British retiree cycles entire Tour de France route for charity

A British man has completed an epic bike ride, following the exact route of this year’s Tour de France to raise money for charity and prove that turning 66 does not mean slowing down. 

Dyll Davies, 66, who lives in Céret, southern France, set off on his adventure in July, nicknaming it the Grand Tour 66, a nod to his age and the French department of Pyrenées-Orientales where he has lived for the past six years. 

“I certainly feel proud of the achievement,” he told The Connexion of the feat, which saw him ride 6,404 km in 41 days. 

He reached the finish line on August 17. 

Mr Davies did not just ride through each official Tour stage, but between them, sections professional riders are usually transported along. 

This meant he rode the equivalent of nearly nine ascents of Mount Everest – a total climb of 76,175 metres. 

Broken down, he rode an average of 156 kilometres with 1,858 metres of climbing per day.

What is even more remarkable is that Mr Davies did the challenge unsupported, carrying all of his clothing and equipment himself, and looking for accommodation every evening. 

His self-sufficiency was stretched to its limit at times, especially when there were technical issues, such as when his bike’s rear derailleur failed completely. 

“Not only did I have to find a replacement, a tricky task in itself involving calling four bike shops in the Alps, but then I had to ride a total round trip of some 60 kilometers to effect the repair,” he said. 

“With a support vehicle and crew I'd have ridden those 60 kilometres and more on my planned route on a spare bike while they sorted the repair. That is just one example. I have calculated that the ride would have taken me about a week less with that kind of support.” 

While gruelling, the ride did have its high points.

“Riding up the Hautacam (in the French Pyrenees) early in the morning was liberating and the general sense of elation I felt as I rode closer to home made all the effort worthwhile,” said Mr Davies. 

He has raised nearly €7,000 so far for three charities: Missing Millions France (raising awareness of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome), Men’s Minds Matter (supporting men’s mental health) and Prostate Cancer UK. 

He had hoped to raise more, and thinks people perhaps do not realise the difficulty involved in cycling completely unsupported. 

“Having support in the form of a motorhome or similar in which all your luggage and spares – even a spare bike – can be stored and in which you can sleep exactly where you end up each day, instead of having to cut your riding short to find accommodation, makes a huge difference.”

The challenge has given him a certain notoriety in his hometown. 

“I'd like to thank my wife and all of my supporters in Céret and online for their encouragement – even in those dark moments. And I seem to have become a bit of a celebrity in Céret now with unknown people stopping me in the street to offer 'felicitations' on the ride. I won't let the fame go to my head though.” 

You can donate to Dyll’s chosen charities at his Grand Tour 66 website.