Day 8

Start:     Dijon (France)

Finish:    Clamecy (France)

Distance:  114 miles cycled (790 miles total)

Weather:  Sunny  

The extra long transfer time did not allow the riders much room to stretch out the aching muscles from the last week’s effort.  Still suffering from agonising knee pain, after a test lap of the hotel car park Dan Smart withdrew from this stage.  With Danny not arriving at Dijon train station until mid-morning (planning to rejoin the riders at lunchtime) that left only Phil, Keith and Dan Barker on the start line at Dijon.

With Phil’s ongoing close ties to Clamecy, his ville natal, a reception committee from the local bike club was waiting to meet us at the town hall at 16h30.  Conscious of this and the need to cover approximately 110 miles to stay on target; the crew had their earliest start yet and were turning peddles by 08h15 – aiming to stick almost completely to minor roads in order to increase the mileage still further.

The misty morning was soon burnt off by a bright sunshine that was set to see temperatures rise into the mid 20’s.  Long clear roads allowed excellent progress and the trio fired along, covering almost 50 miles by the time Danny arrived at the Gare de Dijon.  Frustrated at the idea of missing a whole day’s riding, particularly with Clamecy as the arrival point, Dan S was keen to get back on his bike and join the riders for the second half of the day.  

The day proved to have some surprisingly big hills in store, although what might have been referred to as a great big hill around Stroud had been placed firmly in context by the Julier Pass, and were now only seen as rolling countryside!  Nevertheless, muscles that had seen more than enough work in the alps were called upon again... with the days total climbing adding up to an impressive 1400m. 

Running only slightly behind schedule and with a satisfying 114 miles on the clock, everyone arrived in front of the Marie de Clamecy at 17h15, to be greeted by the mayor, the president of the local Velo Club de Clamecy (V.C.C), plus some friends and family, and even a local journalist!  After a few photos the POTY team were invited upstairs into one of the state rooms, and welcomed with a traditional regional toast for weary travellers in the form of some excellent Kir (blackcurrant syrup with a local white wine) and a few sweet and savoury treats.  The POTY team exchanged souvenirs with the V.C.C. swapping some t-shirts and water bottles for some cycling tops and a generous donation to the Meningitis Trust.  With everyone refreshed the van departed on the 2hr drive (or two and a half with some special sat-nav inspired detours!) north to Nemours, the starting place for the final continental stage.