L
Macmillan Cancer support -
charity of the year 2013
ast year saw us raising money for Macmillan Cancer Support who provide practical, medical and
financial support for all those affected by cancer every step of the way. Through all of our park events, coffee mornings and the director’s cycle challenge, taking on 3 countries over 5 days, we managed to raise a whopping £14,009.08! On 22nd November 2013
Miles, Gary and James set out to complete a 500 mile route over 5 days taking on the coastal route between Spain and Italy. Starting near Girona in Spain they travelled over the east side of the Pyrenees and then along the coast into France. Heading up to a town called Bézier in the South West of France. Day 2 to 5 was a trek across the southern coast of France passing through Montpellier, Toulon, Marseilles, Cannes, Nice, Monaco and up to the Italian town of Grimaldi.
Day 1: Starting at 8 am on Saturday 23rd November the guys were pedaling hard into a 30 mph headwind coming downhill off The Pyrenees. This combined with a 6
degree wind coming from the coast made it brutal going. However it’s not all bad as they managed to stop in Surf Shack at Leucate at 1 pm for lunch. The 10 miles directly after lunch felt more like 30 with the continued headwind and hill climbs, but the boys stuck it out and conditions got better after Narbonne. After covering a huge 87 miles in the first day the trio reached Beziers at 4.30 pm.
Day 2: On Sunday the guys had a long ride ahead of them with 100 miles to cover on the second day. Starting at 7.50 am, they were given a little respite with temperatures around six degrees and a northwesterly wind of 18 mph. They were off to a good start heading east towards the coast and with the tailwind they were reaching speeds of 30 mph!
We managed to raise a whopping £14,009.08!
leisureAt your 9
By 12pm they’d already covered 50 miles and were making great pace but found it harder in the afternoon as they encountered both a cross and headwind whilst cycling the Camargue Delta. The last 15 miles were by far the hardest and the travel stove was fired up for cuppa’s all round to keep up the spirits. Despite looking forward to a stiff drink they were staying at a hotel with no bar!
Day 3: This was probably the hardest day of the challenge with Marseille city to cross and three hard climbs, one being over 1000 feet! They had a great start heading south with a strong tailwind to help them on, and were at the edge of Marseille for 11.30 am with a short pit stop for lunch.
Despite the good start crossing Marseille
proved difficult with heavy lunchtime traffic and lots of road works, before going straight on to the first big climb. It wasn’t all bad though as it was followed by a 45 mph descent to the coast during which the trio could take in the amazing scenery whilst a mild winter sun was shining.
Day 4: Although it was still cold the weather was starting to improve by the fourth day and the wind had finally dropped. Heading along the coast from Toulon to Cannes the boys set a good pace throughout the day, and looked like they were really enjoying the ride. They headed through some of the classic French Rivera Resorts including St Tropez and St Raphael before heading on to Cannes where they stayed at one of the oldest hotels in town – The Hotel Splendid.
Day 5: The final day of the challenge was a shorter ride with 45 miles along the Corniche, passing through Nice and encountering some spectacular scenery along the coast. The trio really enjoyed the ride, cruising at a steady pace and passing the locals clad in lyrca like true pros. With just two stops for coffee the
challenge was completed by 1pm at Grimaldi, just over the Italian border. The gang couldn’t stop there though and cycled back to Monaco to celebrate with a night at The Fairmont Hotel.
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