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Nine-year-old cycles up the Col du Galibier

Alfie Earl seems to have a few more climbs in mind for the coming years too

Alfie Earl – the nine-year-old from West Sussex who last year rode up Mont Ventoux and the Passo dello Stelvio inside 48 hours – has now added the Col du Galibier to his list of cycling achievements.

Alfie took the route from Valloire, an 18.1km (11.2 mile) climb at an average gradient of 6.9% and which hits 10.1% near the summit.

According to his father, Steve, who accompanied him, he completed the ride in three-and-a-half hours.

Steve described the day as sunny “with headwinds at times” and said Alfie was applauded at the summit by dozens of cyclists who had seen him ride up and who had waited to congratulate him.

"I wanted to do the Galibier so I had done the treble of the three most legendary mountains in France,” said Alfie. “I set my mind on it and I just tried to smash each one – even though the Galibier was so hard.”

He thanked his mum and dad “for driving me to these places and just letting me try if I want to” – and it sounds like they should gear up for further trips.

"I want to try to be the best young rider that I can be. But going up mountains can be fun too and I love the views. I'm going to think about what's next, but whatever I do I have learned to take on challenges. One day I'd like to climb the Aubsique and the Peyresourde because of the history, but maybe even the Angliru in Spain and the Zoncolan if I feel like it. And perhaps Paris-Roubaix.”

He’s also supported by Hargroves Cycles, who have provided him with kit.

Earlier this year, Alfie became the youngest person to ride from London to Paris, after making the journey alongside his 12-year-old sister, Saskia, who is believed to be the youngest girl to complete the trip.

Alex has written for more cricket publications than the rest of the road.cc team combined. Despite the apparent evidence of this picture, he doesn't especially like cake.

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21 comments

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davel | 6 years ago
0 likes

Good for him: and for you Steve.

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Steve Earl | 6 years ago
0 likes

The good news is Alfie truly doesn't give a sh@t (not that I'd let him use that word..)  1

 

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HalfWheeler replied to Steve Earl | 6 years ago
0 likes

Steve Earl wrote:

The good news is Alfie truly doesn't give a sh@t (not that I'd let him use that word..)  1

 

Excellent. And I'm glad you don't give a shit either. So indifferent in fact that you wouldn't even bother to comment on it on an internet forum.

Smashing.

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HalfWheeler | 6 years ago
1 like

Right, only positive things about this story please. No criticism allowed whatsoever. The internet is not the place for that sort of thing. If you publicise something on the internet you shouldn't have to deal with differing opinions. C'mon people!

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barbarus | 6 years ago
0 likes

Petit Chapeau!

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Carlp | 6 years ago
0 likes

Good luck to the lad, Alfie, he knows what its all about. 

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Leviathan | 6 years ago
0 likes

His power to weight ratio is suspiciously high. 

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Beatnik69 | 6 years ago
0 likes

Clearly you are doing parenting right Steve. Chapeau to Alfie.

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Steve Earl | 6 years ago
0 likes

Yes othello they were his quotes. Verbatim, actually.

Not quite contemperaneous, but within two hours of having ridden up a massive mountain. So authentic, if that was your point.

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davel replied to Steve Earl | 6 years ago
2 likes
Steve Earl wrote:

Yes othello they were his quotes. Verbatim, actually.

Not quite contemperaneous, but within two hours of having ridden up a massive mountain. So authentic, if that was your point.

Steve, you rocking up on every story about Alfie and correcting opinions that don't fit the narrative... Well, it doesn't do much good for that claim to authenticity. Smacks a tad of PR.

Either let Alfie crack on with zero publicity, or accept that strangers are going to think and post whatever strangers will think - and that that's beyond your control.

Or maybe use a different login. But not beatnik69: that one's too obvious now  3

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keirik replied to davel | 6 years ago
1 like
davel wrote:
Steve Earl wrote:

Yes othello they were his quotes. Verbatim, actually.

Not quite contemperaneous, but within two hours of having ridden up a massive mountain. So authentic, if that was your point.

Steve, you rocking up on every story about Alfie and correcting opinions that don't fit the narrative... Well, it doesn't do much good for that claim to authenticity. Smacks a tad of PR.

Either let Alfie crack on with zero publicity, or accept that strangers are going to think and post whatever strangers will think - and that that's beyond your control.

Or maybe use a different login. But not beatnik69: that one's too obvious now  3

If I was Steve I'd be there protecting my son from ill based opinions like yours too. He doesn't seem to be hiding himself behind a pseudonym on here as you are.

Methinks you protest too much, jealous perhaps?

Why not celebrate the lads achievements and applaud the fact he has a family that let him do these things instead of sitting in front of a computer trolling like you seem to?

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davel replied to keirik | 6 years ago
0 likes

keirik wrote:
davel wrote:
Steve Earl wrote:

Yes othello they were his quotes. Verbatim, actually.

Not quite contemperaneous, but within two hours of having ridden up a massive mountain. So authentic, if that was your point.

Steve, you rocking up on every story about Alfie and correcting opinions that don't fit the narrative... Well, it doesn't do much good for that claim to authenticity. Smacks a tad of PR. Either let Alfie crack on with zero publicity, or accept that strangers are going to think and post whatever strangers will think - and that that's beyond your control. Or maybe use a different login. But not beatnik69: that one's too obvious now  3

If I was Steve I'd be there protecting my son from ill based opinions like yours too. He doesn't seem to be hiding himself behind a pseudonym on here as you are. Methinks you protest too much, jealous perhaps? Why not celebrate the lads achievements and applaud the fact he has a family that let him do these things instead of sitting in front of a computer trolling like you seem to?

Tell me how I'm trolling? I didn't have a pop at the lad at all, and if you're taking my comments as trolling I'd back away from the internet.

You seem to be making way more accusations about me than I am about anyone else. I'd guess that davel is closer to my real name than keirik is to yours too - or perhaps that means 'Pointless White Knight' in another language.

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keirik replied to davel | 6 years ago
0 likes

Quote:

Tell me how I'm trolling? I didn't have a pop at the lad at all,

How about your comment questioning the authenticity of the story, how is that not having a pop?

 

As for my name, I've been known as Keirik for more than 30 years. No I wasn't christened that, but it's what all my mates know me as.

Now what else would you like to have a go at to deflect the fact you're jealous of a little kid who's a better cyclist than you? 

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davel replied to keirik | 6 years ago
0 likes

keirik wrote:

Quote:

Tell me how I'm trolling? I didn't have a pop at the lad at all,

How about your comment questioning the authenticity of the story, how is that not having a pop?

 

As for my name, I've been known as Keirik for more than 30 years. No I wasn't christened that, but it's what all my mates know me as.

Now what else would you like to have a go at to deflect the fact you're jealous of a little kid who's a better cyclist than you? 

Only one of us is trolling, petal.

I didn't make the point about the authenticity... but I did add to it. I'll clarify:

I don't think it didn't happen, or that this story isn't authentic. I just think that this is the internet, and some people will be cycnical, and some people will post stuff ranging from 'didn't happen' to 'pushy parents - let him be a kid' or maybe even outright trolling where people post nasty stuff.

My own angle: your kid does great stuff - fantastic. The whole internet doesn't need to know, but if you're going to make that happen (and I'd guess road.cc didn't hear the stuff via the Galibier Daily), to then police any cynicism in the comments looks a little bit PRey and managed. That is not the same as saying it didn't happen.

Just for the record: being jealous of a 9 year-old really didn't occur to me, so now I know for a fact that you're such a poor one yourself that I could beat you at a 10, 25, 50 or 100TT and any distance triathlon spinning on my cock*.

*Literally spinning on it throughout the entire event. Fact.

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Beatnik69 replied to davel | 6 years ago
0 likes

davel wrote:
Steve Earl wrote:

Yes othello they were his quotes. Verbatim, actually.

Not quite contemperaneous, but within two hours of having ridden up a massive mountain. So authentic, if that was your point.

Steve, you rocking up on every story about Alfie and correcting opinions that don't fit the narrative... Well, it doesn't do much good for that claim to authenticity. Smacks a tad of PR. Either let Alfie crack on with zero publicity, or accept that strangers are going to think and post whatever strangers will think - and that that's beyond your control. Or maybe use a different login. But not beatnik69: that one's too obvious now  3

Sorry to burst your bubble davel, but my name's Gary. I was congratulating Alfie on a cracking achievement - somethnig i would struggle to do. I've been posting on here for a while and use the same alias on a number of other sites.

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davel replied to Beatnik69 | 6 years ago
0 likes

Beatnik69 wrote:

davel wrote:
Steve Earl wrote:

Yes othello they were his quotes. Verbatim, actually.

Not quite contemperaneous, but within two hours of having ridden up a massive mountain. So authentic, if that was your point.

Steve, you rocking up on every story about Alfie and correcting opinions that don't fit the narrative... Well, it doesn't do much good for that claim to authenticity. Smacks a tad of PR. Either let Alfie crack on with zero publicity, or accept that strangers are going to think and post whatever strangers will think - and that that's beyond your control. Or maybe use a different login. But not beatnik69: that one's too obvious now  3

Sorry to burst your bubble davel, but my name's Gary. I was congratulating Alfie on a cracking achievement - somethnig i would struggle to do. I've been posting on here for a while and use the same alias on a number of other sites.

Jesus, am I the only one who can see the fucking obvious winky smiley.

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don simon fbpe | 6 years ago
0 likes

One to watch in the future pro peloton.

Or just get out there and enjoy the moment.

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gunswick | 6 years ago
0 likes

Very impressive, sounds like he really enjoys it

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othello | 6 years ago
4 likes

Is he really saying those quotes, because they don't sound like the types of things a 9 year old would say...

 

All a bit too much too young IMHO

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earth replied to othello | 6 years ago
0 likes

othello wrote:

Is he really saying those quotes, because they don't sound like the types of things a 9 year old would say...

 

All a bit too much too young IMHO

 

I reckon putting all your energies into something when you are young is a receipe for success in later life.  Whether it be sports, arts, science, etc.  I just suggest that he should also gets as much brain excercise as physical so he has something to fall back on if he does not want to be or does not make it as an athelete.

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simondbarnes | 6 years ago
0 likes

Ace  1

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