Mr Robinson reflects on a job well done...

A cycling adventure – from Geneva to Nice: a guest blog from Nigel Robinson

Sep 23rd, 2011

If cycling from London to Barcelona in 2009 and around (and over) the French Alps last year raised questions about my sanity, my recent Geneva to Nice trip certainly did.
450 miles over eight days, and numerous steep mountain climbs – the French call them Col – took me to the limits (and beyond) of my physical and mental strength. Plus, I nearly came a cropper. More on this later.
In a way it was a bit like working for Camden – an uphill struggle (at times) and challenging, but never dull and ultimately satisfying.
Our route took us south-east from Geneva, across the Alps to Nice, through lovely alpine towns and villages and breathtaking scenery – not that I had any breath to take.
It was a dream start. The sun shone on Geneva and the righteous ten cyclists (I’m not the only nutter) on Saturday 3 September, as we set off for La Clusaz.

The next seven days saw us wend our way through a series of long, steep mountain climbs that have tested the mettle of many a Tour de France rider. Beautiful verdant valleys flush with colourful wild flowers, snow-capped glaciers and the occasional glimmering glacial lake in hot late summer sunshine. ‘Lovely’, I can almost hear you saying.
Lovely it was, and it certainly helped take my mind off the pain and lung-bursting strain of the monster Cols. Alpe d’Huez almost did for me. A 10-mile, 2,000 metre climb of a one-in-ten gradient – that’s steep – in searing heat.
So, why did I do it? Mid-life crisis, sadomasochism, love wearing lycra (ahem!)? None of the above. It’s because where there’s an up there’s a down, and boy the mountain descents were absolutely awesome. Ten to fifteen miles of high-speed adrenalin rush. Like downhill skiing on a bike – only a lot more dangerous as I almost discovered to my cost.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cBTDXu_aV2s
This video below was taken on day five – Wednesday 7 September. The weather was fine and bright at the top of Col Du Lautaret, 2,000 metres up. I set off downhill and soon reached 40 mph as the first bend approached.
Luckily for me the cars coming in the opposite direction were able to veer off the road and on to the run-off as I careered (out of control) round the bend on the wrong side of the road  – well, I’m English and this is France, so I have an excuse, right.

Unscathed we arrived in Nice in glorious sunshine. Never has a beer tasted so good. Next year Marrakech to Timbuktu (possibly).
I raised a fabulous £500 for Sport Aid – thanks to everyone who sponsored me!