Puncture Watch - Day 4

Nick - 2
Stephen - 1
Yiannis - 1

Day 4 - all finished!

Everyone made it safely down the mountain (not a given...) and the remaining 17km down to Lake Geneva for a final group photo before negotiating the final mile to the hotel. The bikes are now safely stowed in the van, and certain of them may not be used in anger for a while as various broken body parts heal. All told, very satisfying accomplishment!

Made it!

Puncture Watch - Day 3

David - 2
Romain - 1
Colin - 1

Puncture Watch - Day 2

Jacob - 1
Romain - 1

End of day 3

Here is the very exhausted peleton at the end of the monster that was day 3!

Day 3

Day 3 is the longest day in the saddle, with over a hundred miles to go before we can get some well earned rest. Thankfully, most of the hard stuff is out of the way as today's massive hill climb (and stunning downhill) was before lunch and now it is mosly flat before a final hill just before the end. Bring it on!

Day 2 completed!

I am so glad to be safely back at the hotel (along with the rest of the peloton!). Things went steadily downhill shortly after we took a quick "cultural break" in Chablis, or rather, very steadily uphill! Unfortunately, the very strong headwind meant that any respite promised by the few short downhill sections was quickly cancelled out. Still, a stunning team effort meant that no cyclist was left to battle away on their own, thanks guys!

Keep your comments coming!

Lunchtime day 2

We're all in slightly more pain than we were yesterday, but the weather is so nice it almost makes up for it. We've stopped just outside Chablis and are about halfway to Semur-en-Auxois.

Puncture Watch - Day 1

David - 1 (in the first mile)
Stephen - 2 (and a broken spoke)
James R - 3 (one before starting)
Antoni - 1
Simon A - 2

Day one cycling finished!

We've all safely arrived in Sens after 87 odd miles of rolling French countryside (and some Parisien suburbs...). Along the way we saw some very interesting wildlife, including this rather agressive caterpillar!

Some proof...

...That we all have bikes with us and that Romain is in fact with us and not skiving somewhere as certain members of Olswang Brussells have been suggesting.

In the mean time, spare a thought for Stephen Slater, today is not his day, he has had two punctures and a broken spoke.

Lunchtime - and look at the weather!

The peloton!

A good start...

...Well, we've made it as far as the Eiffel Tower. It isn't cold, or raining, but we have two punctures already and have been spoken to by the police twice. Jolly good!

Day 1

It's still dark outside, we have slept for only five and a half hours, and we don't really know what the weather will be like. People don't what what to wear but we'll get there eventually.

We should be starting at around 8:00 - 8:30 UK time. The link on the left with the tracking should be working. The position will be updated every 20 minutes or so.

En route to Paris...

Today, Team Olswang-Coram will be in the Eurostar heading to Paris.

You can follow our trip here: http://www.instamapper.com/ext?key=8437595311778730395&zoom=12&type=roadmap&units=imperial&coords=dms

We'll keep you posted.

Check-list

The excitement is building up. Yesterday I made the last (hopefully) purchases: pack-able waterproof jacket, power gels, pedals (yes, I know it is not a good idea to change pedals 2 days before a long ride but I had too!), extra bottle-cage & bottle and CO₂ cartridges. I do hope that I have everything I need.


I have started doing my packing list for the trip and I have to leave the bike packed, so tomorrow it will be picked up by the couriers to deliver it to Paris.


Some people have contacted me regarding donations; thank you. Please keep the money coming. It is for a good cause.

Less than a week to go!

Less than a week to go and everybody is excited.

On Tuesday, we had our team briefing, sorted out some logistical details (thanks Caitlin), got up to speed with the sponsorship situation (thanks to all those who supported us; please keep the money coming) and we got our Olswang-Coram jerseys.

Team members are making last minute purchases for cold weather gear, power bars, spare inner tubes, etc.

I have all the clothing I will need (I think), and I only need to stock up in power bars/drinks/gels and spare inner tubes.

Now, you need to sponsor us people. Come on!

Wind + Rain + Cycling = Bad, very bad

Managed to do a reasonably impressive 55 mile ride today.  We had aimed to to to Cambridge but after the wind and rain set in this idea was swiftly cast aside and sights set on Bishops Stortford. By the time we got there we all soaked through and very cold so had a medicinal burger and fries, and a cup of tea, obviously.

The weather had better not be as bad as it was today in France/Switzerland!  But just in case, I have ordered some overshoes...