Matt and Nick Woodall are riding the "Tour de Force" in 2013 to raise funds for the William Wates Memorial Trust. They will ride the entire 3,360km route of the 100th Tour de France in 3 weeks, exactly one week ahead of the professionals. Some days will be absolutely massive, including a 150 mile jaunt ending at the summit of Mt Ventoux, or two loops of the Alpe D'Huez!
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Tuesday, 25 June 2013
Day 4 The 4th day already
25 June 2013 Nice to Nice 25km time-trial no mountain climbs
We arrived in Nice at about 06:30 from the ferry and the city seems to line the bay forming a lumpy contrast to the turquoise sea. The riders disembarked and regrouped to form a 90 man/woman procession through Nice along Le Promenade des Anglais, through Boulevarde de Georges Pompidou and towards the outskirts on Route de Grenoble. Next Phil Deeker inserted a modification to the Tour route which doubles back on itself, but since the return leg along the Promenade required the use of a cycle path on the far side of the road the riderstook a different return route over the mountainous backdrop of Nice (groan this was supposed to be an easy day).
Phil Deeker's briefing
In effect they followed the outward trip along the waterfront and returned over the hills. The distance covered was the same but more climbing was needed than on the professional's route.
Nice is a lovely city, as the boat docked the city was basking in sunshine. The riders made their way along the waterfront promenade where natives were everywhere, walking, jogging or cycling in the sun. The time trial had finished by 11:00, which left time to eat drink and be merry and to get the washing and blogging done. Matt went off for another session of physio. Apparently last year there were about 10 lifers with knee problems in the first few days. The constant pain when cycling really is starting to get him down and he is becoming quite miserable but at this stage there is very little anyone can do to improve his knee now other than ice, physio and pain killers.
Matt's swollen knee
It looks like he will need to go onto the 3 hourly medication regime of alternating paracetamol and ibuprofen with some voltarol gel too. It is very hard for him now as he knows that the riding will ramp up in difficulty and exertion. He has made adjustments to his cleats and the patella is less tender than it was, so it may be that things are improving. Nick had a terrible pain in his right knee during the LEJoG ride so he really knows just what Matt is going through.
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