Day 139 - Maillot Jaune

Today is the final stage of the Tour de France, when for a second year in succession, a British rider will cycle up the Champs-Elysées in the Yellow Jersey, Maillot Jaune. Today, all being well, Chris Froome will follow Wiggins on to the top step of the podium in Paris to win the biggest prize in cycling. Froome has had a fascinating journey from his African background to Britain's new cycling star and just as I revelled in reading about Wiggo's route to winning the Tour in 2012, I'm looking forward to reading what is bound to be the next cycling autobiography to be released later in the year, Froome's Time!

73 miles covered this week.

Meanwhile, 10 hours before the final stage start today at 16:00, I woke early and, after yesterday's longer than planned circuit, decided on a much more gentle, lazy Sunday morning ride and that it was. There was no time trialling down the Axe Valley straight nor speed climbing up hills, it really was a very relaxing 8 mile circuit, taking in the sights and using the easiest gear for every incline, just enough to keep me rolling along and aerobically stimulated. What's more, this short ride out this morning secured me my greatest distance travelled in one week, so far. After my 2 week holiday and 4 week break from the AVPs, I'm now back to my peak cycling fitness, with 73 miles covered this week alone.

Stats: 8.35 mi, 46m:50s , Avg 10.7 mph, Max 24.7, 519 kcal

Day 100 - My Time

I am taking time out from cycling while on what has become my annual pilgrimage to France for some 'my time'. Unfortunately, I've yet to source a bike carrier for my car and so am having to supplement my new cycling interests following the week-long Criterium du Dauphine stage race, sans Wiggo and reading about how to win the Tour de France via Bradley's autobiography My Time.

The great news I've read this morning is that Chris Froome has won the Dauphine, emulating Bradley's triumph in 2011 and 2012. This bodes so well for the Tour De France in a few weeks. Meanwhile here in France I'm agreeing with the Sky cycling team's comment on Face Book that "Some parts of Europe still haven't got the memo about the good weather" as they reference the rains that are deluging the Tour de Suisse .. ditto here.

The rain here is providing more time for reading and while I'm only a few chapters into Bradley's book, I'm already thinking about where I'm going to install my turbo trainer for the winter season and that taking these two weeks of 'My Time' off from cycling will not stand in the way of me winning the Tour next year! I'm not big on autobiographies, but this one has caught my imagination.