The Cycling Leg - A Potted Summary

The cycling leg has been absolutely incredible and has exceeded everbody's expectations on many levels. I have been guilty of under-estimating the amount of climbing significantly, ignoring the minor aclivities that all add up and changing the route. It has all turned out for the best and I have just about kept the group together and sane. There were two close moments today though. Firstly after a tougher than planned morning taking the scenic route around the Gorges de Verdon, which tripled the planned distance, we headed into a head wind and at 2pm with no lunch stop the group realised we had 100km to go.



I sensed a near mutiny moment, but happily after a few more km's heading into the wind we were descending and then heading west, munching tarmac greedily. Then about 7pm after 11 hours in the saddle and no end in sight, Richard and Karen are gibbering and laughing uncontrollably. Fortunately the final hour to the coast is a fast blast cruising in at around 50kmph despite a fierce headwind.

Our accomodation also exceeded expectations with each night spent in an idylic gite where we spent quality time eating and relaxing with Juliet supplying incredible food, Fiona incredible massage and Jed incredible music. 3 pairs of magic hands looking after us, all of which helped us get through this tough challenge.






The final stats are:

DAY 1 - Chamonix to Pinet (near Grenoble) - 103 MILES (165km), vertical 2,450m.
DAY 2 - Pinet to Col de Manse (near Gap) - 80 MILES (128km) vertical 2,600m
DAY 3 - Col de Manse to Castellane - 100 Miles (160km), vertical 2,265m
DAY 4 - Castellane to Hyeres, via Gorges de Verdon - 111 miles (177km) vertical 2,000m.

Total - 394 miles (630km) total ascent of 9,315m (more than climbing Mt Everest from Sea Level)

The feedback from all participants was that it was an exceptional and incredibly tough but rewarding challenge. For me the last 2 days of the route exceeded all possible expectations, the sweeping bends tracking the verdon river, passing through tunnels and under rock arches can only be described as Fantasy Cycling, more reminscent of a video game than reality! As I looked at everyone's faces it was clear that they were all thinking the same