Day 10 - Carcassonne to Perpignan

Minds were beginning to turn to the finish line. The promise of a fairly flat day, and a cool and cloudy start to the day, meant we were expecting an easy ride into Perpignan. Of course, such things are like a mirage. 

Humidity, a nasty crosswind, and some busy roads turned much of this day into a demoralising slog. The journey into Perpignan gave our first view of the mediterranean sea, which symbolised the beauty of completing the crossing from north to south in France.

We took a diversion to Ste Marie La Mer, a seaside village to the west of Perpignan, and dropped in on former UEL lecturer Max O’Neill, who now lives there. He plied us with Desperado Beer and some beautifully woven anecdotes, and packed us on our way for the final 10 miles of the ride to Stade Gilbert Brutus! 

The tequila seemed to make those miles a little easier – and we turned out wheels to the home of the Catalans Dragons, where we were met by Paul Jenkins and his lovely wife Marie – less than a year after he completed a similar (but slightly longer!) ride from Warrington. The champagne tasted great. The ride is complete! We all made it!!

Chapeau, boys and girls.

Day 9 - Toulouse to Carcassonne

Today was originally planned to be a nice flat ride out to Carcassonne, gently spinning the legs after tackling the hillier recent days’ riding. Graham had other ideas though. We climbed a mountain. An actual, <600m mountain. Andy looked like death on legs when he finally reached the summit, closely followed by Steve in the minibus parping his horn aggresively and shouting abuse at Andy.

Everybody enjoyed a well deserved lunch break at what we thought was the summit. Kevin was christened ‘Forrest Gump’  for his relentless motion. It was only after we re-saddled, and free-wheeled for a few hundred metres, that the expected descent now became a further 100m ascent, and a downhill that was interrupted by flats and climbs. 

The final descent into a foothill village was  a lovely straight road with no cars and a 15% downhill. Any ambition of grabbing a fastest speed were scuppered by the most unpredictable crosswinds, whose sole purpose seemed to be to throw us over the edge of a sheer drop. Brilliant at the time. A bit scary looking back… Oh, and 42mph was the top speed recorded - in case you were wondering.

Day 8 - Cahors to Toulouse

Fribbo’s sick chain meant the first part of today involved him and Steve finding a bike shop, getting the chain re-fitted, smartening up his derailleur, and straightening his wheel. Meanwhile, Kevin, Grahan and Andy set about the long and winding climb out of Cahors. The marmite receptionist wished us ‘good luck’ with that climb. It was as much a relief that the climb ended,  as it was that it was done at the start of day!

This was a scorching day. The sight of Steve in the UELSports minubus became the most welcoming sight, for sore eyes, legs, and butts. Flying in formation got us through some long miles in the afternoon, and some quick thinking by Graham and Kevin saved us from riding down a motorway for TOO far… scurrying across the carriageways to dodge cars, and negotiating a central reservation was certainly an unexpected experience!!

And the afternoon ended with the arrival of Claire and Paul, who, because of work commitments back in blighty, were unable to join the earlier parts of the trip!

Day 7 - Brive to Cahors

Today we suffered our first mecahnical casualty. Fribbo’s chain snapped 20 miles into the days ride, just a few hundred metres from what was a stunning 6%, 3km, switchbacking decscent into town. Fortunately, after much mocking and tears in the van, Steve compassionately drove back to the top and let the chainless Fribbo free wheel to the bottom.

The morning started well. Some long miles of climbing out of Brive swiftly transitioned into tarmac-come-gravel single lane back roads which then transitioned into some amazing MTB single track – which isn’t much fun on 23mm tyres at 120PSI. We came through though and eventually found our way back onto the main road. A few miles of steady pace later and Fribbo had his incident. Despite the group’s best attempts at fixing the chain, it was too far-gone and so David’s day came to an early end once more.

The rest of the gang continued onward and upward (literally).  More energy sapping climbs, some headwinds (that always remained headwinds regardless of the direction being travelled) and blue skies ensured this was a day that felt every yard of the 70 or so miles.

Day 6 - Limoges to Brive

Today saw a stark change in the type of cycling that had come before. The first few days offered gentle rolling hills that could be crested at a fairly decent pace without much trouble but now the lumpy stuff has begun. Far more aggressive inclines and much longer in length, the nutrition advice given by David Dixon began to play a very important role in the groups’ condition.

Kevin was the first to feel the wrath of the group when he arrived late to the start line. Then Fribbo took the mantle in the afternoon when he got out of the van and began pushing the pace with fresh legs while the others were not so keen. A few friendly words later and the group were together again though, rolling into Brive having completed around 500 miles so far.

Andy discovered that bonking feeling. Not pretty.

Day 5 - Chatellerault to Limoges

Today was a ride of two halves. The first 40ish miles were flat and fast. The group organsed itself into a very effective train and ate up the morning miles on their way to Chauvigny and then on to Moulismes. After a nice lunch stop the terrain turned very lumpy and a new challenge ensued.

An exhausted Fribbo jumped into the van and rested while the others battled through.  The afternoon’s highlight was a valley descent along empty hairpinned hillside roads. This, inevitably was followed by the climb back up the valley, which had heart rates soaring, and gears clicking to beat the sharp incline.

The hotel, with its peaceful lakeside view, and swimming pool, was a wonderful treat after such a tough day of riding.