The ride was graced with the presence of several tour legends, notably Raymond Poulidor, Jean-Marie Leblanc, both pictured, Bernard Thévenet and Joop Zoetemelk. Part of the condition of the ride was that cycles only up to 1987 could be used; strictly no cleats or brake lever style gear shifters were allowed. We were supplied a bike for the ride from a pool of vintage cycles. It was a total lottery but in true Simpson style we landed a late 70's Peugeot, which turned out to be a gem of a bike. However good the bike, the use of down tube mounted gear shifters brought back many memories but did make you realise just how far bike technology has progressed.