Got up about 8 and had breakfast in Premiere Classe. Cycled in normal clothes to Strasbourg main station to try to book a train from Frankfurt to Venlo. The booking clerk explained that could sell me a ticket, but couldn't book a bike space. He suggested booking at Kehl station, just 10km away across the Rhine in Germany. So I went there, but the booking office was closed as it was Sunday and Kehl is quite a small place. I had a spot of lunch in the station caf...

The 'hotel' in Basel was unstaffed, so after making my own breakfast and packing up, I dropped my key in the letter box and left. Very soon I was in France (Basel airport is in France!), and following the D468 most of the way as decided yesterday using Google Maps on my iPod Touch. (I had failed to load the maps for this area on my Garmin - Doh!) I stopped for lunch in a nice little restaurant in Marckolsheim. It was a lovely sunny day again, and the colourful ...

Breakfast at 8 in the hotel dining room with a few others, then packed, paid and off by 9. Weather was cool to start with but sunny, and warmed up nicely later on. Following the D542 then D942 I made good progress through the beautiful rolling countryside. Knowing that it can be v difficult to get lunch in France after 1330, when I got to the D1085 I had a look round the village of Monetier-Allemont, and found a nice cafe in the Square. Unfortunately the chap in...

Set off for breakfast in central square of Orange, with Ian Lamb (from Sunderland area), who had been sat beside me on the coach. Given our late arrival in Orange (0830) and the prospect of climbing Mt Ventoux, I decided to forgo the chance to look round the Roman amphitheatre, and instead set off with Ian as far as Caromb (via Jonquieres and Aubignan) where Ian went off to Bedoin, and I continued to Malaucene. Both these towns are starting points for the climb ...

Up at 0500, quick breakfast and off on bike at 0545 to Colton, East Leeds, to catch the European Bike Express. Arriving 0615, there were two other cyclists waiting, which was two more than last year. Turned handlebars 90deg just in time, as coach arrived a little early (0635). Good seat on the coach (upstairs, table seat, with opposite seats empty). Food & drink on the coach supplied as usual by Jason (who also loads the bikes). A great guy who loves his job....