Day 9

Start:     Nemour (France)

Finish:    Damville (France)

Distance:  112 miles cycled (902 miles total)

Weather:  Sunny  

With all the riders aware that this was the penultimate stage, and to ease some pressure for the final day, a distance of at least 110 miles needed to be achieved.

Fortunately the conditions were near perfect, with quick long stretches of French countryside and only the odd 'bump'.  At times, there was a even a mysterious force known as a tail-wind that seemed to follow them!  The weather was still in the mid twenties and there wasn't a cloud in the sky as the bouyant five set out for what was sure to be an enjoyable day in the saddle.  At this late stage (with the days being referred to only as numbers), everybody is feeling the strain, and a blistering French sun high in the sky was to make for a testing day.

An impromptu picnic after 55 miles was a welcome break from the heat of the road, and helped keep motivation high. With the team setting out to try and complete the days riding earlier than expected.

Dan Smart's knee continues to cause considerable pain and made any incline particularly intense.  Conscious of tomorrow's final stage in the UK and wanting to cross the finish line with everyone rather than be out of action completely, at the 90 mile mark as the group crossed the Eure river Dan was forced to withdraw.  At half past six, with a satisfying 112 miles putting the POTY tour 'in credit' by two miles, the day's ride ended and the transfer to Caen got underway.

Stopping for a quick pizza before boarding, the team's Meningitis Trust t-shirts attracted the attention of a family who made an on-the-spot donation!  (if you read this: thanks very much!). With the end in sight the team retired for the night, with fingers crossed that the weather in Stroud would be better on arrival than our departure... I'm sure everyone's looking forward to a cool pint at 15h30.