Martyn Jones Stages 3 to 6 Tour De France
Stage 3
Long epic Breton roads…finally heading out of this region, South of the Loire where the weather is better I hope. Felt like an age stuck in the North West = the strong westerly wind has ben the biggest handicap so far and no more prominent than today#s 208km stage - most of it into a headwind.
Passed some spectacular roadside creations en route - castles made of haystacks, gigantic bicyclesdraped in flowers…all out of passion for ‘le tour’.
Gentleman’s Code of Conduct - there are many unwritten rules obeyed by road cyclists…one of which is to welcome the company of another rider regardless of age, sex, fitness etc. If you’re passing, say hello or at least signal and move on (eg wave) or have a quick chat.
It never ceases to amaze me how such rules are either unknown or disregarded…its the type of thing you value when riding 200km alne into a headwind!
Met a couple of scotsmen who riding parts of some tour stages, one of which was today’s. The first of the two riders seemed to understand the code of conduct, the second didn’t. Anyway, I caught up with his friend further up the road to chat and he appears to ignore me preferring to take it as a competitive manouvre instead..next thing I know he thinks I’m racing him down a small hill, he catches me up, passes me on the incline and runs out of brath before the small summmit…i pass him bite my tongue for a momnet then wish him luck as he prepares to get his breath back… quel plonker?!!
Pretty hard stage in all..
Time in saddle: 7hours 18 mins
Calories burned in the saddle: 6700
Feel good factor: 7/10
Stage 4 = Cholet TT
Rode the time trial (TT) course at the same pace ass I would a long stage…in other words today was like a recover day for me. Took around an hour taking it easy spinning the legs before returning to the hotel for an hours leg and back massage. This time the massage was a little deeper now that I am able to handle it and benefit from it.
My masseur Ed (who works with the Tweenies and some well known WWF fighters!) does a good job abd sys that my muscles are in good shape - not damaged or tangled which is welcome news.
Calories!
Elvis himself would be pleased with the calories consumption to date - put simply I am eating (having to) obscene amounts to replace what I am burning off of course.. I’ve heard that its almost impossible to replace what you lose in a typical day so its a real job just staying at the same weight.
During each ride I am drinking around 6 - 8 litres of carbohydrate drink, eating 4 - 6 energy bars (mule bars) and 3 -5 energy gels (with caffeine) . On top of this I have some savoury stuff about half way through each stage with a coke or two. Its a massive amount and yet I never feel bloated. Breakfast and dinner are 2/3 times normal size.
Conditions: very windy, 23 degrees, changeable
Calories burned in the saddle: 710
Feel good factor: 7/10
Stage 5 - longest stage of the tour
Entered what feels like real rural France today around halfway through the massive stage. Got lost due to bad directions early on so (would you believ e it) I actually rode 10km further than the tour stage route.
Contryside South of Richelieu was great - sunflowers, corn fields - temperature warmed up a little before showers returned again so rain jacket got another soaking.
The most outstanding feature of the day was the incredible road surfaces and how epic they were - 10 miles straight over the horizon and then another 10 miles - more than I have ever seen - even in America . This is bigh country here and not much going out other than farming.
With the help oif a tail wind I rode the stage in only 7hrs 36 mins
Calories burned in the saddle: 8,200
Feel good factor: 9/10
nb: lost appetite in the evening before my meal. Suddenly felt a chill, strted shaking violently and had to wrap up - diuorhhea followed and I went to sleep feeling drained and helpless after what had been a good ride earlier - the tour can do this to you - one small bug from nowhere and you’re toast. I hope to recover in the morning..
Stage 6 - Super-Besse
So hard, so hard.Last night’s sickness reduced my appetite to nearly zero at breakfast - I had to eat and drink though without being sick so I gradually piled on the calories hoping I would stay together for the 195km in the massif central mountains. The though of such a long ride today was especially tough to deal with - I felt car sick, weak and down.
On top of this, the weather had taken a bad turn yet again more rain and colder all of a sudden - down to 13 degrees and drizzle most of the day.
Dressed in winter clothing I set off and slowly bu surely managed my energies through the undulating back roads as I climbed to around 1000 metres of altitude midway through. Still hardly able to eat I had to put my fath into the energy drink for calories..During my time in this sport I’ve cycled around 200,000 miles since I was 12 and (luckily) I haven’t experienced many days as tough as this. What helps is a strong sense of managing yourself, your physical and mental resources and trusting that your training will see you through.
I finished it well in the end and very glad to pile in the back of the support van and head off down the mountain to the hotel for dinner.
Calories burned in the saddle: 7,200
Time in the saddle: 7 hrs 45 mins
Conditions: awful
Feel good factor: 3/10 (hardest day for me so far)
nb: crew started calling me “sir” and “boss” now - not sure whether out of respect or fear that I might crack / snap and fall apart!?
