Quote of the Tour

Gary: “A beer please”
Waiter: “Of course Monsieur. 25 or 50?”
Gary: “I think one will do for now, thank you.”

Possibly the dullest postcard in the world?

Those of the team who stopped at the café/angling shop (what a great combination) in Maricourt on Friday were treated to coffee, orangina and delightful hospitality from the landlady. She in turn was so pleased with our custom that she handed me a free postcard of the village. I can’t think why she had to give it away, surely these things must sell like hot cakes?

Men of the Moment!

Matt, Simon and Guesty are back at the pub (Jon had to peel of at Portsmouth because of another commitment). WELL DONE GUYS!

THEY DID IT!

Just to confirm, Matt and Simon made it back to The Star Inn just before 6pm this evening. Well done to them both and piccies to follow.

The Final Fling

The boys are approaching Four Marks....

The cycle to Paris wasn't enough

Some of the team wanted to run round it too!!

The Eagle Has Landed

CR1 is rolling, CR1 is roling, CR1 is rolling, rawhide! Through rain and wind and weather, hell bent for leather, wishing his girls were by his side.......

It's been a hard week

Good job Chris wasn't drinking last night or he would be really really tired!!!

Made It To Ouistreham!

After an exceptional effort this morning, Matt, Jon and Simon made it to the ferry with an hour to spare! Next stop Portsmouth......

Heroics

We finished before Lesieux last night due to failing light, so Matt got up and re-did the missed thirty miles at 6am this morning. Now 32 miles to Oustreham and two and a half hours to get there. He's earned that yellow jersey! It occurs to me that we drink at the only pub in England named after its landlord. See you at The Star.

Lisieux 2255

Matt, Jon and Simon all tucked up at the hotel. Oh and Philip too!

Matt is the Champion!

Action Medical Research have awarded Matt the overall Yellow Jersey for the greatest contribution to the event. That's out of 450 riders who came to Paris.

Allez allez Matt, Simon and John!

To respect Matt, Jon and Simons

Effort the rest of the team are putting in some serious training!!!

Evreux - 1930

Matt, Jon and Simon have made to Evreux it time for pasta and fiesta in the market square. Next stop Lisieux. Petrol consumption so far 120 litres.

Mile 427, misfortnate for matt!

Matt fell off his bike doing 0 mph at a water stop! All fine though, not even a scratch!

That's all folks!

Weenies Wonders

We did it!

We're in Paris!

Heading for the Eiffel Tower in a few minutes...

Rear of the tour????

No chance!!!!

Kat first time!!!

A missfortune - 364 miles - katherines had a puncture!!!!

Only 20 more miles of this!!

Gary offers to kiss Mark better

And that one happened on mile 346

Kwick Kat

Here comes Mrs S

The blogger blogged

Last big hill

we're off!

Well done Matt and Karen

Thanks so much for pulling Team Star Inn to within a few miles of Paris - roll on tomorrow!

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HELLO!

That's the cycling done for the day, time for BEER!

OK, we give in

20 miles to go, but we need a beer

Serious missfortune!!

Despite being warned by Marc, Chris decided to sit on a conker case!! This was followed by comments about bottoms and small pricks!!!

Our support vehicle

...and the other side of the Somme

Somme valley

Guess who???

Yes Marc with broken cleats at 274 miles

Jenny says...

Hello all - I'm running short of txt credits, but doing fine and enjoying the ride - will be in touch when I reach Paris

And yet again

Marc falls foul to missfortune at 259 miles. A puncture!!!!
He's a real lucky fellow!!!!!

Over half way now

The 'remainder' of the team ready to set off.
Major missfortune - gary 252 miles - wimped out for the day due to knee injury. Back tomorrow though!!

A few stats so far

Tuesday: 66 miles
Wednesday: 88 miles
Thursday: 97 miles
Sore bottoms: lots

Hi Shanna love mum and dad

Another missfortune

268 - Mr Marc 'missfortune' Macintyre - a puncture.
I also had the missfortune of cycling alone with Matt for 20 miles...at least I know how much faster than Simon he can go!!!!

Pause for reflection...

The view from behind

30 miles, first hill of the day

The C team says hello

Coffee time

The slow part of TSI has stopped for a very civilised break after the easiest 20 miles we'll do all week.

What a big cock!

Advice for anyone cycling in France

Marc was generous enough to sharehis wisdom of French cycling. One thing, he says, that you have to be careful of is tramlines. Calais especially has numerous lines all around the town and it would be dangerous if you cycled into one. Having shared this an ensured the safety of his team mates he promptly cycled into one and came off (including a fine display of cycle shoe skating)
So our next missfortune at 154 miles in.

Another day, another dinner

But this one's in Langans on the ferry so it might be a decent meal

Jimbo says...

Give that man a banana!

Another Gary quote

Next year I might try doing some training, to see if it helps at all.

We did it!

We're in Dover, and some of us even remembered to bring our wives!

Lunch stop

54 miles done, and we're bl**dy starving!

Yet another missfortune

Mile 144 - mark fell off at 2.5 mile an hour!!!!

And after 90 miles

We have arrived in Dover!!!

Another missfortune

Mile 150 - bust spoke

The morning was really easy...honest

Missfortunes so far

74 - simon puncture
109 - karen fell off
121 - matts second puncture

All ready for the off....

maybe

Pit stop

20 miles down, and we're past the angry drivers of south London