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