Day four 4th June 2013

Stage 4 Vernon to Chateaudun

86 miles

The sun was shining as we arose and the temperature sat at a steady 15 degrees. We all readied ourselves in the car park and set off at 10am. We rode back towards Vernon before turning South to make our way towards Chateaudun. A steady 400ft climb out of Vernon ensured we were all warm enough for the day ahead. After 10 miles we cycled into Pacy-sur-Eure and stumbled across a very professional looking bike shop called ‘Cycles Cauchois’. Not missing an opportunity to get a bit of bike shopping in, Foz stepped off his steed and entered. This was a great opportunity to replace the chain that snapped on day 1 outside Great Ormond Street in his record attempt for the quickest breakdown on tour. After Matt established that the French for chain was chaine, our hosts duly provided a replacement for Foz. We also learnt that Sandy Casar, the French cyclist who rides for the FDJ professional racing team, lives nearby. Our sincere thanks go to the team that helped us out at ‘Cycles Cauchois’ – un grand merci!

The pace steadied but the temperature gradually rose, it reached 25 degrees within the first hour. At the 15 mile mark.......Sssssssssss.........Pete (renamed Pierre) picked up his first puncture. However, he took it in his stride and before we knew it we were on our way again.

We pressed on, heading for Dreux which would be our first stop of the day, but we stumbled upon Chateau D’Anet. What a place! With Pierre needing the loo, he tried to use the one at the chateau; despite knocking several times, he got no joy!

We decided to avoid the Dreux bypass to get to our first stop, it looked a busy road and Steve phoned through to confirm it. A decision was made to navigate through the centre of Dreux. Yes it was busy, but with the aid of our Garmin sat navs, it made it easy – thanks Garmin!  We found stop 1 at the 34 mile mark and after gorging on stacks of sandwiches provided by Steve (what a star he is) we headed off once again.

A fast pace was set as we had fallen behind time, and very quickly we put another 10 miles on the clock, despite the road being quite busy. After a stop for the loo we decided to ease off a bit, going too fast in the middle of the day in the heat was not to be recommended. We meandered through Chateauneauf-en-Thymerais (these French towns are beautiful) and hit the D23. 

 What lay ahead was not expected, but has to be one of the best bike rides we have ever done. The road carried virtually no cars, was surrounded by gently rolling fields and woodlands, the road surface was smooth and the wind was on our backs. The sun kept the temperature steady at 25 degrees and we effortlessly cycled along, mile after mile, with great beaming smiles on all our faces. It was just MAGNIFIQUE! We even stumbled across the sacred turf of a road ridden by Wiggo:

We stopped again in the beautiful village of Illiers-Combray, Steve having found another idyllic spot. We must say a huge thanks to Steve, as he is providing us with the most brilliant support, help, advice, food, route guidance, and even freshly brewed tea on arrival!! What a star. Having refuelled again, we had less than 20 miles to go. The sun was still shining and the temperature remained a steady 25 degrees, but with the pace we were setting, the miles were eaten up quickly. Thank you route D23, what a brilliant road to cycle. With 5 miles to go, we turned onto a busier road heading into Chateaudun.

Foz got the bit between his teeth and before we knew it, we were clattering along at 25mph. The ‘Powertrain’ was in motion, we all took turns at the front and before we knew it a huge Chateau loomed on the horizon. We had done it, Day 4 in the bag. But there is always a surprise round the corner. Foz spotted three WW2 American army vehicles parked up on the other side of the road, just as we were rolling towards the hotel. These guys were headed up to Normandy to commemorate the 69^th anniversary of D-day. Good luck on your trip up North guys, we will continue South!

The day was done, all safe and sound, another 86 miles completed with an average speed of 15.5mph. Time in the saddle was 5.5 hours. Total distance covered since the start is 337 miles, over 20% of our epic adventure completed. Thank you to all our friends, family, followers and sponsors for all your help and support. Onwards we go!

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Day three 3rd June 2013

Stage 3 Abbeville to Vernon

86 Miles

The day started well with a continental breakfast and copious cups of coffee. Matt and Peter had suffered with splitting headaches during the night. At first we thought it was dehydration, but both had been taking in enough fluids but we all had been careful to ‘drink plenty’ . We think it was caffeine withdrawal as the pair of them normally drink gallons of tea!

We set off and just around the corner of the hotel was a picturesque town square. A quick photo shoot and we were off again.

Our spirits were high and were boosted even higher by the amazing countryside and lovely smooth roads. Although dry it was a bit overcast and a little bit chilly at the start. At 19 miles we had a quick stop at Senarpont and watched the Swifts flying in and out of their nests that were attached to side of a house, delightful.

The next stop was at 28 miles at Aumale in a car park of what we thought was disused railway station. Steve had been shopping and bought delicious Jambon (ham) and Poullet (chicken) baguettes and had a life saving brew on for a caffeine fix (see above). We also tucked into Johanna’s chocolate cake she had made for the trip and to quote Foz ‘It was the best chocolate cake he has ever had’.

Whilst replenishing our used calories we were amazed to see a futuristic (to UK standards) train pull up at the non- disused shabby station.

Off we set again and the clouds started to thin out and the sun popped out. It was perfect, the roads were smooth and the wind was behind us and the infrequent passing motorists gave us plenty of space, such a refreshing change from home.

At about 43 miles we stopped had another short break at Saint Samson la Poterie a pretty little village centre with a memorial made a perfect backdrop for a picture

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We then pressed on looking forward to our next stop at 58 miles. Once again, perfect conditions and sunshine obviously gave us brain fade. Steve had duly set up at the predetermined lay-by and we duly cycle straight past him. We got about 2 miles up the road and a phone call from a bemused Steve pointed out what we had done. He ditched the freshly boiled water out of the kettle and hot-footed after us. 

We stop at Mainnville by a fast running river and we picnicked on the grass bank by the bubbling water in idyllic surrounds.

We then reluctantly set of for the final leg to Vernon. The road was busy but straight for 7 miles. The usual smooth surface and the wind behind us meant very little effort was required and we soon arrived at the outskirts of our destination. Then we had 3 free miles as it was downhill all the way to the massive traffic jam just before the bridge over Seine. We managed to weave away through and took in the brilliant view.

We pedalled on to the hotel and met up with Steve who had sorted the rooms out and was waiting for us. A quick Fozzing (to Foz: verb; to wash, clean, polish, oil and maintain a cycle) of the bikes and putting them into our cavernous bathrooms for storage. Matt reported hearing Foz say ‘It’s the best bath I’ve ever had, I can soak in the bath, looking at my bike’.

Another great days’ cycling we can’t wait for the next stage.

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