Ronen.
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As you may have gathered, the three Johns are now safely back in the land of the flat. I can only speak for myself and say that I haven't been back on my bike since Cerbere -- although Ana and I did do a 35 km round trip to breakfast last Sunday on the tandem. And we just powered up those hills!
Glued myself to the TV yesterday, hoping to catch a glimpse of all those familiar faces in Biert, but the coverage was abbreviated, with the focus on the last 15 km of the stage. However, the morning paper features a colour shot of the pack leaving Massat, just before the turn up the Col de Port, with the church steeple in the background.
I expect that you get rave reviews from all those you take care of through the Raid, but let me say again how much I really appreciated every moment of it -- and not just because of the cycling. You two really made us feel welcome, anticipated just about everything we could need (including directions to the light switch in the bathroom), and when you were busy elsewhere sent in the kids to keep us entertained -- Dominic and Jane are terrific kids -- we got a few photos and will be sending them along, along with some reading material Ana picked out for them.
I plan to write up the experience, and just want to remind Jan to send along photocopies of any write-ups of the Raid to help me with the background -- I will send along anything I write for your edification.
I do hope we can meet again -- I think John Hueston is keen to do the Raid again -- I'm not so sure, but it just might be worth it if we get a chance to relax before and after with the Flanagans.
And Jan -- thank you so much for taking the time, and the effort, to drop our bikes off at the Ibis in Toulouse -- that really saved us an enormous amount of difficulty (about the same amount that you went to, I'd venture).
Thanks.
John
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Hi Nick and Jan,
I am now back in the office
letting my legs rest for a couple of days after
my "Col Bashing" experience
in the Pyrenees last week. I know what I would
rather be doing!!!
I just wanted to let you
know that I had a great time and although we didn`t
actually get out on bike
ride together a lot of it was up to you. The only
problem is that after doing
all of that exercise I have put weight on, GREAT
food is the culprit there!
Both Erika and myself are
sure that we will be back (if you will have us)
and will strongly recommend
your place to any of our cycling friends that
are looking for a holiday.
All the best,
Robert
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I had
a chance to look at Howards pictures of his trip this w/e
and it
was lovely to see you all looking happy & healthy. I was
watching
the Tour live on the Col de Port stage. As they cycled
up the
road from St. Giron I was so excited thinking I would be
able
to see you watching the tour. The coverage stopped just as
you entered
Biert and then picked up again by the hotel we stayed
at in
Massat. My family thinks that I've lost my nut as I was
waving
madly a the TV during the stage.
I'm glad
to hear that all is well in Biert. I must tell you,
again,
that my experience through the Pyreenes will never be
matched.
Both you and Jan were such a big part of that magical
experience.
All my best for health and happiness. I think of you folks alot.
Take care,
Lori
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We have now been back in
the States for 2 weeks, and I think we are finally recovered! Whew - what
a trip! We had such a great time, and have such fond memories of your little
valley tucked away there in the Pyrenees...we just loved meeting the two
of you, and just really appreciated your generosity and hospitality you
showed to us. Thank you so much!
Well, I hope you all are surviving your busy season...and I hope you can take some time to do some riding in those AWESOME mountains you live in...what a beautiful place. We can see why you guys wanted to move there! Take care, and you can bet we WILL stay in touch!!
"Adios" for now, ML and Dave
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Hi Jan, hope all is well
we got back safe and sound, Im suffering from a bit of a cold at present,
so no cycling today, had a very tough surrey league race the other day
I think I was still heavy legged from the mountains. We've had some good
weather here.
The lads really enjoyed
themselves and are ready to come back for more, we will be listening out
for the tour route for next year.
Take care, PS more jokes
soon.... Brent.
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Do you remember us? It's been over a month since we last saw you. Hope things have been going well. Again, thanks for your wonderful hospitality and also, Jan, for getting us set at a hotel in Toulouse.
We loved staying with you and enjoyed the Ariege area immensely. With a little luck we'll be back someday.
Thanks again for everything,
Linda & Don
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Still reminiscing over our
raid perhaps I
shall have to do it all
again!
All the best
Norman
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Thanks once again for a
lovely stay. You're a good team, a lovely family, & Pyreneen Pursuits
is a great holiday/business. Long may you & it prosper.
Lotsa love, Peter. xxx
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Philipp has arrived in top
shape. Actually, he would have liked to stay in Europe instaed of coming
back.
Thank you and best regards.
Michael
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Just to say a very big thanks
for the way you ran the recent Raide.You really do put so much effort into
making the four and a half days as bearable as possible. The Raide
was an extremely memorable time and the photos bring back many memories
of the high and low points that we all must have gone through. Once again
thanks. Hope to see you later in the year. Good luck on the next expedition.
Geoff
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Even though I prefer a tour
with more suspense, some of the climbing has been incredible. So inspiring
-- and so shaming -- to see them dance up the very same mountains that
I laboured, sweated, cursed and grunted my way up. You truly do live in
one of the world's most beautiful spots. I've been raving about it to my
girlfriend since I got back.
Take care--OM.
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Am back at work now after
a couple of days of recovery, beer and seafood down at Brighton.
Just a quick one really
to say thanks again for a great week, hope you are all well.
J
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Many thanks again for a memorable Raid - you guys were great! Thanks for the back-up, motivation, inspiration, support, I really loved the Aspin and Peyresord day - the most stunning scenery, and exactly what I wanted to experience.
Geoff and Richard were two excellent guys to ride with, and climbing the Tourmalet and Aubisque with them was what got me thru' the Tuesday. I did feel quite emotional standing there with Richard when Nick was taking the photi. Both chaps did brilliantly on the Raid, and I hope that when I am over 50 years of age (and this is said with the utmost respect), I am as fit and determined as they are!
Thanks again, and all the very best for the next Raid.
Greg
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You know, I almost felt
like I was taking advantage of you at the price you charge- I figured the
tip evened it out a bit. Believe me, it was still a bargain. I would gladly
pay twice what you charge.
Thanks for sending that stuff-- including the lock. Maybe that's why I tossed and turned that one night...
Ciao-
Mimi
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Arrived home safe having had a brilliant week with you.
Many thanks for your warm hospitality, good conversation and brilliant food.
We both thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.
Best wishes & regards
Richard
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just a wee note from the other david to thank you for your generous hospitality extended to david and myself during our recent stay
we both had a great time ( apart from david when he had to eat the poor wee snail )
the holiday has now become a distant memory , so i guess we will just have to come back
hope you have a good season and wave to us all when the tour passes your house, we will be watching
all the best
see you again
DA
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Hi Nick and Jan,
Seems like no time has passed
since I did the Raid last year, and then it seems like a world away. I
am back in Australia, living working and cycling, ...and loving it. Yet
I really miss having Europe close at hand. I was mooching around the web
and thought that I would drop in to just say good'ay. I loved the trip
and am looking forward to an opportunity to get into real mountains again.
I don't think that it will take much to get Tom back on a bike for a bit
more either. Hope to see you again soon
Kind regards
Dick
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Thank you for having us
Nik, we had a fantastic trip.
The cycling,accomadation,service
and of course the food was out of this world.
It is now back to reality,
not just with a bang but with pissing rain too !!
Hope to see you again some
time soon.
Cheers David
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hi Jan and Nick,
not to be the guest that
overstayed his welcome but chaylee wants to show
her sister the pyrennes
and I still have some mountains to climb, so if you
have any room anytime
. . .let me know.
otherwise we,ll see you next
summer.
thanks
Peter
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I am reading Tim Moore's
book, and yet again there are very good reports about you.
You probably know that you
have a very good reputation back here,
Thanks again and best wishes
to you all.
Richie
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Thanks again for the wonderful
time I had in the Pyrenees. It was great to be there again, and excellent
having Graham and Chris there.
Thanks too for the Sunday
evening - so "entertaining", and for the fetch and drop-off in Perpignan.
As always, the company, food and riding was great.
Regards to the two cyclists - hope they had a good last day of riding.
Thanks again,
Greg
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Hi there. How are
you all. Hope everything's going OK and the winters being nice to
you !!
I was wondering about availability for this year. I would like to ride the L'ariegoise again so I can get all 3 jerseys for my collection. There are a couple of interested parties from the club who would like to come to with me this year so I imagine we might have 3 or 4.
Can you let me know the dates
for L'ariegoise, route and vacancies
Many thanks and keep well.
Robin
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I hope you are both well,
and that you had a fabulous Christmas and are having a good start to 2002.
I'm e-mailing you to try
to get my booking in early for this summer.
If poss, I'd like to have
the twin room I had last time;
Once again I'd like to tell
you how much I enjoyed my stay with you last summer. I have very fond memories
of my cycling, the beautiful country, your very friendly hospitality, Nick's
great cooking, the other lovely people I met...........I've got some very
nice piccies and if I don't get round to sending them before I come (I'm
a bit crap about things like that), I'll bring your copies with me when
I come.
Sending you lots of love
and looking forward to hearing from you.
Peter.
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>Sujet: We're missing your
beautiful farmhouse
>
>Dear Nick and Jan,
>
>Here we sit in beautiful
California and all we ever talk about is our
>lovely time with you this
summer. Sorry we haven't written sooner. As you
>know life has a way of
getting on without getting certain things
>done. Correspondence
is my weakness!
>Your mushroom pate has been
the rage of my dinner parties. By the way,
>it
>freezes well for future
use. I promised you a couple of recipes as
>well. Try these with
of course any artistic license you choose to
>take. I hope you
like them.
>
>Keep in touch. Lynn
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Just a short e-mail to confirm receipt of medal and certificate for the above Raid. Many thanks for taking responsibility for this final administrative task and for the excellent photographs which bring back some of the memories of the climbs.
Trust that you, Jan and the children are well and you are no doubt able to enjoy some free time now that the summer's tours are over. How did the tours go after ours? Do you still have a 100% sucess rate?
Chris and I continue to meet up for our regular weekly ride.
Chris was so inspired by the trip to the Pyrenees that he talked seriously about going back to club racing, but I think his wife has reminded him of the injuries he used to sustain and this has dampened his enthusiasm.
I have been following Derek's time trialling exploits during the summer, as no doubt have you.
Since our trip I have been reading quite a bit about the Cathars. If you remember, I mentioned that I had studied History 'A' level and remembered doing the Albigensian Crusade. Your talk of Jan researching it re-kindled my interest and I have now read several texts on the subject. Hopefully I will be able to get out to the Pyrennes again and intend to cycle to some of the Cathar centres.
Take care and thanks once again.
Keith
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hi nick and family
you are no doudt in the middle of a busy season and
have probably forgotten
about your lazy winter guests .....sorry taken
such an enormous amount
of time to say thankyou for such a good few
days phil
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