Cycle to Mipim, day three: morning larks and steak frites

Andy Hillier

While many cyclists were stumbling around the breakfast buffet bemoaning the 5.30am start, I was up and raring to go.

Today’s five stages covers 243km from Blois to Moulins. It’s a relatively flat stage but crosswinds can be a challenge on the exposed roads of northern and central France.

After a chilly 6.30am start, the weather soon warmed up and the cyclists found them stripping off the layers.

By lunchtime, the temperatures were so hot the Club Peloton staff were handing out sunscreen. After such a miserable UK winter, seeing the sun was most welcome.

After stopping at Château Fer for a lunch made from local produce, we made our way through a plethora of pretty villages.

What’s immediately noticeable on the road is the French public’s attitude towards cyclists. Motorists are incredibly patient as the peloton passes by and locals in sleepy villages cheer at the spectacle of a large group of cyclists. If only it were more like this in the UK!

Towards the end of the day, the temperatures dropped and the wind picked up again, But the peloton made swift progress, arriving ahead of schedule in the picturesque town of Moulins at around 6pm.

It was my first day in the saddle so I decided to ease my way into the ride by completing three of the five stages (around 140km in total).

My legs felt good and the pace was ideal for riding long distances. You have to go fast enough to cover the distance within a reasonable time frame but not so fast that you run out of energy too quickly.

After another steak frites meal in the evening, it was early to bed ahead of a 4.30am wake up call tomorrow.

Now that really is a test, even for a morning lark like me.