Day 7 Roanne to Firminy 64.2 miles (3904ft)

I If you were to offer a road cyclist a day of this journey they would get off their bike at the end of the day and rave about a great days cycling through beautiful countryside. They might even think they were on holiday but try asking them to do it day in day out for a week and you might find the holiday turns into a mental and physical challenge. The peloton are rapidly appreciating the mental and physical toll on the body and mind from spending so many hours on a bike and often dealing with pain from sore body parts on each pedal stroke.

After a great day yesterday completing another century ride and moving past the half way mark one might have been forgiven for thinking that 64 miles would be an 'easy' day. Never underestimate the distance and the effort for any day on a long staged ride such as this. With rain and cold and weary bodies every day in the saddle can be a tough one and today was no exception for many. 

We left the hotel in Roanne, Andy Cooper who is perpetually trying to 'out Strava' us all started the day early right from his hotel room door! 

We left the town and entered a valley where we crossed a dam over the Loire river. 

Climbing sharply upwards we reached some spectacular views from the hills on the side of the valley.

Then we paused again for a  brief photo stop at the Chateau de la Roche which protrudes into the river Loire. 

The heavens then opened and we all got wet and cold. Changing gear with numb hands is never easy but for Elliott the cold and damp and slow progress with the hills due to his knee pain meant he very sensibly called a halt and metaphorically pulled off his race numbers and climbed into the Voiture Balan (broom wagon). 

Elliott abandoned. 

If it had been me I think I would have abandoned on day 1 or 2. He has ridden almost the whole way with sore and painful knees. The way he has quietly persevered and ridden on and on in obvious pain has been humbling. He has been an inspiration to us all and we shall dearly miss his presence in the peloton tomorrow. I shall miss the cheeky one liners guaranteed to induce giggling for at least 10 miles after he delivers them. 

Supper tonight I think the others would agree was a little subdued. We felt for him and we missed our friend. Then Idris received a long text message from him with such kind and thoughtful words to each of us to motivate us on and we were all soon smiling again. 

A toast, "To Elliott, an inspiration", tomorrow we ride in his honour. 

We finished our day after Elliott left with a few more miles of climbing and some frustratingly beautiful descents. The roads were wet so we couldn't take risks on the way down and John and I rode it together. 

Some beautiful scenery was had by all and we all appreciated a hot shower at our next hotel in Firminy. 

Tomorrow is another day. Time now to sleep.