Damian's Blog - Day 6

One of the most experienced cyclists on the trip is Mark Angela, a charming man who has competed in a number of marathons, iron man's and various other endurance events around the world. And he does it for fun, good grief. As we cycled around Biarritz on our processional warm up 20km on Friday of last week Mark was telling me that success at endurance events is made up of three key components - fitness, mental strength and nutrition. We have all worked hard on the first two areas, but I have been fortunate enough to receive a multitude of advice from lots of friends going into this event. The one I took with me was the need to rehydrate as quickly as possible, so a very good friend said that an old family tip was to take lots of Diarolyte to keep up salt and hydration levels throughout the day, Having taken this on board, I have had mixed fortunes. During the day it has been a great success, however, the side affects in the evening for my room mate have been rather eye watering. Add into the mix a lorry load of energy bars and drinks (kindly donated by Maximuscle), and it's fair to say the results have been fairly explosive. Thank heavens for the fresh air through the open windows.
 

WW2 memorial to the French Resistance

With the words of encouragement from the Mayor ringing in our ears we set off under the first serious clouds we have seen all week. The weather has been fantastic to date, and we are all praying that it holds out for the next few days.Having got through the supposed toughest day yesterday, we have taken our eye off the ball and now have to take on four Col's today, totalling just under 3500m.
 
The first climb is 10 km's long up Col de Portillon and is upon us immediately. Nothing more to report here than this was the most shockingly tough day. Having slipped back down the field, I manage to get up the ascents steadily, buoyed on hourly visits from our guide Criket, who has shown remarkable ingenuity by doing the entire trip on a scooter. Like the shop keeper in Mr Benn (ask your Mum), he appears from nowhere on his scooter handing over magical energy vials that make an immediate impact and kick in for the next 3 - 5 km. Towards the end of the day I think I am in love with Criket - funny when the mind starts playing games on you after too much fresh air - but he has assured me that the 'supplements' are legal, and he has even offered to send a few over to Ibiza when I'm next there - how very kind.
 

'Super Hoppers' - much slower than a speeding bullet...

The revelation of the day is another show stopping performance of Dickie 'Le cochon qui vole' who has, in the space of 48 hours, transformed himself from John Wayne's cycling doppelganger into a Peleton phenomenon. Taking on Tourmalet yesterday, he had many of the bookies up and down the land tearing their hair out as he threatened to claim the prized 'King of the Mountains' title. However, if the performance yesterday had us all gasping in admiration, today he confounded us all by going  one further and taking the title. His acceptance speech of the aforementioned shirt over dinner this evening has to go down as one of those moments in years to come when people on this trip will meet each other in the street and say "I wish I wasn't there..". Given the stigma that has dogged road cycling for so many years,  and in the interests of fairness to Dickie, we understand that the World Anti Doping Agency (WADA) have been alerted to his achievements, and they have requested that he gives them a urine and stool sample. As co-operative as ever, Dickie has sent them a pair of his cycling shorts just to save time.
 
620 km's down,  320 km's to go. Tune in tomorrow for more fun and games.
 
P.S I am absolutely overwhelmed by the support I have recieved for this trip from so many friends, my fundraising total is now over £13, 500!
Thank you all so much, and please keep spreading the word and supporting these 2 charities that are very close to my heart - more on that tomorrow. www.justgiving.com/dhopley