Sporting enthusiasts around the world rarely agree on the toughest and most passionate of sports until someone mentions the Tour de France. So, you can image my astonishment when I heard that one 60+ year-old HCC (Hurlingham Cycle Club) member, Andrew (Windy) Gale, had agreed to ride every stage of this year’s Tour, starting in Florence and finishing three weeks later in Nice, raising money for The William Wates Memorial Trust. Inspired by this total madness, I convinced fellow HCC members David Ward, Rupert Bonsor, Jerzy, and friends to join me in support of Windy’s epic journey. 

DAY 1
St-Paul-Trois-Châteaux to Superdévoluy 

Distance: 184km; Elevation gain: 2,500m

This was a true initiation, where bravado got the better of us when we attempted to challenge the lead group averaging 40km/h for the first 60kms. As we hit the first major climb, we realised our mistake and started to overheat at close to 40°c. Eight hours later we were peeling ourselves off the tarmac praying for it to end, whilst in awe of the twisting roads up Col de Noyer.

DAY 2
Gap to Barcelonnette 

Distance: 184km; Elevation gain: 3,000m

Distracted by the spectacular views as we entered the Alps Maritime, we had our first and only mechanical hiccup, with a broken derailleur demanding a backup bike being called into action from the support vehicle. Some speedy descents gave us some respite from the climbs, one of which was an adrenaline-rushed 16km, releasing enough endorphins to warrant a quick dip in Lac de Serre-Ponçon. Two final climbs culminated in a sprint finish into Barcelonnette, a little town at the foot of the ominous peaks awaiting us the following day.

DAY 3
Embrun to Isola 2000 

Distance: 145km; Elevation gain: 4,500m

Dark clouds greeted us at the start of the Queen’s stage, known as the toughest and most challenging stage of Le Tour. Our first climb of the day was 17km reaching 2000m up to Col de Vars, before another speedy descent to the mother of all climbs. A 23km climb up to France’s highest paved road: Cime de la Bonette. And then, after one of the most serious (and ear-popping) downhills of our lives, battered by hailstones, we lost two vertical kilometres in 40km. The final challenge was another climb up to the Isola 2000 ski resort at which some of us resorted to jumping in the back of a van to complete. Chapeau to Windy, who rode every one of the 3,500km like a true pro!

CHARLIE LONGRIDGE, HCC CO-FOUNDER AND CHAIR