Day 3: Monday September 19st, Montmelima to Carpentras 90km
An early morning coach brought us on a transfer avoiding the busy city of Lyon to arrive in Provence at Montmelima, which will be the starting point for Day 3 of the cycle. The bus journey gives everyone a chance to catch up with other groups or grab a few extra hours of much needed sleep. Vending machine coffee and garage sandwiches provide sustenance except for the few clever ones who made their own sandwiches at breakfast. Cold sausages have never tasted so good.
On arrival in an enormous car park in Provence there is a short cycle to stretch the legs to Chateau du Monard in Montmelima. Uphill, of course. After lunch we head for Carpentras. This afternoon’s cycle took us through the lavender fields of the region via the village of Grignon with its stunning Renaissance Castle. I get a puncture outside the town just as the support van passes and our mechanic Marcin comes to the rescue. He changes it in 2 mins flat ... It would have taken me a little longer!
We are Group 4 and the slowest group. Group 1 and 2 travel in tight formation at speed. Group 3 travel quickly but have time to chat.
We take a more leisurely pace. On these slower rides we get to chat and today I got to hear about some of the reasons people have taken on this challenge and to where the funds raised will go: A work colleague who suffered a life changing injury, a brother lost to cancer, a child who was cared for so well by a hospital that a parent feels they can never repay that debt of gratitude.
There's also Tom and Darragh on the tandem. Sounds lovely, but it is a grueling challenge. Darragh has a visual impairment and Tom is the pilot. For them it takes immense concentration and skill to even keep upright and negotiate some of the difficult terrain and junctions. They do it without complaint and make me keep my soreness in various areas to myself!
We pushed on to our hotel for the night in a town called Carpentras. Some of the riders will tomorrow attempt Mont Ventoux. Its an iconic climb for cycling fans and many people travel here specially to attempt it. But if you take part in this challenge you need to get up there early, complete the 20+ kms of steep climbing descend and then cycle another 120km to Aix De Provence.
I shall be going around it. My bottom would never forgive me.
If you’d like to cycle Paris to Nice for your charity, contact Paris2Nice. To donate to Shay's cycle, click here.
