Day 14 Stage 13 Not Flat by Norfolk Standards

Day 14, Stage 13, 5 July 2013 Tours to St Amand-Montrod,173 km, 1 mountain climb cat 4.
Last night Michelle asked Matt and Nick if riding the Tour de Force was like doing a job and in reality it is. Nick and Matt prepare their equipment for riding the day before, bike brakes are checked, chain is lubricated, tyres are inflated then the bikes go away for the night. They select the appropriate clothing for the conditions and then they get some sleep. In the morning the riders get up half an hour before breakfast, wash shower and then pack the bags then load them on a truck. Next they eat breakfast and fill their bidons (water bottles). After breakfast a transfer may be needed to the next stage but if not, they ride to the start from the hotel. So in reality it is rather like having a job as a rider but there is a lot less admin than either Nick or Matt do in their day jobs.
Today was a lovely sunny day as the riders moved through the Loire region and cycled down from Tours through central France. Evidence of the impending Tour invasion is everywhere. Cycle sport magazine’s guide to the real Tour de France described the scenery as “plain plains”. However it was not flat by Norfolk standards and though Matt disagrees, Nick thought it was one of the prettiest rides. The sunflowers have not yet opened because of the late spring but if they had they would have been a spectacular sight. Instead of sunflowers the riders moved through fields of wheat, vines (of course) or poppy’s.