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!

Stage 6 (Vinadio to La Sauze) and 7 (Le Sauze to La Bollene Vesubie)

Hello and sorry for the late update, we are officially wasted and it’s all we can do to finish the day, get a bit of carb-munching in and flake out. But we’ve nearly done it! Officially climbed our last Col yesterday and are today riding into Cannes to see some of you at the finish line with our beers!

Brief update on the last two days; we left you in Vinadio where we celebrated Ant turning 51, the locals tried to pick a fight and we didn’t get enough decent food – which frankly, at this stage, is akin to putting diesel into a Ferrari engine (Giles; Don’t put that in, they already think we are complete tossers!)

Stage 6 on Monday started out nice and hot, straight into a climb up Lombarde (2350m), a beautiful journey back into France along very narrow and pretty paths that must only be used by cyclists, drug smugglers and whoever uses/makes the strange piles of what look like ‘voodoo stone piles’ along the way. The same path opens up on the descent into a beautiful series of s-bends which took us back to the valley floor but by that time the weather had again taken a turn for the worse. The man in charge, Ollie, went ahead to assess the next climb, Col du Bonnet, but decided that with wind speeds of up 26mph at the summit, it was a no-go for any of us. A school bus driver (and keen cyclist) saw our plight, dropped his kids off and came back to pick us all up and drive us over the top and back to Le Sauze. Giles has a bit of a dicky knee but is doing well after slackening the pace a bit and Ant’s moved on to a sardine and cashew nut super-mix in these last critical stages.

Yesterday was a scorcher, 30°. We got in late and exhausted last night after riding from Le Sauze to Le Bollene Vesubie via Col St Martin and Col de Turini (pic of us at the top of Turini!) There were lots of people suffering from heatstroke today and one poor chap (Rogue’s Tom) came off and broke his elbow and has gone off to have it pinned in hospital. Turini is an emotional climb for lots of the riders. It’s where the whole idea for the ride was born and feels pretty momentous as you start the ascent in daylight and it’s dark by the time you reach the summit.

It was every man for themselves in the bedroom last night with Giles a clear winner in the double-bed. Ant and I were in the bunk-beds and I literally touched all 4 sides, completely wedged. So, we’re exhausted but elated today and really looking forward to getting to Cannes. Giles’ knee is just about holding out and we’re all wearing our ‘best socks’, a nice, fresh, clean pair we’ve been saving for the last day.

Thank you so much for all of your messages, they have been really encouraging and it’s been fantastic to be in touch. We’ll try and send some pics later on today from Cannes – last push, it's a scorcher!

Juzza, keep it coming, the weather’s been rough but we’re all brave soliders…Natashka, thanks Darling, we’re looking pretty ripped by now, get the suncream ready!....Becs, get training and see you bikini-clad in Cannes…..Ang, good to hear you’re reading the blog, we’ve put your name down for next year….Thanks for keeping in touch Mama Kate, Josh and Andy O!.....Still missing you Paulo! Cheers Lawrence, Benn and John! See you all soon, we’re nearly there!