“I can’t see,” shouted Charles Minthorn Murphy. A cloud of dust and cinders enveloped the cyclist as he pedaled furiously on plank-covered railroad tracks behind a specially equipped train car filled with railroad officials, timers and newspapermen. It was June 30, 1899, and Murphy, one of the top bike racers of the early to mid … Continue reading The Life, Legend & History-Making Ride of Charles “Mile-A-Minute” Murphy
Tag: travel
Shorter and Steeper … or Longer and a Little Less Steep?
I returned my bike to the shop a couple hours ago (in the rain) … and my hotel room feels empty without it. Then again, I can go to the bathroom tonight without tripping over it. During my final two rides: I saw something pretty unexpected and cool two days ago, and yesterday I went too … Continue reading Shorter and Steeper … or Longer and a Little Less Steep?
Climbing the Monte du Semnoz and … the Secret of Climbing Cols!
Are you ready to learn the secret of climbing cols? OK, here goes … there is no secret. Sorry. I wish there was a secret to get us magically and easily up a mountain, but in reality it’s all about the legs, experience, confidence, patience and nutrition. Oh wait, there might be a secret after … Continue reading Climbing the Monte du Semnoz and … the Secret of Climbing Cols!
The Col des Aravis is open, a whiteout, and a close brush with hypothermia …
OK, here’s today’s ride … “Uh oh, what have I got myself into?” I mumbled to myself halfway up the Col des Aravis. It was chilly and getting colder by the kilometer. It was also quite cloudy. Or maybe it was mist. Or fog. Or some strange combination of the three that made my glasses … Continue reading The Col des Aravis is open, a whiteout, and a close brush with hypothermia …
Jet Lag, the Wrong Way, the Right Way, No Sandwich For You and Climbing the Col de Forclaz (Day 1)
I wasn’t feeling it this morning when I woke up after a terrible night’s sleep. The second in a row. Maybe it's the jet lag, which seems to get worse the older I get. Even with my Ativan (anxiety/sleeping) pills. Maybe it's Susan. Who wasn’t with me (we meet up in Paris in about a … Continue reading Jet Lag, the Wrong Way, the Right Way, No Sandwich For You and Climbing the Col de Forclaz (Day 1)
The Biking France Blog 