We had a very early start, breakfast at 5.30, and then we were on our way and the first thing we came to was a big hill. And it got worse as when we got to the top of the hill we missed a turning and getting back onto the route again took us almost back to the start and meant climbing the hill again.We weren’t the only group to miss the turning and it appears that a camera car that had stopped to film us was parked in front of the sign.
But if that wasn’t bad enough, five minutes later I had a puncture on my back wheel and there was almost a mutiny as my group seemed to be holding me responsible for the fact that we had gone the wrong way and been held up by a puncture (mine) in the space of ten minutes. I spent the rest of the morning trying to win them back over again by being the most attentive guide possible, pointing out all the pot holes and dead animals on the road.
The ride in the morning was great in warm weather. We had beautiful sea and coastline on our left and snow-capped mountains on our right and had a pit-stop after 60 kilometres. Our group stayed together and was going well until ten kilometres from the Rio Antirio suspension bridge when we stopped at a traffic light. One of the guys made a fatal error. He tried to move off in the wrong gear and his chain came off. Instead of continuing to pedal forwards he pedalled backwards which made the chain fold back on itself and wedge hard between the inside ring and the frame.
Nothing we tried would move it and in the end we had to call for the Halfords support team and it took them almost an hour to reach us. All this time we were being passed by the other groups we had left behind as we had been making really good progress. So we ended up arriving at the feed station before the bridge 40 minutes after everyone else and had a more limited selection of food and only 30 minutes to eat it. Anyway, we all crossed the amazing suspension bridge together. A lane had been closed off and we had a police escort. It really was something and we all felt very special. Lawrence said it reminded him of having a police escort when travelling to big matches on the team coach.
I said the only thing that was missing was the opposition fans shouting abuse. In fact we had a warm welcome all along the route, with people smiling and waving. Once we were across the bridge the riders became strung out a bit as we had to ride in single file and I decided to go at my own pace, which got me back in the bad books with my group who gave me a bit of stick when they arrived at the finish in the town of Messolonghi.
So I have been taking on lots of fluid, not just to rehydrate after the exertions of today, but also because I am expecting a fine tonight from Judge Dallaglio and it could involve a drink or two of something local and probably not non-alcoholic. As long as I am up and running again for tomorrow, that’s all that matters.
We are all going to be carrying tracking devices so you will be able to follow our progress live each day at http://www.dallaglioflintoff2012.com/tracking and if you feel inspired and would like to donate to the two very good causes, Cancer Research UK and Great Ormond Street Hospital, you can visit http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/GraemeLeSaux
