I am back home after a wonderful; last 3 weeks. It has been incredible that I have cycled to Lourdes and had a week pilgrimage and then journeyed back on the train.
I thought I would put up stats about my trip tonight and then over the next few days I will post my GPS data.
Unfortunately on the last day my data got corrupted for that day.
Total Distance: 963.99 km
Total Time 46h 33 min
Total kCal 45899
Well the Pilgrimage is ready to depart home. The money is still coming in. Thank you all so much for you wonderful donations. I will post a bit more when I get home.
I am really glad I had a early start today as the weather is really hot 38c at the moment. It was a really warm journey although I took it at quite a pace.
It was a real sense of accomplishment cycling down from the town to the entrance of the Domain.
I did not know how I would feel, but the main sensation was one of relief.
Relief that I had made it, relief that I did not have any major problems, relief that I did not let myself or others down.
It took a lot of preparation both physically and mentally, but I must say, the most difficult part was believing in myself that I could do it. Well I managed it and hopefully once I have had a good sleep the satisfaction and sense of achievement will come to me.
When I met up with dad after a lovely lunch in the Santa Rose (unfortunately there was no pate art) I took dad around the Domain, Its very hot at the moment and hopefully it will cool before the Pilgrimage arrives on Friday. With the heat I will not attempt the Col de Tormalade as it will be to dehydrating.
I then had what I have been dreaming of for the last few weeks a nice cold beer at the Petit Fleur.
After a hot days cycling I have finally arrived in Lourdes.
Will write more later. Thanks for the support and if you have not already sponsored me now is a good time.
Today was a slightly odd day as it was hot and sunny all day but not that exciting a ride. I just stuck my head down and got on with it. It was a slow climb in the first 20km then a plateau finshing up with some rolling roads.
Thebest thing was there is a bath in the room so a soak was the highlight of the day.
I only have one more day to go and hopefully will be arriving in Lourdes about 1-2pm. I will let you know when i am there.
Thanks for all the support
Distance 110km, Time 4h26min, KCal 5472
I am glad I have finished today, not because it was a particually difficult or hilly ride but for some reason the whole ride was really hard work. I had a very sore arse and left knee pain and right hip pain, nothing to make me stop or anything just very annnoying. I also felt low in energy and had little reserves, which I suppose is to be expected after over 600km of riding now.
I rode through some beautiful fields with sunflowers then corn then vines, there were the odd patches of rain and Cognac was pretty.
After 100km I just was desperate to get to the finish but feel fine now I have had a shower. Only 3 days more cycling to go!
Thanks for the support
Well the first thing to say about the ride from Saumur to Niort was the weather, it was wet, very wet.
After thunder storms during the night the morning looked a bit brighter when we had breakfast however once I had changed the heavens opened and it was heavy rain. I put my rain coat and over shoes on and started pedaling towards Niort. I must say I did not pay to much attention to the scenery as I just kept my head down and my legs spinning. Occassionaly there was a flash of lightning but after about 3h the weather changed to a much brighter but cool day.
My legs felt strong but after about 100km all you want to do is get to the hotel and have a shower. Nearing the hotel in Niort I had a comedy fall at a roundabout as I could not unclip one of my feet from the pedal but no harm done and it must of looked funny to the other road users.
There are not really any photos of Day 4 but it was probably the easiest day cycling so far.
Today started off much better than yesterday, after a slightly late start I set off from Laval towards Saumur. Today I followed my planned route. There was minimal wind and the route was much more relaxed. The hills were less steep and the scenery was lovely, especially the fields of sunflowers all facing the same direction.
During the day it got hotter and hotter so I decided not to stop for lunch but to carry on to get to the hotel. The 120km took about 5h15min.
As it was so hot around 34C I got more and more dehydrated, running out of liquids with about 20km to go. A quick stop in a cafe and two orangennas and I was on my way.
Saumur is a lovely looking town adjacent to the Loire, we went for a drive along the Loire and then had a lovely dinner.
Its very windy now which hopefully will clear the air for tomorrow. My legs are a bit tight but I should be ok
Thanks for the support.
Its been a tough day but I have finished it. 171km in 8h 30min. This is a bit slower than what I was hoping for but there are two significant reasons for this. The first is that it was very windy, and southerly so the flat first 30km or so was a real struggle due to its exposure then it was hillier than I was expecting. They were just long drags at about 6-8% gradient which as soon as you have done one another would appear.
I am just about to leave for Portsmouth, thank you all for your kind sponsorship and I will keep you up to date with my progress.