Safely back at home & happy to be back – job done as they say! Many thanks to Neil for updating the blog for us and if you’ve been following our progress we thank you for your interest and support. Many thanks to main Sponsors Barclays PLC Britanny Ferries and Primera Cycles Bournemouth for preparing the bikes. Over and out!!!! Hugh & Paul

Bayonne to San Sebastian Airport.

Today we made our way to the Spanish border and onto our final destination. It was only 30 miles but there were stiff climbs as we were on the edge of the Pyrenees. At about mid-day, we turned into San Sebastian Airport having completed 670 miles since leaving Cherbourg last Saturday.

We are now looking forward to 2 days rest and relaxation before seeing our families on Friday.

If you have been following our progress on this blog, we want to thank you for your interest and support.

Paul and Hugh

Mimizan – Plage to Bayonne.

After the heat of Saturday, we really wanted a cooler day for our ride into Bayonne. At 8:00 we set off with good cloud cover ideal cycling conditions. Todays ride, saw us continue south and onto our overnight stay some 20 miles from the Spanish border. Nine days in the saddle with no laundry facilities has left us with no clean clothes! If we cannot cycle over the border tomorrow, our smelly cycling gear could propell us naturally.

Paul and Hugh – rather somewhat stinky ;-(

Bordeaux to Mimizan-plage. Another 75 miles in the saddle today through the beautiful pine forests of Les Landes. The weather was hot with the temperature topping 27 degrees. Our main concern was taking on enough fluid to stay hydrated.

We make our down to Bayonne tomorrow and are hoping for a slightly cooler day.

Paul and Hugh

Saintes to Bordeaux.

75 miles in the saddle and we were blessed with a beautiful sunny day – at last! (Temp got to 24 degrees). Finally, we were able to enjoy a days cycling without waterproofs and more importantly, the wind had also dropped. Today we were travelling through the vineyards of bordeaux crossing the river Gironde and onto our overnight stay, northwest of the city.

450 miles behind us now and the finish line is almost in sight.

Paul and Hugh (about a mile from Bordeaux airport)

Nirot to saintes.

Will this strong south westerly wind ever relent, this is our 3rd day into a 20 MPH wind and we could use a break. At least we stayed dry today and the forecast looks good for tomorrow as we head towards bordeaux.

One interesting point to note today was our near initiation into the St Jean D’Angely Hells Angel chapter !!!

We’re now brushing up on our ‘Hells Angels’ speak just in case we run into them again.

We are now approximately two thirds through the trip.

Paul & Hugh

Cholet to Niort. Today we had to content the worst of the French weather. Only 6.5 degrees mid-morning along with rain and hail and a strong gusting wind. We managed avoid the worst by taking shelter where ever possible. The highlight was taking a coffee with the owner putting the patio heater on to dry us out!

About 350 miles completed to date.

Paul Bowring

Angers to cholet. We decided to split todays journey from Angers to Niort into two smaller portions. It turned out to be a smart move as the rain and wind restricted our progress. Our room currently resembles a laundry!

We are almost half way to spain and weather permiting, will reach Niort (see below) tomorrow Wednesday 30th.

Hugh Marsden

Have travelled now a total of 250 miles. Have today crossed the river loire at Angers, and are staying as guests one of Hugh’s friends on the banks of the river.

Paul Bowring

Over 100 miles completed on hottest day of year so far. A really tough 1st day but safely negotiated none the less. We’re now at at our hotel on schedule just south of avranches.

Paul Bowring