Some pics from EGMIPIM09 at the Cycle2Cannes finish, as our riders are welcomed by London mayor Boris Johnson:
Continue reading Boris Johnson Welcomes Cycle2Cannes Cyclists.
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Doug has gone mad - he's definitly earning every penny you helped us raise completing all stages per day bar one when his bike broke. I think he's been secretly eating Duracell batteries...
Kevin stared slow, but is now averging 4 out of 6 stages a day. Perhaps planning a an all stager today??
Myself? 3 stages a day, but moving up to 4 today as its warm, sunny and the scenery is stunning. Body not quite broken yet :-)
Each stage is between 40 and 60km.
Bring on the hills!
Hi - Sara here - another of the 3 girls on the trip...
Really starting to feel the weather warming up now. The sun has warmth at 8am and the short gloves are packed in the daybag in anticipation for the afternoon.
We've been flying along on the flats these past days- averaging 35km/hr or so. With the front group taking the wind for the rest, it's a joy to ride and the speed is really exhilirating for the amatauers in the group.
Rolled through orchards and the usual small villages this morning, watching the sun rise behind the hills and mist. It's now 8.30am here and there's still 11 hours of riding to go. Realising most of London is still asleep as I listen to teammates call their children on the way to school.
Not sure what I'm going to have to talk about tomorrow at MIPIM- I've forgotten about the rest of the world. Can't wait for a long lie in on wednesday!
This year's current crop of cyclists aren't the first to head down to Cannes on bike. This pic above is of the 1999 EG Transport Challenge cycling team, with people from Stockley Park and EG's own Stacey Meadwell.
I took the picture after they arrived in Cannes. I beat them down there, but I was on a rather more leisurely mode of transport:
Continue reading Cycling to Cannes - 1999 Style.
Decending into Chanas, red skies, adrenalin pumping and images of tonight steak and frites dinner...
After a miserable morning following last nights miserable dinner... The wind dropped, the sun came out. Almost all 66 riders out enjoying the ascents and descents... With the thought of tonights steak dinner on everyone's minds we rolled into Chanas at a speedy 35km/hr.
The diet of carbon fueled energy bars, gels and drinks taking its toll.
Hampered even further by a strong head wind. Very little banter in the peleton.
The experienced ones weren't wrong when they said today is the toughest.
Scenery changing - lots of small rural villages - its like going back 50 years. Lots of dogs and horses going mad as we pass, and even the odd deer.
Time for a quick snooze on the coach before we head back out again...
Great day - spirits really lifted by time we reeled into the hotel at 8pm... Late but some great decents. Really got the speed up as we wound down the hair pin bends. And couldn't come soon enough - the morning rides had been rather dull.. Endless straight roads through an open landscape of vast fields.
Day finished on a rather strange seafood pasta dinner in Dijon (how far from the sea?). More testing than the road.
Everyone red faced and tired.
Half way there :-)
Longest day today - 320km. Not sure anyone has managed all of it, but def some who did 5 of 6 stages totalling around 270km + an extra 15km as we went the wrong way at one point! Myself? A respectable 175km today. Looking forward to dinner as starving!
Great day though. Chilly and icy start turned into glorious sunshine with a tail wind - not a cloud in the sky as we sped at speeds averaging 26km/hr through a beautiful rolling countryside where the roads stretched out before us. This is what its all about :-)
A few falls, but nothing serious - and a few aches and pains keeping the lovely SMART girls (Zara and Alison) busy. Thanks girls for taking care of us!
Bring on tomorrow...
Morning! Its very dark outside....
Leaving Greenwich Park at 9am this morning already seems a long time ago. It's good to be back on the road, my third c2c and perhaps the fact that I know the ropes means I've been even more excited about this one than previous editions.
Holed up in Calais holiday Inn this evening it's time to think about the journey ahead. Today's jaunt down from London to Folkestone like a mini rehearsal for the much longer, colder and
darker stages to come - tomorrow covers
over 300km alone! Allez Allez!
We are now in Folkstone - bikes packed away and riders on the coach.
A bit chilly at times today but can't have been too bad as I think I have got sunburn. Everyone inspired for the week ahead.
Today's 90km passed quickly and with no mishaps. An amazing sight - 66 cyclists in pairs weaving through the countryside. Big thanks to the British Cycling motorbike escorts - superb job. And what a treat to go through red lights :-)
Next stop France...
Today's 90km passed quickly and with no mishaps. An amazing sight - 66 cyclists in pairs weaving through the countryside. Big thanks to the British Cycling motorbike escorts - superb job. And what a treat to go through red lights :-)
Next stop France...
Clear blue sky... A rainbow of lycra colours descends on Greenwich.
Excited and nervous banter as everyone prepares to head off. 20 mins to go...
Hello, my name is Annabel and I'm one of 3 girls taking part in Cycle to Cannes with 60 odd men...
If you don't know, Cycle to Cannes is an annual 6-day 1500km cycling relay endurance event. You can find out more information at www.cycle2cannes.org.
We leave at 9am from Greenwich tomorrow - wish me luck and follow my progress!
