The long journey home

Support vehicle with 8 bikes ( four on roof and four inside) at Caen port waiting to board ferry home.
Sarah and Simon were loaded up and sent on their way by the guys at 9.00 this morning. 10 hours and 590 miles later here we are waiting for the night crossing to Portsmouth. Looking forward to a good nights sleep aboard.
 ... the adventure is nearly over.

Day 8- Ganges to Montpellier

Overnight Ganges had been transformed into a busy market place. After a leisurely breakfast and short walk around the market the riders departed for the final short stage to Montpellier. Sun shining but not too warm. Climbed out of Ganges on busy road with fast moving traffic passing close by- not very pleasant  start. A short descent after the climb and then we turned off onto a much quieter and more scenic route.
Riders were all in team colours and we really started to believe that we were part of pro team. As we knew the day was going to be very short there was plenty of messing around and racing each other up the hills - you will have to ask Gary who got to the top first.
With about only 15 miles to go we stopped for coffee and Pain au chocolat- we resisted the temptation to having a bottle of the champagne that was in the fridge in the boulangerie (champagne in a bakers? Very French) and set off for the final time.
Traffic and navigating in Montpellier was a nightmare and we were all totally focused on arriving in one piece. Loads of closed roads and one-ways. Sarah was also having a nightmare having initially gone to the wrong hotel and called to say that she was struggling to locate the hotel as we were.  Martin and Steve went off to try and locate the hotel and coincidentally found Sarah. Meanwhile the remaining riders discovered that they were standing just 150m from hotel!!

We had arrived-620 miles of cycling from North to South France in 8 days.

Nous sommes arrives!!!

Day 7- St Genieve to Ganges

Breakfast at 7.30 with an 8.15 start after some tinkering with the gears on Gary's bike. Weather was cold, overcast with light rain for first climb of the day which took us to over 950m. Quite a few miles at height with variable weather conditions. This was followed by the first amazing descent of the day into Tarn gorge- breathtaking views and exciting riding on the hairpins (Sarah also found it quite alarming in a right hand drive car with a sharp drop off to the side.)

Having lost so much height we then proceeded along the gorge for quite a distance, still very beautiful scenery. Sarah met up with us at the end of the gorge and provided all the ingredients for a picnic lunch - baguettes, cheese, ham, crisps pastries etc. Aidan took control and made sandwiches for everybody. We delayed as long as we could but we all knew what was coming......

First part of the climb took us to over 1000m for the first time - everybody just stuck at it and the climb didn't seem too bad, steady gradients of 5-6%. Some more distance at height and then the second part of the ascent right up to 1300m. Everyone had photos taken at the top just to prove we got there. 60 miles complete, just another 30 to go.

And so began the most amazing descent that any of us has experienced - over 12 miles of steep sweeping downhill. Strong winds made things a little interesting and at one point almost brought the bikes travelling at over 30mph to a complete standstill! After the steep descent we were unsure of what to expect for the reaming 20 miles but we were pleasantly surprised to discover that the downhill continued all the way to Ganges.

So overall the hardest day for most but also some of the most amazing cycling that any of us have experienced.

Stats for day:

93 miles

6,400 ft climbing

7,400 ft descending (mostly very quickly)

Highest point -1300m

Weather - cold, light rain, some sun and then warm and sunny once over mountains.

Tomorrow just 30 miles into Montpellier- almost there.

N.b. due to technical problems with Sarah's phone she had simon's phone today. So if you were surprised by how fast the bikes were travelling this was because the tracker was being powered by a 2.0L diesel engine today!

Day 6-Aurillac to St Geniez d'Olt

Just a quick update as limited Internet access. Today was a shorter day in terms of mileage (about 60) so we had a more leisurely start at 9.00, out of town through rush hour traffic straight into first climb of the day.   Weather was more overcast with some rain ( Gary says max temp was 19) so shells were on/off most of day.
Highlight of the day was an 8km descent that seemed to go on forever - it was of course followed by an ascent that went on forever! Arrived at hotel around 4.30, giving time for a quick beer, shower and then wander around town before dinner.
Great dinner ( best so far in France) served by hotel owner whose  son lives in Coventry and comes to England every year and stays in Nailcote Hall - small world. After dinner much discussion over route for tomorrow as heading into some serious mountains, possibly 1300m+. By the way, many thanks to Kate for providing maps of route- they have been of great help.
Good night all!

Lunch in Pleaux day 5

Another very friendly French cafe.  Great service, good food and an old dog called Shadow.

Day 5 - meymac to aurillac - (everyone hurts)

Martin started the day by filleting a croissant at the breakfast table.Our resident butcher (Aidan) complimented him on the butterfly action. Sarah did a great job of checking us in and out again :)  Steve started the day by waving and blowing kisses to our terrific landlady for the evening. Martin on the other hand tried to nick the room keys!

The day started with a long 6km climb and then a forest section and a meeting with a truck on a bend full of animal slurry. Unfortunately for Tim and Simon they took the brunt of the slop that came over the side. The stench was (and is still) horrific!

Gary as ever was full of insults (and a temp of27.2c). Martin was (and still is) King of the maps and Steve took massive turns on the front again dragging us home.

Lunch was a scene from Alo Alo.l!  Pizza, omlettes, chips and more coca cola. The cafe dog called Shadow.

Bikes fairing up well despite the abuse. Long periods of silence - a real challenge but still enjoyable. I speak for all when i say everyone is tired. I won't lie we are all absolutely shattered - we have been in the saddle for 9 hours today. We climbed snowdon three times today in between traffic and tractors. Probably the hardest day but also the most enjoyable.

Highlights: pig slurry, 1945 war bridge across the Dordogne, cafe stop for lunch, super long super fast decents, disco hotel arrival and wigs.

Love to all at home - the boys (and Sarah).

Ian

Day 4

Set off from Le Chateau at 8.30- sad to leave such a beautiful location. Full compliment of riders with Simon rejoining a little sore still but keen to get going again. Sky was a little less blue but still turned into a very nice day although not as hot as yesterday (Gary says 29.2 C was peak).
Started quite quickly to get the pattern for the day with fairly long climbs followed by fast descents. Undulating hills became bigger hills as the day progressed. Countryside was very much like Wales except for the weather. Very remote but found small cafe for cafe around 11.30 but nowhere for a suitable lunch stop. Sarah was great refuelling us several times.
Pace got slower as we tired during the day but finished with a great long 40+ mph descent into Meymac.

73 miles, 1400 m ( 4600 ft )of climbing, highest point 940 m and calories burnt around 5,000!

A hard days ride but enjoyable

Mystery cyclists

Can you correctly identify the seven cyclists? Answers tomorrow

Arrival at le chateau

Team Thornby Wheelers riding up to Chateau after 105 miles and then relaxing with mineral water!!

Guys did an amazing job today. Early start at 7.30 with no breakfast, but made good progress and treated themselves to coffee and croissants at about 25 miles. Sarah and Simon met up with them at about 50 miles for refuelling ( water, mars bars, sports drinks and bonbons).

Lunch stop was 73 miles at around 1.30pm.  Nice location on river. Good meal but service was a little slow. Again Sumon and Sarah were able to join.

Last stage temperature was very high( Gary says 36.1 C) with very little shelter. Simon and Sarah went ahead and checked in. Guys arrived about 5.30 pn, tired but very but feeling pleased- nearly 300 miles in 3 days!

Day 3 Amboise to Noth

Due to a wedding at the hotel the restaurant was closed and as the town was too far,Gary and Sarah collected some French cuisine par excellence - Big Macs all round in Steve's room.
Up early - 7.30 departure as a long ride today -105 miles.
Simon helping with support duties this morning but hoping to get back on bike at lunchtime .

Day 2 - hard day, but amazing scenery and great cycling roads

Set off this morning at 8.30 after good breakfast. Cool but sun already out and warmed up quickly.
After only about 8 miles Simon managed to put a wheel off the road at about 25 mph and went down quite hard onto Tarmac. Helmet saved the day and my skull - glad I just bought a new carbon fibre one. Some nasty grazes but incredibly both bike and me in one piece and able to continue- somebody looking after me.

We cycled on to 60 miles before our lunch stop( see above) where Sarah joined us. Road after lunch was miles of undulations and did seem to go on forever. Eventually arrived to a beautiful view of Amboise over the river Loire. Hotel was up a hill- not what you need after a long ride. Final mileage for day was 97 miles - very happy to arrive but very very tired. Big day tomorrow.
P.S. Gary says temperature today was 32.4 C

Day 2 Neufchatel-en-Saosnois to Amboise

Early to bed and all had a good nights sleep. Breakfast at 7.30 and they were off by 8.30 this morning.
Sorry about lack of photographs - and I'm not too sure what happened to the one with Ian and Aiden!!
Can't edit stuff as I need Si's login- He's a bit busy today ;-)

day 1 photos

Day 1 - Rider experience

A very cold start to the day- shirt choice turned out to be very important. The short sleeve brigade were freezing! Sea mist became a fog for first couple of hours. Had a cafe stop after an hour off ferry having had no breakfast. Sarah joined us and everybody took the opportunity to grab extra layers.
By mid morning sun was starting to burn through and things started to warm up. Great lunch stop outside the cathedral Notre Dame ( Sees not Paris). Sarah met up with us with plenty of provisions.

In afternoon we happened upon le musee de velo- completely by chance as took a wrong turning. Amazing collection of bikes and Le Tour memorabilia- saw a couple of Lance Armstrong's yellow jerseys.

Arrived at hotel in good time - first 84 miles complete without major incident. Looking forward to day 2!

End of Day

Day 1 Caen -Neufchatel-en-Saosnois

Hi

Just a quick blog before tea- The internet is really slow so more photos until later

The ferry crossing was fine and the chaps rode onto the ferry without too much problem - Si and I had to wait forever in a queue so by the time we got aboard the chaps had eaten and had a little glass of wine to calm their nerves.

Off the ferry by 6.45 ( French time) a little sorting of bikes and then they were off.

I managed to get a coffee and lunch break with them even though I tried really hard to avoid them!!

The roads were good the sun was out and it was really easy going- well that was me in the car. I'll get the chaps to fill you in with the technical stuff later.

Arrived in good time at the hotel - a refreshing beer was in order.

Arrived Portsmouth

Departing Kenilworth

Thursday 6 September

 Last minute packing this morning and checking we have all the relevant equipment. Kate is assisting in driving half of the group and all the bikes down to Portsmouth - it's the last time they will travel in comfort for 8 days. We will be catching the night ferry from Portsmouth to Caen. Having just checked the weather, it is forecast as "fair, smooth or slight". So a good nights sleep - we hope

Arrival in Caen is 6.45 (local time) where the guys will don team colours and the adventure will begin.

The Grand Fromage - The Final Countdown

Euro 12, Wimbledon, Tour de France,The Golden Jubilee and The Olympic Games- all wonderful events in 2012 -However  the "creme de la creme" event of the year has to be The Grand Fromage.

The Fab Four are now The Magnificent Seven! Aidan, Gary, Ian, Martin, Simon, Steve and Tim will be cycling from Caen to Montpellier from the 7-14 September.

I shall be going along as support driver and to keep them from getting into mischief. I shall also be posting photographs and keeping you all up to date with events.

3 years ago it was Jogle and we were really encouraged by the support and comments posted on the blog so thought we would set one up again,

So watch this space.................