DAY 1 TOUR DE FRANCE CHALLENGE - CYCLING EVERY STAGE + THE TRANSFERS

Good morning. So today is day one. Sorry about the background noise; my family is here. We're in Lille, it's time to start. I'm feeling nervous. It's pouring rain out there, but luckily I've got my raincoat. I'm not made of sugar paper, so I just have to get on with it. Chamois cream in a small tub. Bike's ready. Bananas. So today's route is 145 miles. Stage one starts and finishes in Lille. And then I have a 25-mile transfer. Kyle's the snack guy. Molly's there too. The wedding ring and engagement ring are off. because my hands might swell up during this ride over the next few days, So it's best not to risk getting them stuck on. Kyle is going to take very good care of them. Actually, I have a small jewelry box to put them in, Kyle. Right, can we just get going? Five minutes ahead of our schedule already. Damn, that's lovely. I can smell it. I could hear it this morning when I was trying to speak. It's going to rain for the first three hours. Why is there a random vase in here? Did you? Oh dear. Right, can we just bloody go? I've got a 1.6-kilometre walk to the start, and it's pouring down. It's terrible. It's not that bad. I don't know. I'm not made of tissue paper, so I'll be fine. Let's hope the roads aren't slippery, but it's just a flat day today. So starting off nice and easy. Kyle is trying to become a morning person, aren't you? Right, well, I'm at the starting line. Oh, hello. Grand Departures. Ready to go, then. July 5th? Yeah, that's when we start, isn't it? That's when they start. Today is the 27th of June. And I thought, oh, I don't have one. Gosh. Can I go on one of them? Anyway, it's time to go. It's ten to seven in the morning. I did want to leave at half six, but, you know, it's all right. Sometimes things don't turn out the way you want. Everyone's here to say goodbye. So I'll see you back at home, Mum, Dad, and Molly. And Kyle, I'll see you in 65 miles at a rest stop. Bye then. Right, I'm off. It's happening. This is where the professionals will be riding when they depart from Lille. Stage one. Let's do this. Probably won't be videoing as much as I usually do every day. Just so Kyle doesn't have to do a lot of editing. But I had to get the start and You'll see it on TV, hopefully. On July 5th. But for now, it's just me, myself, and I. One thing the professionals won't have to deal with is the red lights. I've just had to go through it. Everyone was red, but, you know, it's all good. I feel relaxed now that I'm off. I'm ready to do it. I can't believe I'm actually doing it. Day one. Every stage of the men's Tour de France. Plus the transfers. To raise money for Shout Mental Health Charity because When I started cycling, I was really struggling, so I want to give something back and take on a difficult challenge and It's definitely not going to be easy, but I feel so much more relaxed now that I've set off. Had a nice headwind to start the day, but Hopefully, it will be a tailwind by the end. I'm not looking forward to going back through Lille later. It was a nightmare this morning, so It's not going to be pleasant later when it's busy, but I'm not thinking about that now. Ten miles at a time. Actually, no. Fifty miles at a time. Ten miles is a bit too short. There aren't many climbs today, just nine. on the first stage Not sure if there's any on my transfer later, but They're not too bad. This is the worst one of the day. It has a lot of red on it, but It's not very long, so I'm sure it'll be fine. Compared to what I've got coming up in the Alps, It's like a grain of sand, this is. 0.5 miles 253 feet, so less than 100 meters and Less than a kilometer. I'm not very good at converting, so Yeah. So I made it to the top, a nice surprise waiting for me there. There's some kind of a castle thing behind the trees. I'll stop here for a quick photo. You have to seize the opportunities. My aim is to try and enjoy. as much as I can on this trip. It's not going to be easy, but while I'm still fresh, I'll stop for a photo, make sure I'm drinking enough and Kyle is going to meet me. 65 miles in to give me some food. And then I think he might go to the accommodation. and ride out to meet me later. But look, It's really nice. There are some guards; better be careful. because they might Wondering what I'm doing. Whoa. Quick photo. It looks like a, actually it's a war memorial. It's really nice. It puts things into perspective When you look at that, doesn't it? What I do in that challenge is nothing. compared to what some people have done, so Absolutely nothing. That puts things into perspective, definitely. Right, quick photo and I'll carry on. I feel calm now. For the first, like, 20 miles, I was feeling really tense, but I'm calm now, I'm settled. I can do this. One day at a time, not thinking about tomorrow or the following day, but This is really nice up here. I'm 40 million in. What is that in kilometers? 40, 50, 60. That's 64 kilometers. I do, I do. I hope I'm not doing anything wrong. I work in miles and feet. but I am going to switch to kilometers and meters for this trip because it makes more sense. All the road signs are in kilometers and I am at the front, so I'll officially switch to kilometers. from tomorrow, because at the moment My Garmin's still in miles and I don't want to be thinking about converting, so Yeah, tonight The Garmin is switching to kilometers. Twenty minutes now from where Kyle's meeting me, so I've got some peanut butter pittas and these little apple pots that I love that they only do in France, so That'll be a lunch break. I'll be 65 miles in by then. so over halfway through stage one, but not halfway through my ride because I've got a 25-mile transfer after doing, so That's all good. I'm so, so grateful to Kyle for supporting me with this. I mean, I wouldn't be able to do it without him, so I'm truly, truly grateful that he is literally being like the best husband ever Driving around, feeding me, cheering me on. Well, I hope that's what he's going to do anyway. He's going to ride the mountains with me, ride little bits wherever he can because obviously he doesn't want to go a whole month without riding, so Yeah. I'm very lucky and I appreciate him so much, so A quick shout out to you, Kyle. I was trying to say "hero" and "Kyle" at the same time. Not all heroes wear capes. Some wear lycra. Right, well, Kyle was where he said he was. and I've got two peanut butter pittas and two little Englishmen Pommie yogurts. Kyle, let's get you on the cam. Mean man. How are you? I thought I'd put this t-shirt on for you. Don't overthink it. Yeah. Good idea. How long have you been waiting here for me? About half an hour. I had to find a shop. Getting out of here was obviously a bit of a pain. Yeah. Found a shop, got some water, Added more to that. Obviously had blue limes ready for breakfast. Did you? What did you have? I did what your mom and your dad thought. Did you? I had a couple of croissants. Began the count. Was it chaos with mum and dad? Yeah, it wasn't too bad. Fair, they had to leave. A pretty similar kind of time for me So your mom helped me. There's a car parked down there. It's a pat. Not you, is it? Big pat. That was me. Anyway, write this down. We have 55 miles left in stage one. and then 20 miles, 25 miles further. 21 miles About 80 miles to go. Nailing it. Feeling good? Good. You'll be running no time, Five hours at a time, more or less? A bit longer than that, I think. Perhaps six hours. I passed by the war memorial this morning. In green. Have you taken a look? Mm-hmm. You can stop more, of course? Not stopped except for that. Oh, okay. So, I'm just studying my wee at the minute. Yes, I might have to spray myself down now. Right, Karl's just taken my order for dinner. Today's reminder list. I'm going to take notes every day. What's on it? Take GoPro battery Once you've had your lunch, by the way. Don't need it. Really good battery. Perfect. You've had your apple yogurts, You've had your pittas, You've had water. Mm-hmm. Drink that water for me, please. And I'll refill your water. Right, top 10. From the shop, What would you like? I know you want, We need to get some vegetables. Yeah. We're going to have tuna pasta. What do you think would be good? Oh, some chopped tomatoes as well, innit? Chopped tomatoes. Yeah. Maybe, like, some peas or Any vegetables, really. Any green. Yeah, no, just written veg Because I know what kind of vegetables you like. Yeah, some nice vegetables. And that's it, isn't it? Snacks? Any, like, afters? Is that what you want, then? Certainly. I have tons of snacks. If there's anything you think Also like that, You can treat me however you like, but I'm happy with that. So I'm not going to see you for a while now? No. I only have eight tomatoes left to go. I need to write a list of what you've eaten today So far, as well. Oh, yeah. I'm going to take a count. of everything I've eaten And then I'll put it in my book a bit more I have eaten. porridge Yeah. with peanut butter. With peanut butter? Mm-hmm. And a pita with peanut butter for breakfast I'm going to turn into a peanut butter pita I have eaten. banana A large oat bar. Yeah. Two peanut butter pitas. And actually an SIS Blueberry oat bar to be specific because we're going to have a count. And then two of these. SIS oat bar? SIS blueberry. And then two of these. Two two palm yogurts Mm-hmm. Anyway, I'm going to Knock these out and get on with it. I'm messing around now. I might keep my rain jacket. with me, actually, Clive Because I think it might rain again. What do you have to take with you now? So you have a banana. I have a banana. How many seconds do you have left? I've got Beta Fuel Chews Yeah. And I've got a peanut butter and dark chocolate Peanut butter again peanut butter and dark chocolate protein bar One, two, three, four. Maybe try another bar as well Two bars? Yeah. That was a nice little mood boost. Had a pleasant 20-minute stop. I just feel so much safer. Like I'm not worried. because I know that Kyle's Here. He might be about an hour away. or two hours away at some points but He's here. Like if I need him He'll drive to me. I'm okay. So Yeah, it just really puts my mind at ease. Here I go. I love being in the countryside. that is literally The home of cycling. Look at this for a good quality cycle path Double-sided. Extremely safe. And all the drivers They are so nice. that everyone gives you So much space. It's truly wonderful. I also passed a sign that said Potatoes apples of the earth Basically potatoes Go, cyclists! Oh, polka dots. Just getting a free sports massage for the legs on the cobbles. Blimey, Nora. Gee whiz. Nice vibration going through my legs At the very least, it's probably getting rid of any lactate that has accumulated. Gee whiz. They look nice and calm and they are calm cobbles compared to Paris-Roubaix but I still feel them. Yippee! Woohoo! I'm in a place called The Trump. In other words The Trump. But Kyle isn't here. so it's not living up to its name at the moment. Hello, mate. Well, thank you very much. Thank you very much. Should have brought one of my stickers to stick on that sign. Oh well. Saving them for the big mountains but That was nice. Little burner. That was a school trip. of children or I don't know what what they were doing like a little Yeah, a group of school children with the teachers going Come on, come on up the climb so That was nice. Woohoo! 100 miles down. Oh yeah. 100 miles down today 45 miles to go and 3,980 miles to go altogether but let's not think about that right now. Yeah. 160 kilometers down from tomorrow I'll be all in kilometers but yeah I have to change my clothes. But that feels nice 100 miles first milestone of many to come. Just come through this little village Nepe Yeah. They've really gone. into town with their decorations They had a really good roundabout But I couldn't record it on video. because obviously I was cycling, but This is their little A small sign as you enter. I was a little worried. because there was a route diversion but luckily I was able to get across the pavement I think they're conveying the road Ready for the Tour de France So yeah. Anyway Better get on with it. I'm about 11 miles away from Lille now about 16 about 17 or 18 kilometers I have confirmation. that Kyle's cycling to meet me I've just seen He's put it on. his Instagram story so He must have made to the accommodation OK That's good. I'm feeling really good. Just feeling happy that I've set off and kind of just been Riding along thinking This isn't working. to be easy because today is really easy day compared to what I have Coming up so Yeah. just trying to focus on keeping It's nice and steady. It doesn't matter. How long each day takes it's about getting It's done. and being able to Continue again the following day so eating a lot drinking a lot Yeah Just making sure to be reasonable but so far So good Stage one is almost complete Nearly finished I know that's Spanish Done? Yeah I think that's right Oh, we've got another fresh Charm Up Road ready for the advantages It was actually a bare route but the builder I was told I could go. through He said between I don't know What he said but he said basically He pointed at this. way and said Off you go So I said Thank you very much I don't think I'm very good. in pronouncing that I think it's more like Thank you No, thank you You know Anyway I've got a whole month here so I can Perfect it. I'm back in Lille The land of red lights Someone's playing. some tunes Oh, hang on. We're on green. We're on vert Let's go. I'm on the straight finish the finish is literally just here It's not a very exciting finish but hopefully The pros won't have a lot of traffic lights to Stop them. in their sprinting efforts because literally this is the but there's traffic here so Stage one is fini so stage one is finished and I am Happy Velo is happy this little kid Just went past. and went Oh that Velo is super I was like Yes, it is. I'm not sure if Kyle's meant to be meeting me here or if he is on his way so I've just loaded up the rest of the route It's 23. miles now 23 and half a mile to go I have done it. 121 and a half so I'm At Pips Week back to Not back but to the accommodation We're staying. tonight I'll give A little Kyle bell see if he'll Give him a call. now on the Cammy although if He's riding. He won't be able to The answer will He so Give him a quick Call and see What happens someone on a scooter I need a way I've just realized Oh It's got us. next Hiya, where? Are you on your way should I start the transfer I'm done. Stage one Yeah so should I so should I start the transfer stage Are you following my transfer the opposite direction Yeah so I'll I am leaving before I Got here Okay, perfect. So I'll start. the transfer Now then All right. then love Bye you right He's on. his way so I'll Start riding and he'll Meet me on the way so I'm now on the transfer just in case nobody know what I'm I'm doing riding every stage of the men's tour and I'm also riding the transfers in between Right, I just met these Nice guys give them a wave say hi on the YouTube It's nice to Hear some English voices So yeah, but They're riding. Stage one Tomorrow it's A nice stage and there is another road from Calais to here and They're riding. Stage one tomorrow and then riding home so They were lovely. It's always nice. to meet people On the way I Always love that about a bike ride you Never know who you're going to meet so That was really nice and They're doing. it prostate cancer, so Really good charity that It was nice. just when I thought I was never gonna get from Lille there's so many red lights this little the guy was waiting on the Corner for me You alright? Kyle Yeah how far have you Ridden 21 miles then I'm fine There's loads. of water bottles in the car Right then, we Better keep it Going it's horrible like getting out of Here so many lights It's just like every single light is red Kyle Oh God I came down Here this Good morning, I've I've had a déjà vu Oh, can you open it for me Just the two of them of us I've told Kyle, he has to stay behind me or next to me because I Don't want to cheat and have a draft so I might change that by the end of the trip but for now We're sticking. with that I wouldn't blame you for sitting behind No, it's alright. we've got a headwind but I I want to do it myself so We do change. direction, though so either next to me or behind me I had a headwind on the way out feels like a headwind I know I had a headwind on the way out as well so this is Where is stage two? starts tomorrow and it's only two miles from where We're staying. So I'll be Here tomorrow Good morning Kyle stopping Just stopped for a quick Picture by the Youth Mall That's what it is. isn't it Kyle yellow jersey the MJ Michael Jackson Anyway, let's go I want to walk. like you ding dang Dudley, we're Just working out the key box for the accommodation That's it. left Oh yeah this is the entrance door there Day one is complete finished Here we are There's the key Kyle I get the key I get the secret Right, we'll do it. the rider stats in a in a minute we'll Get him. first have to do the three S's shake shower stretch protein shake Take a shower and stretch so got to do that first priorities I've got needs as Kyle said to me this Good morning, there's things you need to do and things you want To do so, do the things you need to do first Take the stairs to the first floor studio floor first floor studio floor at the end of the hallway Here then Right, so that's it. Day one ding dang doodlyo I have had my shower I've Not yet stretched but I have had my shake ride Stats for you 145.25 miles that's about 150 something kilometers I am moving to kilometers from Toronto tomorrow We'll put it in. Kyle, I'll put Here it is. won't you with your editing skills I went up 4,413 feet so that's Really flat really ass in the saddle for nine hours 12 minutes and 27 seconds an average speed 15.8 miles an hour so nice and steady Feeling good so we're going to get the shake down and shake off to bed Kyle, did you hit the brief with the dinner Yeah what did you get tuna pasta Do you want to Oh, you can't hold the camera Just grab that bag there you've Put it in. the fridge haven't you Yeah can't see your feet This is yours road book Yes Cannot show you that It's the top. secret What else Have you got in Here a little tree actually did you Is that it? birthday card for you from mom Was it there's Kyle on I don't know how this got in. I hope you'll slip that in. Nid, that's the new practice I've bought it from. I've seen a lot. Oh, I would have been inside there. It would have been in your paths. Oh, my dear friend. Multi-user. I'm not going to the car. It's going to the car. 99% cacao. 99%? Oh, alright. I saw 100%. I like milk chocolate. That's very good for the friend too. Who is this friend? Add the mixture. It's having a dog show. He's a very good speaker. Right on. It's a spiritual exhibition. All the things that were hoped for. My friend, what do I get? Cherry tomato I hope this works. That's me, then, so here I am for you. Dyna i. Who is here? Pwffron rhws. Pwffron... Oh! Peppa More tomatoes. Alright. I'm not complaining, but I do like the road. I must have it. It's important to me regarding the tomatoes. In one thing, I chose dyna. I'll find the other side, Do something and keep it going throughout the day. Thank you. It's very long. That's good. That's the world we have. Recently, to do it in a hurry. No, I'm not spending anything. I hope so. Day two. Oh, it's better than I thought. 188.4 million I was thinking there isn't any 170. It's not much of an increase, is it? 44 miles maximum today. Increase... It's more than today. It's better, it's more effort. 10,000 steps forward. I will remain on the doctrine. I was about to go on the aeroplane, 10,000 ways. It's doing 3,000 miles. I was still adhering to the doctrine. I think I'll keep adhering to the doctrine. Are the two days? I'm going on the air. I wasn't looking for this. I was apologizing. We have 30 types, as well as 30 types. 188, it's 10,000 ways. What are they saying about it? Add the four. 3,000, 4,000. Well, it's more than that, isn't it? 4,000 or whatever. No, it's two of those. There are many ways. I'm not thinking about that right now, It seems to be happening at our event. We're doing it for a good cause. What is the problem with the compositions? Where are we? I haven't looked yet. I haven't looked, I haven't looked since yesterday. I have seen compositions coming in. Obviously, I want to reach 10,000. Were we at 5,000 of something? 6,897 It's flipping. 68% of the target. What will we do in the future? What will we do in the future? We're doing it for Shout, mental health care providers, It's very important. It will be difficult, I'm going to think about that. I'm not going to take any pictures with the camera I weld Kyle. Otherwise, they don't have a top at the moment. Thank you very much for watching the video. Hello again. Best wishes. I'm going to bring this video along. Best wishes.