DAY 16 TOUR DE FRANCE CHALLENGE | CYCLING EVERY STAGE PLUS THE TRANSFERS | MOUNTAIN STAGE 12

It’s the 12th July and Amy cycles stage 12 entering the Pyrenees, a mountain stage plus some of the transfer, starting in Auch and finishing in Bagneres-de-bigorre. She’s cycling every stage of the Tour de France plus the transfers for mental health charity Shout / The Mix.

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Bon Matan. It is the 12th of July. I had to look at my little notes there, see what day it was. And I’m on day 16 of my challenge. Today, I’m doing this bad boy. Basically, it’s stage 12. It’s mountain stage. I’ve got coldest Soya, which is 11.8 km long with a 7.3% average. I’ve then got cold border, which is 3.1 km long with a 7.7% average. And the final one is this bad boy. Porteram 13.5 km long with a 7.8% average. Oh, and before all them, I’ve got a little one, coat de Lambat Lambatimal, which is 1.3 km at 6.3%. That’s a little warm up. The stage is 180.6 km and then we’ve got a little transfer afterwards, which is mainly downhill. So, that’s going to be really nice. Kyle’s going to meet me just before the base of cold. So here and then he’s going to meet me before horse cam to ride up there with me. Anyway, it’s just before 5:00 in the a.m. Got up early to try and avoid the heat. I’ve got some heat rash, but it’s going down a little bit now. So hopefully it’s going to be okay. And yeah, I’m feeling a little bit nervous about today to be honest. I think I’m going to be an absolute snail up the climbs. But snail pace wins the race and gets me to Paris. So let’s go. Right, so I’m in the center of Ash and this is the official start. See up there toward the front sign. I’m ready to go. It’s cooling hill to get here. Anyway, time for stage 12. I’m feeling a bit nervous, but just going to take my time in the mountains. It’s not raining at the minute, but it does say it’s going to rain later, so I might get a free shower. So, the stage actually starts in this little descent here. And then you can see the moon, the moon unique up there. There’s me, the snail. I feel like an absolute snail. Um, just going nice and slow. I’m getting a bit worried about the mountains. I don’t know why. I’m just thinking I know I can do it, but might be a very late finish tonight. And I don’t care. As long as I get up there, get back down straight to bed when I finish. I know I can keep going. So, I’m just trying to stay positive. The pros will be doing this stage on the 17th of July. So, yeah. My wheels are touching where forgot’s wheels are going to touch. Hey, we’re entering the Pyrenees. Excited for the mountain views. Not so excited for the pain my legs are going to be in. The climbs are about to get real. Right, I’m going to whack a bit of shammy on. Got a bit of malt loaf in my back pocket. I’m going to eat that. 34 miles down. 30 mi till I see Kyle. There’s a mountain goat up on that statue. That’s what I need to envision. Mountain goat vibes. Good morning, horsey. [Music] Little piggy, and some sheep. Expect to see that in someone’s garden. It has forecast rain today. And looking over there, it looks like I’m going to get some. I’m sure on a really clear day you can see the mountains, but I can only just see the outlines of them. Probably can’t even see them on the camera. It’s looking very dark. I have to put my rain coat on. I’m not made of sugar paper, so I’ll be okay. I can see the mountains very, very faintly. That does make me excited. Although, I’m worried about how rainy it’s going to be up there. It’s looking very dark. Oh, I just got to the top of a little burner and there was two lovely people there waiting for me cheering me up. They didn’t want to be on the YouTube. I don’t ever force anyone to be on the camera, but it’s just so nice. Like I just can’t believe people are coming out and cheering me. It’s given me a little boost. They told me I’m going up there. So, I’m actually really excited to get up there. But anyway, I’m nearly at Kylie now for my first milkshake. So, get me down there and then get me up there. Right, I’m on Kylie lookout now because he should have met me four miles ago, but he’s just text me saying, “How many miles in are you?” So, I think he might be behind me. He might be running late, but that’s fine. I’m feeling good. As long as I get to him before the big mountain starts, it’s all fine. Attractive. There he is. He’s just gone past. So, he’ll be finding somewhere to park now. Bless him. I’m with Kylie. I’m 70 mi down, 50 mi after the route, and the big climbs are about to start. Kyle, I think I might take my both rain jackets with me. What? I think I might take both rain jackets with me in case it’s cold on the top. Kyle, can you park at the top of the next climb or not? Come here a sec. Kyle, hello. What I was saying was the plan is you’ll meet me at the base of horseam next year. But I’ve got this soya climb. You can’t park up there, can you? Suly, I think. It’s not. Well, I don’t know what it’s called, but you know. Yeah. Um, that’s a burner. It’s 3,000 something ft. Yeah, you could park on top of that, you know. No, then I’ve got to descend there and ride upwards come and then go back to the car. Why would you descend there? Why would I just park at the top? Oh, is he park at the top? just in case you needed to. Yeah. What? And then drive to the next place to meet you to the time I want to come. It’s going to take me about 3 hours to get to the next place. It’s 37 minute drive for you. Okay. But you don’t have to. Can you just have a look now just to check and then we can sort out right? Cuz I just want to see what’s happening. Just tell me to meet you at the top of all that. Yeah, but I don’t want to put you out your way if it’s a long way for you to go. That’s what I’m doing. That’s what I’m thinking. Cuz then at least then at the top I’m not going to be on my own if anything happens. Oh. All my fly bites popped and it’s sticking to my shorts. I don’t think that’s going to work. You’ve got Oling. Oh, I’m searching the climb. I’ve got no signal whatsoever. So, you just changed what we was meant to be doing. But okay, just don’t bother then. Just meet all right. Hey, the beautiful dentist. Right, Kylie is going to meet me at the top of the Soyear climb, if that’s how you say it. I’ve got 10 miles until I start the bad boy. I had a top up there. I had a milk homemade milkshake from Kyle and a quissant. Got some snacks in my pockets to fuel me up there. Let’s get ready for it. That’s where I’m heading. And it’s just started to spit a little bit. Spitting everybody in, as Peter K would say. Wow. That’s where I’m going. Bee hey glad I’ve got six miles to the climb starts. Fine. Yeah, I got six miles to the first till the climb starts. So, I’ll see you at the top. That’s where I’m heading up into the mountains. Got a little bit of rain, but it’s keeping me cool, so I don’t mind. I’m feeling really excited now to get up there. I’m feeling really happy just to be be here and alive and enjoying this. And yeah, it’s not going to be easy, but the feeling at the top will be worth it. Here we go. The climb started. 3,11 ft, 8% average gradient, 11.9 km long. Let’s do this. There’s only one way to go now, and that’s up. There we go. 58 m. That one says average weight at 9%. Just keep pedaling. I’ll get there. Wow, it’s so beautiful. 600 ft climbed already. My aim is to just go super steady up here. No burning any matches. Following the coach’s orders, just nice and easy up the climbs. Aim is still to be able to talk normally, not get out of breath because I’ve still got a long way to go today and a long way to go on this challenge. So, no speed demons, only snails. It’s raining on me, but I don’t care. The rain’s not going to get me down today. 2,400 ft left to climb. Let’s go. This is amazing. I’m so happy. Oh, I just feel so happy to be here. Rain on me all you want, clouds. You’re not damping my spirit today. 2,000 ft left to climb. We’re a third of the way up. [Music] I’m halfway up. 1,500 ft left to go. 5.7K to climb. So, it’s going to get a bit steeper in this bit, but we got this. Kyle will be at the top waiting for me, so that’ll be nice. And it’s just so beautiful. It’s keeping me distracted. Hello, buddy. Woohoo. Less than 1,000 ft to climb. We’ve got this. So, can I will get through one and we get through another. Keep your head in it. And you got this, me lover. Come on. Look how beautiful it is. Just so grateful to be here in the mountains where I’m the happiest. Well, hello there little fellas. Hello. Oh my goodness. Are you sheltering from the rain? Hello. I did not expect to see that though. doing a poo. Just came around the corner. I was like, “Oh, hold up. Wait a minute. Got some friends. I’m channeling my mountain goat. 900 ft to go.” They were so cute. [Music] 500 ft to go. Here’s Kylie. Yoohoo. Don’t even notice I’m here. He missed me. I’m nearly there. There’s the top. Kyle’s up there. Oh, it’s so nice. That was such a beautiful climb. And I do not know what I was worried about because I loved that. Just took it steady. Enjoyed it. Oh, just feels nice to be here. Nice to be coming to the top. Hey. Hey. I made it. Here’s the official top. But there is the official climb sign just down there. So, Chester sticker is going on there. You all right, Kyle? I love that. That’s so fun. It’s not even that bad the rain now, is it? No, the rain wasn’t that bad. And also the climb wasn’t that bad. Know what I was worried about? The next two aren’t even The next one’s bad. 7.8. It’s not much worse. Okay. 3k. Okay. You got a 3k one. Small one. Yeah. And then the big one. Can we go down and put Chester sticker on that side? So that’s what I did. It did ramp up in the middle actually. K. I did notice that at the end, but I thought it. Right. Let’s go and put Chester on the side. It looked steep at the bottom. It was steep at the bottom and then it went steep in the middle. Yeah. Yeah. Right now, this is the proper sign. Cold is so sul. Sul, whatever you say. 1,00 74 meters up in the air. It’s time for the chest to sticker. Guys, should I put it on the actual side? Yeah. Should I get closer for this bad boy? You might have to jump. Come on. Need to get close for this boy. If I can peel it. Where should I put him? Right in the middle. Yeah. Shall I? Is that north? Are you allowed to do this? No. It might get taken off if you do that. Is it illegal? No, it might get taken off though if you put it in the eye. I’ll put it next to school and cross. Yeah. Oh, it’s got all wet and it’s a bit gone. Got a bit wet and now it’s all disintegrating. Can’t get it off, Kyle. Let’s see. Ready? Mhm. Should I put him here or is it on there? It’s on the side. There he is. Is that going to stay still? Yeah, it is. It’s very sticky in the middle. Press him right in. Chesty. Oh, chest is on the solid. Right, now it’s time to top the old dance. Then I’m going to jack it up and descend on down. I’ll do the dance um over here because I don’t want to fall over. Ready? Flying whipping. Ready? Yeah. It’s time for to have a hill dance. It’s not even cold up here. It’s absolutely bubbing great up here. It’s not even as wet as I thought it was when I was sat there waiting for you for a bit. Yeah. I thought, “Oh, it’s horrible climbing up here.” But she’s not enjoying that. I loved it. It actually wasn’t that wet. Right, jacket on. Time for a descent. And then I’ve got a 3k climb with over 900 ft, then a descent, and then this bad boy is joining me for the horsey cam. The horse category cam. Right, let’s go. Where’s your next stop, Kyle? Someone did tell me about there being a cafe at the top. The cafe. Oh, I could murder a hot chocolate right now, but it’s so beautiful up here. Yeah, it’s so nice. I jumped in one next. Oh my goodness. I just started descending down and I had to stop. Two donkeys and one of them’s a shaggy one. I’ve never seen a shaggy donkey before. Look, he’s got like a long head donkey. Hey there, little fellas. There’s more up there. Oh my god, there’s three up there. I’m in heaven. First of all, this is heaven. Second of all, favorite animal. I’m basically in heaven. If only it wasn’t raining, but can’t have it all. Imagine being that that fell there just living here eating grass that view every morning. Hello mate. Don’t mind me. Okay, I’m now about to start the next climb. It’s 951 ft and it’s 4.1 km long. So, not as bad as what I’ve just done. And then it’s horse to finish me off for the day. I’m absolutely loving today. It’s definitely my favorite day so far. This morning I set off a bit worried about today, but I don’t know what I was worried about. How can I be worried when I’m in a place like this? All your worries fade when you look up there. So, this one I’m going up now is called a Baderas. Lovely view. Not too steep at the minute. But it’s going to get steep. 348 m. No, not meters, feet to climb. There’s a mountain behind me. Trees ahead of me. Getting to the top. 1.5k to go. Right, I made it to the top of the little one. We got it. Thank you so much for coming out. Two lovely people just came out. So nice. But yeah, another climb by the dust now. Nice descent. Find Kyle and up the big bad boy. Oh boy, I can have a cinnamon done right now. Hello birdie. This is so gorgeous. Well, yippee. Woohoo. Right then, we’re at the base of the hotic. There is 14k to go of my route just over. And that is literally just the climb. I wouldn’t advise eating something straight before I climb, but I’m a bit hungry. I’m having a bit of rice. I’m not going to eat all of this right now. And then K, you’re coming up with me, aren’t you? E. Do you mind? I’m just fueled up on some sugar. Sun’s out now. And I’ve been sat here basking. Sun’s out. Supposed to come out. Basking like a lizard. I have. Today’s my favorite day so far. I love it. Beautiful. You’ve been lucky so far. I think we’re going Well, it got rained on, but I think we’re going to get rained on when we come back down. But yeah, if we get a move on with the climb up, I don’t mind getting rained on a bit down. Kyle, can I show you one thing? I won’t be moving fast up there. I’m not going. Loads of cyclists are going up. I know. Loads of people. I’m really excited. I put fly cream on, sun cream on. I think I may have just been on a road that cyclist not allowed on. I didn’t even realize I just riding down this road and then this French person put the window out went no no no and I was like oh but it was like a normal road. And we are on the climb. Starting off with the green bit but it’s definitely going to get red. 14.3k to go. 3,539 ft to climb. Let’s do this. Let’s do this. My legs are full of lactate and not feeling good, but we’ll get there slowly but surely. I told Kylie he can just go if he wants to. I won’t hold him back. This is not an easy way to end the stage. It’s really hot now. Feeling the heat. Struggling a little bit. Kyle’s encouraging me. Trying to stay positive. The people that met me at the top of the other climb have just driven past and given us a cheer. So, that’s nice. We got a beautiful view. Focusing on that. But I will be going up here like a snail cuz the energy’s gone. 10k to go. 10k to go. Holy pine cones. 2,294 ft to go. Keep on pedaling. It’s beautiful. But I’m feeling tired and I can’t wait to get to the top. 5k left to go. I’m struggling a little bit. Keeping on going. We just did 1k that was 11% average gradient. The next k is 8% average, so not as bad. Just really hot. Not very good in the heat. Just keeping on going. Kyle’s here helping me up. Motivation. Remind myself why I’m doing this. Let’s keep on pedaling. Burger in danger. Is that cuz you’re gonna eat it? Yeah. Oh, look at the mountains. This is incredible. Less than 1,000 ft to go. We got this. I don’t care if it takes me 3 hours to get up this thing. I’m getting up to the top. There’s no other option. Come on. Come on. 1,000 ft now. Neil under 1,000 ft. Woohoo. Yeah, we got it. Look at that. Bonjour Vash. I wish I was a cow right now. Just sitting there chilling out instead. I’m doing this. Come on. Can I will Nearly there. 400 ft to go. We’re nearly there. Thank goodness. Oh, nice cool breeze as well. So hot. Honestly, you could ring my jersey out. They don’t want any sweat. If I could sell my sweat to make money, I’ll be a millionaire. I’ll tell you that. Come on. Come on. You meal worm. Come on. Come on. We got this. 1.6k to go. Some people already here. Pros will be here in 5 days. So, people are getting the spot. They’re cheering up the pros up here. The GA gy ali nearly there. Nearly nearly nearly there. We got this. Come on. Are you a can? And I will. Feels so good to be near the top. Yay. 1k 1k to go. Oh, crossing the line. Hallelujah. Yes, we did it, Kyle. Yay. That feels so good to have done that. We’re at the highest point of the day. I think is the highest point, isn’t it? Yeah. Yeah. How high are we? Oh, we are 130 m. Where should we put him? In here. Yeah. In the middle. Yeah, there he is. Jesse Bow. A burner. Yeah, let me tell you. Hey, top off the hills time. I hope my bike didn’t fall over. Come on now. It’s not very stable. Yeah, so I’m going to No, you’re all right. It’s fine. Ready? Yeah. Hey, careful. Be very careful on this terrain. And now I know it’s pronounced how to camp. How to camp. How to camp. See you. Still can’t get to camp. I think of oats like cuz I eat a lot of oats. There you go. Ham. I’m so happy to be up here. Honestly, look at the view as well. It’s just so nice. Amazing. It’s amazing. Right then, there only one thing for it. Your pee. Kyle’s gone back in the car now and I’ve got 21 miles to go today. Nice little transfer, not too far. I’ll do the rest of the transfer tomorrow. I’m just so proud of myself for getting up there and getting this stage done. I was feeling so sleepy this morning and doubting myself and that was hard to finish off with, but I ding dang did it. Going to get this transfer done. Whoa, got a headwind. And I’ll see you at the end. Son of a nutcracker. I thought the climbing was done for today and this beggar popped up on the transfer. Nearly at the top. This is not what I needed on the transfer today. That legs are dead. Reminding myself why I’m doing it. Nearly nearly there now. Only about 6 milesi have to go today. I’m ready to get there, let me tell you. Bye mountains. And that’s my day ding dang done with. And I’m not ding-dang dead yet, let me tell you. Today was a hard day. Kyle’s just fiting around in the background here doing his jobs, doing his director sportive jobs, getting stuff ready for tomorrow. What a legend. Um, I did have a moment on the how to cam. You have to say how. We got told. Oh, sorry. How to cam. Think of the oats. Um, I did have a moment at the beginning, didn’t I, Kyle? Yeah. I got a bit like I started going up there and on the first P I was really positive and I started thinking I can’t do this and I got really stressed but then I carried on going. I got to the top and it was the best feeling ever and that’s another big day done. So the ride stats for today 147.96 mi which is 238.12 km and I went up 14,081 ft which is 4,291.88 m. My bum was in the saddle for 11 hours 10 minutes and 51 seconds and my average speed was 13.2 mph which I’m quite happy with to be honest cuz it’s tired legs big day. The total mileage now is 2,328.28 mi and the total meters 39,358.78. So that’s quite a lot. So yeah, thank you to the people that came out and cheered today cuz that was the best ever. They were so nice. That was just Yeah. Unbelievable. And my donkey count is now on 17. I’ve seen 17 donkeys now, Kyle. That shaggy donkey I saw today. It’s the cutest thing I’ve ever seen in my life. Anyway, Director Sport, what’s the plan for tomorrow? Cream. Cream. Bite cream. Yes. I’ve got bites all over me. I’ve got one here. I’ve got one here. Got one here. I think everywhere. They’re horrible. Naps everywhere. This is professional life. Yeah. When we get home, we’re going to have to use the heads off and packets around everywhere. Sorry about that. It’s not making me very happy. What’s the plan tomorrow then? Uh, you’ve got 114 miles, I think. 140 or 14. 14, I think. And I think it’s the TT tomorrow. It is the mountain TT, isn’t it? Yeah. We have to actually We’re getting quite a way through these pages now. So, we have to flip through. 17 tomorrow. Yeah. flipping. Here we are. That’s that one. And then do that’s the day after. Day 17 112 miles. Wa TT stage. And then you’ve got the cold aspin in the transfer. So I’ve got transfer first. Transfer first. TT stage. Transfer after is cold aspen in the first. It looks like cold aspen is in the second transfer. I thought it was in the first transfer. It could be. Might be wrong. It doesn’t actually say. Yeah. It doesn’t say that. It just says transfer. What does it say? Oh yeah. Descent with a meter to copper. Yeah. Cold ass. Hold on. Get confused now. You’re doing the TT with me. No, it can’t be. Yeah. So you got 33 miles in is the first meet. Yeah. TT climb with Amy and ascent and then meet at top of cold aspen. Oh after. The cold aspen is on the way back. Yes. And then you’ve got descending after the cold aspen which is the rest of the transfer. Lovely. I thought it was I thought it was And cold Aspen does actually feature in stage 14 the next day. I’ll be the other side. We’re not going to talk about that yet cuz I don’t want to know. That’s going to be beautiful. Be a big day. Oh, I’m looking forward to that. Anyway, thank you so much for watching. Another day is done. Thank you to everyone that’s donated. I can’t believe we’re on nearly 40,000 including gift aid. I think we’re on about 34,000 now without the gift aid, which is just crazy. And when I was struggling today, I reminded myself of why I’m doing this. So yeah, thank you so much. T the FN tata for now. Goodbye. You did a week a No, I’m on bottle duty. You’re on bottle duty, right? Saving the planet. You’re back.