Monday 21 March 2011 (13 Days Later)



Team Elliott Wood



We have been back in Blighty now for nearly two weeks and normality has returned after our six day adventure – I would say reality but I’m not sure that is true.

Anyhow, my last blog and an opportunity to say a big thank you to all the companies and individuals who generously sponsored Gary and me in our efforts to raise money for BEAT.  I know that Paul and his family have been overwhelmed by the support.  We have exceeded even our most optimistic expectations – with well in excess of £8,000 raised when gift aid is included.

Thank you.

Having had a few days to reflect I think it is fair to say Gary and I are pretty pleased with our cycling efforts and a little surprised at what can be done. 



Discussing team tactics with Gary



When I first started the blog I could not have imagined cycling 780 miles in six days – I don’t normally get close to that distance in a month!  It was certainly attrition but my prediction that it would be ATTRITION spelt out in my blood, sweat and tears was possibly a little overdramatic – maybe aches, pains, sweat, tears and laughter.

Our achievements where undoubtedly helped by the fantastic organisation that is Cycle to Cannes – it would take me too long to thank everyone or describe how slick the whole operation is – but I will quickly say thanks to the physio's who soothed some of my aches and reassured me that they were not going to end in a permanent limp and the mechanics who worked through the night to keep my bike on the road – cheers.

Is the road bike up for sale – not just yet – I’ve signed up for the King of the Downs – a one hundred and thirteen mile road jaunt that takes in ten big climbs in both the South and North Downs – I will never learn.

But, I now hand over the fund raising mantle to Paul Wood and his son, Mathew.

Mathew is training hard for the London Marathon on 17 April and his fund raising page is here.

Paul and Mathew will also be cycling from London to Paris in early June.  Their fund raising page is here.

To find out more about the valuable work of BEAT, please click here.

Best wishes and once again thank you.        

Tuesday 08 March 2011 (Day 6)

Aix en Provence to Cannes

We’ve done it!!!!

But what a tough last day.  It was gloriously sunny as it has been all week but the wind did exactly as forecast and blew hard into us from the east all day.  You did not want to be dropped by the peloton and left to fight it on your own - so full concentration to keep tucked into the wheel ahead.

It has also been the hilliest day of cycling with about 6100ft (1859m) of climbing over about 106 miles; very hard work on very tired legs.  They really, really hurt when the power had to be applied from about half way through the ride and I had to retreat in to my own little world of pain for a few of the climbs - so apologies to anyone who tried to have a chat with me on the latter climbs – I was having a private moment.  Although I doubt anyone was actually chatting at those points.

On the upside we did travel though some of the most beautiful country side and on a normal day I rather perversely enjoy climbing, so probably the best day on the bike and I was glad I got on it for the whole day (although my legs disagree).

Garmin Connect stats here 

After yesterday’s effort on the bike Gary decided the first stage was best left alone this morning – the motivational speech just before we set off didn’t help either – to summarise it essentially said - the wind is brutal and if you feel tired you should get on the coach now! Gary completed just shy of 70miles

The final stats are as follows

I managed 781 miles (1257 km) completed in the last six days (that’s about 85% of the ride) with only four stages missed.

  

Gary managed 702 miles (1131 km) completed (about 75% of the ride) with just seven stages missed.

Both over 1000 km and still walking – good result

Boris joined us for the final run into Cannes – he managed just shy of three miles and about 87ft (25m) of climbing.  Not bad on Boris bike to be fair

Monday 08 March 2011 (Day 5)

Chanas to Aix en Provence


Another absolutely stunning day as we pushed further south. The landscape gradually took on a more Mediterranean feel with cypress trees and pantile roofs becoming the norm. Spring’s also arrived with blossom and fresh buds on the trees. The hills of the Rhone Valley afford some spectacular views of this, but also present some grinding climbs on tired legs.

The riders (including Gary) leaving      
for stage 3                                                  .

Gary took the opportunity to stretch his legs on these climbs after he got hoodwinked by Joe Morris and took on stage 3, which includes 'shark tooth' mountain, Joe assured him it was flat!? He's in a world of pain now as he had already ridden the first two stages and was obliged to ride the next 'team' stage. To make matters worse the support coach got lost and left Gary pushing through to complete five stages (just over 160 miles).


So a full day in the saddle for Gary – to his relief the sixth stage had to be cancelled as the problems caused by the coach wrecked the very tight riding schedule.

The stunning hill village of Bonnieux      
was at the top of the big climb in stage 5  

It was my turn to be sensible and I stopped at four.  All done I managed just over 130 miles and nine hours turning pedals).


Garmin Connect stats are here for stages 1 and 2 and here for stages 4 and 5.


I feel a bit fresher for taking it a bit easier today, but this is relative – just standing still hurts and thats after a massage!  My only consolation is Gary probably hurts more than I do.


Tomorrow I suspect is going to be a bit of a big day - only(?) just over one hundred miles, but hilly and the weather forecast suggests that we will be cycling into a bitterly cold easterly as we cross to our final destination - Cannes.


To make the day even more special we have our mayor Boris Johnson joining us on a Boris Bike for the last few miles. Fantastic!

Sunday 06 March 2011 (Day 4)

Dijon to Chanes

Another day with almost perfect weather for cycling.  So perfect, in fact, that I was tempted to stay on the bike from dawn to dusk.

All five stages completed, 167 miles covered, and just shy of ten hours in the saddle pushing forward.  I am now completely exhausted and every part of me aches.  It hurts just sitting still - tackling a staircase is horrific.  

The bike is also beginning to suffer and is spending the night with a mechanic who promises me I will be able to select all the gears tomorrow.  I hope he's right, the big hills start tomorrow - I'm going to need all the help I can get.

Garmin Connect stats are here

Gary completed four stages bringing his daily total to 135 miles.  He wisely took stage four off to get a rest before the big climbs of stage five - Climbs that are apparently just a taster for what's ahead.

Saturday 05 March 2011 (Day 3)

Reims to Dijon

 The bike lined up, ready to go

Another horrendously early start, but it got better as we pushed south and enjoyed the sun rise over the vineyards of the Champagne region.  It developed into another beautiful day with a slight tail wind and crisp blue skies making for perfect cycling.

I managed four stages of the six today; discretion being the better part of valour I decided that trying to repeat yesterday’s efforts was likely to end badly.  Still pleased with (about) 125miles completed (just over eight hours of pedal turning).

The cycle computer stayed with me to the end this time, so the Garmin Connect stats for stage 1 are here, stages 3 and 4 here and stage 6 here.

Gary also did four stages, putting the effort in early by doing the first three morning stages with a big break after lunch before completing the final stage of the day.   

Friday 4 March 2011 (Day 2)

Calais to Reims

The frenzy that is the feed
station at a stage change

Went a bit crazy and did every stage today!

Over 12 hours in the saddle turning the pedals – I’m shattered.

I doubt I have it in me to do that tomorrow.  Mind you tomorrow’s three miles shorter and the last three miles where by far the longest today, so it should be easy?

The cycle computer did what I should have done and packed up soon after it got dark, so the Garmin Connect stats (for what it did get) are here.

Gary did the sensible thing and got a beer after four stages (a respectable 130 miles)

Thursday 03 March 2011 (Day 1)

Greenwich to Folkstone.

The start and support coach at Greenwich

A chilly start for the 83 riders setting off for Cannes but mercifully dry, even a little sunshine!

We only had 61 miles before we ran out of England, so today was a bit of a shakedown to get used to how the next five days in France are going to work.

I have to say I do like the motorbike outriders stopping the traffic; sweeping through red lights and roundabouts makes a change from my usual commuter experience – I’ll have to get see about getting a couple.

Feeling pretty good for tomorrow, but notice we have a 5:00am wake up call.  That’s 5:00am French time, so make that 4:00am UK time.  Mad.

Garmin connect stats for today are here