Stage 3 - Huy to Arenberg (207km)

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A day of two halves really. We started off in Belgium (Wanze) in the pissing rain again and continued along some rolling countryside for the first 100km. But as we approached France the sun began to creep out and the day ended in glorious sunshine.

Generally today was a flatter stage than yesterday, but the harder part came at the end of the day with 7 sections of cobblestone roads totalling over 13km.

The Pave was really the main feature of today’s stage; roads really only fit for tractors with cobblestones all over the place, loose, uneven, cambered and generally just a mess. They really were challenging and shook us all to the bones – a challenge to hold onto the handlebars.

Even though they came at the end of a long day I really enjoyed the experience. Certainly put Paris-Roubaix in to some perspective; how the pros can race on those things is beyond me.

Unfortunately Beard was the first casualty of the Tour. His knee was giving him problems from yesterday and he started the day in some discomfort. The pain got progressively worse and by the time he rolled in for lunch we all decided (for him) that is was probably best not to continue and attempt the Pave and perhaps have a rest tomorrow so that he could recover and hope for the best. Hopefully some good news will follow.

I expected the days to be dominated by cycling, naturally... but with approx 12hrs a day out on the roads (incl. the feeding stops) and the level of bike admin necessary as soon as you arrive at the hotel. There is barely a minute to even think about anything else. My day is dominated by cycling, eating and sleeping. I am not doing enough of the third, but plenty of the first two. In fact the amount of food consumed is verging on the obscene... more on this tomorrow I think.

Tomorrow is another 5am rise. Joy! It is a shorter and easier day than the three previous days though.

S

Time: 9hrs 12mins
Distance: 220.5km
Av Speed: 24km/h
Total Ascent: 1255m
Av HR: 125bpm

Stage 2 - Brussels to Spa (201km)

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Another 6 am rise to head out of Brussels. Again we headed out in the wind and rain along a cobbled city centre, resulting in several punctures for the group within the first 10km.

Once out of Brussels things get a little less flat and the terrain started to turn into rolling hills.

The GoF headed out pretty quickly for the first half of the day, but with the water stations coming approximately every 40km. It was only every a matter of minutes before other groups started rolling in. Lesson learned - no point going off ahead of the group (unless going up a hill).

Today's route was a little bit of a nod to Leige-Bastogne-Leige and took in a number of its key hills, making today the first day of the Tour to see categorised climbs. The most impressive of these was the Col de Stockeu, on which Mercx famously always attacked, which hit 23% at points. Seriously steep! At the top is a monument to Mercx (photo below).

Due to a slight mapping error the stage ended up being 20km longer than expected, which really hit hard at the end of the day compunded by the fact that our hotel was at the top of a 14% climb in Spa.

Pretty beat, and have a 5 am rise tomorrow for a transfer to the start of the next stage.

Longer and more hilly than expected!

S

Time: 8hr 56m

Distance: 216.3km

Av Speed: 24.2km/h

Total Ascent: 3037m

Av HR: 134bpm

Etape 2

More stats... and a pretty map!

Etape 2 by sgcbrown at Garmin Connect - Details

Stage 1 - Rotterdam to Brussels (219km)

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So we are off! After getting in late to Rotterdam due to a slight train mishap which unfortunately resulted in us missing the dinner briefing (but fortunately the football...) and some serious bike admin we had a 6am rise for a 8am ‘Grande Depart’!

Approximately 20 of us set off, with around 15 attempting the whole tour.

The majority of people in the obnoxious pink jerseys, we set off from Rotterdam after a brief lap of the park (a nod to the prologue) under grey skies. Pretty soon, and for the majority of the day, we were cycling along in rain and wind!

The pace was nice and easy as everyone spent some time getting to know each other and chatting along in pairs. A few too many stops and a few people getting lost all contributed to a fairly slow paced first half of the day.

Holland, as we all know, is pretty flat which was a blessing, the big crosswinds and headwinds that result from this were less so. The cycle path system in Holland is also amazing; you even get right of way over rond-a-bouts!

After lunch the ‘Gang of Four’ (hope you like that af) decided to up the pace a little and led from the front for the remainder of the day. At the last water station of the day as we headed off as the others were arriving we left to jeers of ‘off go the pros’. I fear we have rather set ourselves up for a fall at some point... Almost immediately after we caught the van that had been out ahead of us putting up our directions.

In the end we made pretty good time and arrived in the hotel in Rotterdam with some time to spare before the group dinner in the evening.

Generally, the standard is good and I think everyone who is planning on doing the whole thing will get there. Think that Beard, Williams, Chuter and I are definitely up there..

Overall a great first day, everyone riding seem like top people with some good banter. Looking forward to tomorrow already.

Time riding: 8 hours 32 mins
Distance: 219.1km
Av Speed: 25.6km/h
Total Ascent: 718m
Av HR: 128bpm

Etape 1

For the stat geeks.... Etape 1 by sgcbrown at Garmin Connect - Details