Stage 1 – Düsseldorf

I walked some of the course this morning; the cross wind off the open expanse of the Rhine could cause havoc next Saturday; there is no such thing as a giveaway on the Tour- even the easiest (!) stages can cause a surprise.

So then, Düsseldorf and the tour 2017; would like to say I am not apprehensive but I am! The last month’s training was swamped by work commitments but everyone is keen to say they’ll be slowest; and from experience this is about me using my “matches” when I need to….

Having said that a slightly surreal hour spent going round the TT course; German law prevented us riding over one of the bridges so it was done via the cycle track; but by the same bizarre logic, a moving bike peloton is treated as one vehicle so provided we nosed through a light on green everyone was able to ride on through red!!

But it is good to be started; the drizzle in the air made you wonder whether it will be wetter than expected tomorrow but having ridden nervous energy has been damped; and after the last month I am hopeful my body will again understand the difference between aerobic and anaerobic exercise. It is surprising how the majority of riders were expressing a need for food- funny what 13km can do to the body!

The important thing is that we are riding for others; this charity deserves support… and to pinch the Storey RT hashtag #bestversionofyou (me)