Jour sept- Mon bete noire
So just a very short piece from me today before I hand over to Marc and Dan.
Safe to say we are all three really glad that we decided to take some extra miles out of today and we wake feeing pretty optimistic about the day ahead and the fact that tomorrow is our rest day.
The scenery changes again today and becomes much more rugged as we cycle deep into the Dordogne…..full of gorges and prehistoric caves and troglodyte dwellings…..in fact maybe I will just let the pictures do the talking.
Ok so first of all here’s Dan…
Hello all, we have burnt off 40000 calories in 7 days travelling over 550miles, what an adventure we are on.
You have heard a lot of Nick’s perspective of our tour so far and to be honest he is doing a fab job. It’s hard to find the words to describe the day when you’re shattered from the days cycle and tending (#swonicles) to those sore areas.
I thought I would give you all some idea of what it’s been like so far. From day one start to today is a complete blur. We all have to reread the blog to remember what’s happened (I put it down to marc’s and nick’s age and the early onset of dementia) however, when your cycling it’s hard to remember to even put your shorts on the right way and with every squeak on the bike I think I have broken some else! There has been one major argument so far and that’s been with my saddle!! If someone caused me this much pain on a daily basis i would have a restraining ordered put on them, however, I need to stay friends with it for another 7 days, so I am learning to live with it. Then it might be pinned to a wall and never used again.
Life in a tent with two middle aged gentlemen (I use the words gentlemen very loosely), is an adventure on its own. If I survive it, it’s almost as much of an achievement as the trip itself. The green haze from the tent when it is unzipped is all I need to say about the smells in which these two produce, anyone that has been on a geriatric ward will have some understanding. You have all heard about how cold it has been at night, it is no lie it’s freezing. So pleased I packed gloves, scarf and hat (my mother would be proud). I must admit I’m looking forward to a good, warm (non smelly) nights sleep.
Whilst cycling you have plenty of time to reflect (not just on the sore areas either). I won’t get soppy because you will all stop reading and more important donating. I am looking forward to finishing my masters and helping my wife to be plan our wedding.
I will enjoy the adventure to Monte Carlo and help rise awareness of a fantastic charity. (Ps there will be no naked videos sorry but I’m very sure many of you, Mum and dad, will be relieved)
Hope you are all ok at home look forward to catching up with you all.
Much love xxx
Now let’s here from Marc…
Hey everyone. Marc here with an alternative retrospective to the trip so far. Where to start and what to say that our eminent blogger Nick has not already so eruditely described. We have arrived now at the halfway point of our epic adventure at the amazing Rocamadour cliff face monastery town below.
575 miles in and all’s well, well except the already aforementioned Dan destruction efforts and my inglorious tumble from the bike on day 2. The scenery is amazing, the company just awesome and the camp sites mostly functional to 5 star! Oh and the cycling is fantastic, knackering and immense all at the same time. We have laughed loads, constantly took the piss out of each others funny ways, and nearly cried on a few occasions, but can honestly say am having the time of my life. Am missing Gerry Max and Millie loads, and all my friends at work, but is all worth it for such a good cause, thank you all so much for all your very kind donations made and still to be made. You make this adventure so worth while, hope you feel that through the blog. Keep reading, keep commenting (keeps us amused and motivated) and keep donating. M x