2014's cycling challenge to help the Royal British Legion and Cancer Research UK: 1000 miles solo & unsupported from Blackpool to Mont Ventoux in 8 days, and then up & down Ventoux six times in 24 hours...more climbing than the height of Mount Everest. La Bicinglette, I hope!
If you're not loving this one just thank you're lucky stars that I didn't choose SurTom & The Cardigans' effort. Crumbs of comfort, hah-hah!
As is always the way, the longer these journeys last, the later you feel able/inclined to start in the morning. The knock-on effect is that you'll finish that day's stage later and then have less time to recover and get your yourself in a position to tackle the next day's nonsense.
Anyway, at 0910 wagons roll and it's a constant source of fascination to me just how my Garmin GPS and my Michelin road map conspire during the night to concoct some half-ass routes...
Really? Good one.
You're having a laugh, right?
Right, eBay for you.
That said, I was soon going through some top-notch countryside...no thanks to the machines. Hope they didn't hear that, les digital numbnuts/Daft Punk.
Regulstion TdF leftover...
S'alright I guess.
Lovely, lovely villages!
Had to stop for an "Allo, Allo" tribute.
I was mindful of the high temperatures (i.e. you have to eat and drink, no messing) so it was great to see a small marche open. I made my purchases and the lady asked where I was going: her expression was the same of the owner of my Calais hotel: "Oh really?".
In fact I think that I saw her lift the phone to speak to her sister as I left her store, hah-hah!
Afternoon tea is served. Orangina: the acceptable face of Fanta.
These guys were looning around for a while.
Er, some old buildings. Keep climbing...
On bridges, the road narrows a touch, so not to hold-up the traffic any more than necessary I will nip onto the footpath if that is a go-er. This was a long section (about 800m) and all was fine until near the end when...
Need chevrons. And a pannier removed!
No clue.
Sunflowers, oil rapeseed...loadsa colour!
I'm really tired, I can't do this. You can!
They even named an ice-cream after it?
There will be similar temperatures over the next days so I'll spare you my whining: that said, there is a perverse satisfaction in having given it almost everything. I say "almost" because you have to ride with one eye fixed on tomorrow. Defensive cobblers but true...
That said, I think a couple of motorists thought that I was attempting the world's longest track-stand on a long drag into Dijon...I think the plug had been pulled, well and truly, hah-hah!
Dijon trams avec le grass.
A reminder of their liberation.
Dijon cathedral. Looking right actha'!
And so begins the long, slow rehydration process. Goodnight!
While we're here, and I know that I say this quite a bit, but a massive thank you to you generous types who have donated to these causes. Good on you. You know that I'm busting my balls out there at times, so it's really appreciated.
I will give £10 for every £50 that you do. Aside from that, there is one other thing that would help, if you can do it...please share this blog and/or the JG links with your pals/acquaintances/enemies.
Sometimes you just can't get a tune out of your head...step forward the Pre-Fab Four with their cover of...
'Help', did someone say? Could've done with some oomph for the first half of today's wander...it was a trudge with some indifferent road surfaces, although still Le Gallic courtesy extended to wheezing cyclists is a source of wonder. Does their highway code say that they should/must give two-wheeled loons a 1.5m birth or something?
Whatever the case, on at least two occasions today I saw the guy overtaking me go so wide that he woke up the poor sod in the oncoming lane!
Two clicks too close for me. Move away...
Great to see Dave at The Winchester getting his dues.
I saw further reminders of The Great War, including a huge French graveyard. Brings you up short.
Saw a couple of more memorials along the way.
This one marks French 'fallen'.
I went through Reims about lunchtime: looks like an interesting town and not just because it is the world hq of shampoo.
Reims cathedral...good work!
Of course the countryside around Reims was full of fantastic looking vineyards and loads of producers trying to tempt you in...keep moving son, there's nothing for you here.
Apt. Bouzy on the Champagne trail?
I was very pleased to eventually see a village bar open: it was like a ghost town pretty much every where that I rode through...great for zero traffic but not great when you need water. Another note: say 'bidons', not 'bottles'. He was a cyclist so he was onside, hah-hah!
You expect France to be warm in July- it was a reminder of how the wall of heat from the tarmac just warms the cockles sometimes. Fair enough.
Cannondale's 2015 Sagan model released to the public. He probably still could wheelie it. Uphill. No hands.
Don't worry, hundreds of wee bast**d flies were harmed during this photo.
Took some finding but it was a tres pleasant final few miles to Saint-Dizier.
Tonight's acco is cheap and colourful. Let's leave it there. Early departure? We head south tomorrow, beginning the three hardest days...keep your fingers crossed. Cheers!
While we're here, and I know that I say this quite a bit, but a massive thank you to you generous types who have donated to these causes. Good on you. You know that I'm busting my balls out there at times, so it's really appreciated.
I will give £10 for every £50 that you do. Aside from that, there is one other thing that would help, if you can do it...please share this blog and/or the JG links with your pals/acquaintances/enemies.
I know that it is Bastille Day but with the destination in mind, there's only one artist who's featuring here tonight!
Although my acco in Calais appeared er, rustic, it was the best night's sleep in ages. Their wi-fi worked and the room's telly showed Allemagne netting me £90 courtesy of the work's sweepstake. Suckers, haw-haw!
Breakfast served to your room: bacon & eggs must be hiding.
On departure, the proprietor asked me where I was headed: the eyes always give it away. Her phrase was "...but that's many kilometres?" but she was really saying, "give it up- you've no chance. Btw, can you lend me £90?".
Here's my own Le Tricolour to celebrate Bastille Day: factor 30 has been applied. Retrospectively.
(Clean) socks are so last season.
Suffered the by-now anticipated nav-pfaff: getting sent down paths more suited to MTBs etc...saw this fantastic looking tower while I swore at Calais & Garmin & my own inepitude...
Eventually I got away on what looked like a decent track: the worst I had all day was a crosswind, so that is massive!
This'll do nicely.
I didn't realise that it was Bastille Day until I happened across this band: they had a few veterans amongst their audience too. Funny how things dovetail sometimes.
Routemasters shouldn't have this indignity forced upon them!
Yesterday you told me left, now it's right. Make up your mind!
This fellow was having a ball: he was cycling away, talking loudly, "Oh, aren't you being a good boy? You're so quiet back there!" to all and sundry.
This was a rolling terrain: I effing hate it...either give us a big climb or not, but make your effing mind up, hah-hah! I went for a re-route which would shave 10 miles off the distance but add 1000' to the climbing. Regardless, I was mightily chuffed when a proper cyclist coming the opposite direction downhill shouted at me, "Courage! Courage!". It's the little things that give you a gee-up, isn't it?
Funky water tower.
Need to have a word with my PR people. This isn't working!
Sheer class. And ferme!
You couldn't fail to be aware that this was the ground where so many people were killed and injured in the Great War that began 100 years ago. As I made progress through Arras and beyond, it was a bit chilling to look at the corn and wheat fields and imagine the horrors that went before.
The French haven't forgotten either: far from it and I saw a few Union Flags flown alongside Le Tricolour. I even got a little applause and a few shouts thanks to the RBL cycling jersey as I rolled on through a couple of villages.
It still means something around these parts.
It wasn't until I stopped at one of the memorials that you begin to have an idea of the scale: there were churches along the route with military graveyards. All in immaculate order.
Back on the road again and an amazed to see more lunatic 'Town Twining'...
Peronne = Ewood Park?
Followed by more memorials to Canadian and Australian forces, plus the occasional road-reminder:
The final 10 miles were a blast through ridiculously lovely roads...prior to wasting 20 minures looking for the flamin' Ibis!
...however, nothing beats the taste of this number! An outrageously excellent brew, and thoroughly deserved. Well, a bit...
Probably the best cider in the world. Certainly felt like it, hah-hah!
While we're here, and I know that I say this quite a bit, but a massive thank you to you generous types who have donated to these causes. Good on you.
I will give £10 for every £50 that you do. Aside from that, there is one other thing that would help, if you can do it...please share this blog and/or the JG links with your pals/acquaintances/enemies.
Struggled to think of anything more apt for today's mission to allez to Calais! Actually, stuff apt...it's a great tune anytime!
Must admit that I could have slept on a bit this morning but the lure of an Imperial College metrically-measured out Full English (Full? You're having a laugh!) was simply too great to resist...
No sign of Liz.
Mind you, today was a rest day really, and I am on holiday so bollocks to it...a-sauntering it will be! Actually it was a struggle getting set on the right course out of London, seeing as how a load of charity do-gooder types were generally disrupting the traffic. They make my blood boil...
I did get to ride down The Mall which is something that I have wanted to do for ever. Must admit that that is a bit sad really, although I almost managed to wing a couple of tourists too...
Mine. All mine.
Just missing Alan Beresford B'Stard MP.
I was the only cyclist on the A2 for the whole day, at least until about 5 miles from Dover. Like yesterday, Gawd bless The Romans: no muss, no fuss...let's go!
Garden? You sure? To be fair I did see a Dobbies later on.
No. Me neither.
The holiday theme continued when I met up with my sister and her entourage just outside Canterbury (a big thank you to Sue for a superbly generous donation!) for a pub lunch. This is what cycling should be like, hah-hah!
A big old thank you to Claire for Sunday lunch. I could've stayed a while longer!
Timed it right: a biblical David Gower ,followed by the water evaporating.
Hang on, we're leaving the country now: a bit late in the day to be telling me?
The only cyclist that I saw all day. Keep rolling, brother...
This left only 20 miles to Dover and those famous white cliffs. It never ceases to amaze just how many people (nevermind freight) to and fro between the UK and Yerup. Good to see.
There is nothing not to like in this photo!
My arse.
"They'll be bluebirds over the P&O terminal..."
Belgique headbangers/chartered surveyors.
So here ends a lazy Sunday, watching the WC final with commentary en francais. Still miles better than Townsend & Tyldesley, hah-hah!. Malarkey awaits tomorrow...see you then!
Gotta say, top grub onboard P & O's finest. Cheers!
While we're here, and I know that I say this quite a bit, but a massive thank you to you generous types who have donated to these causes. Good on you!
I will give £10 for every £50 that you do. Aside from that, there is one other thing that would help, if you can do it...please share this blog and/or the JG links with your pals/acquaintances/enemies.
