After a great days travelling yesterday, arriving at the hotel at 8.30pm, dinner then it was all about bikes out of boxes, re-build all ready for the mornings start.

After a good nights sleep and a hearty breakfast the plan today was to set off at 9am and head up the Hautaucam, then break for lunch then head up Luz Ardiden.

Day 1 team photo taken at the start, it was then time to head off. A 17k cycle to the foot of the Hautacam, the boys looked awesome in their new kit. 30 seconds after setting off the heavens opened…it absolutely bucketed down. 10 minutes later the rain got heavier and heavier…it was incredibly harsh weather, the wind added extra spice and the boys were wet through after 3 miles.

Cricky didn’t dress for the weather. A top, fingerless gloves and speedos…only 1 of those items was good for the wet! Graham was wondering why his bike was wobbling, until he discovered it was him shivering!

The Hautacam is a beautiful climb. It stopped raining 2km into the climb and started to warm up. Pete and Jack are our support team for the week from Le Domestique and were outstanding today. Pete stayed out front, stopping regularly for jackets on and jackets off…Jack was clearly down the pub, we didn’t see him until lunch 🙂

All the team rode well. Nervous energy was offset with great banter, awesome teamwork and real encouragement. Once at the summit, the first of this epic 7 day challenge, a sense of relief and happiness swept over the entire team. 

Obligatory team photo done at the summit, it was then time to wrap up and decend back down the way we came up. Slippery roads meant careful cornering, fortunately we were all soon back down safely and ready for lunch.

Once fed, it was then onto the second climb of the day, Luz Ardiden. The general consensus was that this was slightly tougher ascent but fortunately it started quite warm but after 20 minutes rain was upon us once more as the dark clouds and mist covered the sun which meant the temperature dropped quickly.

At the top the usual Peaky banter was to be heard echoing through the mountain tops. Graham finally popped his cherry on the banter front. He passed comments between Mr Boaler until JB who bit like a rabid dog…he was on the hook!

Some gorgeous photos were taken at the top, this climb looked spectacular once seen from the top, incredible! Once again safe descending on very slippery roads that were also hampered with gravel on the lower third.

It was back to our hotel for a stretch, foam roller sessions and a well earned dinner.

What a day. A great start to the 7 day epic challenge, tomorrow is one of the toughest days of this week and undoubtedly the toughest ride any of the Peaky Climbers will have ever attempted.

Let’s see how we get on.

Tomorrow…12,000+ feet of climbing over 3 massive mountains.

PEAKY CHARITIES