Live Diary... Page 1
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Les had a great send off from Alton Rehab Centre on 26th April, where Robyn Fitzer the Mayor of Alton, along with friends and family and a launch of red, white and blue balloons, wished Les a safe journey. |
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4.30 pm Saturday 26th April - Over the Hampshire downs just before East Meon, after leaving the send off celebrations. I now have it all to do, a lot of miles still to be covered, but at least I've started, the weather looks promissing. I reached Portsmouth in just over 2 and a half hour. A great end to an excellent first day! |
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French Soil... After cycling to the overnight ferry at Portsmouth and a welcome rest, I set off from St. Malo early on 27th April. A breakfast stop at Combourg at 10.30am, then a welcomed drink stop at 2pm in Chateaubourg near Rennes, 5 hours into northern France on the second day. |
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...more like mud! The third day going over the river Loire at St Florent le Veil, a milestone in the journey. Over 250km completed, then heading south into the Deux Serves region. The weather now turning nasty, heavy rain and wind all day and for the following day. |
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The next few days Yet another theatening bout of bad weather, it must improve soon, who said cycling in La Belle France was going to be fun! Crossing the river Charente, another major obsticle reached, now into the Charente region, with the weather at last improving! |
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On schedule My last night before reaching Couze, the 1st stage nearly complete. A pleasant evening after torrential rain for most of the morning. |
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Stage One complete!
I reached Couze on Friday afternoon to a warm recepiton from freinds and neighbours. Now a few days here to recharge, but have to keep the cycling up whilst here. I will be out on my bike each day doing around 50-80km to maintain my rhythm. Planning to leave Couze on Thursday with 672km (420 miles) down and about another 300km to reach the Pyrenees for the tough climb into Spain! |
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Stage Two begins! An 8am start on Thursday, leaving Couze behind and heading south towards Pau at the foot of the Pyrenees. On Friday working way through Armagnac region. Picture taken high up in the Armagnac, 20km north of Negaro and 100km still to Pau. |
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Over the airwaves! Another early start and a live hook up with Sally Taylor on BBC Radio Solent at 8:20 GMT. Listen again at the BBC website...click here to listen. Interview is about 20 mins into the audio stream. After the radio slot, pushed on up the Midi Pyrenees. Photo high up near Viella, looking east 60km north of Pau. Over night stay in Pau on Sunday night and ready for the big push to the top of the Pyrenees on Monday! |
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Up and Over! 8.20am leaving the hotel L'Ayguelade, 8km north of the mountains. Not sure what to expect! Ascent 1 - 45 minutes into the climb north of Eaux Chaudes Last picture shows me at the top of the Pyrenees. Spain is to the left of the stone. Made it in 3hrs 02 mins.Well ahead of my predicted time! Looking forward to a cool beer and the descent into Spain! |
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