tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74049994160577377352023-11-16T12:02:06.526+00:00Ian and Matt Cycle the Tour de France Route 2008Our Quest to Follow the World's Greatest Cycle RaceIan Callaghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00836194221710883642noreply@blogger.comBlogger58125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7404999416057737735.post-64339671284279200442008-08-03T23:14:00.008+01:002008-08-07T16:45:32.841+01:00Stage 21: Etampes - Paris Champs-Elysees 93km 29/7/08 Photos PARIS - The culmination of 23 days of hard cycling through some of the wettest, hottest, mountainous terrain we had ever experienced. After 9 months of training, through the bleak British winter (and sometimes equally bleak spring), after thrills, spills and bellyaches (sorry), we were approaching the finish.I remember being sat on my stationary trainer in my flat in December - pitch Ian Callaghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00836194221710883642noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7404999416057737735.post-27222164354268727772008-07-28T22:53:00.006+01:002008-08-07T16:44:32.796+01:00Stage 20: Cerilly - St Amond Montrand 53km Time Trial 28/7/08 Photos After a night spent at a rather impressive Chambre d’Hote with swimming pool in the finish town of Saint Armond Montrond, we drove to the start at Cerilly which meant back tracking. Schumacher, who had won stage 4’s time trial in Cholet, had also won this one in just over 1hour 3 minutes at over 30mph average. We wanted to beat the 2 hours and yet keep our heart rates down to promote Ian Callaghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00836194221710883642noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7404999416057737735.post-20411358986114581372008-07-28T22:50:00.007+01:002008-08-07T16:43:34.726+01:00Stage 19: Roanne - Montlucon 165.5km 27/7/08 Photos This was quite fortunately a shorter stage as we were by this time totally knackered and a little jaded. With only three days to go to Paris we were by this time feeling that we’d broken the back of this Tour and it was almost a little hard to motivate ourselves this morning on leaving Roanne.We left from the hotel adding on about 12km before reaching the start (we agreed to cut this Ian Callaghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00836194221710883642noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7404999416057737735.post-47199847646804500322008-07-28T22:46:00.004+01:002008-08-07T16:41:58.183+01:00Stage 18: Bourg d'Oisans - Saint Etienne 196.5km 26/7/08 Photos After a night spent in a hotel with magnificent mountain views, we awoke at 7am for breakfast prior to starting stage 18. We decided that as we had done an extra 5 miles the previous day, we would knock the last 5 flat miles off of this stage to avoid having to travel into busy Saint Etienne. Yesterday’s stage was really the decider and once through that, we were confident that Ian Callaghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00836194221710883642noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7404999416057737735.post-53435032844029539102008-07-28T22:40:00.005+01:002008-08-07T16:40:57.879+01:00Stage 17: Embrun - Alpe d'Huez 210km 25/7/08 Photos An epic stage in Tour de France circles and the day we had been dreading! 130 miles over 3 of the most famous climbs in Tour history, the Galibier, Croix de Fer and Alpe d’Huez.Christine had kindly set out our breakfast for us the night before as were had to be up at 5am. We knew the pro’s had taken 6 hours over this stage so we were looking at 11-12 hours plus stops. We shoved Ian Callaghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00836194221710883642noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7404999416057737735.post-20554367202815437752008-07-24T21:26:00.009+01:002008-08-07T16:37:58.586+01:00Stage 16: Cuneo - Jausiers 156km 24/7/08 Photos After spending a splendid night at Malcolm and Steph’s (in the secret location we are not allowed to disclose!) we headed off following our hearty breakfast feeling well rested.Many thanks to Malcolm, Steph, Carl and Sue for their exceptional hospitality and helping us to recharge our batteries before our assault on the Alps over the coming two days.So – to the stage itself. Ian Callaghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00836194221710883642noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7404999416057737735.post-74393275891251574922008-07-24T21:26:00.008+01:002008-08-07T16:37:09.214+01:00Rest Day 2: Near Cuneo 23/7/08PhotosWe had been looking forward to this rest day after some long, hot days in the saddle and we were blessed with perfect weather this time. We spent the day and evening with Malcolm and Steph, Carl and Sue in a small town near Cuneo. They asked me to keep the exact location secret as it really is an idyllic spot not yet discovered by British tourists! In fact, even the ski resorts, such as Ian Callaghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00836194221710883642noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7404999416057737735.post-42850815959456167882008-07-24T21:24:00.005+01:002008-08-07T16:36:20.212+01:00Stage 15: Embrun - Prato Nevoso 183km 22/7/08 Photos We woke up for a 7am breakfast, nervous about today’s stage and its early-on HC climb (Col d’Agnel) that would take us over the border into Italy. Christine put on a great spread and we felt fuelled up for the stage.Rather than drive to the start, we decided to cycle from our accommodation as it would only add a couple of miles to our ride. The first bit was along the busy N94 Ian Callaghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00836194221710883642noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7404999416057737735.post-47211791599241620612008-07-24T21:23:00.004+01:002008-08-07T16:35:19.584+01:00Stage 14: Nimes - Digne les Bains 194.5km 21/7/08 PhotosWe struck gold with our accommodation last night. The welcome, location and food was excellent. Its funny how variable Logis de France can be.We anticipated today’s stage to be tough. The profile looked uphill for most of the 121 miles. This coupled with a long transfer to Embrun in the Alpes ready for tomorrow’s stage required an early start.After a very humid night, we awoke at Ian Callaghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00836194221710883642noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7404999416057737735.post-63744048005501033452008-07-24T21:22:00.003+01:002008-08-07T16:34:07.706+01:00Stage 13: Narbonne - Nimes 182km 20/7/08 PhotosWe awoke early this morning for a 6.45am breakfast at the hotel. With thunder and lightning outside we were less than keen but it turned out that the rain had passed. The reason for the early start today was to try to cover as much distance as possible before the heat of the day because we suffered yesterday.We gave our support crew Peter and Liz a lie in as the route passed closeIan Callaghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00836194221710883642noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7404999416057737735.post-48789079411364963142008-07-24T21:20:00.004+01:002008-08-07T16:33:01.109+01:00Stage 12: Lavellanet - Narbonne 168.5km 19/7/08 Photos We started today outside of Lidl supermarket – very glamorous! There is nothing like the odd looks you get from people as you remove your outer garments to reveal nicely fitted lycra in the middle of a supermarket car park!Team Kate were due to fly back today and so we arranged our first meet for only 2 hours into the ride just outside of Quillan. On the way we had passed throughIan Callaghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00836194221710883642noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7404999416057737735.post-25163688607857430332008-07-24T21:19:00.005+01:002008-08-03T23:39:40.234+01:00Stage 11: Lannemezan - Foix 167.5km 18/7/08 PhotosIt was to be on this stage that we were to meet up with our final support team (Ian’s parents - Peter and Liz) and so we all carted into the van for the last time and headed off for the outskirts of Lannemezan. A small town lying just in the foothills of the Pyrennes. The ride headed due East today so we always had that nagging feeling from the mountains on our right hand side. Ian Callaghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00836194221710883642noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7404999416057737735.post-10428741245834352162008-07-24T21:18:00.001+01:002008-08-03T22:56:08.763+01:00Rest day 1: Bagneres de Bigorre 17/7/08PhotosWhile the pros had spent their rest day at nearby Pau, where the previous stage had officially started, we spent ours based at Bagnerres. I had booked three nights accommodation here so that we could relax and not have to pack and unpack the van so much. It was also near the start of the following stage in Lannamezan.After the previous two day’s glorious weather, we had high hopes of a Ian Callaghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00836194221710883642noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7404999416057737735.post-72754040898577643882008-07-24T21:16:00.004+01:002008-08-03T22:52:18.733+01:00Stage 10: Pau - Hautacam 156km 16/7/08 PhotosThis was a fairly early starter as we had our first two Hors Categorie (above categorisation) climbs – the most climbed Col in the tour – the Tourmalet (2,115m) and then the Hautacam (1,520m).As we had overhit the distance the previous day, we decided to start a little way from the real start (about 10km in) in the small town of Rebenacq - very close to the pleasantly named Ian Callaghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00836194221710883642noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7404999416057737735.post-28195175993248670112008-07-24T21:15:00.003+01:002008-08-03T22:51:27.708+01:00Stage 9: Toulouse - Bagneres de Bigorre 224km 15/7/08 PhotosLeft hotel at 06:10 due to length of stage. Also Team Kate’s first day of supporting and they had to get van from Toulouse.Really didn’t want to get lost today and unfortunately the road numbers disappeared after about 25km and we added an extra 2km by the time we corrected our mistake.Shortly following this Matt punctured on a roundabout and the replacement tube used was faulty Ian Callaghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00836194221710883642noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7404999416057737735.post-62176017659802326702008-07-24T21:13:00.004+01:002008-08-03T22:49:08.053+01:00Stage 8: Figeac - Toulouse 172.5km 14/7/08 PhotosWe set off in straight from our hotel in the morning and in thick, thick fog. This necessitated an extra climb out of the town of Figeac before we actually reached the route which was a shame but did help on the old warm-up (though the downhills were distinctly cool!). Matt’s parents set off later (after finding a launderette to try and dry some of our clothes which we had Ian Callaghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00836194221710883642noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7404999416057737735.post-67822104975653448432008-07-23T08:49:00.002+01:002008-07-23T09:09:22.433+01:00Latest Update 23rd JulyMatt & Ian have not been able to update the blog due to lack of internet availability at their various overnight stops. Everything is on schedule with over 1600 miles behind them in just 15 days! They have successfully negotitated the Cols of the Pyrenees and 40 degree heat on Stage 13 to Nimes. Today they are enjoying a well earned rest day after completing Stage 15 to Prato Nevoso (Italy).Matt Ulyatthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06952826182158742248noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7404999416057737735.post-37677027677866612722008-07-13T22:37:00.005+01:002008-07-28T23:37:39.930+01:00Stage 7: Brioude - Aurillac 159km 13/7/2008 PhotosAfter a night in a rubbish Logis de France (really wouldn’t recommend them – unless you are a fan of restaurants that close at 8:30pm and have no staff present between 10pm and 8am the next day). Anyway enough of my moaning.We set off from Besse at about 8:50am for the 70km trek down to Brioude aiming to start at about 10:20am for what looked like a shortish stage which we could Ian Callaghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00836194221710883642noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7404999416057737735.post-14924937266220278472008-07-13T22:35:00.005+01:002008-07-28T23:39:41.129+01:00Stage 6: Aigurande - Super Besse 195.5km 12/7/2008 PhotosToday was my (Matt’s) Dad’s birthday and as a present he had decided that he wanted to ride the stage with us. This was very welcome as it gave us someone else to ride with and share the load and it had been a long time since I had been able to spend his birthday with him.We drove to just outside of Aigurande and Mum saw us on our way on forgivingly rolling roads. After yesterday’sIan Callaghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00836194221710883642noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7404999416057737735.post-50213027208937500492008-07-13T22:30:00.004+01:002008-07-28T23:41:36.750+01:00Stage 5: Cholet - Chateauroux 232km 11/7/2008 PhotosThe longest stage of the tour today and we predicted 9 hours in the saddle for the 145 hours. We awoke at 6am to a miserable morning – rain and a little wind. The forecast was for a south westerly which would help us on the route which travelled almost due east.After a good breakfast and saying our good byes to the Dugast’s for their generous hospitality we headed out to Cholet Ian Callaghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00836194221710883642noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7404999416057737735.post-48958549304389949582008-07-10T20:56:00.006+01:002008-07-24T22:00:57.647+01:00Stage 4: Cholet - Cholet 29km 10/7/08Just a 29km time trial course to cover today so we didn’t need to be up early. Therefore, we were able to take full advantage of yesterday evening with our hosts M and Mme Dugast. We arrived late at 7.30pm at their “Chambre d’hote” near the town of Cholet, south east of the previous stage finish in Nantes.Immediately very welcoming, they showed us around there abode, a converted barn with Matt Ulyatthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06952826182158742248noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7404999416057737735.post-23992327970683812022008-07-10T20:33:00.008+01:002008-07-24T22:03:25.454+01:00Stage 3: St Malo - Nantes 208km 9/7/08PhotosToday looked like being a tough day – 208km due South from Saint Malo on the northern Brittany coast to Nantes in the Loire-Atlantique region.We were accompanied by my Dad for the first 3 hours of the day which was of great assistance for both pacing and a wind-break! We set off at 9:00am (one hour later than intended after a rather leisurely breakfast).After 11km we passed by the B&B Matt Ulyatthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06952826182158742248noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7404999416057737735.post-35753770803813674132008-07-10T09:09:00.008+01:002008-07-13T23:00:06.583+01:00Stage 2: Auray - St Brieuc 165km 8/7/08 Photos Well, we’re just settling down for the night after a splendid dinner courtesy of our hosts Rosie and Paul (www.aupontmevault.com/uk/pages01.php) and a German family who were also staying in the Bed and Breakfast. A sumptuous four course meal has fully sated us and prepared us for the forthcoming day of 208km (thankfully with no hills).So to the story of the day. Having stayed overnight inMatt Ulyatthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06952826182158742248noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7404999416057737735.post-51640959654071854992008-07-10T08:43:00.008+01:002008-07-13T22:50:15.936+01:00Stage 1: Brest - Plumelec 197.5km 7/7/08 PhotosAfter a very rough crossing on Saturday night, we drove down from Roscoff to arrive in Saint Renan, near Brest yesterday afternoon. Most of the afternoon was spent snoozing after a really tasty lunch in our hotel, catching up on disturbed sleep from the crossing. A brief walk around the village revealed what felt like a ghost town. There was nobody around but that evening we foundMatt Ulyatthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06952826182158742248noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7404999416057737735.post-18731764955013291502008-07-05T08:59:00.003+01:002008-07-05T11:41:53.977+01:00The Big Day ApproachesWell, we've ordered the food and drink from SIS and Powerbar to ensure we can keep going on the bikes, we've pestered people for sponsorship, we've plotted the route and directions, we've bought (some) new kit, we've cleaned the bikes, and we've packed - well, nearly - the car is being hoovered out as I type!We head off from Hereford at 13:30 to get to Bristol to pick up Ian, then on to Yeovil toMatt Ulyatthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06952826182158742248noreply@blogger.com2