Day 5 (rest)

Rest day!! A picture of Will, with some people in the background

The lads go out for a swing in the town

Jun likes the countryside

Visiting the Abbey of Marcihlac, with the Gaffer (Nick's uncle - the yellow one)

A tight encounter with a tractor on a small country road... Matt just about comes out alive

Another picture of Will... sleeping

House from the front, great views in the other direction

The house where we have been staying... FOR SALE!

Day 4

Day 4: Belvès to Cajarc

130 km

Average speed: 25.4 km/hr

Very hard morning, panniers seemed to be getting ever heavier and legs increasingly stiff. Route was less hilly than expected as we stayed on main roads, but a tough slog nonetheless. We met Nick's mum and grandfather for a coffee stop, at which they also took our panniers off us for the rest of the day... BLISS!Matt looking thrilled at the prospect of another full day's cycling... Hair slicked back ready for a photo pose

What a surprise! Stop for a coffee break and the manager of the café was wearing a Union Jack, we couldn't have been happier, and then we also got to ride without panniers!

Riding into Cahors, no panniers (for the first, only and last time!), therefore speeding along (safely, as ever)

As soon as we stopped, Will got down to his eyelid inspections, no time for slackers!

During the lunch break, we went for a swim in the hotel pool, where our 'manager' (Maël) gets thrown into the air

Matt's bike gets inspected, disassembled, and rebuilt, with a new chain set... "It's well smooth now", he says

Our carriage of preference for our stay in Cajarc, a Merrari... A gorgeous, (un)reliable Citroën of which we are fierce supporters

The Mayor interviews us during the drinks reception for tourists in Cajarc, very welcoming and generous, both in words and in donations

A pose for the paparazzi!

Chilling in my Grandfather's pool, watching the sunset, before going in for dinner. Should be 2 rather relaxing days!

Matt and Will enjoy the delights of continental alcohol by the pool!

Days 2 and 3

Day 2 (1 day late - sorry!): Chérac to Ribérac
Distance cycled: 104km
Average speed: 24.1km/hr

It was very hilly towards the end which tired us out, but otherwise not too bad during what was a boiling hot day!

Matt can't resist dancing to the tunes of Take That... Perhaps his iPod needs updating?

Just setting off. You can't really see the mist on the ground from the photo, but it was terribly idyllic!

Our bikes at the lunch stop, organised and never out of sight!

Some found the lunch break too tough to handle... Or maybe the biking is tiring, who knows.

Day 3: Ribérac to Belvès

Distance cycled: 108.5 km

Average speed: 24.5 km/hr

Another hilly day, but we used the main roads to make the ride smoother, although it did make it a bit longer.

Not many pictures taken today, as we concentrated on the ride and ended up too sweaty

to do very little except sit around in the shade.

We got one nice picture of our entry into Belvès, which was up a very steep slope indeed.

The village is very nice, situated on a mountaintop, and as we got here at about 14:00 after a hard slog in the morning, we had a two and a half hour long lunch in a restaurant.

We then went for a dip at the local swimming pool (apart from Matt, who doesn't see himself as much of a swimmer), and as I write this the others are watching the Athletics world championships: go Bolt! (Update: 9.58 seconds!? That man can't be human...)

All very anxious about tomorrow, although a pre-planned restaurant meal for lunch by a pool should be a good motivator. Tomorrow is our longest day, about 120km, we think.

Day 1!

Stats for the day:
Left at 07:10 in morning from La Rochelle
Rode for 101.86 km
Average speed was 23.7 km/hr

Getting ready and having breakfast at 06:15 in the morning, the start of a reasonably tough day (though there isn't much to compare it to yet)

The great departure from the Avia dépot! Will looks happy - he hit a golf ball over one of the large tanks in the background - very nice shot indeed!

A quick stop with a (hopefully) French-looking countryside backdrop, on our way south from Surgères.

Some of us found that we couldn't stay awake at 7 in the evening, after a day of riding and a whole lot of sunbathing (for Will at least)

Our home for the night, just off Cognac. Very cosy and pretty, delicious food... Everybody in good spirits, slightly sore legs, and in the knowledge it will get worse!

The last few days before the big start!

We've been in La Rochelle for two days now, enjoying the hospitality of Nick's aunt and taking in the beautiful scenery:

First things first: putting our bikes together!

Matt and Will tending to the barbeque after a surprisingly long session of putting bikes together...

Will working on his tan!

Flying the flag for England!

Matt... Well, being Matt.

Setting off! (on a practice run)

Showing off our shirts - thanks to our sponsors!

Team photo in the lovely afternoon sun...

All kitted up (the first of many similar photos to come)