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Cycling Travel Blog
Beyond alpe d'huez
The true joy of cycling still exists in France, far beyond the busy roads of Galibier and L'Alpe d'Huez.
Cyclists have always been drawn to the mountains of Europe and the famous passes of Alpe d'Huez, Passo Stelvio, col du Galibier and the Sella Ronda are ridden by tens of thousands of cyclists during the summer months of June, July and August. So is it still possible to have a truly pure climbing experience on the high passes of France? The answer is un-equivocally, yes, provided you know where to look.
When I first climbed the Alpe d'Huez and col du Galibier in 1989, I saw very few other cyclists and what I remember is the raw beauty of the mountains, solitude, grand glaciers and more marmottes than people. The feeling was all about connection and escape, just writing about it today gives me tingles. Since 2013 I have had the pleasure of guiding cyclists through France, Italy, Spain, Austria and Switzerland and almost without exception, the most cherished moments are those spent far from the iconic passes. These are the days where one gets a sense of what Galibier was like in 1989.
The col de Turini in the maritime alps, cycling at it's finest
There are literally thousands of mountain passes in France alone and many can still be experienced in relative quiet where your ride will most likely be shared with just a few local club riders. These are the roads for the purist and travellers more inspired by beauty, wonder & the adventurous spirit than ticking a box on a list.
Far from missing out, riding the less travelled passes will give you everything the famous roads do, and so much more. Full blown high definition cycling with incomparable scenery and grand scale, shared with just a few others, an opportunity to immerse yourself in an almost spiritual journey from valley to summit and back again.
Yes it is true. Here, it is possible to feel that the road is yours alone.
For many years the col de Sarenne (behind Alpe d'Huez) was favoured by locals as the much more beautiful alternate road to the famous ski resort. These days, the Sarenne is also busy, so the delightful small road to Villard Notre Dame and Villard Reynard is the "new Sarenne" of the Oisans. France is full of "Sarennes", the trick is knowing where to find them or at least travel with someone who does.
Regions such as the Maritime Alps, Southern Alps, Jura, Vosges, Massif Centrale and the Pyrenees are all places in France where hordes of cyclists, motor bikes, cars and buses can be largely avoided. Simplicity and purity are restored as you tune in to the sounds of nature, your own breathing and allow the spell of cycling in the high mountains to be cast over you. Experiencing the magic of these places makes many want to sing, some swear audibly for loss of superlatives and others are quiet, smiling & laughing more on the inside. One thing is certain, it is a feeling that will stay with you for a lifetime.
If you are looking for something different for your next cycling adventure, something that is not just about bucket lists, but is more special, personal and unique, please get in touch, as we are heading to some of these very passes in June and July this year. Or, perhaps you would just like some advice or assistance in planning your own trip, well I can help with that too, brian@iconbiketours.com
Cheers
Brian "Bubba" Cooke
Getting High (Not that sort)
This is my take on what makes climbing the great mountain passes of Europe so captivating and for many, downright addictive.
When I was 17, I drove to the snowy mountains in Australia for the first time. Apart from the shiny white snow visible in the distance, the thing that struck me was the sheer size and scale of the environment I was seeing for the first time. I will remember the power and almost palpable energy forever. When you stand at 2700m and gaze up in wonder at enormous glaciers, more than 1000m above, one somehow feels both humble and heroic. Humility at your scalar insignificance and heroism for the fact that you were 100% responsible for being there.
As one sits on the plane, bound for the high mountains of Europe and pondering the journey ahead, most will admit to fear as a dominant emotion. After all it is a long way to travel, so what if I cannot do it? What if I am not up to it? And here lies the first insight into what makes it all so fantastically incredible. You find that you are good enough, you are up to it and the brain chemistry that flows from this realisation is a very big part of the "climbing high".
Not only are you good enough, you will become even better. This is because there is a cool mixture of physiology and magic that will produce a fitness / riding level you have never known before. You will return home a different rider, different person. Every time you climb, there will be an inner smile and calmness, no hill can beat you any more because you know inside that it is not trying to beat you, it simply wants to show just how good you are.
For those of us that have grown up watching grand tour contenders create video story-books through the battles and suffering, this is a chance to live those moments, albeit slightly slower and more anonymously. Most will never play tennis on Wimbledon's centre court but for us bike riders, the sky (almost literally) is the limit.
My favourite saying is, "there is no better way to appreciate the beauty in this world than from the saddle of a bicycle". And, there is no better place to prove this than the high mountain passes of Europe.
So take the plunge, commit to that cycling adventure that has tempted you for years. Standing at places like Passo Fauniera in Italy will add a whole new meaning to the term high definition.
The five best things about a cycling tour in the mountains of Europe
There is so much information, recommendation and imagination out there about cycling tours in Europe. So rather than look at details, ride plans, itineraries (which are all important at some point), I thought it best to drill down into the lived experience and come up with a (my) list of the best things about a cycling tour in the mountains of Europe. I hope you like it.
1. The scenery. This may seem obvious, but the scenery is everything you think it is going to be and then a whole lot more. I think it is mostly because of the sheer scale of the surroundings that it takes a few days to really tune in. There is something a little bit "other-worldly" about standing at a summit, some 2500m+ above sea level and still gazing up at peaks and glaciers that tower above you another 1000m higher. The size and incredible power of the mountains is something that can only be appreciated face to face, even then you may need to pinch yourself s few times.
2. You are better than you thought you were. Many head to Europe with large question marks over their ability to handle the demands of the climbs they face. Firstly, it is an absolute imperative that significant training be completed. Prior to departure. However, the thing that surprises most is just how well they progress whilst cycling day in day out in the mountains. The constant load experienced during long climbs seems to draw new strength out of both mind and body. What seemed improbable from home, soon feels "normal", doable, even comfortable. One thing is certain, there will be a new level of physical capacity and with it new belief in just how strong a bike rider you are.
3. You can back up like a pro. Without the "other" demands on your time, life becomes (temporarily) about cycling, resting, eating, sleeping, repeat. After a few days, one grows to realise just how much energy "life" takes up and that with a more singular focus, cycling becomes less tiring, lighter, softer, smoother. Just for a moment in time, life can centre around riding and it helps to power your performance day after day allowing you to squeeze the most out of every ride. It can feel like a little self-indulgent fantasy camp, just what a holiday should be like…………….for cyclists.
4. The food. There really is nothing quite like European food culture, meals bursting with flavour and freshness, served without emotional baggage and perfectly aligned with the European attitude of quality before quantity. It is food for taste and guilt-free indulgence, eaten consciously and never in a rush, time to appreciate both the flavours of each mouthful and enjoy the company of friends. Add to it, the perfect compliment of local wine and your dining experiences will be every bit the match for the cycling ones. The best bit? Eat 'til your hearts are content, tomorrow you ride, no time or need for your body to store calories. A cycling life in perfect balance.
5. Getting to know yourself again. A few days into the cycling adventure most will pause for while and ponder, before it hits, there are now quiet moments in the day where you have choice. Less burdened by technology, no TV (unless it's the Tour telecast), fewer emails. It can kind of feel like life used to be back in a time you can barely remember. An afternoon sitting on the balcony, savouring local cheese and sipping on a light Chianti, everything quiet. Say hello to yourself, get acquainted again, it has probably been a while. There is something quite unique about the "quality" of relaxation that has been both earned and enhanced by a day spent riding in the mountains, at times it feels like perfection.
So there you have it, sounds pretty good ha? Well it is. Those that have been already, know it and cannot wait to go back. Whilst hopefully those still in contemplation are now one step closer to joining the club,
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Aussie Gals take Europe by storm
The remarkable MadonnaVelo Cycling Group live a cycling dream.
MadonnaVelos soaking up the beauty and challenge of Lake Como
There is something a little magical about cycling in Europe but imagine heading over to ride bespoke courses in regions of your own choosing, with nine of your best friends. Well that is just what happened in May / June this year, when a ladies cycling group from SE Queensland (and parts further afield) Departed Australia bound for Milan and ultimately, Lake Como, Tuscany and the French Riviera.
When Sheridan (founder of the MadonnaVelo riding group and owner of Storm Cycles at Tugun on the Gold Coast) approached us in mid 2016, she had an idea to take her group on a dream European cycling tour. There was at least one "non-negotiable" in the brief, we MUST visit the famous "Madonna del Ghisallo" chapel that sits perched above Bellagio and was the inspiration for the name of the group. Sprinkle in a little bit of Tuscany, the French Riviera, ride routes that were challenging without being too brutal and all the culinary delights of each region and we had a tour.
So the crew of: Sheridan, Lee, Jacki, Lisa, Mary, Kirsten, Sheree, Tina, Claire, Denise, super-guide Eve and a hopelessly out-numbered, yours truly arrived in Lake Como for stage one. The cycling in Como is divine, all of it (of course) showcases the magnificent lake and involves steep climbing in all directions from the lake shore. Now although there were some nerves in the group, I could not have been more impressed with both the tenacity and spirit of the girls, as they took on climbs such as the 13km Colma Sormano and the steep slopes of Val Rezzo. We did of course ride the famous 10km climb from Bellagio to the Chapel of the Madonna del Ghisallo and all were taken by the energy and views at this most significant place.
Day three dawned with the promise of more stunning views and challenging climbs. On the agenda was the mighty Monte Cornizzolo, the most difficult climb in the region and most of the girls had put their hand up for the challenge. Four of these tough and resilient riders made it to the summit of a climb I would rate the equal of Mortirolo, sadly only three made it down by bike. Our friend Lisa crashed on the descent after striking a drainage culvert on a shaded section of road. She required helicopter assistance to get off the hill and was flown home to Australia three days later. I am happy to report that she is now well on the way to making a full recovery. A difficult moment in an otherwise brilliant four days of cycling in the Italian Alps.
Next stop, the unmistakable rolling hills of sun-drenched Tuscany or more specifically, the Chianti region to the north of Siena. Along with world famous character and charm, the Chianti region is awash with steep hills, small country lanes, vineyards and olive groves. Our four days of cycling in Tuscany were always going to be tough but the heat of an early summer blast made things very difficult indeed, possibly our hardest riding of the tour. Just as well we had the most amazing Tuscan Villa in which to "recover" from the days exertions. A divine pool surrounded by 13th century buildings and row upon row of grapevines. Our wonderful host, Guiseppe (of course) made up for his lack of English (not a single word) with an abundance of Italian charm and hospitality. He was like a long lost relative committed 100% to making our stay as remarkable as it could possibly be.
Again the ladies excelled themselves on the bike and I could see they were getting stronger by the day. But more than that, characters were emerging and most were finding some real confidence and freedom with which to express themselves. Tours are amazing like that, a platform for growth quite unlike any other. I just loved watching the story unfold, out-numbered, a little intimidated at times but always entertained. Thank goodness for Eve, not sure I have had much hope of pulling it off without you.
And so to France and the French Riviera "capital" of Nice would do just nicely for our farewell swing of "MadonnaVelo Europe 2017".
Nice is not often thought of as a cycling mecca, but the maritime alps are in fact full of delightful cycling roads. From the wonder of the famous "route de Napleon" to the remarkable climb up to the ancient town of Gourdon, this is a region full of cycling surprises. The girls conquered everything I threw at them, from the iconic col de la Madone to the massive Mont Chauve that towers above Nice, nothing was too difficult for the MadonnaVelos. Our days here were complemented by walks into the amazing old town, fantastic food, for which we were spoiled for choice and swims in the sparkling waters of the Mediterranean.
And like all good stories this one had an end, a remarkable experience now committed to the life story of each member of the group. I would like to thank Sheridan Bosworth for the opportunity and honour of touring with this wonderful group of ladies. I would also like to thank Lee, Jacki, Kirsten, Denise, Mary, Sheree, Tina, Claire and Lisa for your support and friendship on the roads of Italy and France. I truly hope you loved the experience. To the characters we met; Mattia, Guiseppe, "that Italian waiter in Castellina" and so many others, you are appreciated and remembered. New places and memories for life that I am sure will grow fonder with time. Finally to Eve Conyers, whose support was remarkable. You were unflappable and no job was too much to ask, thank you for all that you added to this tour.
Bubba.
Brutal Climbing Tour 2017
Was this the hardest cycling tour ever?
16 ride days
53,463m elevation gain
31 HC climbs,
Europe's highest and Europe's hardest sealed road climbs
5,800km of transfers
Angliru * La Cobertoria * Tourmalet * Troumouse * Ventoux (x3) * Finestre * Mont Cenis * Iseran * Chaussy * Telegraphe * Susten * Nufenen * Grimsel * St Gottard * Mortirolo * Gavia * Stelvio * Rombo (Timmelsjoch) * Kitzbuheler Horn * Grossglockner * Grosse Oscheniksee * Giau * Zoncolan * Monte Crostis * Monte Grappa
I guess the Brutal Tour had really been about 10 years in the making and like most crazy ideas it had evolved year to year, as I travelled to Europe and climbed more and more passes. It just seemed that there were so many that felt "un-missable" and the more I read, watched on TV and tuned in to the experiences of others, the more climbs were added to the bucket list. Of course, nobody (not even me) can go to Europe and climb 200 cols on one tour, so there had to be a way to whittle down the list. But wait, rather than whittle down, why not ramp up the list? In the modern world of information sharing, blogs etc, most cyclists had heard tales of the "Uber climbs" of Europe; the Angliru in Spain, the Mortirolo and Zoncolan in Italy and Austria's title contender, the Kitzbuheler Horn. Surely, we could make a list of Europe's most fearsome challenges, put together a group of intrepid Aussie cyclists, fly 26 hours to the other side of the world and ride them all? Easy, right? And so, the Brutal Tour was conceived.
Next came the list, which climbs should we ride, which makes the cut and which does not? The "formula" included some stats, such as gradient (average and maximum), climb length, altitude at the summit etc, that part was easy. Then we added the "less tangibles" such as iconic status and "mystique", or more accurately; "climbs that not many have heard of, are really out of the way and just bloody hard". Once we had our list, the course (and order) needed to be plotted. It soon became obvious (not sure why it took so long) that the most distant pins on our map were as far apart as 2000km! But surely with excellent planning, a reasonably comfortable vehicle, some decent music, it would be doable? Turns out it was.
Fast forward to August 2017, the Brutal Tour became a reality. Let's first introduce our "tourists";
Mark "I cannot believe my data has run out already" Robertson,
Frank "the Stelvio is over-rated anyway" Nyhuis,
Darren "I never saw any T-junction" Joy and
Ramon "I was just tapping it out, I swear" Maurice. Plus;
Superguide: Gordo "when are we going back to Annecy" Sutherland
Our initial list of six, became just four, with two late withdrawals but what the group lacked in numbers, it certainly made for with character, determination and good old slice of "not taking yourself too seriously" (well, for the most part).
This tour was a three week epic in every sense of the word, so I will deliver the abridged version.
Tours like this are always about the characters, their contributions and the creation of experiences that shape each year's tour story. As a planner and guide, it is my job to set the route, find the climbs etc, kind of build the canvas. But a tour is nothing without the riders, in this case everyday people who trained hard, then took a large leap into the unknown and emerged as giants, having achieved what very few others have.
We began the tour in Spain, essentially so we could climb one of the most feared roads on the planet, the Angliru. This nasty piece of asphalt is located in the Asturias and a really really long way from anywhere else we needed to be. In all honesty, it would have been a lot easier (and saved around 800km of transfers) if we had simply left it out. But that was not what the tour was all about, we simply had to climb it, and so we did. Picture the day; misty rain, cold winds, small farm roads covered in cow shit (makes getting traction on 23% slopes quite a challenge). then factor in the "warm up", 85km, three climbs and 2000m of elevation. Safe to say, the Angliru did its job, the Brutal Tour had well and truly lived up to its name, and it was only day one!
In a tour lasting three weeks, there were bound to be some tales that could (and should) not be re-told. There are also way too many climbs, points of suffering, highlights and lowlights to which I could not do justice. Here, however, here are my "brief points of note":
The magical "Cirque de Troumouse" (Pyrenees), climbed after a double ascent of the Tourmalet and truly one of the most magnificent "big" climbs in the world. Tough, raw, quiet with a huge dose of that "je ne sais quoi" that makes some roads special.
A triple ascent of the mighty Mt Ventoux where one is enough for most and two is thought of as a little extreme.
The incomparable Colle Della Finestre. 18km @ 10% where the final 9km is on very rough gravel at an average of 10.4%. Unlike the Giro in 2015, nobody graded the road for us.
A ride transfer day of 210km that included the highest paved pass in Europe (the Col de l'Iseran) and finished in darkness as we struggled to find our chalet, tucked away some 6km up a tiny mountain road above St Michel de Maurienne.
A double ascent of the one and only Passo Dello Stelvio - enough said.
The rarely accomplished (for very good reasons) 5000m day. This one was the epic Swiss loop that included the Susten, Grimsel, Nufenen & St Gottard passes. The Nufenen turned out (very unexpectedly) to be one of the toughest climbs of the entire tour and the final 6km "cobbled" section of St Gottard has to be seen (and ridden) to be believed.
Another transfer day, spiced up by a pre-breakfast trundle up the "Austrian Zoncolan", the Kitzbuheler Horn. This "little ripper" is 10.2km long (if you go all the way to the tower) at an ave gradient of 13.2%. Throw in the Grossglockner (in the afternoon), which is relentlessly harder than its "stats" suggest and you will appreciate how happy we were to see our lovely apartments in Flattach at the end of the day.
This brings me to what I rate as the hardest climb of the tour, the little known, Grosse Oscheniksee in the Austrian Alps. 17km from our apartments at 10.4% (including some downhill) with the final 9km @ 13.4%. Consider also that the summit of this beast is at almost 2,400m (other European behemoths such as Zoncolan, Mortirolo, the Horn and Angliru are all closer to 1800m), the road barely as wide as a cart path and a surface full of ruts, holes and loose stones. Brilliant!
Just one more. Statistically, the hardest day we had was the "double Zoncolan"., 136km / 5,200m. Any who have ridden the "monster of the Carnic Alps" will appreciate that the climb from Ovaro is considered one of the toughest in cycling. But just because we were nearly done (and needed an exclamation point for the tour), we added the little known (and quite possibly even harder) ascent back up from Priola, that is a double-Zoncolan (BAM). But we were not quite ready for dinner yet. Just up the valley from Ovaro is the HC climb of Monte Crostis (three times used in the Giro) and it is 14km long at an average of almost 10%. On it's own, it is one tough cookie but after a couple of casual "Zoncolans" it was more (as Frank so eloquently described it) like...."fu#*ing ridiculous". Again, no match for the "brutal tourists from down under". Oh how we had grown since the Asturias.
I am not sure if there is anything quite like this tour for bringing a few blokes together, I certainly do not know of anything. We arrived in Madrid as six individuals, full of nervous expectation. We left a group of mates, full of quiet pride in what we had achieved, forever more confident in our capabilities and connected by a shared experience that may never be repeated.
I would like to say a sincere that you to; Gordo, Robbo, DJ, Frank and Ramon for putting your trust in Bubba's Cycling Tours. But I am mostly thankful for the incredible energy, tenacity and flexibility you brought to the group. It is a three weeks that I will never forget and find very hard to top, both professionally and personally.
Photo of the tour! Courtesy of Robbo and his HC RE camera.
BBL does Toowoomba Ride the Range!
On the 26th March 2017, 400 riders took on Ride The Range in Toowoomba, with around 110 people tackling the 100mile (165km) challenge. There was a ride for everyone, the 112km classic, 85km challenge and the 50km nifty. The ride is a great opportunity to get away for a weekend in the country and enjoy some awesome riding. And is there any better way to spend a Sunday than riding around the beautiful QLD countryside with a bunch of beautiful, strong, determined and supportive & somewhat quirky friends?! Ummm no!
So at 6am we departed Picnic Point in Toowoomba and screamed down the range, it was steep, lets just say I could smell the rubber burning! Regrouping at the bottom the BBL crew stayed together, and made this little ride something to remember. We picked up new friends along the way and quickly made formation into rolling turns as we chewed up the km's in the beautiful countryside and wide open country roads. Everyone was in high spirits, there was plenty of banter amongst the team and a positive vibe that made us all feel a part of it. The rotary rest stops along the way were awesome with their home baked goods, cold water, free smiles and supportive attitudes, they were always there when we needed them. Especially in the last 50km when the sun started to beat down and feelings of fatigue set in, heavy and pumped legs, and depleting energy stores. Just as you start to think things are getting tough you come across a rest stop with cold sugary fizzy drink goodness! So kudos to the volunteers for staying out there and making our day!
We continue on; our little peloton of 16 people slowly dwindling as we neared the range and started to hit some hills at around the 140km mark. It was about 11am with only 25km to go now…. up the Range, no biggy right! A 12km climb, with a couple of decent pinches, the last 5km at a 9% average gradient was a brute! Times did get a little tough, which may have been intensified by the heat that was now beating down upon us as we climbed. The air was still and the road was so hot & sticky, that little tar rocks were getting stuck between my back tire and the break caliper! Many were walking, as cramps set in and for some the end seemed like an eternity away, but in the end the cyclist wins, and we all made it home!
In summary (and in true BBL character) we could call this a post 3 Peaks Falls Creek recovery ride! A nice little 165km roll around the Lockyer Valley, Gatton & surrounds with a steep bit thrown in for fun!
If you are a cyclist put it on your "to do list", take your road bike and just as importantly take your Mountain Bike! Go ride around the beautiful country roads, up and down the range and visit Jubilee Park for some downhill dirt action, and well why were at it why not stop by Hidden Vale, Grandchester and get your mountain bike on there too!
Thanks to everyone who made the day awesome: Bubba, Shelly, Vicky Liese, Kirsty Hearn, Mel Bairstow, Chris Main, Ross Salter, Tim Wakeman, Belinda Holloway, Shayne Mckavanagh, Kirsty Wright, Les Cadzow, Amanda Scott, Chrissy Conyers, Sheridan Bosworth, Steve Weir, Mary Mollard, Lee Butcher.
Lets do it again next year!
Taiwan ~ Wild and Wonderful
Heading into the Mountains in Taiwan is unique experience
Two things made me nervous as I packed my bike for Taiwan - the first was the fact that we were experiencing seriously hot weather in Brisbane and it was winter in Taiwan - the second was that every course I had designed to ride had no easy way out of 3000m+ of climbing... welcome to the Mountains of Taiwan
And so it began, with Eva airways from Brisbane it's a direct flight of 8.5hrs in the brightly painted Hello Kitty Boeing 777-300er. The airport in Taoyuan was top notch, breezed through the border security and my bike was already unloaded ready to go.
Chinese New Year Celebrations were in full swing, this was very evident from the consistent fireworks displays on the one hour drive to Zhudong Township - My base for the next week.
My Guide - Translator - Fiancée - every bit excited as I was to explore the mountains
After a few hours sleep we decided to grab some breakfast, head out into the hills and explore a few roads. Food is in abundance in the Townships. There are daily markets selling everything from fresh produce to handmade clothes and shoes. With so many places to buy cooked food made fresh right in front of you, it was easy to see why so many people eat out. Generally the bigger the line up for the food the better it was, the popular places don't have menus or even pictures of what they sell so I had to rely 100% on Chocy to purchase the food, and never once was I disappointed.
Hairpins and smooth roads are a common feature in the mountains
Ride Day 1 - Climbing the Hairpins to Heaven
With Chocy riding scooter as my super domestique we set off to explore.
From KM 1 the road started winding up through valleys alongside huge river systems, around every corner a new view had my senses overloading. My first taste of seemingly endless smooth roads and hairpins had me buzzing, not really knowing what I was in for was exciting in itself. Upon reaching the lake area, we stopped to take a few pics and pinch ourselves that this was real.
Not a coffee shop in sight as yet, I must say I was a little worried there would be no caffeine fix on this journey. Continuing on we reached a huge river system crossed by some impressive feats of engineering. We had been steadily climbing up to 600m elevation then boom , up time - 13.4km av 7% gaining 1013m elevation, with a downhill section included, there were many sections of 15%+ making it a very challenging ascent. The road ended at a National Park educational centre, with some beautiful rainforest walks heading higher still into the mountains.
I had spotted a restaurant / BnB that advertised coffee about half way up the climb so we headed there for a delicious lunch of rice, cabbage, soup and a good coffee (phew).
Is that a coffee shop up there? Looking up from 1000m elevation is an awesome feeling
After bombing down another 7km's my mind turned to the upcoming climb. 110km down with only 65km to go, how hard can it be? HARD! it was relentlessly up with little spurts of down, leaving me questioning if I had started the climb... I hadn't. It started with a series of 4 hairpins averaging 12% then I looked up, bad move, long strait section of about 2kms at 15%. Feeling well fuelled from lunch and coffee I managed to stay seated for the first few hundred metres but it was all out of the saddle suffering from there. Another series of about 20 hairpins got me to the top. As I crested for the 35km of downhill to home it hit me, I was in cycling Heaven.
Sections of 14% - 16% were a common feature on most climbs
The Epic Adventure Day 1
Taiwan is home to a special race, the Taiwan KOM is a 105km ride from sea level up to 3275m elevation with over 3,300 meters of total climbing. From my base to the highest point on the KOM it was a casual 195km away with 6500m of climbing, on a good day I knew I could do it but I had the added pressure of riding home the following day.
Chocy found us some accommodation at http://www.green-leaf.com.tw/ which sits at 2100m elevation and 35km before the KOM point, meaning I would have to ride past and return raising the bar to 230km. I secretly hoped the stars aligned but it wasn't to be.
Perfect conditions greeted us as I jumped on the scooters wheel, motor pacing out of town, the excitement was hard to control smashing over the first climb in record time with temperatures hovering around 8 deg.
The descent was ridiculous, super smooth confidence enhancing roads, cambered hairpins... froth!! My super domestique was waiting at the bottom with some local cuisine freshly cooked and absolutely delicious. Looking towards our desired route I could see a large rolling cloud system sitting on the top, I wasn't too worried as my trusty Sportful jacket was packet safely in the scooter.
Lush forests, deep ravines, clouds waiting on the next pass
Up into the clouds we went, steadily visibility dwindled as did the temperature. Waterfalls were flowing on every corner until we reached a plateau of 1200m. On we blazed, the temperature was now 6 deg and my feet felt like ice. Engulfed by lush forest the road surface was still amazingly good, even in the wet it had a grippy feel.
We passed some beautiful lakes and recreation areas before the final descent of the day. I could suffer no more, the jacket came out half way down, teeth chattering I pulled over and quickly realised I wasn't the only one suffering. I'm sure it would have been an amusing sight to see us fumbling around with hands that wouldn't respond to nerve signals.
The scale of the mountains and river systems is mind blowing
Brrr.. Freezing cold and low visibility for 20km of climbing
Dropping down to 330m elevation at the 100k mark, I was feeling great despite the cold. Over the next 45km we consistently gained altitude. Rolling along the river system I was blown away by the size of the river bed, I can only imagine what it looks like in the wet season. Another couple of towns and river crossings saw us half way up and back into the clouds. The temperature dropped every kilometre until it hit a low of 3 degrees. Soaking wet and cold we reached the summit at 1965m, rolling over the other side suddenly the clouds disappeared! The road was dry, never has the sun felt so good. The road tilted down a little with a strava segment named Roelof's Wuling Wet Dream, it totally lived up to it's name, the views up to Mt Sylvia were stunning. One last 2km climb up to our accommodation and day 1 was complete. Standing at 2100m elevation, still tilting our necks to view the peaks, a calming energy came over us as we relaxed on the balcony, the ultimate reward for embarking on any adventure. The sunset was truly stunning.
After 157km and 5000m of climbing this was our reward
Return trip Day 2
The farm we lodged in included a Buffet Dinner and Breakfast, the standard was exceptional with all produce grown on the farm. As luck would have it we ended up in the honeymoon sweet, the best sleep I had on the whole trip. The owner and Chocy got talking and it turned out by coincidence that she is coming to the Gold Coast for 2 months in March to learn English.
After filling our bags with all the extra food given to us as gifts and donning the life saving Sportful jacket (which had dried overnight) off we rolled for the journey home. Having only descended 3000m the day before and with approx. 60km of downhill ahead of me I was in my element.
It's all down hill from here, at least for the next 60km :-)
The weather forecast was for mild conditions with sunshine which meant the climbing in the clouds yesterday was now full visibility. Corner after sweeping corner the temperature slowly rose from a low of 5deg , it was pure joy and no wind to slow me down. We reached the valley in good time and before I knew it I was climbing the pass that had been completely clouded in the day before.
Climbing in the deep forest, an other-worldly experience
The hairpins I had gingerly descended the day before were an absolute joy to climb, enveloped in thick forest, everything covered in moss and waterfalls flowing, this was my paradise. Unbeknownst to me, Chocy had earlier stopped to grab some food and had pulled up in a park on the road side with some rice balls wrapped in bamboo leaves. So Good!!
YuM... Thanks Super Chocy :-)
Refuelled and ready for another descent, the sun was shining, giving warmth even at 1200m elevation. I caught 3 cars on the way down and all were kind enough to wave me through as soon as they noticed me. I found this to be a common theme throughout Taiwan, cyclists or any athleticism in general was encouraged and respected by all. That left me with just one climb then a joyous 35km descent to home. As challenging as that last climb was, the euphoric feeling of being in the mountains on a bicycle would have powered me for days.
320kms - 8100m elevation down with a 35km descent to go... Woohoo!!
Although it had only been one week, the experiences and consistent sensory overload made it feel much longer. Taiwan is a modern place without the tourist feel. It is wild at heart with 286 mountain summits over 3000m above sea level. I am extremely privileged to have had the opportunity to experience this wonderful place and hope to share the best bits with you in years to come.
Click here to learn more about our Taiwan Adventure Tour in 2018
Cheers Benny & Chocy
Peaks Challenge Guide to Enjoy The Ride
The Spectacular and Challenging Mount Hotham
The Peaks Challenge Falls creek is aptly named, it is a CHALLENGE!
From the intense training required to the variable weather conditions, finishing within the time cut off is a GREAT achievement.
The Alpine Passes of Falls Creek and Mount Hotham sit up at 1600-1850m above sea level. The weather can literally be four seasons in one day.
Being prepared for this ensures you have the confidence to succeed.
The Peaks event is a very well organised event. You can hand over 3 bags of food/clothing which will be dropped at 3 different locations around the course and there are plenty of water stops to keep you hydrated.
Starting off with the descent from Falls – temperature is likely to be 5 – 10deg Celsius therefore a Wind breaker of some sort (vest or jacket) is essential
Approx. 20-25km of downhill with a short climb thrown in – be very mind full of other riders on the road here, stay within your skill limit and be aware that others may not!
After a few short km's through the perfectly named Mt Beauty, the climb of Towonga gap starts. This is a 7.5km climb averaging 6% gradient, careful not to get caught up the rush, this is the time to stay at the low end of Zone 3 and trundle up.
A drink station awaits at the top if needed, then a fast descent down to German Town approx. 14km, take caution as some of the right hand turns get tighter as you go through them.
On the false flat to Harrietville, time to refuel the legs and jump on a group for an easy roll, just make sure it's not rolling too fast to sit in your Zone 2-3!
Harrietville is the first food drop station and a great place to refill the pockets, use the bathroom and check all vital systems to prepare for the climb ahead.
Benny Enjoying some perfect weather cresting the summit of Mount Hotham
Mount Hotham is the highest sealed road pass in Australia and has three distinct sections -
Section 1 – 9.9km @ 6.6% gradient average with The Meg (you'll know when you get there) thrown in to test the legs. Stay in Zone 2-3 here and enjoy the moment.
Section 2 – 9km @ 2% gradient – spin up the cadence and flush the legs out, no need to break any records here the tough part is about to begin
Section 3 – The last 9km average 4.8% gradient but the numbers don't tell the whole story with 3 sections averaging 8-10% with a couple of short downhill sections between. Take the time to enjoy the views here, as they are epic!
Roll on to Dinner Plain (the second food drop) for a well earned lunch break and change any clothes if needed. The next 42kms can be tough in a headwind, so best to wait for a group if possible. Not what I would call a descent, more of a gradual elevation loss with some considerable climbs before a fast drop down into Omeo.
Refill and stock up on supplies, between here and Anglers rest is a significant climb called Bingo's Gap approx. 4kms @ 4% gradient. From the top to Anglers rest you are in for a real treat - a gentle loss of elevation through winding roads with exceptional views. Anglers rest is another Food Drop and if you have time you can slip in for a caffeine hit in the Blue Duck Inn.
The Lake on the top of Falls Creek is a welcome sight for tired legs
The next 10kms is a chance to enjoy glimpses of the Omeo River, on a hot day it's tempting to park up the bike for a quick dip in the clear running waters.
Then the real challenge begins... the back of Falls Creek. you arrive here at the 200km mark and if you have dug too deep on any earlier climbs then this is where you will regret it. The first 9kms of this Hors Categorie Climb Average 8% with sections hitting 14%+. Something to keep in mind when training as if you haven't prepared your body for this it will not be an enjoyable experience.
Trapyard gap is a welcome sight and a quick water stop is recommended if you are running low with 23.5km to go. Keep on climbing and climbing for what may feel like eternity until you get a glimpse of the lake. a new wave of energy surges through as the finish line is within reach. Take the time to appreciate what you have just accomplished and congratulate yourself on the disciplined journey you took to get here.
Best of luck and may the weather gods be with you!
Enhancing your Mobile Photography
IPhone Shot of Lago di Livigno Italy
Whether you want to capture that perfect sunrise or snap a sensational selfie, modern mobile phones are fast becoming the ultimate portable camera. But with so many pics being posted how do you stand out from the crowd?
Here are a few tips to create the Wow shot to get you more likes and more kudos.
Time of Day - during the first and last hour of each day, a soft diffused light is produced. The warm colour of the low sun is desirable to enhance the colours especially for a landscape scene.
Rule of Thirds - mentally dividing up your image using 2 horizontal lines and 2 vertical lines, as seen below when cropping. You then position the important elements in your scene along those lines, or at the points where they meet.
Allow for some cropping - you can't always hold the camera level or be standing the exact distance from the scene you want to capture so take a step back and then crop it to size later.
Editing - this is where you can turn your good shot into a great shot with a few very basic steps I will go through below. this is based on using the photos App on the IPhone, but most platforms have something similar.
Step 1 - Crop and Position, open your photo and click the edit button. head strait to the crop feature first which will allow you to straighten, position and remove unwanted elements of the photo. as shown above I have cropped out the other cyclist and positioned myself somewhere close to the rule of thirds.
Step 2 - Light, there are a lot of options here but the quickest and best one is the brilliance setting, click on this and adjust to correct the exposure and enhance the lighting
Step 3 - Colour, this could also be a topic in itself but to keep it simple just choose the saturation setting and give it a boost. watch as the colours come to life, but be careful not to overdo it.
Finished product ready to Share
Join our Christmas giveaway by using the hashtags #bubbasbikelab and #bubbascyclingtours when posting on FB and Instagram.
We have a BBL Christmas Hamper to give away to the best shot taken while out on a ride (please do not take pictures while riding).
Good luck, take as many shots as you can and get posting!
Enjoy ~ Benny Ball
Hardest Road Climb in Europe?
The little-known Grosse Oscheniksee in Austria may be tougher than Zoncolan
The Fearsome slopes of Oscheniksee are relentless
Calling any climb "the hardest" will always invoke some degree of protest and argument. That said, I am going ahead with this post anyway, bring it on I say.
There are many difficult climbs in Europe, some are famous and others quite obscure, climbed by very few. There are of course the iconics, that carry a notoriety enhanced by both their frequent appearances on the grand stages of professional cycling AND the fact that many "punters" have ridden them (and are only too keen to tell you just how hard they are). Then there are the more closely guarded secrets that lay in wait, climbs of legend, known mostly by the locals that are convinced theirs is the hardest of them all, the mighty Grosse Oscheniksee, in the Austrian Alps is one such beast.
The profile of the Oscheniksee, note also the finishing altitude!
Gauging the difficulty of any hill often comes down to how the rider feels on the day that he / she rides it, good legs / bad legs. So in order to get a feel for just how tough the "Osch" is, we will look at the stats comparison with the brutally hard Montee Zoncolan in the Carnic Alps (Italy), which is considered by most as the hardest climb in professional cycling (and is known to many).
The Zoncolan is 10.2km long (the more difficult ascent from Ovaro) at an average gradient of 11.9%. The altitude at the top is 1730m. Now take the "Osch" which is 16.9km long at an average of 9.1%, BUT the final 12km are at an average gradient of 12.2% AND the altitude at the summit is 2334m!! The maximum gradient on the Zoncolan is 24%, whilst the steepest bends on the Osch are 28%. Both are tough (very tough), but it would be hard to argue that the Osch didn't have the edge.
And by the way, there IS in fact a harder road to the Zoncolan summit than the famous ascent from Ovaro. It is the original road up and was only sealed in 2006. It starts in the town of Priola, climbs for 9km at a leg-breaking (possibly literally) average of 13%!! A new contender emerges perhaps?
Enjoy the ride.
Bubba
Brian Bubba Cooke
Lifelong (almost) cyclist, exercise physiologist and above-all-else just love riding my bike. Been lucky enough to ride some of the world's most epic roads and now live on the beautiful Gold Coast, hidden gem of Australian cycling.
Be first to get our latest tour news & offers, straight to your inbox
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text: A small Electron application to monitor your internet connection

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


text:
Sido's Story
The soft-spoken Yazidi man shared a room with two friends, a Christian student from a small suburb outside of Erbil and a Muslim student from Diyala.
Today, his life is unrecognizable. Mr. Ahmed lives in a camp for displaced people in Dohuk, Iraq. Married, with a son and daughter, he shares a modest home with his younger brother, Amir, who is a medical student.
He remembers very clearly the moment everything changed. It was June, 2014. Terrible news had surfaced in Mosul. Daesh had killed four Yazidi farmers while they were working in the orchards.
"When this happened we knew immediately that this was a message to the rest of us," Mr. Ahmed recalled. "Something bad was going to happen."
His worst fears proved true. Daesh started kidnapping women and killing children, terrorizing the entire area.
"We asked ourselves, 'How can we defend ourselves?' The army had gone." Mr. Ahmed recalled.
He and his friends travelled closer to Mosul, but any efforts to reach family and friends were futile. "We didn't know what was happening; who had been left behind, who had made it to the mountain and who had been taken," he said.
Nothing was certain. In one village, some people managed to escape. In another, all 480 people disappeared. Mr. Ahmed began the grim task of tracking everyone on a spreadsheet: Who was martyred, kidnapped and killed.
In Kurdistan, Mr. Ahmed and his family found some measure of relief. Then, six months after his home was overrun, Daesh retreated. Mr. Ahmed returned, but there was nothing left.
"As I entered my home, I went straight to my office, where I had about 700 books. I discovered Daesh had burned most of them. They had burned our pictures and ripped our clothes. It was a painful moment," he said, eyes welling with tears.
At the camp where he now lives, Mr. Ahmed opened a school, where, for the past year, he has volunteered as a teacher.
Not long ago, one of his relatives living in Canada reached out to him and offered to help him immigrate. For a moment, Mr. Ahmed considered it but realized that he couldn't leave his students behind.
"I realized that if I leave and the next teacher leaves and then the doctor leaves, who would stay to support our community?" he asked.
He has no regrets. His students recently achieved a 91 per cent pass rate.
The future is murky. However, his dreams for the future are not unlike his past: "I wish the day will come where there will be a neighbourhood where you can find Muslims, Christians and Yazidis living together," he said.
He also has a message for his countrymen: "Every Iraqi has to make a contribution and sacrifice to feel part of the Yazidi issue… It's an issue for all Iraqis."
Daesh suppresses opposition in Raqqa and Dayr al-Zawr provinces – Reports from life under Daesh
Iraqi Special Forces evacuate 1,000 people from the Mosul frontline
Providing access to Higher Education for Syrian refugees and Internally Displaced…
The truth about life under Daesh in Raqqa
The EU's humanitarian assistance in Iraq
Remarks at Global Coalition Small Group Meeting – July 13 2017

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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THE DARE AND THE DOCTOR Kate Noble
THE DARE AND THE DOCTOR
Kate Noble
Pub date: November 22, 2016
Mass Market Paperbound
A Winner Takes All Novel (#3)
"A thrilling and absorbing tale about two people who find so much safety in each other that they're able to take the biggest risk of their lives. Not to be missed."
—Kirkus Reviews (STARRED REVIEW, The Dare and the Doctor)
"Noble asks "Can men and women just be friends?" in the third Winner Takes All installment, and the answer is an enchanting tale filled with poignancy and wit…readers will be caught up in the plot as the hero and heroine's letters reveal more and more about themselves and their relationship…secondary characters enhance the storyline and propel the romance. Noble crafts a lovely, easy-to-read story."
—RT (FOUR STAR REVIEW, The Dare and the Doctor)
National bestselling author Kate Noble's THE DARE AND THE DOCTOR lures readers back to the dazzling, irresistible Winner Takes All Regency Romance series. Margaret Babcock has always been content with her quiet life in the country. But every now and then, she feels the urge to spread her wings. Her late mother used to whisper, "What's the worst that could happen?" at the start of an adventure, and now Margaret's continuing the tradition. So when Dr. Rhys Gray, her longtime correspondent on matters botanical, invites her to speak to the London Horticultural Society about her new rose hybrid, she accepts. She's excited about her first visit to London, but even more so about getting to see her friend Dr. Gray. When she arrives, Rhys is eager to show her the wonders of the city, and the two spend many happy hours together just as friends, of course! But would friends miss each other quite as fiercely when they're apart; or feel such a spark when they're together? Margaret finds that friendship with Rhys is much more complicated than she'd imagined…especially when it turns out her friend has forgotten that he may be promised to another woman.
Kate Noble is the national bestselling author of The Lie and the Lady, The Game and the Governess, third in the witty, sexy Winner Takes All Regency Series, and the critically acclaimed, RITA Award-nominated Blue Raven series. Under the name Kate Rorick, she writes for television, as well as novels based on the Emmy Award-winning web series The Lizzie Bennet Diaries, for which she is also a writer and producer. She lives in Los Angeles. Visit Kate at katenoble.com, Facebook, and Twitter.
Praise for the Winner Takes All Series
"With her usual witty writing and exquisite flair for characterization, Noble offers [The Lie and the Lady]. The effortless manner in which she wrote. The Lie and the Lady as a separate love story while at the same time gracefully connecting it to The Game and the Governess and cleverly hinting at what is to come in the series is nothing less than brilliant."
—Booklist (STARRED REVIEW, The Lie and the Lady)
"After a scandalous escapade with John, a commoner she thought was the Earl of Ashby. Letitia returns to England as the fiancée of a somewhat older, titled widower- only to find out that her new home is right in John's backyard . . . heartwarming."
—Publishers Weekly (The Lie and the Lady)
"The Earl of Ashby trades places with his friend and secretary in order to prove he can win a woman without the benefit of his title in The Game and the Governess…It's a delicious treat to watch Ned grow from earl to man, and see the stalwart Phoebe get everything she deserves."
—Bookpage (TOP PICK IN ROMANCE, The Game and the Governess)
"The subtle development of romance between the devil-may-care earl and the proper governess is the impetus behind this winning novel, complete with rich characters and a multi-dimensional plotline."
—Publishers Weekly (STARRED REVIEW, Best Summer Romance pick, The Game and the Governess)
WINNER TAKES ALL GIVEAWAY!
To celebrate the third in the Winner Takes All series, The Dare and the Doctor, we are hosting a giveaway and the WINNER will TAKE ALL books in the series: The Game and the Governess, The Lie and the Lady andThe Dare and the Doctor! Please note, you can enter at all participating blogs but you can only win once. U.S. only.
CONSOLATION PRIZE Forbidden Men #9 Linda Kage
What do you
think? Should I give him a try?
Forbidden Men #9
Linda Kage
Released Nov 17th, 2016
Don't you just hate it when someone destroys all your carefully made plans?
I mean, I had goals: college to graduate in one semester, a future I was working hard to reach, and an image of myself I wanted the world to see. My life was stacked into these precisely placed blocks. But then Colton Gamble came along and knocked them all askew.
I hated how he messed everything up, how he could hog all my attention whenever he was around, how he made my pulse quicken--but only because he ticked me off...not because I was attracted to him. Oh! And I hated how he knew how attractive he was too, the shallow, full of himself, doesn't take no for an answer, too-flirty, too cocky, extremely irritating jerk.
The boy had all the qualities that turned me off. Or so I thought.
One night he wasn't quite the brainless, over-confident jerk I usually took him for.
One night, he took care of me when I was at my lowest. He opened up to me and made me open up to him.
Now I'm learning maybe he's not what I first thought he was. And maybe I'M not what I first thought I was. Maybe it's okay to rearrange a couple of my perfectly set blocks. Maybe, just maybe, I'll stop worrying about what I'm afraid everyone else will think and finally reach for something I really want. It's possible some of my plans need to be destroyed, and Colton Gamble is exactly the kind of mess I need in my life.
What do you think? Should I give him a try?
Desperately seeking your advice,
Julianna Radcliffe
Kage grew up on a dairy farm in the Midwest as the
youngest of eight children. Now she lives in Kansas with her husband, daughter,
and nine cuckoo clocks. Her life's been blessed with lots of people to learn
from and love. Writing's always been a major part of her world, and she is so happy
to finally share some of her stories with other romance lovers.
I WISH YOU WERE MINE Oxford #2 Lauren Layne
An Amazon Top 20 Romance of 2016
I WISH YOU WERE MINE
Oxford #2
Released on February 2, 2016
Perfect for fans
of Alice Clayton and Emma Chase, Lauren Layne's Oxford series heats up in this
story of forbidden desire as a brooding jock hoping for a comeback falls for a
woman who's strictly off-limits.
A year ago, Jackson Burke was married to the love of his
life and playing quarterback for the Texas Redhawks. Now he's retired, courtesy
of the car accident that ruined his career—and single, after a nasty scandal
torpedoed his marriage. Just as he's starting to get used to his new life as a
health and fitness columnist for Oxford magazine, his unpredictable ex shows up
on his doorstep in Manhattan. Jackson should be thrilled. But he can't stop
thinking about the one person who's always been there for him, the one girl he
could never have: her younger sister.
Mollie Carrington can't say no to Madison. After all, her
older sister practically raised her. So when Madison begs for help in winning
her ex-husband back, Mollie's just glad she got over her own crush on Jackson
ages ago—or so she thought. Because as Mollie reconnects with Jackson, she
quickly forgets all her reasons to stay loyal to her sister. Tempted by
Jackson's mellow drawl and cowboy good looks, Mollie is sick and tired of
coming in second place. But she can't win if she doesn't play the game.
ONLY .99 CENTS
Amazon | B
& N | Google
Play | iTunes | Kobo
Lauren Layne is the USA Today bestselling author of more than a dozen romantic comedies. She lives in New York City with her husband (who was her high school sweetheart--cute, right?!) and plus-sized Pomeranian.
In 2011, she ditched her corporate career in Seattle to pursue a full-time writing career in Manhattan, and never looked back.
In her ideal world, every stiletto-wearing, Kate Spade wielding woman would carry a Kindle stocked with Lauren Layne books.
For a list of all her works, please be sure to check out her official website!
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Instagram | Pinterest
Don't Miss IRRESISTIBLY YOURS
Oxford Book One
& N | iTunes | Kobo | GooglePlay
Pre-Order SOMEONE LIKE YOU
Oxford Book Three
Coming December 6th
Amazon | B & N | Google | iTunes | Kobo
Find out MORE about the STILETTO/OXFORD World here
The Other Einstein by Marie Benedict
From November 20th to November 26th, the ebook price for THE OTHER EINSTEIN will be lowered to $2.99 across all platforms on Goodreads.
On November 20th only, the ebook price for THE OTHER EINSTEIN will be lowered to $2.99 across all platforms on Bookbub.
· The graphic below announces both promotions:
SOMEONE LIKE YOU Oxford #3 Lauren Layne
A man who's living a lie—until his dream woman takes away the pain.
Releasing Dec 6th, 2016
Lauren Layne's bestselling Oxford Series
continues with the poignant, heartwarming story of New York's most eligible
bachelor, Lincoln Mathis, a man who's living a lie—until his dream woman takes
away the pain.
Lincoln Mathis doesn't hide his reputation as
Manhattan's ultimate playboy. In fact, he cultivates it. But behind every
flirtatious smile, each provocative quip, there's a secret that Lincoln's
hiding from even his closest friends—a tragedy from his past that holds his
heart quietly captive. Lincoln knows what he wants: someone like Daisy
Sinclair, the sassy, off-limits bridesmaid he can't take his eyes off at his
best friend's wedding. He also knows that she's everything he can never have.
After a devastating divorce, Daisy doesn't need
anyone to warn her off the charming best man at her sister's wedding. One look
at the breathtakingly hot Lincoln Mathis and she knows that he's exactly the
type of man she should avoid. But when Daisy stumbles upon Lincoln's secret,
she realizes there's more to the charming playboy than meets the eye. And
suddenly Daisy and Lincoln find their lives helplessly entwined in a journey
that will either heal their damaged souls . . . or destroy them forever.
Advance praise for Someone Like You
"Fun and flirty, sassy and steamy, with a deep
emotional pull that will keep you turning the pages."—Kelly Jamieson, author
of Top Shelf
"An unsung hero with a story that touched my heart. Emotional and
gripping. A top favorite of 2016 for me."—New York Times bestselling author Melanie Moreland
Daisy took another sip of her wine, watching as wedding guests took their places on the dance floor, warding off her boredom by trying to guess how long each couple had been together based on body language.
She was a little amused to see that Emma and all of her Stiletto friends still seemed to be in the handsy honeymoon stage with their significant others, even though she knew they'd mostly been with their respective spouses for years.
Daisy felt a little twist of her heart. Once upon a time, she'd thought that'd be her and Gary. As much in love on someone else's wedding day as they had been on their own. At least she'd been in love on that day. She wasn't sure someone like Gary knew what love was.
Still, she was glad to be here. Glad to be surrounded by all of this happiness, even if it was bittersweet. Daisy wished her father could be here to see this. He'd died of a heart attack a year ago, and though their dad had wreaked plenty of havoc on Emma and Cassidy's relationship all those years ago, Daisy wished he could have walked Emma down the aisle and had a chance at the father-daughter dance.
The way it had worked out was rather lovely, though. Cole Sharpe, yet another Oxford writer, had walked Emma down the aisle, and a whole slew of the Oxford guys had twirled a laughing Emma around the dance floor in place of the father-daughter dance.
It struck Daisy that this was Emma's family. Sure, the twins were close, but they were orphans now, and they'd never been particularly close to the rest of their extended family. So Emma had built a family here in New York, with a network of tight-knit friendships.
And though Daisy was happy for Emma she was also . . . jealous.
"I hate to break it to you, pet, but you're pulling off the wallflower routine a little too convincingly over here."
Daisy turned, somehow unsurprised to see Lincoln Mathis standing beside her, blue eyes twinkling above the pink bow tie that he pulled off with impressive masculinity.
"You cheated," she said, by way of greeting.
He smiled, slow and flirty, as he rested one shoulder against the wall she was leaning on, looking down at her. "How's that?"
"You made them laugh and cry in your speech. I thought we agreed that you were just going to be the funny guy."
He smiled wider. "What can I say, I'm alluring in a multitude of ways."
"Speaking of," she said, nodding her chin slightly to the sultry brunette making her way towards them, "I believe your previous dance partner is wanting an encore."
He let out the subtlest of groans, so quiet she thought she might have imagined it.
"Dance with me," he said suddenly to Daisy, straightening and looking down at her.
She jolted in surprise, then in panic. "I can't."
He smiled and held out a hand. "Come on now, Wallflower. I'm very good at dancing."
Wallflower. Daisy had never been a wallflower in her life. Although he had a point. She did seem to be lurking in the corner a bit. She silently scolded herself. This was everything she'd been coaching herself not to do. Not to let Gary win . . .
"I don't doubt your dancing prowess," she replied saucily, "but—"
She broke off. What could she possibly say? I don't like being touched?
It's not that she couldn't be touched. She wasn't that broken. She didn't freak out. She'd endured Cassidy's hug when she'd greeted him last night; she'd danced earlier with her uncle. But those men were family.
Lincoln Mathis was . . . not family.
Dance with him, she commanded herself. Don't be that broken woman Gary tried to make you.
She didn't move, and slowly Lincoln's hand dropped to his side, just as the brunette reached them.
"I love this song," the woman said, running a possessive hand up Lincoln's arm. "Dance?"
Lincoln held Daisy's gaze and she shrugged before blowing him a teasing good-bye kiss. "Bye bye."
His eyes narrowed. "Actually," Lincoln said, turning and giving the other woman a regretful smile, "I need to step out for a moment."
The woman's perfectly shaped brows folded into a frown. "Step out? For what?"
"I need to show Daisy something," he said, bending and kissing the other woman's cheek. "Next time, love."
Before Daisy could register that she'd been commandeered as part of Lincoln Mathis's escape, he'd plucked the champagne flute out of her hand, setting it aside before clasping her fingers in his and pulling her toward the door.
"Wait, we're really leaving?" she asked with a laugh as he tugged her through the throng of wedding guests.
"I can't," she said. "It's my sister's wedding, I have family here, and . . ."
"But you want to leave," he said, turning and facing her.
She narrowed her gaze. "Why would I want that?"
He met her eyes. "Because you don't like weddings any more than I do."
Layne is the USA Today bestselling
author of more than a dozen romantic comedies. She lives in New York City with
her husband (who was her high school sweetheart--cute, right?!) and plus-sized
Pomeranian.
In 2011, she ditched her corporate career in Seattle to pursue a full-time
writing career in Manhattan, and never looked back.
In her ideal world, every stiletto-wearing, Kate Spade wielding woman would
carry a Kindle stocked with Lauren Layne books.
Rule for a Rogue by Christy Carlye
Meet Christy:
Fueled by Pacific Northwest coffee and inspired by multiple viewings of every British costume drama she can get her hands on, Christy Carlyle writes sensual historical romance set in the Victorian era. She loves heroes who struggle against all odds and heroines who are ahead of their time. A former teacher with a degree in history, she finds there's nothing better than being able to combine her love of the past with a die-hard belief in happy endings.
Connect with Christy: Site | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads
Kit Ruthven's Rules (for Rogues)
#1 Love freely but guard your heart, no matter how tempting the invader.
#2 Embrace temptation, indulge your sensual impulses, and never apologize.
#3 Scorn rules and do as you please. You are a rogue, after all.
Rules never brought anything but misery to Christopher "Kit" Ruthven. After rebelling against his controlling father and leaving the family's etiquette empire behind, Kit has been breaking every one imaginable for the past four years. He's enjoyed London's sensual pleasures, but he's failed to achieve the success he craves as London's premier playwright. When his father dies, Kit returns to the countryside and is forced back into the life he never wanted. Worse, he must face Ophelia Marsden, the woman he left behind years before.
After losing her father, Ophelia has learned to rely on herself. To maintain the family home and support her younger sister, she tutors young girls in deportment and decorum. But her pupils would be scandalized if they knew she was also the author of a guidebook encouraging ladies to embrace their independence.
As Kit rediscovers the life, and the woman, he left behind, Ophelia must choose between the practicalities she never truly believed in, or the love she's never been able to extinguish.
Purchase: Amazon | Kindle | Barnes & Noble | iTunes | Kobo
Rules for a Rogue prize pack filled with the following items:
Book of Victorian etiquette (because RULES is all about etiquette)
"Opelia's blue" 1928 teardrop earrings (blue is Ophelia's color)
Harney and Sons English breakfast tea (because my characters are always drinking tea)
a Rules for a Rogue spiral lined notebook
Jasmine-scented hand lotion (jasmine is Ophelia's scent)
Downton Abbey scone mix (my characters eat scones with their tea)
**US shipping ONLY**
NIC Rossi Brothers #2 JM Stewart
Scandal's Splendor (Highland Heather Romancing a S...
ARC Review: Do you Want to Start a Scandal by Tess...
SWEET FOR A SEAL Assignment: Caribbean Nights #3 A...
Baron (The Knickerbocker Club #2) by Joanna Shupe
MAKING CHRISTMAS A Novella Laura Chapman
Driven to Temptation by Melia Alexander
Tasty Lover by Melissa Foster
The Legendary Lord by Valerie Bowman
THE COMPETITION: Da Vinci's Disciples Book Two!
The Popish Midwife by Annelisa Christensen


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Malena Guinzburg (Buenos Aires, 5 de febrero de 1979) es una actriz, comediante, productora, guionista, panelista y conductora argentina. Conocida por su desempeño humorístico televisivo, radial y teatral, actualmente forma parte del elenco 'Las chicas de la culpa' que ofrece un show distinto cada viernes en Paseo La Plaza de forma presencial y por plataforma de streaming.

Biografía
Nacida y criada en Buenos Aires, por su madre Dora Ryng y su padre Jorge Guinzburg. Su primera aparición televisiva fue con su padre, participando en un truco de Truchán, segmento del programa televisivo 'Peor es nada' en el año 1990.

Luego de terminar la secundaria se dedicó a la producción radial y televisiva hasta el 2010 que comenzó a actuar en teatro junto con un grupo de comediantes en la obra "De a 1 canchero" en el Picadilly. Quedó encantada con las sensaciones que tuvo y al ver la reacción positiva de la gente a su trabajo, decidió meterse de lleno en la comedia, realizando así más obras humorísticas.

Radio

 Metro y medio - Radio Metro. Producción (2008-2011)
 Sarasa - La100. (2011-2013)
 Basta - Radio Metro. (2019-2020)

Teatro

 De a 1 canchero (2010 - 2013)
 Más canchero (2013)
 Cancheritos (2014)
 Pucha (2015 - 2019)
 El árbol que tapa el Bosque (2018)
 Mucho (2019)
 Las chicas de la culpa (2020 - 2021)

Televisión

Premios

Guionistas de Argentina
Humoristas de Argentina
Presentadores de televisión de Argentina

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


Practice now faces significant challenges. Changes in technology, production, and collaboration are altering traditional modes of working. The NOW PRACTICE NOW workshops explore the means and methods of transforming practice. The series is for those who now practice. Jay Wickersham FAIA, 2018 BSA president, and the Now Practice Now committee invite you to join us for a series of candid and convivial discussions where together we will create a framework for the culminating event, the Now Practice Now Summit in Fall 2018.
The firm, the individual, and the industry rely on a diverse set of business and support models to achieve financial stability and resilience. Who and what have been subsidizing architecture practice? Why has subsidy been necessary?
Architectural practice thrives where it is relevant to its social, technological, political, or material context. Can this session identify where architectural practice is or could be most relevant and influential? For whom? And why?
Today's urban challenges are reshaping the scale, specialization and composition of design practice. Overlapping boundaries and transdisciplinary thinking is needed to address the contemporary urban condition. Where - and how - do firms, teams and individuals practice design today? Why is this important to the future of practice?
THE SUMMIT will be all day event, with plenaries and workshops that will address the issues and ideas generated by the three Workshops. The event will take place this Fall 2018.


On November 13, 2012, eVestment announced the addition of PerTrac to our growing family. By joining forces with this organization, we are able to expand our expertise, scale and capabilities to offer the most powerful portfolio of solutions across all asset classes available to institutional investors. The scale and strength of our combined businesses and the commonality of needs will result in more product options for our entire client base and many new possibilities for our associates.