End of Day 4

End of Day 4 saw the boys arriving in Troyes in the early evening. A very windy and rainy day meant that the going was quite tough.

George: "Early bed tonight because we've got a really long day tomorrow. Today started off with a big hill, so no time to warm up (ouch). The head wind and rain made it quite difficult - lorries aren't allowed on the road in France on a Sunday so they made up for it today, which created nasty spray and some serious drag. We stuck together closely for safety in numbers. I have been nominated as 'group French speaker' (Mum will be v proud!) - might have to give Stu some lessons as he ordered 'fish' as a drink, but the 85 year old lady in the park seemed to understand me... I would personally like to thank the inventor of chamois butter - what a god send. Night all. "

Stu: "Today was supposed to be easy at 70 miles and 500 metres of climbing, but thanks to a brisk headwind and the fact that the climbing was closer to 1000 metres, it was anything but!! This was not what I needed as I was sick in the middle of the night, and due to a bad stomach pain I was unable to take any sports nutritional supplements to help fuel this exertion - but on a positive note, I made it without feeling it was too much!! We passed a milestone today, as we went through the halfway point, not exactly an inspiring location - it was outside a grotty looking grain store. Let's hope the weather will be better tomorrow!

Paul: "For some mad reason I had a vision of coasting the 75 miles today with the wind and sun on my back with effortless ease, cruising into Troyes with whole evening to relax. How wrong was I?! As well what seemed like a continuous head wind, the down-hill part of the route did not materialise - instead it was uphill all the way. We were all shattered by the time we reached Troyes at six but at least we broke the half-way point which is a major milestone. A massive pat on the back for Kyle who pulled together a fantastic picnic for lunch and the rest of the boys for protecting me from the headwinds by forming a pelaton."

Steve: "Today was supposed to be an easy day by the tour's standards and proved to be far from it! We cycled into a 15 mph headwind all day long with showers throughout the day including a really heavy one just as we arrived in Troyes. This combined with the fact that we did double the amount of climbing as we were supposed to means that we are all really knackered and seriously worried about the same thing reoccuring tomorrow. On the bright side, we are over the half way point and our teamwork really paid off today, in getting ready and by cycling in a pelaton to shelter from the wind. Mon Chapeau is off to the French who have driven so courteously to us including the lorry drivers and the Peugeot driver who I stupidly pulled out in front of! each time a lorry came past it was like someone pushing you back down the hills in the chest! Bring on tomorrow....!!!!"