35 deg C for gods sake.
With 81 miles to cover - on a flippin bike!!!
4,500 ft of climbing!!
Still, caned it out of Calais, 19.8mph avg for first 12 miles on flat :-)
Nearly wiped-out twice today on 2 bends which tightened without warning, whilst over 40mph. Lucky......
Heat was something-else though, terrain was short sharp descents but long-drag uphills for the whole way except out of Calais and last 12 miles into Arras.
First puncture - happened at last water-stop when leaving after taking a rest for 30 mins - 10 miles from hotel. Still, rather there at 0.5 mph than on a bend downhill at 40....
About 12 people dropped-off today and needed the support bus. Pah!!!