"Le Tour de France @ 50"

Last weekend saw me turn 50 so all races will be new age bests! But that was far from my mind as the family took me away on a mystery weekend. It wasn't until we left Nice airport that I discovered that I was going to spend the weekend in Monte Carlo and watch the time trial and start the next day of the world's greatest bike race (and in my opinion see the fittest sportsmen on the planet in action) the Tour De France! Thanks must go to my wife Deborah for organising such a fantastic surprise that gave me the best birthday ever.

For two days I was able to soak up the atmosphere of this major event and see how quick these riders go. If that wasn't enough on the last morning I got up early for what is likely to be one of my most memorable runs ever around the streets of Monte Carlo and taking in the famous sites of the Casino and Cafe de Paris. It is a run (following much of the famous grand prix course) that I will remember for ever. What a birthday surprise! The photos show the family Wheelton in the gardens of Casino square and the riders including the yellow jersey rolling through the square where the start of this famous three week race started moments later.

Annual mileage 645