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 minsDistance: 219.1km
Av Speed: 25.6km/h
Total Ascent: 718m
Av HR: 128bpm
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