May 01, 2021 at 04:46 PM
I thought it about time I created a new discussion for this race, seeing that once a year I find myself sending stuff about it.
So the final stage in Fribourg finishes a 5 minute walk from my doorstep. And the start is just a little bit further, a place I pass almost every day when I take my youngest to day care. My wife passes there on her way to work every day. It's a nice small city here, with a medieval old town that hasn't been destroyed by commercialism. On Tuesday I rode the TT course, and it's a lovely ride. The toughest part is at the start, which means that pacing oneself and not blowing up will be very important. Right after the start is a steep winding descent down to the old town, through it, across the river separating French and German Switzerland, and then up a long steep cobbled climb. In my current lack of fitness state, I found it very hard. Especially since I was also protecting my knee a little bit. After the lovely steep cobbled climb there is a turn and then onto a one lane road through a forest, with some recently filled potholes. Then it winds its way out into the lovely countryside, with the Bernaise Alps in the distance and cows closer. Then it returns to the city, back through the old town, past the cathedral and my physical therapy, then up a short not-too-steep climb to the finish. It will be cold and wet, so the cobbles and the twisty descents will be tricky. Tire pressure and choice will be very important, along with a good warmup. Here are a few shots:
This is right after the start, a quick right turn to begin a steep twisty descent into the old town.
The local countryside
Back into old town, past the cathedral
The start of the final climb, a quick effort.
And here's the finish
So the final stage in Fribourg finishes a 5 minute walk from my doorstep. And the start is just a little bit further, a place I pass almost every day when I take my youngest to day care. My wife passes there on her way to work every day. It's a nice small city here, with a medieval old town that hasn't been destroyed by commercialism. On Tuesday I rode the TT course, and it's a lovely ride. The toughest part is at the start, which means that pacing oneself and not blowing up will be very important. Right after the start is a steep winding descent down to the old town, through it, across the river separating French and German Switzerland, and then up a long steep cobbled climb. In my current lack of fitness state, I found it very hard. Especially since I was also protecting my knee a little bit. After the lovely steep cobbled climb there is a turn and then onto a one lane road through a forest, with some recently filled potholes. Then it winds its way out into the lovely countryside, with the Bernaise Alps in the distance and cows closer. Then it returns to the city, back through the old town, past the cathedral and my physical therapy, then up a short not-too-steep climb to the finish. It will be cold and wet, so the cobbles and the twisty descents will be tricky. Tire pressure and choice will be very important, along with a good warmup. Here are a few shots:
This is right after the start, a quick right turn to begin a steep twisty descent into the old town.
The local countryside
Back into old town, past the cathedral
The start of the final climb, a quick effort.
And here's the finish
https://youtu.be/pASE_TgeVg8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LdDR2NSHcAI&t
