Coast to Coast

When 5th September 2008
Where Biarritz to Narbonne

46 cyclists and support crew embarked on a cycle challenge from Biarritz to Narbonne in the South of France.

Follow their blog and see their progress below:

Day 1: Leicester to Bayonne/Biarritz

Well the day finally arrived after months of planning and plenty of training, as we set off on our 350 miles coast to coast cycle challenge.

The journey from Leicester to Dover apart from the weather, was pretty good taking us just a little over 4 hours. As we boarded the ferry, the group split into two halves, those who went straight to the restaurant and the other group to the bar!  You can make your own mind up who was in each group!

After the 11/2 hour crossing (approx 12.30am) we settled down into our comfy seats on the coach for the 13 hour journey to Bayonne. Most of us were able to get a few hours sleep before we stopped for are first French breakfast,  coffee au lait, pain au chocolate and croissants,  although I do believe a few did have bacon, sausage, eggs, hash browns and toast –Brits on Holiday!!

Having enjoyed an uneventful journey to Bayonne (apart from the high speed blow out--see picture). We arrive in Bayonne around 2.30pm. at which point the support crew took over unloading the coach getting everyone organised, leaving the cyclists with nothing more to do than polishing their bikes and fitting new brake pads to Matt’s bike after it failed the Wyrko test for road safety!!!

So to the start of the cycle challenge,  Bayonne to Biarritz (the Atlantic sea) a short leg stretcher of 18 km to the coast so we can dip our toes in the Atlantic sea and get the Coast to Coast cycle challenge underway.

From leaving the hotel, we took a cycle track which took us straight to Biarritz and for the brave ones, a swim in the Atlantic!!

Through John Lawson (one of the cyclists) the Mayor of Bayonne(well his assistant) kindly invited us all to a civic reception to welcome us to his city and wish all the very best for the journey ahead and ply us with numerous glasses of champagne. As a final note,  the Billesdon Boys were ‘Red Carded’ by the Biarritz life guards for swimming while a red flag was flying. 

Until tomorrow,  the start of the ride, proper!!

Day 2: Bayonne to Oloron Ste Marie

The start of the cycle challenge proper!!

After a good nights sleep, we all assembled outside the hotel in the rain anticipating the day ahead, having been told by our leader that today’s route will be undulating, his undulating is hills, more hills and few more hills to follow!

So as we set off in the rain cycling along side the river Adour on nice flat roads, we were all wondering when are these hills going to appear, well they soon did, as we started to climb into the foothills of the Urt,  which straight away split the group up and sorted out the men from the boys and of cause, ladies from the girls.

By mid morning the rain had stopped, the sun came out and we had our first sight of the Pyrenees in the distance. We were now cycling on country roads and occasional on main roads, but the scenery was breath taking, the pictures really do not do it justice.

Two hours into the ride,  we were met by the support crew who had set up a road side café so they could brew tea and coffee for us and feed us with cakes and flapjack, which was very much appreciated.

The next hour and a half felt like it was all up hill, one of the long climbs went on for over 3 miles with all of us finding this part of the ride challenging.

On reaching the top of this climb, there was the welcome sight of the support crew who had laid out lunch for us all and a fine spread it was too. This gave the riders the chance to rest some tired legs, sun bath and enjoy the views.

The afternoon was much the same as the morning, long climbs followed by descending on fast narrow roads with tight bends. During the day only one rider came off, he’s saying it’s because he had a puncture, but we all think he just took a bend too fast, male pride!!

So today’s ride is over, 5 and a half hours in the saddle, 66 miles completed, a total of 4301ft climbed and a top speed on one of the descents of 41mph.

Overall, a great day made even more enjoyable thanks to the support riders and more importantly, the support crew who looked after us fantastically.

 

Day 3: Oloron Ste Marie to Lourdes

We were told that today would be a nice, that word, ‘undulating’ 45 mile ride to France’s Catholic Mecca of Lourdes. As it was a gorgeous morning the ladies decided to wear sleeveless cycle shirts, as well as some of the chaps, to reduce the tee-shirt tan.

So after a leisurely start to the day, we set off around 10am with the sun shining and the magnificent Pyrenees on our right.

It wasn’t long before we could see and feel what the day had in store for us. After travelling a couple of miles in the valley, the road turned sharply left, then right and then straight up for our first climb, which really tested our legs after the previous days ride.

The rest of the morning was spent climbing and descending quiet country roads some good and some not so good, which made descending difficult as there was lots of loose gravel on the bends. The route took us through village of Arudy before we climbed (steeply) through the Foret de Bager.

After the long descent we were met by the support crew who had again set up the road side café, which was appreciated.

No sooner had set off when we were told to slow our speed and change to our lowest gear why? Because we were going up, straight up, very steep and the hill seemed to go on forever, but we are a hardy group of cyclists and nothing was going to stop us!

On reaching the top we were rewarded with fantastic views of the Pyrenees, with eagles or even buzzards using the thermals to gain height in the foreground.

We then had approximately 15 miles of descending on flat roads until we reached the lunch stop, which again was welcomed and enjoyed by all.

Then it was only a short ride into the centre of Lourdes, which was a shock after cycling in the peace and quiet,  to enter a city in full preparation for the Pope’s visit on Friday.

Whatever  your reglious persuasion is,  seeing the streets of Lourdes lined with shops selling all types of religous memorabilia (some said tack) imaginable,  does makes you question, what is it all about and did stimulated several debates about religion over a beer or two!

So to the stats: We covered 41 miles, 3hrs 45 mins in the saddle, climbed a total of 2985 ft and nobody fell off!

A big day tomorrow, 90 miles so an early start and possibly 10 hours in the saddle!!

Day 4: Lourdes to St Girons

The day started with a 6am alarm call arranged by our leader,  which didn’t go down very well! The reason,  he wanted to make sure everyone was ready to leave at 8am prompt,  not 8.05 or 8.10 but 8am.

The days ride started, with a short ride out of Lourdes and then on to the flat roads of the valley of about 6 miles on nice smooth tarmac.

We then turned off the main road and straight into our first climb and what a climb it was.  It went on for about 2.5 miles and we climbed over 900ft.

During the morning we attacked 4 big climbs which were probably as good as any of the climbs of the previous two days and there are certainly several contenders for the King & Queen of the mountains.

When you go up you have to come down at some point and a couple of today’s descents,  were hairy, steep with lots of loose gravel,  but most of all FUN.  Only one faller today,  yours truly on the final bend on a very steep descent, realising I wasn’t going to make the turn,  so it was either hit the house or head for the grass,  I took the latter option and came a cropper,  no damage done just a dented pride!

As with the previous days the support crew feed and watered us at the mid-morning break and at lunchtime and was up to it’s normal high standard.

The afternoon ride was mainly on flat roads in the valley alongside the river,  where we able as a group to get some speed up as we made are away to St. Girons.

All though this was a long day,  overall we all agreed that this was probably the best day so far.

The stats:  81 miles covered,  5hrs 50mins in the saddle, a total of 4200ft climbed and a top speed on one of the descents of 48mph

Tomorrow, another 80 miles! 

Day 5: St Girons to Carcassonne

Today was Ian Bridgwood's 48th birthday and like all good childrens birthday parties,  there was face painting,  party games, cake and fancy dress!!

So off we go again, another 8am start, only a little less regimented.

By now our legs were feeling a little tired, although we were all thinking that we had cracked the Coast to Coast,  well hill climb wise anyway!

So it was a bit of a surprise after a few miles to hit are first climb of the day,  but as we were feeling full of energy,  the climb was attacked by all and was soon over and done with. We then had one of the best descents on good tarmac,  so you were able to take the corners at speed and have some fun. 

An hour into the mornings ride we were met by the support crew who had set the mobile café in a stunning setting and one of the highlights of the day,  the 'Grotte du Mas D’Azil'

This was a massive cave which must have been formed millions of years ago,  probably after the ice age, it was spectular.

After the break we set off again through the cave on route to Carcassonne on lovely flat roads,  with us all thinking this is how it’s going to be to the coast!  Oh no,  on reaching the village of Pailhes,  we started to climb,  which was a reasonably steady climb,  but after about 1km it started to get steeper and then a road sign read,  2km to the top,  but for now seasoned mountain cyclists,  this was not a challenge and enjoyed by all. well nearly!

On top of the climb the landscape was changing,  from the mountains, forests and lush valleys,  to fields of mace and sunflowers waiting to be harvested.  Also,  the climate had changed,  from hot and humid to very hot and dry (32c)!

From here on in to Carcassonne for approximately 50 miles we cycled into a head wind and on roads which apart from a few small climbs were flat and boring,  made only interesting by the lunch and afternoon coffee breaks.

So take away the boredom we cycled in single file called a ‘chain gang’,  the person on the front controls the pace and also takes the headwind for a short period of time,  then pulls off the front to let the next in line take over and do their share of the work. For this to work you have cycle close to the person in front,  concentrating on their rear wheel trying not to touch it because if you do, you will crash!

You guessed,  we had a crash.

The person concerned was concentrating,  but the group in front of him had to brake quickly,  he went on to the grass verge,  lost control,  hit the bank on the other side and landed up on his back in the ditch.  Luckily he was a doctor,  he checked himself over,  although he was a little shaken,  he passed the medical!

On reaching the village of  Fanjeaux,  we stopped for the afternoon coffee break,  when are leader gave out the safety instructions for the last section of the ride into Carcassonne.

‘You will ride in single file, otherwise you will get knocked off your bike and be killed,  as the road is lined by large trees and very busy’

We set off,  on a straight descent of half a mile and for the brave it was a chance for the them to see how fast they could decsend,  top speed 52pmh.

As we entered the busy town of Carcassonne, we tried to say in a large group,  but it was a bit of everyone for themselves with the traffic.

As we crossed over the river we then had our first sight of the walled city of Carcassonne,  very impressive although it did look like Hollywood film set.

So that was our fifth day and we were all pleased it was over,  it’s now time for a beer or two!

The stats:  82 miles,  5hrs 50mins in the saddle,  in total 2998ft climbed,  top speed 52mph

Day 6: Carcassonne to Gruissan Plage

Our last day in the saddle and for some it hasn’t come soon enough (saddle sore)!!

We left Carcassonne around 9am,  less one cyclist Nick London,  who after yesterdays visit to the ditch, meant he was not able to ride the last 70 miles due to his damaging his shoulder.

So we said our goodbyes to Nick and set off on the final leg of the coast to coast cycle challenge,  leaving the medieval city of Carcasonne behind us.

The journey to the Narbonne was mainly on flats roads with a few small climbs but nothing was going to stand in our way as we now could smell the sea in the air.

After yesterdays boring afternoon,  it was a pleasant change to see some lovely countryside,  vineyards,  forests and a couple of castles on route to Narbonne.

The chain gangs were working well today,  with one of the gangs getting up to 28mph for several miles. I think whoever was on the front thought they were in the Tour de France, especially as we were cycling on roads the tour had ride early this year, so whoever was on the front,  thank you!

It was great to see the Narbonne road sign,  we had made it.  All that was left now, was to cycle to the coast, which was approximately 7 miles for lunch and a swim in the Mediterranean sea.

When we reached the coast,  there was a huge sense of achievement and for some a very emotional moment,  especially for Charlotte & Chris Cassady the daughter & wife of the late Rod Cassady (a former Trustee of Hope) who this ride was in memory of. 

After lunch, a beer and a swim all that was left to do,  was to cycle back to Narbonne and enjoy a glass of wine with the Lord Mayor of Narbonne at a low key civic reception in the town hall. 

I think I can safely speak for all of the cyclists,  by saying that this was a fantastic trip,  although challenging in places, we wouldn’t of missed it for the world and were asking where and when is the next one, David!

Special thanks must go to the support crew Jenny, Dorothy, Ian, Steve and Alistair and the support cyclists Wayne, Graham, Simon, Mick, Bob and David, who made the Coast to Coast possible and so much more enjoyable.

The biggest winner of the Coast to Coast cycle challenge is Hope Against Cancer , which this ride was all about.  To date the 32 sponsored cyclists have raised over £64,000.00 which will hopefully rise to around £75,000.00 over the next few months. 

The days stats: Total miles 73, time in the saddle 4hrs 58 and total feet climbed 1788ft.

The impressive total ride stats are:

355 miles covered, 27hrs: 38 mins in the saddle and total feet climbed 16392ft.

So all that’s left to say is,

Au revoir

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