Day 13 - overview

And so the delirium has finally set in.  George's jokes have reached a pinnacle that we didn't ever think possible, and Paul and Adrian had to resort to violence to silence the stream of 'tree' related puns:

Leaf it out guys....

Today saw the boys cycle through Belgium.  It seems that Belgium doesn't regard cyclists in the same way as the French and Germans, and so the boys found cycling on the busy roads quite challenging.  Kyle also found driving the Belgium roads quite tricky.  Stu organised a deviation to the planned route to remove the need to cycle down a very busy road, which took a lot of the potential stress away.  They are running on empty now, and are very much looking forward to getting back to Chorleywood on Friday.

Let sleeping cyclists sleep...

Paul's backside is still giving him gyp, and Jamie is beginning to feel the pressure of keeping at the front every day.  Stu's enjoying the countryside, Steve had another puncture, Adrian is enjoying the Belgium cakes, and George is having a quiet word with his knees to ensure that they get him home in one piece (his knees have replaced his lungs as the 'medical worry of the week').

Here's an overview from the boys:

Steve:  Our Rome to home route today was changed this morning to avoid 40 miles of nightmare dual carriageway. The belgian countryside on the new route was stunning in the morning. Sadly the afternoon saw us on a crap road with a crapper cycle route. I had a puncture and Jamie and I narrowly missed a head on collision with a total idiot who decided it was a good plan to overtake a lorry as we cycled past. I miss France! Just 2 days and 200 miles to go until i can give my backside a rest!

Stu:   Nearly over!!

After enduring 16 miles of a busy dual carriageway heading into Bastogne, the route was changed for today to avoid it as much as possible. The result of this change added 15 miles to the distance and 300 metres to the climbing, and yet no one in the team complained because the N4 road was so horrible!!

What a great decision it was, the rolling countryside was amazing, the climbs were fun, and the 22% descent into the valley was amazing although rather bumpy at 45mph!!

On top of this, we are continuing with our attempts to wear Jamie out by constantly attacking him on the climbs. In fact, I am confident that by the time we reach the small climb up to Chorleywood from Rickmansworth the older members of the team will triumph!! 

Paul:  Day 13: A brilliant day of biking apart from the last 20 miles, in which we encountered horrible bumpy roads and very dodgy poorly marked cycle lanes. My derriere took a hell of a beating and quite simply I can-not take much more punishment. Belgium also has a lot of road works and angry drivers, it was like being in the UK really. Adrian (AKA The Cobra) nearly injured Jamie when he was disturbed during his lunchtime break and George managed to sing a very strange rendition of ‘Last Christmas’ by Wham. Highlight of the day was the fantastic chocolate éclair at the morning hot chocolate stop!! One more day on the continent as we head for Ostende and our ferry crossing to Ramsgate.

Jamie:  Bastogne to Nivelles (97 miles) – A last minute change added 15 miles to today's route, but it meant we had a much nicer ride through the Belgium countryside. The wind was against us but there was great views, banter and racing :).   Tomorrow is a very early start as we have to make the Ferry back to England or we will miss our Rome to Home 2012 Welcome Home Party!

George:  So the end of day 13 and things are still going well. Stu did a great job of changing the route for today to miss horrid roads and we saw some truly beautiful bits of Belgian countryside. The end is in sight - only 2 days left! Come on knees just 2 days before a lovely long break.

OOoh, that's a steep'un

Tomorrow brings a late evening trip across the English Channel and a night in a hotel in Ramsgate.  I think the boys are very much looking forward to getting back to England - I imagine it will take a while to get used to cycling on the left again.  Onwards and upwards - only two days left!