Je suis désolé

Apologies to the no doubt thousands of fans who are following the blog and are upset not to be receiving daily updates on my progress. I thought it would be fairly easy to write a few things at the end of each day as I retire for the night. But it is ridiculous how little time we have to organise and get ready for the next day. I simply have not had a chance.

An average day consists of getting in at about 7-8 in the evening, depending on the length of the ride and severity of the terrain and weather. I then find my room...legs up in the air to drain the lactic acid from the muscles...drink my recovery shake....shower (cold on the legs)...eat at 8.30...briefing for the next day at 9.30. Then I have to try and fix any mechanical and physical issues (lots at the moment) before usually getting into bed at about 10.30 .... to get up the next day usually at about 6.30 or earlier depending on if we have a coach transfer to take us to the next stage.

Personal time is very limiting and you have to make the most of it. I had been toying with the idea of shaving my legs for quite some time....quite simply as an excuse to lady-boy it up but also to try and look the part. But i could never quite believe the stories that is was for speed, for ease of applying plasters on injuries, and so on. It was only after my first massage that the true reason became apparent and that it is very simply much easier, and less painful, to have no hair when you are being rubbed down at the end of the day. Razor in hand I took the plunge and began shaving after getting into my room earlier after stage 4. It was only after 45 minutes and only one leg shaved that I realised I had to stop otherwise I would miss supper. Its been nearly three days and I still haven’t had a chance to shave the other leg....much to the hilarity of the rest of the peleton.



Please bear with me I will be trying to keep a report on the stages....I am still alive and pedalling. And I have managed to reach the rest day in Morzine (day 8).....but only just (more on that later). Today was supposed to be a chance to relax and do personal admin . But it started very badly when it was discovered that the very nice hotel we were booked into had been broken into and 12 peoples bikes had been stolen. Knowing my luck I walked down into the room where they had been locked fully expecting Madonna not to be there. Unbelievably there she was in all her glory. A huge relief but also huge frustration felt for all those whose bikes had been knicked.....some of which had only just joined the tour and hadn’t even used them yet.

The day subsequently turned into a bit of an admin nightmare as everyone was frantically trying to source or loan bits of kit for tomorrows stage. That being said I did manage to do my washing, shave my other leg, and watch yet another classic English performance....why do i bother? I had more fun watching my pants in the dryer.

More updates to follow soon....I hope!