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.

Day 75 - Here Comes the Sun

Wow! What a beautiful morning to be out on my bike .. but goodness there is still a cold wind!

To be honest I was going to have a rest day today but seeing the sun, I just had to make the effort. I headed out up hill as usual but decided against my 3 hills favouring the new hidden single track, discovered a few weeks ago, of Barnards Hill Lane past allotments and out to join Harepath Hill. This gave me an exhilarating drop down into Colyford at a new maximum top speed of 29 mph!

Once through Colyford, I was making such good progress, at one point averaging upwards of 15 mph, that I decided on returning through Axmouth where the view of the estuary and the marina was spectacular. Just shows what a bit of sun can do.

Meanwhile, at the Giro d'Italia, Wiggins is now suffering from a chest infection and the next rest day is not until Monday. I think sun or no sun, that would have kept me in the warm this morning.

Back in Seaton, a trip along the seafront concluded my circuit. All in all it was a successful ride, with a new speed record and something I noticed yesterday but forgot to mention, I have also reached another distance milestone, we've now crossed the 200 mile mark since starting this 'adventure' 75 days ago. I think I need to keep a totals / league table for these type of stats; something to look at doing later - watch this space.

As for the route art today .. how about a gnome on the run!

Stats: 6.56 mi, 36m 05s, Avg 10.9 mph, Max 29.0 mph, 400 kcal

Day 74 - Giro d'Seaton

While the wind seems to have blown yesterday's torrential rain away, cycling this morning against 30mph+ gusts was a bit of a challenge! I headed out early aiming to tackle my 3 hills but at the top of the first it was clear that the other two would have to wait, after all they'll still be there tomorrow.

It also sounds like Wiggins, competing in the Giro d'Italia, is not on the form of last year and he too appears to be suffering in the bad weather and with the hills .. it's great to be in such good company!

Stats: 4.84 mi, 27m 29s, Avg 10.6 mph, Max 22.5 mph, 305 kcal