We like bikes here at PROMPT– no surprises there I guess. We also like the poetry and the views that the mountains inspire in us and offer up to us on each ride. Today, after bend 9 on the Alpe, our home town of Bourg d’Oisans was shrouded in the cloud that we had climbed through. The valley was as breathtaking as ever. We also like the technology and the endless debate about the benefits of this or that product, brand and design concept. For instance I love my beautiful hand made Cielo bike. But I also know that the PROMPT bikes ‘out-perform’ it in every possible way around here. They are simply more efficient- up, down and across. Perhaps the most frequent conversation concerns gear ratios and we basically opt for a ‘compact’ and 27/28 rear or a triple up front. There is no doubt that ‘spinning’ up these hills works best for most of our customers. There is also no doubt that the best ‘gear’ available to all of us is our own fitness. If you put the two together some amazing things start to happen in these mountains.
Icing sugar above Col d’Ornon
1 SepThe weather changed direction yesterday after weeks of glorious sunshine. The darker skies and rain signalled a very noticeable cooling off and, sure enough, once the mountain mist cleared there was a dusting of snow on the higher peaks. It magically changes the whole atmosphere of the mountains as well as the clothing that you need to use when riding. I didn’t quite get it right today as I enjoyed the fresh air riding up the Col d’Ornon but suffered a deep chill descending. The PROMPT is a great ‘point and shoot’ frame and that means fast descending and considerable windchill. Next time I will take a full wind jacket!
Alpe d’Huez first timers
30 Aug
Everyone thinks that they have to be super fit and super fanatical to ride Alpe d’Huez but maybe you just have to be keen and prepared to sweat a bit! Two PROMPT customers took the plunge yesterday and achieved much more than they anticipated. Steve surprised himself with a steady and very controlled climb up the mountain and young Sam, at fourteen, realised that all that time on the BMX bike had prepared him better than he thought and by the top he was beginning to have the look of an experienced cyclist as he kept up a good rhythm to the finishing line. Steve and Sam both completed the climb in under two hours and proudly bought themselves celebratory jerseys at the top. Their PROMPT bikes, fitted with triple chain sets and low gears, helped them achieve their first ascent of the Alp. They will definitely be back for more!
53cm and 58 cm Shimano Ultegra Triple Hire Bikes for Alpe d’Huez now in stock
21 JunWe have taken delivery of some of our new Shimano Ultegra triple chainset PROMPT D211 carbon hire bikes for rental. These can now be booked directly online here.
Two bikes leaning against a wall
20 JunThere are many ways to experience the pleasure of a bike and it is often the unexpected or rather, unanticipated, ones that signify the day. Today it is a simple photo of two PROMPT bikes leant up against an old French wall. As I tuned gears and cleaned chains last night I enjoyed turning the simple pleasure that this image was giving me over in my head. Round and round you might say.
The linear composition of the image works courtesy of a new super compact camera that allows me to make panoramic images. And it fits perfectly in a jersey pocket. I am not sure that’ two bikes leaning against a wall’ was the panorama that was envisaged by the Samsung technicians. Of course, wall textures always make interesting images as they convey a sense of weather and history, culture and labour.
Perhaps it is this culture and history that I am imposing onto my enjoyment of the image- as two of only a handful of PROMPT bikes currently in existence makes a little interjection into this millennia. The fact that my brother and I are making our contribution to the cycling community by creating this micro brand is a nice expression of our lifetimes of bike enthusiasm. Like many things you make yourself- it seems so obvious once it exists.
Although you can’t see it in the image you also know that the bikes are leaning against a wall mid ride. They are waiting for the coffee to be drunk and the ride to continue. Hot mountain weather in St Christophe and the Berarde. The always perfect effort of climbing up against an emerging view and the sound of the returning descent.
PROMPT D211 HIRE BIKES With Triple Chainsets for Alpe d’Huez
22 MayWe are pleased to announce that from the end of July 2012 we are going to have a selection of Carbon D211 road hire bikes with full Shimano Ultegra Triple groupset. For more information on availabilty and to book online click here
New PROMPT Cycle Hire Pick up point
23 AprThe new PROMPT cycle hire pick up point in Bourg d’Oisans is now open. The shop is also selling Alpe d’Huez Jerseys, energy bars gels and bottels as well as carbon bottle cages
Australian National Champ Victoria Veitch rides a PROMPT D211
4 SepAustralian national champ Victoria Veitch stayed on More Than 21 Bends Alpe d’Huez to Italy tour and hired a PROMPT D211 from us for the week. For the record she recorded an excellent 54,27 seconds up Alpe d’Huez
Cycle Hire for La Marmotte
13 JulAll our PROMPT.CC hire bikes have been successfully hired and finished the La Marmotte sportive and also the Etape du Tour Act 1 2011 sportive. Most of the bikes were hired as part of the La Marmotte week.
D211 on Mont Ventoux
30 MaySome of our bikes were on hire in Ventoux last week as part of Enjoy Oisans More Than 21 Bends Alpe d’Huez and Mont Ventoux week. They caused quite a fuss at the top of Ventoux with quite a lot of questions being asked about the bikes.
PROMPT D211 does the Cotswold Classic
8 MayCompeted in the Cotswold Classic while staying in the UK in April. The D211 handled very well over the 166km long distance course. We have just taken delivery of our next batch for our cycle hire in Bourg d’Oisans
Prompt Shop takes shape
12 DecWe have also started work on the new Prompt shop. This will be located directly below the Enjoy Oisans Cycling Holidays Head Quarters in Bourg d’Oisans. Not much has happened yet other than smashing down a wall and putting a door in its place. More photos to follow once there is something to look at. The shop will be home to our cycle hire and Prompt shop
PROMPT CYCLE CULTURE 