Day 3: Peronne to Ay (167km) that's 100+ miles

Dear Readers, I am slumped over my keyboard in Ay but we have all made it down from Peronne after an exhausting but rewarding day on the bikes. Following a rather restless night in the worst hotel in France (avoid the Best Western in Peronne everyone) we set off just after 9.00am and made fantastic time as we headed south in tight formation averaging over 30km p/h for the first 3 hours. A key strategic decision was taken to eschew the scenic route planned in favour of a 20km blest down the juggernaut laden D1, but with Jon on the front, the wind in his hair and a baguette down his vest we shot down to the foot of the first major climb of the day - here Chris M showed his form and crested the summit well ahead of the following pack (Alan's chain fell off). Our speed meant that we lunched in the Aisne valley leaving "only" the climb up to Fismes and then the final 45km to Ay. Suitably refreshed we made Fismes in good shape with 122km covered. The final 45km on the annoyingly undulating road to which extra "gravilons" had been added were certainly a struggle at times (well they were for me), Chris C demonstrated the remarkable restorative powers of "gels" and Chris M sprinted up the final climb to the top of the Montagne de Reims (Alan's chain fell off) to claim maximum King of the Mountain points. We then rolled down the hill to Dizy and here we are. Looking forward to a glass of Bollinger tonight! Tomorrow's stage down to Bar-sur-Aube promises to be somewhat flatter. a