Final Day - L'Etape Vallée de le Rhone

The skies cleared as we headed south to our rendezvous at Ampuis with the Chapoutier cycling team whose ranks had been swelled by two very famous former French professional cyclists - Bernard Vallet and Charley Mottet. Over a very relaxed picnic in Chapoutier's La Morderee vineyard in Cote Rotie we were assured by Bernard that a slow and steady pace would be set for the final 70km run down to Tain, our final destination. Naturally Bernard and Charley's definition of slow and steady was a little different to ours...... we covered the first 20km in what seemed like 10mins, the now large peloton burning down the Rhone to Sablons where we suddenly stopped for a quick coffee, beer etc before accelerating back up to cruising speed, heading over a couple of minor Cols and sweeping down into Tain and a fantastic reception from Michel Chapoutier that culminated in an amazing dinner on Hermitage Hill overlooking the Rhone - a perfect end to the Tour.

And so today we begin the long haul back up to Calais, the cyclists will soon all be snoring loudly and yet the support team will still be at work - navigating, driving, dispensing drinks and empathy, so very many thanks to Gokul, Katie (the coach team pictured here checking the route with Bernard & Charley), Lucy and the amazing Graham, who having stepped in at the 11th hour has been an incredible support. Well done guys and huge thanks to everyone who has helped make this 125th Anniversary Benevolent Charity Ride both a success for the Charity (final fund-raising total tbc shortly but we are confident of beating our target of £12,500) and also hugely enjoyable for the riders.