Here was today's profile
Having already ridden so many more kilometres than the official Tour route to date, today's stage was shorter for us than the official distance for logistical reasons. There isn't really to much to say about today's ride, except for the fact that it was a little lumpy and will be remembered for the wind over the last 10km. With the Pyrenees starting tomorrow, everyone took today's stage at an easy pace in an attempt to save the legs for the many kilometres of climbing that are looming.
There were several beautiful spots along today's route
We got to our hotel at 4.30pm, one of the earliest times so far. We were promised a decent hotel, but were still surprised to see this converted abbey as we pulled up
Highlights
The end of day giggling is getting out of hand... Sandy laughed so hard at dinner he triggered a 10 minute long nose bleed. All because the waiter looked like one of our crew..
Riding behind the draft of a tractor for about 2km whilst chatting to the driver (who was also on the phone). he lifted his mechanical arms at the back of the tractor and asked us to hold on.. of course we didn't
A TYPICAL DAY
-Alarm will go off anytime between 5.45 and 7am (depending on the length of the stage or if we have a coach transfer to a different start location)
- Put on cycling gear and head down to breakfast taking our main suitcase to the front of the hotel to be loaded onto the support van.
- Breakfast (eat as much as you can!)
- Back to room to fill up water bottles with energy/electrolyte powder, get down to front of hotel for start. Start times have ranged from 7am to 8.40am
- First 20-30km of cycling are taken in groups, and at a pace that warms up the legs (as you get used to sitting down on the saddle..)
- First snack break will be at 35-50km. Eat as much as you can. refill bottles
- Cycle 40-50km to next snack location. Eat as much as you can
- Cycle to lunch. Eat as much as you can
- Cycle to final snack location around 40-25km from the finish
-Get to hotel, bags have been unloaded in the hotel reception and room keys laid out in the entrance for us.
-Always take lift to room, never walk up stairs!
- Cold bath for 10 minutes, hot bath or shower including washing cycling shorts (i have 2 pairs so every 2 days)
- Drink recovery drink
- Raise legs on wall for 15-20 minutes
- Get to dinner. Eat as much as you can
- Write blog!!
- Charge up garmin bike computer, phone,camera etc. Lay out cycling gear for the morning (and hang wet washed clothes somewhere sensible where they will dry..
- Drink diarolyte sachet and put Savlon on the sore bits in the gentleman's department..
The routine basically repeats itself every day. Here are a few of the things the support crews give us to aid us on our way
The daily laminated cards with route details
The signs that show us the way to go
The mechanics delivering the bikes after a transfer
Finding somewhere in the sun to dry your washing...
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