Well it’s all over - Completed successfully

Gareth and I started the ride in the rain next to theAtlantic Ocean at 7.45 am on the Monday morning.

We completed it on Thursday at 6.45 pm in the sunshine with our front wheels in theMediterranean Sea.

The journey was long and arduous, we travelled over 720km and climbed over 24000 feet, some of which was over 14%.

During the 4 days we both suffered from heat stroke and sickness. We both had major mechanical problems with a chain breaking and a back wheel giving way.

We soldiered on with a true British grit and determination despite saddle sores and temperatures in the mid 30’s.

We burnt over 33,000 calories each in the 4 days and had serious moments of self doubt and the desire to stop – but didn’t.

Our tops speeds were in excess of 60 mph and we ignored the closure of the “Tourmalet”, (which lived up to its name of “BadPass”), from snow and a road collapse to get through day two. We saw Lama’s making love on the Mountain passes and met some new friends for life.

We were passed by professional riders going up mountains like they didn’t exist and laughing at us, never doubt the Tour De France riders’ talents!

We used an old wives tales of placing a piece of steak on your perineum, it really does work, to take away the pain and the sores and we both returned with new nicknames,

“Le Bouef” and “Desperado”. Above all we could not have done this without our support team “The Soigneurs”, Jacqueline and Jacko, to them we will be eternally grateful.

Thank you for all you wishes and sponsorship.

Steve and Gareth