I didn’t stop for long at CP5. Only the toilet, small quick food, a coffee and to repack my shopping from my backpack into the bags.
In the beginning, the plan was simple. Finish the race in one go, and try to ride through the last night with a power nap eventually. At first, it was working. I was cycling through the beautiful but dark Gorges de la Nesque. Riding it through the night had its charm. The rocks, the tunnels, and the emptiness, we love that right?
The whole last leg of the race wasn’t flat. Constant up and downs, through the small villages and towns and the longer I rode, my speed was dropping. Achilles wasn’t good and I realized that going through this whole last night fully, will not work for me at all. I also felt super sleepy and the sleeping monster was there one more time. I realized that after I found myself riding one roundabout twice. I wasn’t sure why, I was thinking something but can recall it now. Funny feeling that was and finally, sometime after midnight, I decided that proper bivi instead of crazy five-minute naps will do me good. Actually, a bivi, was the only thing, that I was missing during this race yet. I was carrying it with me through the whole of France and at this stage, I was super happy to be able to use it tonight. I found a lovely-soft grass in the orchard next to the road. Jumped into my bivi, and set an alarm for two hours. I fall asleep super fast. I only remember seeing a rider passing by just before I closed my eyes.
The alarm rang, and I made myself stand up again. It was a nice spot to stay and sleep linger and as always, the first minutes after bivi are difficult. Especially when it is so short. The body doesn’t feel the regeneration straight away, and the first impression is that you are actually more tired than before. After one climb I was back in the ride mode, and the best thing was, that I wasn’t feeling the need for sleep anymore, wasn’t falling asleep on my bike, and I could fully focus on a productive and enjoyable riding.
In Manosque, about 50 kilometers later I found an amazing bakery, with everything that French people eat for breakfast. It was super early about 5:30 AM but it was already open. So I had an amazing French breakfast with even better morning coffee. I refilled my water bottles and continue my final stretch.
Together with the sunrise, I felt my last night’s decision. Even If I probably lost some race positions I was really happy about it, as my riding become efficient again and 100% enjoyable. My speed was back in order, and I was able to do the final climbs with satisfaction and confidance; as for somebody who just rode nearly 2500 kilometers. The weather changed into warn and later into hot again, so I packed up all the clothes into my bags and stayed in summer mode until the end.
There were three final climbs to do really. Col d’Ayen, Col De Saint-Barnabé, and Col de Blaine. All of them are just over 1000 m.a.s.l., but 150 kilometers altogether, with 2500 meters elevation gain. I must admit that this final stretch was giving me a lot of fun. Even if it wasn’t easy, even if it was super hot, and at one point I felt that I’m close to heat stroke, that was the part where I was really happy with my progress, my speed, and the general condition of my body.
I also managed to catch up with a few riders, who probably overtook me during my last night bivi, but despite the score I got in terms of the race result, for me, the biggest winner was the fact that I managed to get so far and work with my achilles injury along the way. When I reached the final climb the feeling of fulfillment was strong. The mission was complete.
The long downhill to the seaside was lovely, but only until I got into the valley and the first bigger city. The final 20 kilometers from Grasse to the actual finish line laying on the coast were proper and hard city work. For somebody like me, used to the traffic it wasn’t a nightmare yet, but I wasn’t feeling nice about being forced to cross the super busy city after this fantastic 2600 kilometers before. The whole magic was gone for a moment, and instead of emotional riding to the finish line, in a sort of catharsis style, I was feeling like being at work again, fighting with all the cars, hundreds of traffic lights, roundabouts, and all the city stuff. When I arrived at the finish line, I was happy that it was all over.
Some random and unknown people were there, some saying my name, congratulating me. That was nice. And the Assos crew was waiting for me there also, and it is always great to have some familiar faces at the finish.
The score was 6 days and about 21 hours, and the endless memories from this amazing route. I forgot about this final city bit pretty fast. The route is recommended. France is a beautiful country!!!
As for the race result, after my achilles injury become a real issue, I wasn’t paying too much attention to it. I checked the results two days after the finish when I was on my way to the airport in Geneve, and I was really surprised to be ranked 5th.
As it stands now, I can see that I was downgraded to 6th. I don’t know why and didn’t ask really, but being honest, I’m not sure if this is an issue that I should care about at this stage. I think that I’ll leave it as it is!
Photos©: @widenprod, @assosswitzerland
Pawel Pulawski /// @pikopulawski 
Great story Piko, keep on riding!