After a very tricky and tiring day yesterday we were advised to head off early today to get ahead of the wind. As ever, an 'eat as much as your belly can hold breakfast' and off we went as the sun rose. What a difference. The wind was normal, the odd gust but what you would expect, the sun made appearances, we could chat and the wind didn't steal the conversation. Lunch didn't have to be battened down to stop it flying away. The support team, as ever, were amazing with snacks and drinks and encouragement. We arrived in Samur with time to go for coffee, enjoy the castle and be in time for dinner. Anything not so good? Sore bottom from hours on the saddle. Time for the pressure sore cream.
So on our first day yesterday we lost an hours sleep as we moved into French time and then a further hours sleep as the clocks went forward. That's the first bit of bad news. We then woke up to rain and cloud. Not put off we set with a smile on our face, how naive, we spent the next 130km going south west facing a south westerly wind which I have been informed was going at 40miles an hour. At one point we were peddling as fast as we could only to look at the speedometer telling us 5 miles an hour!!! Not a good day. It took all those that finished an extra 2 hours, I'm so chuffed to say that I did finish, many didn't. So the good points. There must be some! We had a delicious coffee and cake in Brou and then managed to be on the tail wind of the fast cyclists for about 10 miles. It really made me appreciate how birds fly in formation. What else was good - lunch and Theresa's biscuits and a hot showers on arrival at the hotel. We have just learnt we are in the eye of a cyclone and the first 4 hours of today might be in our favour and then we face the wind again. Let's hope it's all good but feeling a bit despondent. Things can only get better. The Lycra is trying to dry, the bottom is sore from hours on the saddle but the spirit is still going. After a 04.30 get up, a very comfortable Eurostar to Paris with coffee and pain au chocolat, a brief coach trip to Versailles, it was time to get out the Lycra and start the cycle. Today was a brief 47 miles just to warm up. When has 47 miles ever been a warm up! We were all excited and apprehensive as we left from the Grand Palais in Versailles. The word of warning was to take it easy, don't burn yourself out, it's not a race. We obediently set out with those instructions in mind, chatted, enjoyed the villages and countryside until 24 miles when the countryside opened up and the wind picked up pace. The following 24 miles were a long hard slog with the wind in our face. There was no go easy, you had to go hard to stay stationary. It took as all longer than anticipated but we have all arrived back safely, bathed those aching muscles, refilled and our eagerly awaiting supper before a good nights sleep in preparation for tomorrow. As the Irish say, let's hope the wind is on our back tomorrow. Palace of Versailles Today's route
Well the moment has finally arrived. I'm on my way to Kings Cross ready to catch the Eurostar tomorrow at 05.30am. I'm both really excited and also apprehensive. For sure, I am a lean mean cycling machine; I've discovered muscles I didn't know existed. I'm all prepared with thermal gloves & anti chaffing cream!! Padded shorts and my own personal mascot given to me by 3 previous Drs; a Lego nurse on a bicycle. She's been named Chantrigne after a house we used to have in France. She will be travelling with me up and down every hill. I shall keep you posted on my daily travels. Let the excitement begin! So the day finally arrived for our last team cycle before we head for Versailles. A 72 mile cycle and then time to say good bye to the bikes as they head off in the van ready to meet us in France on Saturday.
We all managed the final challenge and our now busy washing our Lycra ready for the real event. I can't believe that the weeks and months of cycle practice has now come to an end and the final event is here. My knee, that has caused me a bit of hastle held up yesterday so I am hoping and praying it stays in good form for the week. |
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