Day 3 - Cambrai to Epernay

First of all apologies for the extent of the typos etc. yesterday. I woke up at least 3 times from having fallen asleep while writing yesterday. After 23.00 really is a no go area for me which means I have precisely three minutes to write this update..! 

OK so that deadline has passed already so excuse any resulting typos. I write this from our hotel room in Epernay, a fiesta of lime green decoration including a bedside light which has a cable leading to precisely nowhere. I mean no plug sockets within 20feet of it and that sums up the standard of the Hotel St. Pierre, Epernay, we would really appreciate a nice hotel. The cost budget was low. Cater for students Paul said. I am remembering now I am 40 something and have done my share in student digs. I am hanging out for a nice hotel. Bring on Beaune where I am confident things will improve. 

So today we left the Campanile in Cambrai at a slow pace. That seemed to continue for some reason for at least the first 20-30 miles. The first signs of accumulated fatigue amongst some riders perhaps. It was an undulating route where the hills were big enough to require sustained effort but thick and fast that beyond the descent it was never far to the next hill. Not flat enough for a pace line to work but not steep enough to register as a 'large' climb. It's tough terrain to navigate with a group of mixed ability as you have to.climb at your own pace. So there was some unrest at the individual approach to hill climbing but we all made it to the lunch stop and I for one was grateful of some delays when talking to the support drivers which meant 3-4 miles of uninterrupted riding at a fast pace to catch up. It's a great opportunity to stretch twitching legs. The scenery was spectacular, rural arable lands of France  with a mix of wheat and arable crops and the off field of livestock as it has been since Calais but this afternoon we began to see more Vineyards many with the names of the local chateau or owner near by. 

What has been humbling has been riding through the French countryside and seeing so many cemeteries for the war dead. It really makes you appreciate the extent of the loss. There are so many of them and so beautifully kept its an testament to their honour. How lucky we are for their efforts that we can ride freely across Europe now several generations on. Chapeau.... 

The finally a sign we girls had all been waiting for Champagne was finally here. What a beautiful ride it was too along a seemingly endless valley festooned with grape vines and champagne houses at every turn. How we wanted to stop and taste.  Alas time was not on our side and so we pressed on towards Epernay. 

We had a superb lunch from Chruc and Tacye at around 64 miles in alongside a lake and found our legs to carry on. Then they headed into Epernay and Scott (not riding today) and Louisa took in the task of feeding us all in the late afternoon worth 15 miles to go so that the girls could get ahead and get some snacks for tomorrow. 

Sarah Sunderman doing a great job as support crew. 

It's only a matter of days now until we get to Lake Annecy where Lucy and Millie Cleminson (plus Kte and Jeff, though they dont count as nearly so exciting! with join us. I can't want to see them from my bike on Friday. I will be looking forward to that day. Xxx

The superb countryside around us made for a pleasurable afternoon. Sunny skies with some clouds and tail wind meant me ,want short worth of the lights. 

Another person who often provides linguistic support during our rides or prior from the Healix HQ is Thierry Montrieux. I saw this sign and thought of you Thierry....! 

One of the other reasons for our delays initially today was Kolyas bike. 2 spontaneous punctures while sitting stationary baffled us for a while until we found the rim tape to be inadequate. After a bit of DIY son the repair front and 2 inner tubes later  we are working ok so will tell more on our return as it may trigger the puncture gods who have left already. 

So we rolled in to Epernay finally and checked into a family faulty towers. 

Sorry almost incapable of comprehensive Speech?

!!!!!!

Anyone who read yesterday will know these photos are  links to today's stage. 

Here are the photos of Earnest HODSON, who died on 1918 taken yesterday in the cemetery where he is remembered. . :-(. dad this is for you from Chruc and I. Xxx