After arriving in Nice 48 hours ago, Rich and Graeme summarise the trip, discussing the route, gear and their favourite climbs. There is a special fromage du jour that links the first and last days of the trip, and Rich gets something in his eye.
Author: Rich Blagden
Paris-Nice Day Ten: Alpes-Maritimes and Nice
Puget-Thèniers to Nice, 103km. The last day of our tour. After a leisurely packup we took on the last two climbs of the trip, interspersed with some magnificent scenery, improbable villages and great coffee, before finally arriving on the Côte d'Azur for celebratory beers.
Paris-Nice Day Nine: Col de la Cayolle
Jausiers to Puget-Thèniers, 103km. Rich and Graeme set off for one last big climb, the stunning Col de la Cayolle, which we shared with a bike race. Rich talked through the last stretches of a col and of course there was a very good fromage du jour.
Paris-Nice Day Eight: Col d’Izoard and Col de Vars
Briançon to Jausiers, 93km. Refreshed after our rest day we tackled a real icon, the wonderful climb up Col d'Izoard, the perfect Alpine climb. After a stunning descent, a puncture and a crash, we were behind again and had to push on hard top get over the last col.
Paris-Nice Day Seven: Col du Galibier
La Chambre to Briançon 96km. Today’s ride started off gently with a great French breakfast but the work soon began with a long tough climb up two cols. First the scenic Col de l’Albanne, then after Valloire the big one - Galibier at 2642m. A proper day in the mountains.
Paris-Nice Day Six: Col de la Madeleine
Annecy to La Chambre, 97km. A beautiful intro around Annecy lake and through gorgeous Alpine meadows. After breakfast, Rich met a collie that reminded him of home we tackled our first major col, the Col de la Madeleine at 1998m, and finished on a gorgeous campsite.
Paris-Nice Day Five: Into the Mountains
Vonnes to Annecy, 165km. A tough day. Today’s ride took Rich and Graeme into the foothills of the Alps. It was a grumpy start, a challenging ride and it took all our mental and physical strength to push through to Annecy - where all the campsites were full.
Paris-Nice Day Four: Bourgogne
Bourbon-Lancy to Vonnes, 135km. Today there was a bit of everything: a long ride, good climbs, thunderstorms in the forecast and of course a mandatory stop for a cheese that Rich had been particularly looking forward to. In the pod Rich witters about warblers and there's even a big tunnel.
Paris-Nice Day Three: Loire-en-Bourgogne
Briare to Bourbon-Lancy, 184km. Hungry, we head out after a big breakfast of scrambled eggs in search of cheese and wine. We find both in lovely Sancerre, and with the main issue of the day ticked off there’s just a hell of a lot of riding to be done.
Paris-Nice Day Two: The Three Rivers
Moret-sur-Seine to Briare, 148km. Today started brightly and we made good progress, taking in a disused velodrome and a cycle museum as we make our way south through the sunshine along the Scandiberique. But then Graeme’s rear derailleur broke and threatened to derail the whole trip.
Paris-Nice Day One: Île de Paris
Rich and Graeme’s epic journey from Paris to Nice is under way! Today’s highlights include a whistle stop tour of the French capital and then an easy roll along the Seine for the first camp. Or so we thought…
Waun Fach and the Dragon’s Back
Earlier this year, we talked about taking on a big challenge this summer and, while my initial ideas of backpacking around west Wales or taking on the South Downs Way haven’t come off yet, yesterday we tackled something I’ve wanted to do for a while - the Dragon’s Back. I adore the Brecon Beacons - … Continue reading Waun Fach and the Dragon’s Back
Morning out in the Malverns
Here’s a new one. For the last week or so, I have been completely fed up of my bike. Since New Year I’ve been training fairly hard for the Paris-Nice trip, and therein lies the problem. I’ve lost 8kg and I’m fitter than I have been for a while. Actually, realistically, I’m as fit as … Continue reading Morning out in the Malverns
Podcast: Exe Estuary to Exmoor
If you're a blog subscriber you might not have noticed that I have a new podcast on the website called Pain and Fromage! I've set this up to gather together some of the audio that I've recorded on various trips but also to share some experiences from the road (mostly, I think from bike trips). … Continue reading Podcast: Exe Estuary to Exmoor
From the Exe to Exmoor
The last week or so has flown by, and all of a sudden the Paris trip is upon us. In three weeks we’ll be exiting the French capital en route to Nice, and today was my last opportunity to train. Next week is the last one before half term - always a busy one - … Continue reading From the Exe to Exmoor
Paris-Nice 2026 Podcast – 30 Days to Go
30 days before departure, Graeme and I met up online to talk about the ride ahead. We discussed planning, the route ahead, gear choices, fitness and a multitude of other things we're excited or anxious about.
Bike Anxiety
We now have just 40 days to go until the big trip from Paris to Nice, and I’m starting to get anxious. It’s not my fitness. I’ve worked hard this year and shed 9kg in weight, and I’m probably as fit as I’ve ever been. We have the logistics nailed, trains and ferries booked, and … Continue reading Bike Anxiety
Inspired by Adnams – my new homebrewing system
A couple of weeks ago, while on holiday in East Anglia, I took a tour of the Adnams brewery in Southwold. It was a fairly expensive tour at £30 a head, but it was excellent and the beer samples at the end were generous. In the tap room was a piece of equipment that made … Continue reading Inspired by Adnams – my new homebrewing system
The Great Eastern Pingo Trail
On camping trips, I usually enjoy planning days out walking from the campsite. In most places, there will be a couple of footpaths or bridlepaths leading out into the unknown, whether just to the next village or pub or linking into networks to take me far further afield. Our Norfolk campsite is disappointing in this … Continue reading The Great Eastern Pingo Trail
Morning out in South Norfolk
This morning, I left the family snoozing in our tent and took myself off for an early morning ride around the nearby villages. Our campsite is right next to Banham zoo and so far on our holiday it has been too cold to sit outside in the evening and enjoy the sounds emanating from the … Continue reading Morning out in South Norfolk
A Big Day Out Around Exeter
My wife, Elaine and I had one of those awkward negotiations this week. If you’re into cycling and your partner isn’t, you’ll know how it goes. ‘I fancy a big ride this weekend.’ Silence. ‘The forecast looks a bit rubbish on Friday and Saturday. Maybe I could go on one of those days so we … Continue reading A Big Day Out Around Exeter
Advancing in the Moonlight
This was a really nice feature over four pages about an overnight Audax cycling event that I rode with my friend Graeme in November. The first version appeared here on this blog and I sent in an edited version to the Audax members' magazine, Arrivée. It was published in their spring 2026 issue and I'm … Continue reading Advancing in the Moonlight
The Long Way Home
At last it’s that time of year again! The sun is out, the sky is blue, conditions are absolutely perfect for cycling, and up and down the country the same conversations are taking place in cyclists’ households. When is the best time for me to go out for a ride this weekend? It isn’t always … Continue reading The Long Way Home
Paris-Nice 2026 – the DIY version
We're going to Nice! Find out about our plans for our epic ride across France on vintage Peugeot bikes, to celebrate our joint 50th birthdays. With a nod to Laurent Fignon and an eye on cheese-munching, here's the route we've planned and why we're doing it.
Review: OEX Bobcat I Ultralight Tent
The bobcat in situ at Petruth Paddocks, Cheddar. With a summer of bikepacking ahead, it was time for a new tent. Like any self-respecting outdoorsy chap I have a range of tents, from the enormous five metre family bell tent (read about that one here - I reviewed it in 2020!), through small mountain tents … Continue reading Review: OEX Bobcat I Ultralight Tent
Young conservationists restore habitats on Berry Head
This one was bylined 'by PRSD' because it was a project I was running and I even quoted myself in it! The students involved worked really hard on the project and I was pleased to be able to get them some publicity for their efforts. Read the full article on the People's Republic of South … Continue reading Young conservationists restore habitats on Berry Head
News: Cockington Primary School join world’s largest children’s choir
My son has been taking part in Performing Arts club at school with his wonderful teachers and for the last couple of years they have had the opportunity to go to Young Voices in Birmingham. It’s a wonderful event that needed to be celebrated! Read the full article on the People’s Republic of South Devon.
Marans, Charante-Maritime
Our first impression of Marans was not a positive one. We had only booked the campsite there because La Rochelle was, predictably for an August weekend, already full and Marans was conveniently close for day trips. We arrived after a hot four-hour drive from our beautiful lakeside pitch at St-Yrieix-la-Perche, and were not immediately impressed. … Continue reading Marans, Charante-Maritime
News: Mum appeals for info
I met Rachel and her husband on a Friday night when they were out looking to find anyone who may have had news about what had happened to their son, who was found on the edge of a road after a night out. This was an article that required sensitivity and care to make sure … Continue reading News: Mum appeals for info
Fox Tor and Plym Ford
On a day like today, there's nowhere I'd rather be than in the hills and nobody I'd rather be with than my family. We were up holiday early and filling ourselves with porridge and glucose syrup ready for what appeared to be a cold day ahead. The sky was clear and for once we were … Continue reading Fox Tor and Plym Ford
Gig Review: The Wildhearts, Torquay Venue
One of my favourite bands, the Wildhearts, came to Torquay to make a right old racket in December 2025. Here's my review of the gig, supplemented by some great photos from AP Photography Somerset. Read the full article on the People's Republic of South Devon's website.
Music Review: Another Life
I've been a fan of Exeter's Pattern Pusher since I first saw them gig in a tiny upstairs bar at the Cove in Hope Cove, south Devon. Since then they have become an amazing festival band playing in front of tens of thousands of people every summer and touring the ski resorts in the winter. … Continue reading Music Review: Another Life
News: Inspirational conservationist calls for dolphin spotters
I enjoyed writing this short community article highlighting the work of Dolphin Zone, a new conservation organisation run by my former colleague Sarah Matthews. Sarah is still looking for people to support with dolphin sightings so if you're interested in this please go to the article and get in touch with her! Read the full … Continue reading News: Inspirational conservationist calls for dolphin spotters
Constantine Bay and Trevose Head
As someone who lives just 30 miles or so from the Tamar, you'd be amazed at how infrequently I visit Cornwall. We go to Dorset multiple times a year, but a trip out west is as rare as hen's teeth. Aside from a cricket tour, a bike ride and the obligatory geology field trip or … Continue reading Constantine Bay and Trevose Head
The Cavendish Cavaliers
Last night I was invited to the end-of-season awards night for the Cavendish Cavaliers, a very fine local cricket club that I ran and skippered for many happy years. To my surprise, the committee had an award for me and I was very proud to be offered the Presidency of the club. An absolute honour … Continue reading The Cavendish Cavaliers
Moonrakers and Sunseekers 2025
Beautiful dawn at Bournemouth It's 5.30am on a Saturday. The air is cold and crisp, bitingly sharp on the lungs. My fingers and toes are satisfyingly numb with the cold. Behind us, away to the east, the sky is starting to crimson below a thin line of grey clouds, and the warming air will soon … Continue reading Moonrakers and Sunseekers 2025
A Lovely Bunch of Trekkers
Machu Picchu seen from the Sun Gate at dawn, September 2000 Last weekend, I went away to Hay-on-Wye with a small but wonderful group of people. People who, I have realised over the last couple of weeks, are very special to me. Back in September 2000, I was part of a group of about 40 … Continue reading A Lovely Bunch of Trekkers
Green Lanes, Potholes and Punctures
Summer ended pretty sharpish, didn't it? One day I was sitting on the decking in the evening sunshine enjoying a pre-dinner pastis and a few olives, and the next I was sitting in my kitchen listening to the wind howl while looking up recipes for hearty stews. This country. My least favourite time of year. … Continue reading Green Lanes, Potholes and Punctures
Reflections on the Tour de France 2025
Dawn over the Rance For once I'm the first one awake. The open skylight lets in enough breeze to wake and cool me, the first light of the day creeping into the attic room, last night's beers gently fogging my brain. I quickly get myself organised, make just enough noise to say goodbye to Graeme … Continue reading Reflections on the Tour de France 2025
Following the Tour de France Day Two: Aucaleuc to Saint-Carreuc
65km, 683m climbing, 3h15min, average speed 19.8km/h Watching Geriant Thomas lead the breakaway through Saint-Carreuc Near the start of Friday's ride, recorded from Plancöet (1:05) The discussion about how to play Friday's stage started almost as soon as we got in the car, continued through dinner and drinks, and was only really concluded at breakfast. … Continue reading Following the Tour de France Day Two: Aucaleuc to Saint-Carreuc
Following the Tour de France Day One: Caen to La Boussac
200km, 1451m climbing; 11 hours 30 minutes (moving 9h30), average speed 21km/h Approaching Mont St Michel Start of the day at Ouistreham, a bit of a prologue to the day (1:28) Not for the first time in my life, I woke up in the same spot where I'd finished a beer just a few hours … Continue reading Following the Tour de France Day One: Caen to La Boussac
Tour de France 2025 – Prologue
Audio version of this post! Ship and Castle, Portsmouth It's the eve of trip two of the year to France! This one is going be a new one for us and I'm really excited and a little bit anxious as well, because we are going to follow a couple of days of the Tour de … Continue reading Tour de France 2025 – Prologue
Tour of Brittany Day Three: Plouider to Roscoff
Preview of the day's ride recorded at Plouider on the morning of the ride. 1:17 At last, the morning brings warm weather and blue skies. Our shortest day of the trip coincided with the best weather. We awoke to a proper Breton early summer's morning; blue skies, a crisp coolness in the air, and the … Continue reading Tour of Brittany Day Three: Plouider to Roscoff
Tour of Brittany Day Two: Brest to Plouider
Summary of day two's ride, recorded at Plouider the following morning. 3:02 It was a bleak night. The rain beat down periodically on the metal shutters like a thousand tiny hammers, and was soon joined in the percussion session by the loud dripping of a drainpipe onto metal. I shuffled uncomfortably on my thin pillow … Continue reading Tour of Brittany Day Two: Brest to Plouider
Tour of Brittany 2025 Day One: Roscoff to Brest
Distance 149.3km, 2117m ascent 'Monkey Tennis': an audio summary of the day's ride, recorded from Plouider later in the trip (3:42). Friday night and it was raining in Brest. It was only about 9 pm, but the heavy atmosphere made it seem later. The streets were deserted and anyone with an ounce of sense was … Continue reading Tour of Brittany 2025 Day One: Roscoff to Brest
Tour of Brittany 2025 – the Prologue
Ready for the off, in my Ned Boulting yellow jumper Listen to an audio version of this post! Welcome to day one of bike tour! Well, I suppose it’s the prologue, really. First day of our annual cycling trip to France and just on my way to meet Graeme in a few minutes at Stover … Continue reading Tour of Brittany 2025 – the Prologue
Cycling the Dorset Coast Audax
This blog post is available as an audio file via the player above - simply click to play the audio, and please excuse the large number of 'um's and 'you know's. It's all a bit of an experiment! This year, my friend Graeme and I have started cycling a type of event called an audax. … Continue reading Cycling the Dorset Coast Audax
Cloddfa Gwanas Quarries and Waun-oer
This weekend we had a bit of a mission to go to Snowdonia for some mountain walks. I’m planning to go for Summer Mountain Leader assessment in the next 12-18 months, and as part of that journey I need to log a total of 40 ‘quality mountain days’ during the consolidation period between training and … Continue reading Cloddfa Gwanas Quarries and Waun-oer
Cycling the Brecon Beacons Day Two
The Black Mountains If you are out riding in bad weather, it means you are a badass. Period. Fair-weather riding is a luxury reserved for Sunday afternoons and wide boulevards. Those who ride in foul weather – be it cold, wet, or inordinately hot – are members of a special club of riders who, on … Continue reading Cycling the Brecon Beacons Day Two
Cycling the Brecon Beacons Day One
The central beacons A crack of light made its way through the black-out curtains, just enough to make me open a bleary eye. I blinked. I picked up my phone - 8.03. Time to stir. A peer out through the dawn light revealed a grey sky behind Dinas Castle, and behind the dark peaks of … Continue reading Cycling the Brecon Beacons Day One