Cycle to Mipim, day one: sweets and broken suitcases

Andy Hillier, PW features editor

Spirits were high among the group as they shared their last-minute preparation tips and nutritional advice, which included some sharing images of the beers they’ve packed. Hopefully, they’ll be consumed off the bike.

Today, the riders will complete a relatively flat 132km route to Portsmouth where they will board an overnight ferry to Ouistreham in France. Tomorrow, a far greater challenge awaits: the ride from Ouistreham to Blois will be 287km, the second-longest distance on this year’s ride. So, the riders will need to avoid going too hard today.

For me and the other four-day riders starting in Blois, today is all about making sure we have everything ready ahead of our departure by Eurostar tomorrow.

As the route snakes its way from the north to the south of France via the Alps, riders have to plan for all types of weather, which means having to pack lots of different types of cycle clothing.

On Tuesday night I thought I’d completed my packing only to break the zip on my suitcase when closing it. I don’t think it could cope with all the sweets and flapjacks I’ve packed to keep me adequately fuelled.

Thankfully, my wife was able to find a suitable replacement yesterday and crisis was averted.

Riding such long distances will be a mental and physical challenge, and I have to admit I’m a bit nervous. While I have cycled 200km in one day before, I have never cycled such long distances over multiple days and fear whether my fortysomething body will hold up.

There’s only one way to find out. Watch this space.