Stage 5: Froth, Thunder, and a Time Trial in Caen

Stage 5 of the 2025 Tour de France was a 33 km individual time trial set in and around the historic city of Caen, Normandy. The route formed a loop—starting and finishing in Caen—passing through nearby villages like Cambes-en-Plaine, Thaon, and Gruchy. 

With only about 200 meters of elevation gain, it was a relatively flat and fast course, favoring the Tour's time trial specialists. But what should have been a straightforward day turned into a soggy, chaotic adventure thanks to a sudden summer storm.

I woke up feeling exhausted—yesterday really did me in. I’m glad I finished the stage, but I was definitely paying for it now. I ate a huge breakfast—at least three times what I’d normally eat. I was deep in a calorie deficit and needed to refuel.

Today was supposed to be an easy day: just 30 km of riding. But it came bookended by two long bus rides, which kind of sucked. Then came a text from the organizers: light drizzle at the start. We were still 90 minutes from our start on the bus, so I crossed my fingers and hoped it would pass. I grabbed a jacket just in case and headed out.

As we approached Caen, thunder rumbled in the distance. Then the skies opened up—it poured like cats and dogs. I stepped off the bus and immediately slipped on the wet stairs, snapping an arm off my new rose-coloured cycling glasses. Uh oh. Ominous.

We rode through the busy city and into the surrounding farming villages, thunder cracking overhead. I was soaked through, my cycling shoes squishing with every pedal stroke. The rain made the roads slick, so we were all hyper-focused on staying upright. It took a bit more than an hour and a half, but it felt longer.

At one point, a pack of riders pulled up behind me at a stoplight. One of them shouted, “You’re frothing!” Apparently, if you don’t rinse your chamois properly and then it rains, leftover soap can reactivate. I must’ve looked ridiculous—bubbles foaming from my backside. We all burst out laughing.

After the laughter, it was back on the bike and back to the bus. We sat there for an hour in wet gear before finally rolling out. Then another hour on the road before we reached the hotel.

I’m rooming with Jessica and Jill, and the three of us have been laughing for what feels like hours now. The absurdity of it all—the rain, the froth, the thunder—somehow makes it even more memorable.