Stage 3 – Valenciennes to Dunkerque: A Flat Day That Burned

Today was hot. Hotter than expected, and it hit everyone hard. Hydration became a full-time job. The day started early—breakfast at 5:45 a.m., followed by a three-hour bus transfer to the start line in Valenciennes, a historic city in northern France known for its art and architecture. I was already feeling the effects of poor sleep from the previous nights, and the fatigue was starting to creep in.

I wore my white cooling sleeves again—yes, the ones that make people ask, “Why are you wearing those in this heat?” But they’re brilliant. As I sweat, the fabric gets damp, and the wind cools me down. Plus, they block the sun and help me avoid the dreaded cyclist tan—at least on my arms.
 
The route today was 178.3 km of mostly flat terrain, winding through the Hauts-de-France region. I had hoped it would be a recovery day after yesterday’s effort, but it turned out to be anything but. Within the first 15 km, I missed a turn and went 7 km off course before realizing it. That mistake added 14 km to my ride. And to top it off, we had a few “bonus” kilometers at the end to reach the hotel. All in, I finished the day at 196 km.

We passed through several small towns, and every stoplight felt like stepping into an oven. The concrete buildings and roads radiated heat, making each pause feel like a punishment.

At the 50 km food stop, I arrived to find the group had already moved on.

Thankfully, my friend Jessica had waited, along with another rider who’d also gone off course. The three of us formed a mini peloton and pushed hard to catch up. We worked together, rotating pulls, and managed to make up serious time. When we reached the second food stop, the others were shocked—we had just arrived, and they had only gotten there moments before.

From there, I latched onto a larger group and hung on for the rest of the ride. The final stretch into Dunkerque, a coastal city with a rich maritime history, was grueling. The Mont Cassel, a Category 4 climb, was the only real elevation, but the heat made even the flats feel like climbs.

My body is holding up—for now. But I’m definitely feeling the cumulative toll. I’m hoping I’ll acclimate to the heat soon.

The hotel tonight? Not great. No air conditioning, and my room faced the sun. It was actually hotter inside than out. I took a cold shower, washed my kit, grabbed a quick dinner (burgers and fries), made a few calls home, and collapsed into bed.
 
Tomorrow brings a “two-hour” transfer (which really means three), and a hilly stage with some notorious climbs. But that’s tomorrow’s problem. For now, I just need sleep.