Day 3: Knight Frank Cycle to MIPIM 2022

Published on March 11, 2022

After 260k in the saddle yesterday, todays 215k route is - while shorter - still a daunting prospect with sore legs, shoulders, necks and (ahem) rear ends to contend with. But the dawn morning from Soissons makes up for it as the Knight Frank Cycle to MIPIM peloton, led by Team Civic, for stage 1, sets off for a 57k stage.

Stage 2, led by Team Lockton, is a 44k stage from Conde en Brie to an early lunch at Les Essarts Le Vicomte. Yet again the catering team do not disappoint, serving up colourful bowls of very healthy food (thanks AHMM!).

Today is another day unfortunately characterised by wind. A horrendous headwind to be precise. After lunch, Stage 3, led by Team Vectos, is probably the worst of the day with riders having to pedal hard to get the bikes to go downhill. It is energy sapping stuff, especially for 45k.

However the next stop could - possibly - be one of the best of the whole trip. Sue and Carol’s homemade cakes (carefully transported all the way from Kent) are a legendary tradition and a very welcome treat to lots of hungry, tired riders. Fuelled by carbs, sugar and adrenaline from the last stage, the riders head out for a shorter 34k stage from Villadin to Bellechaume. From there, it’s another 35k to the beautiful town of Auxerre, today’s final destination, with the riders arriving later than scheduled (due to that headwind) but still ahead of sunset. It’s been a long and testing day of everyone’s resolve - they really are putting in the hard work to continue raising money.

Watch EG Editor Sam McClary's daily video update below. 

If you’re able to sponsor the riders - even a small amount makes a big difference - you can do so here. Our fundraising total is currently an amazing £214,400 (thank you to everyone who has been donating!) and our target is £250,000. We are fundraising for a number of brilliant projects supporting vulnerable young people via Coram, Cyclists Fighting Cancer, MSA Trust and the Tom Ap Rhys Pryce Memorial Trust (Tom's Trust).  

 

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Day 2: Knight Frank Cycle to MIPIM 2022

March 10, 2022
After a relatively gentle easy introduction to Knight Frank Cycle to MIPIM on Day 1 (mileage-wise, at least), Day 2 is a much more daunting prospect with more than double the distance to cover from Calais to Soissons, 264km away.The day starts warm - and stays dry - but the headwind is constant for most of the day. And in this part of north east France, there’s also very little shelter to be had a

Day 4: Knight Frank Cycle to MIPIM 2022

March 12, 2022
Day Four of Knight Frank Cycle to MIPIM - the midpoint of the ride - dawns dry again but with the threat of rain forecast. Luckily no headwind though, which is a welcome relief to all of the peloton, for the 196k day ahead. The first stage from Auxerre to Vesaley is 44k led by Team Vectos. The peloton wends its way out of the picturesque town over the river and out into the French countryside.Afte