Great Tour ends at Seaton

With one day to go of the 64 day Great Tour of Britain, Seaton’s Alistair Cope was both happy and sad to be so close to home.

Having spent nights camping in tents or village halls he was looking forward to a proper night’s sleep, but he was also sad that the group’s adventure was over.

The group, of around 35 cyclists on the Friday, were slightly behind time when they stopped near Holbeton for their mid morning cake break and they had to modify their route to their lunch stop at Thurlestone.

Instead of taking the coastal route they had to cut through Modbury on the A379 to try and make up time. And, if that wasnt all, on a blistering hot day they had to make Dartmouth by the end of the day.

One of the tour cyclists said: “The first hour of each day is when we know what progress we will make. The day riders join us and in that time we can suss out how fit they are and what condition their bike is in. If all is good we make good time, but if the bikes are not in top condition we tend to get a lot of punctures.”

Wet weather in the north East, saddle sores and punctures punctuated the trip, which is the first of what will be an annual charity ride. Cope said that he was looking forward to a few home comforts after being away for so long but was already full of enthusiasm for next year’s Great Tour as it is hoped it will be an annual charity event.

Five men completed the whole 64 day marathon, joined along the way by core riders for a week, and guest riders for a day each.

? Visit www.greattour.co.uk and you can read Alistair’s blog - up until the last day - on www,midweekherald.co.uk and click on the Great Tour tab.