Old French rider appears from the mist....

Early start for rider and crew this morning, partly driven by an appauling hotel on the outskirts of Nantes, no more detail on this, the experience is still quite raw!

All went to plan today, the weather was cooler than it has been in the South and the Pyrenees, in fact a lot cooler, down to 14c and just under half the temperature of the last few days, rider was back to three layers and sleeves and the crew an early morning change into warmer clothes.

Today's Stage started in Saint Gildas des Bois heading directly North to Saint Malo following a fairly flat to rolling profile, a lot easier (relatively) than the last few days. The effects of altitude may have had an affect, heavy breathing and swollen hands were the order of the day, legs felt ok which was the main thing! This morning's ride was through rolling farm land and small towns (similar to Essex!) covered in part by a cool mist which hung around until late morning when blue skies re-appeared.

Heading North, and losing temporary contact with the crew, led to an unplanned stop at a cafe in the small town of Gael, finding a (UK) Condor road bike proppped up on the wall outside meant one thing, another UK rider, a welcome chat, catch up on the Tour and strong caffeine shot, thanks for the coffee Johnny, hope you get to read this.....

After leaving Gael a short burst throiugh to another small town of St-Meen-le-Grand, birth place of Louison

Louison Bobet 1 of 3 yellow jersey's

Bobet, three times winner of the TdF back in the 50's and now home to the Louison Bobet museum. Spent 10 minutes admiring a whole range of jersey's, yellow, world's, classic's and many more, quite a collection and quite a remarkable achievement.

Back on the road, an elderly French rider appeared from nowhere, leading a sprint along a short climb before using my backwheel for the next 15 miles, occasionally pulling alongside to chat although neither of us could understand the other, it worked ok, until he found another short climb and sprinted off again, slapping me on the back and wishing me well (I think), he shouted something about Paris, maybe we'll see hime there!

St Malo ahead..

Another quick stop in the beautiful town of Dinan before heading around the tip of North coast and into Saint Malo, job done, at least on Stage 10!

A short drive along the coast to Avranches for Stage 11, a short 20 mile 'time trial' Stage for the professionals on the Tour and a gentle finish to a long day for rider and crew, at least that was the idea?? After a quick look around Mont Saint-Michel, the crew had the idea for me to race the bus from the island back to the car park, flat course, warm evening, a motor pace opportunity sounded too go to miss, with crew seated on the bus the fun began, 0.9 miles, avg speed 32mph, top speed 35mph, 53 calories, some confused American's and excitable French (still living the Tour) we hit the control gate on the mainland at the same time, Stage 11 job done, job defintely done!

Deep blue, it was hot!

Onto Stage 12 tomorrow, Fougeres to Tours where we part company with one of our crew, Meg 16 years of age, full on determination, fantastic company and a great crew member with James 12 years of age, age is no barrier to responsibility, you guys delivered! See you in Paris Meg, don't forget Sarah!

So on we go, still on the road, still pushing hard and getting through very long days, supporting Action Medical Research with the aim of raising funds to support the work carried out to find breakthrough cures into illnesses and disease that affect babies and children in the UK, that's why we're here.

www.action.org.uk/tourdefrance

Twitter: @chrisarmishaw

'Take on a challenge that others will think of as madness'