There is one 'time-trial' in this year's Tour de France, essentially a test where each rider rides alone on a 51km course to see how quickly they can complete it. For us, as there is no competition it meant an easy sociable 2 hour ride... grrrrreatt.
No hills! All the mountains are behind us now.. For today's ride we had over 60 riders, including children, golden oldies, wives, partners etc.. anyone that wants to go home saying they have ridden a stage of the 2010 Tour.
Out of Bordeaux we rode a 53km course that took us through the most famous vineyards in France (if not the world), this really will be a beautiful course to watch when the pros come through here in 2 weeks. From start to finish we were in sizeable pelotons chatting about the previous days, and recounting stories to those that are here for the last few stages only (heavily dramatised of course)
Jake and Rick turned up at breakfast in full pro time-trial gear, complete with silver foil helmets that kept them up most of the night making... it was worth it though, plenty of laughs!
Aside form the joking and socialising, there was time to take in the scenery along the route. We all knew that a big boozy lunch was to great us on arrival... something to look forward to
Lunch for 60 greeted us in Pauillac, a few glasses of wine and some beers resulted in most of us sleeping well on the 3.5 hour train journey from Bordeaux back to Massy (just outside of Paris) on tonight's transfer.
Jovial spirits all round! we feel like we have completed the challenge (barring any crashes tomorrow!) with just the procession to get through tomorrow (another 50km stage)
TOTAL DISTANCE: 3,495km
TOTAL CYCLING TIME : 152 hours 52 minutes
hey mate. see all is going well on the TDF. we have just arrived in Vancouver island after 2 weeks without internet connection having been through the rockie mountains. Tough work with two kids in a camper van but no way near as tough as your adventure. However the views are just as breathtaking except you meet wild animals on the way!!. I expect you are both relieved and at the same time sad its all coming to end. Look forward to catching up in a weeks time with all your stories.
ReplyDeleteBTW well done mate - great effort. You should be proud of yourself
all the best
jonny
HaHa Love those silver foil helmets!
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