

Well the rest of it seems to be ok just the knees. still icing rubbing and praying. As stevie says if all else fails we can walk up those hills and roll down the other side!

checked the weather out yesterday. looks like a warm 28 degrees at the bottom but a chilly 10 degrees at the top of most of the mountains. will have to pack the thermals.

Lance Armstrong's Tour is effectively over after a disasterous day yesterday. poor Lance - he knows how I feel.

T-6

Team lunch yesterday was a useful session. Then spent some more money for a change in a bike shop. Just when I thought we had everything too! Now I'm trying to load some maps onto the Garmin for the race. Might at least keep us going in the right direction even if we are walking!

More ice!!!

In exactly the same position as Stevie. Went to physio again last night who scanned knee and diagnosed some swelling in quads tendon. Not too bad but not too great. No magic injection to sort that just complete rest from teh bike no climbing stairs, lots of ice, ibuprofen gel and crossed fingers.

On the upside I did have this earlier in the year and it can clear up fairly quickly with complete rest but is 8 days enough? He also said it will get sore then won't get any worse!

Things looking tough...

T-8

8 days to go to "blast" off. This is now a typical evening scene for me and no doubt Aram too. The joy of icing. The only thing missing from this photo is a physio in the background somewhere

T-9

The beast is back and in fine working order....new brake pads installed...changed handle bars for other ones....free hub has been replaced. Its another tick in the box.

9 Days to go!

Update

My knees also sore. Popped out for a couple of laps of the park last night to keep things moving and got sore quads tendon as a result

Stretching

Throwing some shapes last night on the bench. Knees still sore - bike still bust!

Twitter - they're nearly there

Hi everyone - well the boys have nearly made it to Germany, can you believe the time has past so quickly, well quicker for some than others!!!!
Any in preparation for us getting on the road, I have added a link to Aram and Stevie's Twitter page - http://twitter.com/TransAlpChamps will be updated reguarly so that you can keep up to date either here or on twitter.

See you when we get back
Charlie

Bike in Sick Bay

I knew last weekend there was an issue.......gears should not change on their own!

My centre lock out has blown up in the bike and its not looking good. Tried to ride on Sunday and could barely get out of the drive way. Luckily the bike shop have been extremely helpful and will try and fix it for me today!

The good news of the weekend is the knee which seems to be making a rapid recovery after plenty of icing. Thanks be to my support team at Balance Physiotherapy whos finances I will improve again tonight with another massage!

This biking is making me broke!

sympathy pain of the knee!!!!

i havent been able to blog since getting my sore knee in majorca - too depressed. i just hope it will get better before the event. even so really shouldnt be going into an event like this with any form of injury. seen 2 physios and had two different diagnoses. only one thing is certain - another £65. i'm doing loads of stretching and strengthening and gonna try a south downs ride and pray it holds together.

i cant believe stevie's suffering with the same thing. we peaked 4 weeks ago!