STAGE 8 - La Bollene Vesubie to Cannes

We've made it, what a day! We didn’t have a complete blow-out on Wednesday night (even knowing that we only had a few hours riding until arriving into Cannes) after hearing tales of someone last year who overdid it a little only to come off his bike on the final day. So sensible’ish bed time for us three before waking up to start our journey to the finish line!

It was switchbacks all the way down Turini as we formed one huge red snake of a peloton; taking 30 second turns at the front to ‘pull’ those behind you before dropping to the back again to enjoy the slipstream. We rode down to the coast before stopping for lunch on the edge of Cannes. Setting off again, and now in a very built-up area, the support was incredible and it was very apparent that the French love a peloton. It was fantastic; people coming out of houses and shops to wave hankies shouting “Allez!” and “Bon Courage!”, an older chap on his bike who joined our group and became part of the team for a while before finally, the police escort (motorbikes and cars), who traditionally accompany the large tours into Cannes, led us into the town. Riding two abreast, it was hard not be overcome by emotion (alright, we all had a tear or two in our eye) as their sirens blared and people lined the Croisette to wave and blow whistles.

We’d done it. It feels like the physical and emotional highlight of the year and there’s a real sense of pride at having made it as a group through all of the tough times.

We were all met by the consultant from The Hammersmith Hospital in London who was there especially for the occasion to thank all involved in the ride and in sponsorship and to remind everyone present as to how vital this fundraising is to their fantastic research. It's enabled them to be one of the best research centres in the world and is what it's really all about.

So, that’s it, the conclusion of 6 months training, 6am starts and support/sponsorship from colleagues, friends and family alike. We feel really proud to have been a part of it and despite on several occasions vowing never to go through this again, we’re already wondering about whether or not we might do it just one more time…back to reality now though.

Thanks so much for all the support and sponsorship, see you out of Lycra in London. Love Ben, Ant and Giles xxx

This morning at breakfast, we're happier than we look, just absolutely shattered!