ekimeno

Run over the same route as the first stage of this year's Tour de France, the event attracted 5000 riders from across Britain and around the world. It was dubbed the Etape d' Anglaise - 120 miles (actually a bit less - my computer registered 188km) and taking in scenic South East country side like Tunbridge Wells and the Kent Downs, this route was both long and demanding due to the many short but horribly steep climbs scattered along the course.

The weather prediction was for rain and strong winds, but when I made my way to the start line the sun was out and it was warm with a fresh wind coming from the south. I started way to quickly - jumping on a train that came past in the first 5km. Average speed for the first 30km was at 32kph (20 mph). I eventually decided that the speed was a bit mad and that I would feel it later on, so latched on with a more casual group. The next 20-30km were spent chatting to a few riders and taking in some scenery as the city was left behind.

The hills started in earnest and at 80km covered was the first major climb - about 3km at 10% on which I suddenly had to stop because of cramp in my hamstring muscle. After a bit of stretching I got back on the bike and felt fine again. A few hills later and I started seeing other riders in trouble - bikes being pushed and people sitting on the ground, recovering. I pressed on.

The next 30 odd kilometers were flattish and I hooked up with a few guys that were more or less on the same level as me - we agreed to start a pace line to conserve energy. It was working very nicely until I dropped a bottle and had to turn around to collect. My water was low and I'd passed the last 2 feedstations by...

The next 30 minutes were spent in no-mans land - strong headwinds and no one to lend a tow and I was absolutely dying of thirst. At 130km covered the 3rd feedstation came into site - I dived straight in for energy drink, water, cake and gels. I was starting to feel the pain by now - this was the point that I was used to finishing my longest training rides, but I still had 60km to go.

After getting going again I started feeling OK and jumped on the first train that was passing. The wind had picked up considerably by now and crosswinds were playing havoc with handling. The last climb of the day was the hardest - the summit of which was about 10 miles from the finish. It turned out to be a wall - it seemed every second I'd climb another meter according to my GPS. My gearing of 39x23 was definitely not the right choice and my speed dropped to around 7-8kph. I was suffering big time - legs screaming to stop. I was so desperate that I started looking for a place to put a foot down but my mind would not let my body do that!. Eventually the hill evened out and the summit was packed with spectators cheering support.

Then I felt the tailwind I'd predicted - nice. The next 10 miles were all downhill with a 15mph wind blowing straight down it! Although tired beyond comprehension, I kicked it into the 50x12 and literally flew down into Canterbury. The finish area felt surreal - all I wanted now was a hot shower and to stuff my face until the end of time.

My time for the 188km was 6h42, though I'll be getting my official time tomorrow. In total I rode 227km today - this included the ride to the start and the ride back home - ouch!

Here's my Motionbased log as recorded by my Garmin

Here are some photos I managed to snap, though most of them are pretty non-descript - I was either suffering or enjoying the scenery too much to remember to take photos.

HigherGround

Cool pictures and ride report. Thanks for sharing them!

merlinextraligh

good ride. I'm sure it was a blast. Now you need to do Le Etape de Tour.

aham23

very cool report and pics. later.

ekimeno

I'd like to but I really don't like these sorts of organised tours (usually involving many hours aboard a bus). Instead I'm planning on renting a car and taking my bike up to the Alps in September to spend 3-4 days taking in as many cols as I can - this to me would be a lot better than riding an Etape.

benbaconlewis

Thank you very much for the report and the pics. I did the ride yesterday as well, but was in far too much pain to take on a paparazzi role too, glad someone managed to.

For what it is worth, I thought the ride was well organised but I did have a couple of queries I wonder if anyone has any input on:

1.) Any ideas why the route (which is an opportunity to showcase England at its best) does seem to take in some pretty grotty parts of London. I guess there is really no smart way to get out of the capital and departing from Greenwich gives a pre-Olympic boost maybe? I know I am biased, but a route through the South Western suburbs out to Surrey might have had more visual appeal?

2.) Any ideas why the feed stations on yesterday's ride were so unevenly placed. I also experienced a water shortage and the wait for the 4th feed station seemed like an eternity!

ekimeno

The third feedstation was very well hidden! No idea why this was the case...

I haven't been riding around the SW of London, but I've heard it is very pretty. I would have liked to have seen the route go through Hertfordshire which is where I get all my training done. Agreed on the route going through some of the SE's dingiest areas, but this couldn't be avoided on a stage that ends in Canterbury. So much for 'showcasing' London.

I enjoyed the ride nevertheless and saw parts of England I've never been to.

benbaconlewis

Agreed. Some of the Kent countryside was beautiful and was not somewhere I had cycled through before. Maybe they included Gravesend as Pocahontas is buried there (would have loved to see the look on her face when she arrived there).

Hocam

Sounds like a fantastic ride, especially the part about people walking up a hill. Thanks for sharing.