Stage 9 - Into the Storm

Today's Route 63 Miles

Hellimer - Strasbourg

Ascend 557 metres,Descend 686 metres

See map of route here:-  http://www.bikeroutetoaster.com/Course.aspx?course=611694

Last nights accommodation was a no frills two star guest house in Hellimer (aka the middle of nowhere - see yesterday's blog). The owners were friendly and helpful and kindly booked us in at the nearest restaurant 9km away for the evening. 

Breakfast sitting options were 6:30am or 9am as the owners had to complete the school run for their granddaughter who lived 25 miles away. 

We opted for 6:30am,  in order to be on the road by 8am and to ensure that we arrived in Strasbourg in time to allow Graham and Dominique to catch their Eurostar. 

Our spirits were high at breakfast , although mentally and physically we were feeling very tired. What a journey. 

Graham has been on an incredible journey himself to have got to this point. Six months of cycling, training on the roads of Essex with me, gradually stretching out distance, increasing speed and gaining fitness to make the prospect of cycling 320 miles in 4 days actually possible. He has been a good friend through the most difficult of times for me recently and It is a privilege to use this blog to thank him again, for listening (he's a good listener) and supporting me on this ride. 

We set off in full wet weather gear into a storm. The temperature was 12 degrees and we faced driving cold rain. There was no let up for the next 4 hours, in fact conditions worsened at some points. We tried to laugh at the ridiculousness of it all, it felt like a proper test of our determination.  

Only about 10 miles in, and I suffered my first serious mechanical failure. The cable that controls my gear changes at the rear wheel snapped.  This left me only gears 18 and 27, way too high for the climbs ahead and to attempt to limp home, so we called Dominique in the support car and arranged to meet her 8 miles down the road in a town called Munster. 

This french chap was watching us struggle from the front gate of his house. 

We had to sneak a picture of him, have you ever seen anyone this French ? 

Clive's bike is on tour with us. Other than having a slightly larger frame, it is identical to my own. Given our lack of time to get to Strasbourg, we figured it would be quicker for me to switch onto Clive's bike, rather than attempt a by the side of the road cable switch in the driving rain, especially as Graham and I were soaked through to the skin and were already shaking in the cold at having to stop. 

We changed over the kit from my bike to Clive's (front and back lights, saddle and nav), adjusted the handle bars (Alex was riding it last) and we set off again.

It was very emotional riding Clive's bike today - he should have been riding it with me, I couldn't stop thinking about that fact. I nearly went after a few miles but held it together, however with about 10 miles to go before Strasbourg, I found myself having a proper blub about it all (still cycling of course).

I pulled myself together after a quick chat with Graham, and attacked the last part of the ride into Strasborg.  Due to the lost time, we were cutting it mightily fine again , and as we pulled into the hotel, Dominique was waiting with the taxi, ready to head off to the station.

She had got there early, checked all of the luggage in, GOT MY BIKE FIXED, and had Graham ship shape very quickly. 

You've got to love my wife, she's one in a million.x 

Graham just had time for a 5 minute shower, we had a very rushed goodbye and then they were gone. (My phone was wet - apols for the poor picture)

I will miss them both, although Dominique will be back with me as support driver for the weekend as I climb the Alps. 

My good friend Domenico Avellini joins me as the next tour support driver tomorrow evening , I have a rest day in between (Sports massage booked already!)

Off to sleep now, I need a solid 12 hrs. 

Brett x