Writing this the day after the massive event that was L'Etape du Tour 2007, it's hard to say whether it was the best thing I've ever done, or the worst.......there were definitely times when I was certain it was both.  That certainly seemed to be the concensus view anyway.  For sheer sporting excitement, there can be little that competes with the first 70-80Km, with thousands of cyclists bombing along the roads of southern France, up the first climb and then down the first descent at break-neck speeds. 

Unfortunately already at this stage there'd been some mechanical issues:  Guy had a crash before the start that bent his wheel and meant he had to be transported to partway into the course before he could get up and running (he still ended up getting a great time for the two thirds he did do).  Exhiliration starts to turn into perspiration and occasionally desparation over the second, third and fourth climbs.....particularly the fourth, the infamous (for cyclists at any rate) climb to the Port de Bales, which appeared to be a graveyard for large numbers of competitors strewn out on the side of the road all the way up to the summit.  

Nevertheless, barring Guy's hiccup, and the odd puncture/tyre blow-outs here and there (and there were a few), we all managed to make it to the finish in good order.  Richard Todd performed outstandingly well, coming 92nd overall out of over 8,000 competitors, being the second highest placed Brit with a time of 7hrs 26mins.  Most of the rest of us came in from between 8hr30 (Christian) to 9hrs30.  It's hard to underestimate the physical effort that this required.  So well done to everyone!

Please go to the official website of the Etape to find out more and for individual results.  www.letapedutour.com/

This is who was in our group:

Richard Todd, David Hutchins, Guy Anderson, Christian Brun, Theo Brun, Rob Whitaker, Mark Vickers, Will Hodson, Miles Sharpe, Dan Innes, Daniel Robb, Simon Wright, Matt O'Callaghan, Hamish Macdonald and James Birrell.

Thank you for visiting our fundraising page.  2007 has been a year in which we, in Britain, have commemorated the 200th anniversary of the abolition of slavery.  Though that was a crucial historical milestone, what was outlawed then still continues in practice today, in even greater numbers.  In particular child and sex trafficking still proliferates in all parts of the world including Western Europe. 

We are taking this opportunity to raise funds for Stop The Traffik (appropriately enough for a bunch of cyclists!).   This is an organisation involved in combatting slavery and its terrible consequences today at a number of different levels.   We hope that you want to join us in becoming a modern-day abolitionist!  Please dig deep into your pockets to support this cause.    See www.stopthetraffik.org for more info.

Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor us: Stop The Traffik will receive your money faster and, if you are a UK taxpayer, an extra 28% in tax will be added to your gift at no cost to you.

So please sponsor us now!

Many thanks for your support.