On arrivals and orientation

After considerable faffing, and a mighty fine leg massage, the Datameister Etape Tour finally got started almost on time on the pre-Etape Wednesday. With a clear run to Stratford-on-Avon and picking up the other two car passenger/part-time drivers, the front end was pointed channelwards and the 925 mile grind to Pau began.

Its at this point I have to thank Mrs Mike for the loan of a Tom-Tom, which made the whole process enormously easier, with the exception of a dubious bit of direction finding in Rouen which was only corrected by a left turn of dubious allowability. Eurotunnel allowed us to travel an hour early and arrival in France was greeted by a stunning sunset and shower driven rainbow. An omen perhaps? If so, I couldn't decipher it.

As night fell, the toll motorway dragged us interminably towards the South, and driving stints became ever shorter. At about 3 a.m. all three of us called it a day for about 45 minutes of fitful rest before setting out into the gradually lightening morning.

As timing would have it, Bordeaux appeared at the same time as morning rush-hour which was thankfully not one of truly UK proportions, and soon put the city behind us. About 2 hours later, the toll motorway from Bayonne promised Pau in 20km, and a stunning Pyreneean view to the right........right! Another omen, only clouds, no mountains.

A quick trip to the Hypermarche and onto the Gite for unloading and napping, 'only' 18 hours after leaving home.

Waking in mid-afternoon there was only one thing to do, build the bike and go explore. Navigation was poor, but we eventually found the 'no parking here on Sunday' signs leading us out of Pau toward Gan, and cruised out of town at about 30kmh on the gradually downhill road, noting even at this point that french roads seemed to 'roll well' under the tyres.

By the time we got to Gan, time was getting on, so we cut across to the river over a couple of climbs that put everything local in the UK to shame, and these weren't even marked on the map. More omens for Rebenacq (more on that later). These weren't overly steep, but went on for ages. Great climbing, and first real enjoyment of trip.

During the ride back to Pau, the different attitude of drivers in the area, which had been peripherally apparent, was really brought to our attention. Going through a village, we came across a father with two small kids (about 8 and 6, I estimate), no stabilisers, riding slowly up the main road through the village. A queue of cars swiftly formed and, due to the road furniture, remained behind the riders for about 200 metres at 6-year-old-on-a-bike pace. No horns were sounded, no windows wound down, no yells of derision hurled, no 'hand signals' used. As the family turned off, one driver even waved! Clearly, we had driven too far and arrived on another planet.

On arrival back at the gite, our 'little look around' had amassed 65km of very enjoyable riding. Time to crash out prior to the other guys arriving on Friday.