le grimpeur

The anti-grimpeur returns1
Guy WR posted in Climbers on November 21st, 2008

It’s in some ways surprising that Magnus Backstedt didn’t end up in the second row of the forward pack of a Welsh rugby team. At 1.93 metres, or 6′4″, and a handy 210 pounds, Backstedt has plenty of physical presence and clearly the endurance for a high work load. And, of course, he lives in Wales and is a supporter of the game.

But the Swedish hard-man chose cycling. Never likely to win in the mountains (unless he can pull out an Eros Poli performance), Backstedt has nonetheless proved his mettle in the sport, notably winning Paris-Roubaix in 2004 and become a confirmed legend.

Your author recently spoke to the man himself for Pez Cycling News to catch up on what has been (another) tough season and, most importantly, to find out whether Julian Dean was able to help him improve his haka.

Follow the link here to read the full story.

Old-school winter training, the European way0
Guy WR posted in Climbing Skills on November 8th, 2008

November is a miserable month in Vancouver, home of le grimpeur. The end of daylight saving time means no more after-work riding in daylight and it is also the month on the calendar with the most rain. With the end of a long summer and a gentle autumn, no one appreciates the encroaching darkness and the incessant dampness.

It is also the time when all thoughts turn to winter training and one can expect a veritable proliferation of articles dealing with the topic. There are no shortage of plans for those staying on their bikes, and no limit to the principles which can be applied regarding duration, intensity, cadence, and so on. For any rider whose eyes glaze over at a table showing a weekly schedule, le grimpeur recommends the excellent advice from Pez Cycling News, busting a few myths of winter training.

For those looking for a bit more traditional inspiration, your author has compiled the perfect winter and spring training plan, distilled from the collective old-school wisdom of the European peloton. (more…)