CYCLING UP EVEREST (SORT OF): 3 DAYS, 300 MILES, 36000 FEET OF ASCENT
We did it! (well sort of). Morale was soaring at the start of our adventure as we pedalled away from St Tropez in 30 degrees of cloudless sunshine, whistling through the (HILLY) Provence countryside, laughing and joking and blissfully unaware of what we were to face....
Day One: Grimaud to Digne Les Bains
One of the things that characterised our trip was Nick's brilliant, but over optimistic itinerary. Breakfast 730am, depart 8am. He hadn't factored in the famous cycling FAFF. Bike blokes are Supreme Faffers – armed with alan keys and tubes of oil, they wander around - adjusting this bit of bike, finding that bit of kit. Faff faff faff.
"Où est Jatin?" became our constant refrain (sorry Jatin!)
Highlights: Some amazing flat fast bits riding as a group with pine covered mountains towering to either side, managing to keep up with Nick as we powered up the hill out of Castellane (Col des Leques - 1148m), the continuous sunshine, the reliability of our incredible support crew - Liz Bryant and Nick's Mum Roselyn - who were always there just when we needed them, the lovely bistro in Digne Les Bains.
Low point: Robbie's spokes snapping as we descended Col des Leques!
Day two: Digne Les Bains to Embrun
Highlights: The reassuring presence of Rob on the endlessly scary descents (“you can do it Roz, just take your hands off the bloody brakes!”), whizzing along the lake shore in the sunshine, the can of coke at the last pit stop, Mark Bryant reminding us that we’re actually on HOLIDAY, the hotel sauna.
Low point: the terrifying descent down to La Durance just as it started to rain – aaaaaggggggghhhh. Note that this was probably one of the boys’ highlights!
Day three: Embrun to Alpe d’Huez
It poured with rain ALL NIGHT. Rumbling thunder kept us all awake until the early hours. Lightning flashed across our bedroom windows. I HONESTLY didn’t think we would ride today but I came down for an early breakfast nevertheless, and found the boys huddled round the options. The roads were flooded; the gendarmerie warned of cyclists having to be rescued from Galibier the previous day, there had been mudslides, the support vehicles might not make it… After much espresso, pain au choc and serious discussion we made a decision – we would set off and see how it went. So we did.
The rain was relentless but our spirits were high – we were cold but we were brave. Col du Galibier is 22 miles of climbing which it turns out is quite tricky in high gusting wind and icy sleeting snow. It was scary when Nick and I were blown sideways onto the other side of the road and it took all my nerve to get back on my bike and carry on. I sang Jon Bon Jovi songs (“take my hand, we’ll make it, I sweeeear”) and thought about all the times that I’ve been this cold and survived. Think the icy Serpentine in winter, kayaking in the Alaskan wilderness, Scotland most of the time…
It wasn’t until we reached the mountain pass and Mark Lim, Robbie and I regrouped that we realised it was getting quite dangerous. The snow was settling, Rob (dressed only in a t-shirt, waterproof and cycling shorts) was shivering wildly, my lips were blue and I felt like I was about to faint. We found the only café that was open and stumbled in – immediately we were given blankets, hot soup and freshly baked baguette – we had stumbled into heaven. The doctor in the group advised that we were close to hypothermia. “You can’t fight with God,” said the theologian. The boys were angry to have to stop 8km from the top. I was glad to be alive.
Highlights: the soup and blankets at the magical caff, cycling up Alpe d’Huez in GLORIOUS SUNSHINE after a death-defying day – Mark Lim and I chatted all the way and barely noticed those notorious 21 hairpin bends, the stellar support crew at Dutch corner – Mark and I took off some layers and the steam rose from our muscles as if we were race horses. The road was painted with the names of the greatest cyclists in the world. We felt invincible.
Low points: not reaching the top of Galibier, the hypothermia thing, the adventure coming to an end.
Thank you to everyone who sponsored me. As a team we're still compiling the long list of lessons learned on this trip but one thing was reconfirmed to me - that raising money for a worthwhile cause is AMAZINGLY motivating on a massive challenge like this and the emails and messages of support from all of you made all the difference. More importantly, we've raised over £2k so far for Hope Family Homes. Thank you.
My site will remain open for a while longer yet so feel free to continue to donate to Heather and Alan's amazing Kenyan project. Every penny makes a difference to the children they rescue from the streets.
With love and gratitude
Roz x
