Every Mile Has a Purpose: The Road to Alpe d’Huez

In under two weeks’ time some of us will be queuing up at ETAPE 2026 start line, all sharing the same mix of excitement and nerves. This is one of the hardest ETAPE after all.

Months of training, early mornings, post work, long rides and countless climbs have all led to this moment.

Looking back, there are two rides that stand out above all the others. They weren’t simply training rides – they became milestones that tested my fitness and resilience, confirming that I was getting close to being ready for the challenge that awaits in the French Alps.

Dragon Ride – Getting There and Learning to Adapt

I planned to drive there with Andrew ‘Jesus’ but he had to pull out last minute as he was not well from days before our trip.

Drive there was hassle free once I was out of M25 and on M4. The house we stayed in was in great location and surrounding, thank you Simon for making all the arrangements and tour of the farm on arrival.

When I entered the event, my goal was clear: tackle the Dragon Devil for the first and only time, it was an ambitious challenge, one in my bucket list.

Saturday we set off for a short ride in two groups, after one climb and too many beers (I am not sure if this is how we should do carb-loading) we were ready for the rest & sleep.

Next morning Myself, Simon and Manuel (a colleague from Spain) started pedalling from Margam Park, The Bwlch, Rhigos, Pen Y Fan, still feeling great. Climbing Devil’s Elbow Simon is trying to get us in sync so that we get a good photo together, but no photographer to be seen, so we keep pushing on.

I was feeling good so far but getting closer to the split between the Dragon Devil and Gran Fondo routes, I could feel my shoulder beginning to tighten. Every bump in the road made the discomfort worse, and it quickly became clear that pushing on over the longest and toughest route could turn a manageable pain into something much worse and ending the ride in pain so I turned towards the Gran Fondo route. For the first few miles on this route I started to hesitate if I made the right call or not.

Sometimes the strongest decision isn’t stubbornly sticking to the original plan—it’s recognising when to adapt so that the bigger goal remains within reach. By the time I reached the summit of Black Mountain my shoulder needed attention. I stopped briefly, stretched and managing pain with pain killer tablets and gel before getting back on the bike.

Crossing the finish line wasn’t the achievement I’d originally imagined, but it was one I was still happy with. The Dragon Ride reminded me that resilience isn’t always about pushing harder. Sometimes it’s about adjusting the plan without losing sight of the destination.

London to Brighton and Back – Proof That the Training Was Working

A few weeks later came London to Brighton and Back Team De Ver Ride, and this ride told a very different story. It didn’t begin perfectly. Leaving home late (kids don’t care about your ride, they want their breakfast, and they want it now) meant I’d missed my planned start group before I’d even clipped into the pedals.

Instead of riding to Streatham from Beckenham I chose shortcut to Croydon hoping to catch the group there, noop, this is not how I planned my day, looking back on the side of the road hoping to see a group of yellow jerseys, noop, no one in sight, quick message to the group and Simon kindly (probably felt sorry for me) responded with offer of an alternative ride in the park, it was very tempting but I kept rolling, it was probably going to be a solo ride to Brighton.

Catching B group at a junction around Smallfield was a relief, I was with Drew, John and Lotti now. We rode together for a while. As we were getting closer to Turners Hill, I realised I still had plenty left in the legs. Instead of sitting comfortably in the bunch, I decided to press on. As I started Ditchling Beacon climb I saw Helga was about the start her second round of Ditchling Beacon climbing and Giles disappearing around the bend. Reaching the top of Ditchling here is the photographer that didn’t show up on Devil’s Elbow, Andy Ly (thanks again for the great photos and videos).

Then came the moment that made me smile, it wasn’t about trying to be faster or beating anyone else or chasing recognition. It was one of those moments that quietly confirms your progress. The endurance developed on long training rides, managing to live with injury pain and the discipline of consistent preparation had all come together.

Will I finish the ETAPE?

I don’t know, ask me after 19th of July and will tell you all about it.

Good luck to all the ETAPE riders, you will have two young spectators at the finish to cheer you on, keep an eye out for my two kids as you arrive at the Alpe d’Huez “Allez, Allez Allez”. Free ice-cream if you get a selfie with my kids.