Internet access not as easy as we had imagined in the Pyrenees so rather like a Bliss cyclist you don't get one for hours then 4 come at once.
Biarritz
After a 5.30 alarm the myth of the Pyrenees Challenge was about to start, at times I had thought the training would never end. Any regrets? Not yet, but plenty of apprehension.
No performance enhancing drugs detected at Stanstead security so on we went.
Biarritz
After a 5.30 alarm the myth of the Pyrenees Challenge was about to start, at times I had thought the training would never end. Any regrets? Not yet, but plenty of apprehension.
No performance enhancing drugs detected at Stanstead security so on we went.
The weather is set fine for 4 days and we enjoyed our last bit of relaxation in Biarritz in the afternoon and a send-off party in the evening (it didn't go on too late). The party was at Pascal Ondart's restaurant and Pascal joined us the next day for the ride - big man, big scars even bigger heart.
Day 1 ( Biarritz to St Jean de Pied de Port)
Bike check (removal of Peter Harvey's bell!!!)
A 20km warm up around Biarritz before a televised send off started by the Mayor and plenty of local press, clearly word was out that Jon Collis, the former rugby player, was riding!
A fairly easy first day was expected, climbing 3 cols but only 1300m of ascent.
Weather fantastic fortunately and views from the tops spectacular. As the climbing was not expected to be too hard this afternoon, I spent the first 60Km playing with the big boys at the front and then decided to take it easy for a while (being lazy) at the back. Today was the calm before the storm as tomorrow we get out of the foothills and into the mountains.
The local Basque choir numbering 20, entertained us at a local restaurant in St Jean during the evening and were very welcoming.
Day 2 (St Jean to Gurmencon)
Early start today whilst the mist still hung over the peaks which was also the first day to get used to the big difference in temperature between the summits and the valleys. The support team met up with us at the top to provide the extra warm layers for the downhill runs.
Anna had a bad fall yesterday. By lunchtime today the pain was too much so she had to be transported to the hotel. Hopefully a massage from the team will help her and she will be fit for tomorrow.
There were the usual wrong turns which incurred a little extra mileage (maybe a claim for more sponsorship?) Bruno, the guide, inherited the name TomTom! The weather has been fantastic again today and we are now in a beautiful Basque mediaeval-style hotel.
The spirit in the team is excellent with everyone helping each other through the tough times. That's definitely what will be needed during the next few days as we approach the tougher stretches....1700 metres climb tomorrow.
Day 3 (Gurmencon to Luz )
First of the big ones, Col D'Aubisque. This is our first day in the high mountains. Great weather. Griffin vultures soaring and goats in the rocks.
We all made the slog up to Col de Marie Blanque which was swiftly followed by Col D'Aubisque at 1700 metres. There were wonderful views in all directions from the summit and we lunched at a ski lodge on much needed pasta and chicken.
Everyone completed the day feeling more confident about tomorrow's attempt on the Etape de Tour, The Tourmalet.
Day 4 (Luz to Luchon)
Following a 10pm massage last night the legs feel in far better shape to tackle the week's highest climbs.
Straight from the hotel we get into climbing at 8% within a mile and The Tourmalet is a further 18km all at a similar gradient with the final 2 km being around 10%. With this in mind I decided to keep the heart rate low and keep some fuel in the tank having heard a great deal about this climb which Freddy (our guide) calls the Big Boss. Within two and a quarter hours the Col was reached and, having welcomed everybody to the top, we looked around the memorabilia in the summit cafe. Couldn't resist a photo opportunity with Laurence at such a famous location.
Having tackled the Big Boss we then realised that two further climbs awaited us. The first one accomplished, we all felt buoyed and managed to complete over 4,000 metres of climb in the day. A warm welcome awaited us from the Mayor in Luchon.
Day 5 (Luchon to Oust)
Another Mayoral send-off in Luchon. The French have incredible civil pride and seize every opportunity to publicise their beautiful country. One of the Mayor's assistants, an Englishman, has been following the tour for the last 2 days.
The psychological side is now really starting to kick in. With The Tourmalet conquered there is a sense of "We're nearly there now". How wrong we can be!!!
Anna has rejoined us and is doing well but, unfortunately Tom has had to fly home because of an eye injury.
Today entailed 4 climbs totalling 3,400m. It's very interesting how people approach the mind game differently. My approach which seems to be working for me is a fatalistic one - whatever will be will be. Personally I prefer not to know too much about what is to come and pedal well within my limits (heart rate around 140) and I know then I can keep this up for 8/9 hours if necessary. I have done away with the bike computer as I find you are always looking at how far it is to go - a negative thought.
My method of counting (sometimes out loud and sometimes in strange accents) has attracted plenty of interest but I don't have many disciplines....yet.
The final col today gave views down to the valley road and if anyone had told me 12 months ago I would be able to cycle up that height I would have immediately had them incarcerated. Now, having done it, I think it is me who sould be been locked away for agreeing to do it!
The weather is starting ot turn and it is only 2 degrees C at the tops and the descents require full winter attire.
Today ended with a fantastic meal: chicken and pasta (again!)....all good cycling fuel and then a back massage.......Good night, see you tomorrow.
Day 6 (Oust to Ax les Thermes)
Fred warned us that Day 6 can be traumatic with bodies, minds and bikes tiring and sit it turned out:
1. Damian Hopley and Warren Smith went 10km in the wrong direction and so "support" had to leave food & water at the top of cols for when they eventually arrived en route. They finally reached the hotel in the twilight at 7pm.
2. The support motor scooter had a blow out.
3. Laurence Dallaglio broke his bike chain.
4. Marcello had a nasty fall and damaged his bike (but carried on regardless).
Also the weather has closed in today with cloud on the mountains tops for the first time and a considerable drop in temperature.
There has been a noticeable change in landscape to a more Meditteranean feel. South facing slopes are barren at higher levels with North facing slopes still forrested.
We are up in skiing and kayaking areas with chairlifts buzzing still carrying the last walking parties before the snow comes in the next week or so. After cloud on the second col, the skies cleared to a beautiful blue for the afternoon climb to Col de Marmare and Col de Coucoire before a scenic descent into Ax Les Thermes.
Andy & Kay Norton joined us in the evening and were welcomed to the crowd with one of Fred's lethal cocktails.
A good night was had by all - just 2 days of torture to go!!!!
Day 7 (Ax les Thermes to Prades)
Everyone's starting to get tired and so is my bike! A broken gear cable meant a swap of bikes this afternoon - worse than borrowing someone else's golf clubs!
After an 18km climb this morning to over 2000m, we had a picnic lower down in another beautiful col at just over 1000m. Just 90km of riding today got us to Prades at 4pm.
Martin Curley and Ian Ford, some of my old sparring mates from Barclays Vets were at the top of the last col to support us.
I was asked if I was Laurence Dallaglio at one point this afternoon - Laurence didn't look too happy.
Day 8 (Prades to Banyuls-sur-Mers)
The end is in sight. Just one more major climb and then it's downhill to the sea, or so we thought. 700m above Prades and 20km ride took us to Col de Palomeres where we could see the Med. Our guide, Fred, pointed out that the last col that we climbed yesterday was now covered in snow. Let' s hope we can keep one step ahead of the weather!
One of the most scenic rides of the week took us into Ceret (a Bohemian town where Picasso lived for several years). Lunch today was a typical French 2 hour affair with beer and wine - the celebrations started a little too early.
20 minutes into the final leg and we were lost. Fred lead us up an 18% climb through a council estate to avoid a new motorway which wasn't there when he last did the ride! Eventually we all rode into Banyul-sur-Mer for a civic reception followed by a fantastic meal, drinking and dancing until the small hours.
At last, after all the preparations, training and cycling, over £350,000 has been raised for BLISS.
On Saturday there will be a beach barbecue and then home on Sunday. Life will be a little easier and less hectic after we get back.
THE END
