A 6.30am departure from the STG offices in Castleford to the echoing call of “everyone got their passport?” from Andy “Evans” Watson. Ah – no. Not Ryan “Syrup” Tilford. Sharp detour for the missing passport then on the road south for two minibuses loaded with cyclists and support crew, and a van loaded with some extremely expensive bikes.
 

Another detour to pick up Nikki “Elastagirl“ Ridgway from Brentwood station and to have a chat with a very nice man who mistook us for Cambridge students studying the cultural diversity of Brentwood, then on to the Chunnel. The journey into France began with the van door left open heading for the motorway (luckily none of the expensive bikes fell out), and ended at Ypres in, not France, but Belgium. Just in time for happy hour and a serious carb-load.

Early start tomorrow for all those attempting the 173 mile leg...