Day 2 - Normandy Beaches

Day 2 originally had been planned as an option of 65 miles or 132 miles in along the coast of Normandy and various other towns - the shorter one for those who might want to sun themselves on the beach.

When we surfaced after an average of about 2 hours sleep throughout the group, the day didn't look like it would promise much sun. The cabins alarms sounded around 5am local time - alarm was not the word, some strange eerie music wafting out of the bedside table was more accurate. Confused at lack of sleep, the pitch dark, the strange surroundings, we didn't know what this rude interruption to our short sleep was.

When we realised what it was, it was time to get up and packed and squeeze ourselves out of the tiny space we'd been crammed into. I asked Quiz to carry one of my bags for me, which he said he would. We made our way to the vehicles and drove off the ferry to the car park about half a mile away, which was conveniently next to a cafe.

I checked with Quiz my bag was in the truck - "what bag?" - the one that was still on the deck of the Ferry! So i ran to back to the boat and luckily someone was just carrying it off and i got told off  in a sexy French accent (I'm a sucker for one of those) "Next time, we'll destroy eet"

Once fed with eggs and ham and lots of bread we got on board and headed out of Caen. The views were beautiful across the sea, for the first 15 - 20 miles we got to experience the awesome roads that France boasts. Few pot holes, smooth tarmac and a brilliant tail wind. We flew along enjoying the luxury of these conditions. Soon the wind turned into our faces, and the wind  was howling off the sea, cutting across our paths, spraying sea salt onto our expensive bikes!

We made several mandatory wee stops for the guys - they just don't have the bladder control of us ladies! All too soon we were at the beach we'd planned on stopping for lunch, all on a high from the exhilarating riding, and the impressive sweep down to the seafront. A few of us were going to take a lunchtime swim - but this idea didn't last!

Not far behind us was the second group and then turned up Matt  - Captain Turdseyes boss, he'd travelled over on his motorbike to support us until the following afternoon. He was dressed up like a fluro Stig. We all ate, drank and as we were about to leave, the heavens opened. Several people bailed out and got in the vehicles for the afternoon, the rest of us braved the rain, wind and elements and rode off for the afternoons ride back. Over lunch some had discussed going further, and getting back as fast as possible, leaving the remaining group to get back at a more sensible pace. But this was before the change in weather. So we set off in our 2 groups.

The afternoon was horrendous, the wind and rain was in our faces or crossing us constantly. The ride was split up and  myself, Paul G and a couple of others just behind  found  ourselves dropped from the faster group. After about an hour we  had located Paul Mason just ahead. I picked up to catch up with him and the others dropped back.

For the next half hour - an hour, Paul and I worked hard to keep each other going, bantering and encouraging each other. He threatened to "do me" on the hills, but i tried hard to fend him off. We were having a great time and suddenly we saw the faster group just ahead as well as the support car. We had two choices - stop and get some refreshments, or kick on and catch up. So me and my wingman took the latter, and worked really hard to catch them.

They were totally taken by surprise at our appearance, (partly because we looked so battered i imagine!) we hopped into the pelaton and now battered from catching up, we had to work even harder to stick with the group.

Throughout the afternoon, Matt took snaps of people at various points, and rode up front like a proper Tour support - we looked the Biz!!

The front group waited just outside Caen for the second group to catch up and ride to the hotel together. The group approached and came to a halt and along slid Kees on the floor - he once more had forgotten to unclip his feet and used his knees as a brake!

He wasn't the only faller though, Ian also came off, but managed quite an acrobatic display as his wheel got stuck in a crack and he flipped over the handlebars, rolled backwards and up on to his feet!

Despite the shabby weather everyone had a fantastic day, we checked in to the hotel, and then had a bit of a session (we also had a lot to drink!) ;) The evening was a total wash out with torrential rain like I've not seen for some time, so we went to the pub down the road for a few, then found a Chinese restaurant to eat at. Captain had gone in there to see if they could fit us in and they spoke neither English nor the disjointed French that Mark was attempting. So the communication resorted in Mark drawing stick man pictures to explain what he was trying to say!

I wish he'd saved the picture as it sounds like it belonged on the wall with the nursery schools finger paintings!!

We went for dinner and continued drinking, some more than others, and as the night grew on and the more drunk people got the more we seemed to forget we had a long ride the following morning!

It was this evening that Gary was nicknamed "Dad" - he is and has always been considerate (particularly towards me being a weak girlie) helping the weaker or tired riders up hills, pulling and pushing them, letting us draft off his back wheel, sheltering us from the wind.

There was also an incident involving Captain Cadence (not to be confused with Captain Turdseye), his bottom, Gary and an Ice cube. I'll let them elaborate if they so desire!!

Most of us went to bed - only because the pub stopped serving and it transpired the next morning that Captain T had got into the lift and found Quiz avec bottle of vin rouge, which escalated in them going to a pub. Dirty stop outs!

Stats

Mileage - 75
Ascent - 900m
Fallers - 2 - 3 (Michael fell off a few times too and it's believed it was one fall each day)
Cumulative Alcohol Consumed - several hundred units