I collected the new bike (ok so only the frame is new) and was keen to test it out. For the new bike it required a new route, so I thought I would try and find a hill not to far from me called Le Grand Puyconnieux. It comes with a bit of a reputation, I’ve heard it has gradients of 15-20% in places and is one of the highest hills around here. With this in mind I find it hard to believe I haven’t ridden up it before? But it is tucked away and does not stand alone and with all the forest cover it’s maybe not that surprising!
I set off from home, the weather is overcast and damp, but otherwise OK. I don’t have a great deal of time but reckon I can get there and back in about 2 hours - an hour each way. The bike seems good put under abit of pressure, a few minor tweaks when I get home would make it improve it some more.
This ride goes through a huge forest which makes up much of an area known as the Pays des Feuillardiers. There are numerous quite roads and bridal paths throughout with plenty of hills of varoius gradients and is a cycling paradise both on and off road.
I’m making good time passing Saint Mathieu as I turn right and enter the forest area. A long gentle gradient that seems to go on forever get me close to where I’m heading. I switch roads and expect the road to rise up, it does but not to steeply. Before I know it I come to a cross roads and see a sign ‘Puyconnieux 2km’. I get up on the pedals pushing a big gear. There is an increase in power transfered from me and through the bike compared with the old model. The road is not as steep as I thought I must have come up the hill the easy way, suddenly I’m there!
Le Grand Puyconnieux et mon nouveau velo
Just to prove it I take a photo and manage to drop the phone at the same time. It took an hour and a minute to get there so as the route home is slightly shorter. I’ll be home in good time. I descend a different route. long fast, with gentle bends and steep in places, I realise this would be the tough way up. OK next time, now I’m on a mission to get home.
A few ks down the road I’m standing and pushing hard on the pedals. A sharp noise and sudden loss of power brings me to an abrupt stop. I look round the chain has snapped – b………s! I spend a few minutes trying to put it back together but its proving difficult. Ok, I’ll call Helen and get her to pick me up – no I won’t, the phone is not working after I dropped it earlier. Wearing my cycling shoes and walking like a duck I make my way toward the next town…. quack quack, waddle waddle, quack quack….. All I need now is for it to rain, my wish was soon granted!
I reach the town, the payphone is not working, well these things come in threes, or is it fours! So I go into the local bar call Helen and sit down and wait, oh and consume a beer or three!
Well the bike was otherwise good, responsive and an easier ride than the last, but both the bike and Le Grand Puyconnieux must battle once more.
