Riding with the Kings

On wednesday morning I trialled the final 50 miles of the route by riding backwards, so to speak, from Pamproux up to Thoars, and back down to Pamproux.
Taught me an important lesson that I already knew: I'm going to have to watch my averages carefully. On a 100 mile ride I can get away with 15-16mph average comfortably, but when I got back on weds, I didn't feel like I especially wanted to do another 60 miles... I overcooked it into a 13mph headwind for the first 50 miles and so I was fading by the end of the ride.

I think 13mph should be my target av. That puts me into the 14hr day bracket, inc an hour for rest...pedalling from 5am to 7pm :/

Anyway I was rewarded with a beautiful town Thoars (hope pic works, I'm testing mobile blog app), and rode up an ancient road "L'avenue des Rois D'Angleterre". My horse is more modern than theirs but their saddle was comfier...

Regular info here

During the training and preparation phase, and during the ordeal itself, I'll keep you up to date by using this blog. I'll post pictures and info, geeky bike stuff, and sometimes ask for help.

For now, here's a pic of the horse I'll be riding, complete with my top secret energy drink formula on display...