For Charity ! if you can please visit … https://fundraising.wwmt.org/fundraisers/DaveClinton/ride-le-loop
Having visited a couple of the groups supported by WWMT, I have seen first hand the great work which the trust supports. Having met some of the young people that are helped, it makes me reflect and realise how lucky I have been. If my efforts inspire you (and myself) to donate then it’s all worthwhile.
So to this year’s small effort … This year I am only riding the first THREE Tour de France stages. In “Le Loop” speak – The Grand Depart.
The first two stages are described by The Tour as HILLY. Here they are, with my Strava results.
STAGE 1
The first stage is a loop from and returning to Bilbao:
I can report that this was a brutal day on the bike. There was no flat, it was either up or down, which is not good for a settled rhythm. Also, it was hot (approx. 30C) and humid (about 65%).
STAGE 2
A long stage! Le Loop has slight differences to the race course depending on the road and town layouts; also we tend to go hotel to hotel. So for this stage my garmin got to 216km. A short transfer in the morning from Bilbao, the plateau start actually meant this stage, despite its length was something of a “REST” day.
The descent from the plateau was great fun, beautifully smooth tarmac, sweeping corners, very polite Spanish drivers, a great 15 minutes.
Today, was cooler, but humidity was still high , at 77%, so the short rain showers were very welcome.
Amazing countryside. Despite the “hardest” climb (Cat.2 ~ more later) being at the end it didn’t feel like the hardest ascent. The misty descent was however, rather nerve wracking.
STAGE 3
HaHa, a Tour flat stage. And the entry home to France.
I have to rave about the coast road. Oh, wow, stunning. Go visit !!!!!!!
PAYS BASQUE
A great area. Lush hills, georgeous beaches and coves. I highly recommend a visit, I would advise motorised transport though … 🤣.
There is some famous culture –
and some historic, engineering –
apparently the legs of the towers look similar to a famous French Tower, having been designed by Eiffel.
And Finally
The Basque people 
are mad about their cycling, as you will see if you have managed to see any of the tv coverage. This made it a joy (?) to cycle round this beautiful area … even if at the end of the first day I was severely “dented” …
as the dust settles, and I’m now recovered … what next? Next year Le Tour is different starting in Florence, and (due to the Olympics) finishing in Nice. mmmm 🤣.