Ride 21, the moment arrives....



2013 Tour de France

The 21 Stages of the 2013 Tour de France are made up of 3 Stages on the island of Corsica, used for the first time in Tour history and also the choice for this years Grand Depart, before crossing over to mainland France for the remaining 18 Stages from Nice. Following a route across Southern Framce, into the Pyrenees before heading North to Saint Malo and then South East through Tours and Lyon before hitting the Alps, with a final push through Annecy and on to Paris.

For 'Ride 21' (and the Tour!) the 'significant' added cost and complex logistics invovled in getting over to Corsica led to the decision taken by rider and crew to ride the first three Stages of the 2014 Tour already announced to start in the UK with the Grand Depart and first two stages in Yorkshire followed by the third stage from Cambridge, through Essex, into London for a finish on the Mall.

The decision proved to be the right one, with one small glitch (more on this). The week before heading out to France meant three days of back to back riding in the UK, a good warm up for the bigger challenge ahead. Stage 1, Cambridge to London, a gentle rolling course heading directly South from Cambridge running parallel with the M11 before heading through Sawbridgeworth, Bishops Stortford and Harlow ahead of 'home territory' (part of the riders driving commute into London) through Epping, South Woodford and into Leyton before dodging the traffic along the Mile End Road in East London and past St Paul's & Holborn for a finish at the end of the Mall, other than traffic and road control systems a relative easy and straightforward ride, 75 miles in total (the exact details of the Stage in London are yet to be confirmed although a finish on the Mall seems definite).

Heading North to Yorkshire, again, home territory from 'growing up' years in South Yorskhire, to ride two Stages, Leeds to Harrogate and York to Sheffield (and a few hills!).  York to Sheffield 'steel city' was fine, steel legs at the end may be but an otherwise slightly tougher route than into London. Just over 100 miles through Knaresborough, Keighley, Hebden Bridge and Holmfirth with steep climbs at the end, including Cragg Vale, Ripponden Bank and Holme Moss. Next stop Leeds, early Saturday morning, leaving the first few miles of city centre and suburban traffic to own the roads we found a quiet spot and hit the road to follow a clockwise route for just over 110 miles through beautiful parts of North Yorkshire to Harrogate. The morning went to plan, riding North West from just South of Harewood through Otley, Ilkley, Skipton (coffee stop at Cafe Nero) Kettlewell before hitting the hills (signs and banners are already appearing in villages and on hotels in advance of the arrival of the Tour). A beautiful day, blue skies, warm temperatures set things up for a perfect ride, until the punctures started, one after the other, almost like clockwork. What proved to be a big mistake was not having direct support from the crew which, combined with a loss of communication, meant that for only the second time ever walking with the bike. The final seventh puncture on top of the hills before the town of Leyburn meant a two mile walk (cleats ruined, passed by so many cars!?!) before being rescued by John who happened to be passing on his way to an off-road cycling event. Punctures repaired and spares provided I was back on the road to Ripon and Harrogate. What should have been a 6 - 7 hour ride turned into 10 hours, lesson learnt! A special mention to John and his son for saving the day, I will be forever in his debt and will always appreciate his kindness and assistance (if anyone is ever in Yorkshire, or passing  nearby, call into CycleScene in York owned and run by John, to say hello and to mention his part in Ride 21, in some ways an unintended but equally important part of the Ride 21 crew.

And so, job done in the UK, next stop France, roll on 4th July, plans in place, bikes and equipment all checked and ready, vehicles and accomodation booked, the moment of truth for crew and rider.

Ride 21, leaving for Nice!

Final checks before leaving the UK, 6 o'clock flight out of Stansted to Nice, fingers crossed crew and rider, luggage, bikes, equipment, hire car, accomodation all go to plan and arrive safely in Nice. In may way the most anxious 12 hours for the team before hitting the road early tomorrow morning! Nine months of planning and preparation, the moment of truth arrives.

4 hours later, arrived at Nice airport following the short flight from Stansted. Final checks being made tonight - bikes re-assembled, magnetic car signs on, map route and GPS in place, clothing and nutrition for rider, food for crew, ahead of the 4th and 5th stages early tomorrow morning, Friday 5th July. With an early start, a long day and the weather looking very hot, it's fingers crossed for a good sleep for crew and rider, the remaining 18 Stages of the 100th Tour de France are just a few hours away!.

From Megan, James and Chris, here we go...there's no turning back..!

www.action.org.uk/tourdefrance

Twitter @chrisarmishaw

''every long ride starts with a first pedal stroke''