The Tour of Britain routes dropped, and over coffee we joked: “let’s ride it next week before the pros do” A few messages later and the plan was in place. With five days, six stages, and a small but determined crew, we were heading out on one of our biggest adventures yet.
From brutal climbs and wild weather to golden-hour descents and unforgettable scenery, we rode every single stage – giving ourselves a taste of what it feels like to be on Tour.
With one driver (Jamie), two cameramen (Jack and James) and two riders (Christo and Luke), we headed up to Woodbridge to begin the challenge.
Stage 1 (Woodbridge → Southwold | 161.4 km)
Luke and Christo rolled out with fresh legs and big energy. The route wound through rolling countryside and past ancient castles before finishing at a windswept Stowmarket Pier. History, scenery, and relentless crosswinds – the perfect prologue to the week ahead.
Stage 2 (Stowmarket Circuit | 169.4 km)
Already 160 km in, fatigue began to creep in. The looped course brought us back to where we started, but running out of daylight shifted everything. As the sun dropped, the long shadows and tired legs were offset by golden-hour descents that lit up the landscape – a reminder that the hardest rides often give the biggest rewards.
Stage 3 (Milton Keynes → Ampthill | 122.8 km)
A rough, chaotic start coming out of Milton Keynes quickly gave way to beauty as we rolled into the countryside. The winds turned what looked like a flat stage into a grind. Punchy sections and wide-open views kept us honest, making it a test of both legs and mindset.
Stage 4 (Atherstone → Burton Dassett Hills | 186.9 km)
This was the “long stage.” Not packed with huge climbs, but the relentless roads made it brutal. Escaping the busy start, we found ourselves deep in some of the most picturesque countryside of the Tour. Three laps of the finishing climb at Burton Dassett delivered pain, atmosphere, and scenery in equal measure. Each one harder than the last.
Stage 5 (Pontypool → The Tumble | 133.5 km)
“What goes up must come down” – except on Stage 5, it was The Tumble, twice. Grinding our way up the legendary climb gave us stunning views and heavy legs, while the wet, chaotic descents proved just as punishing. Beauty, danger, and the realisation of how far off the pros’ pace we were – this was a true highlight.
Stage 6 (Newport → Cardiff | 112.2 km)
The final stage was sheer brutality – relentless ups and downs, capped by the highest point of the Tour with views to match. The castle finish looked like a fairytale, but the sting in the tail was one final, unexpected climb that left us shattered. Crossing the line together, hand in hand, was the perfect ending.
As Geraint Thomas closed his career on these same roads, we closed our own Tour – six stages, five days, and an adventure that delivered!
Time stamps:
0:00 – Intro
1:55 – Stage 1 (Woodbridge → Southwold | 161.4 km)
9:41 – Stage 2 (Stowmarket Circuit | 169.4 km)
16:24 – Stage 3 (Milton Keynes → Ampthill | 122.8 km)
22:40 – Stage 4 (Atherstone → Burton Dassett Hills | 186.9 km)
35:27 – Stage 5 (Pontypool → The Tumble | 133.5 km)
54:41 – Stage 6 (Newport → Cardiff | 112.2 km)
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1 Comment
This was such an epic ride!!!