london 2 paris

Retrospective Review

2009-09-15T12:09:00.001-07:00

http://bike-london2paris.blogspot.com/

http://picasaweb.google.com/chazmassey/London2Paris

Day 1 - 9th Spetember

2009-09-09T11:47:00.000-07:00

Day 1 and the start fo the Adventure !!For more pictures ..... www.picasaweb.google.com/chazmassey/LondonToParisDay1

No abiltiy to download photograps at the moment !! sorrry

5.00am start is far too early !! Spent a nice evening in Oxford with my sister and her family, didnt drink too much and ate pasta until i could swallow no more. This morning Alan very kindly took the ‘rallying’ point in London. Once all the formalities were completed and I had met up with my two companion riders, Wayne and Julia, we finally set off at 7.15am.
We had certainly learnt over the last few months that a steady start was far more preferable than the ‘mad’ fast start. So inevitably off we went at a ridicules pace and after about forty five minutes felt absolutely knackered and awful, still I consoled myself with the fact we had 90 miles to go !!
The journey through the outreaches of London was certainly interesting if not picturesque, traffic was fairly light but it appears that ‘white van’ drivers never sleep so had to run the gauntlet until clear of London.
Kent was good with rolling hills and not too much traffic. An area I have never visited and certainly very 'quaint'. Plenty of Hops been grown which cant be a bad thing.
Lunch was good, that said if lunch had been bad I would have eaten it, I was very hungry after the mornings ride.
Arriving at Dover at was different, we managed to get slightly lost since the signs provided had been removed. The group we were with decided to turn left and i and 2 others decided we would try straight on. It turned out to be a great ride in to dover except we overlooked the fact that we were meant to meet and a collection point before heading to the docks. No damage done.
Ferry Crossing, Cycling on to the car deck is significantly different to driving on to the car deck, I was pleased the guy who takes your photograph was absent !! A good crossing if a little rough at times, by now I was past caring really, the day had been tough but enjoyable …. The first beer was cold and agreeable.
Hotel is good a comfortable wish i could report i'm sharing with a 25 year blonde with extremely powerful thighs !! …….. actually he name is Steve and he’s from Clethorpes …… I bet he snores. Rooms are fine and I prepare for tomorrows ride and head off to the bar.
Amazing no ailments / aches or pains. Things are looking ok for tomorrow. I have so far never cycled 95 miles followed by 80 so we will have to see.
Day 1 complete …… off to bed !! Will try and download photgraphs tomorrow when hopefully i will have more time

Day -1 (8th September)

2009-09-08T11:46:00.000-07:00

OK, first test of the communication plan ......

As suggested each night I intend to write a short note about the day and include photographs ...... the only flaw to this plan is I'm relying of access to a computer at the hotels we stop in, a fact that I have not been able to truly establish. So if it does all go quiet I apologise in advance and will have to provide retrospective review.
This evening I'm spending in Oxford with my sister and brother in law and tomorrow Alan has very kindly agreed to drop me off in London at the 'rally' point. The plan is the 'peloton' is on the the road by 7.00 am and the only target for the day is to be in Dover by 4.30pm to catch the ferry. Doesn't sound too bad apart from the fact that it's 95 miles and described as undulating.

I have spoken with Wayne and he sounds good, if a little sore, so I'm looking forward to meeting up with Julia and him on Wednesday.

I do hope you interact and post comments, dead easy just follow the link at the bottom of the posting, you don't have to be a member just use the 'name' category ..... certainly hoping for some banter !

Hope it all works out........ off to bed now

Thanks

Andrew

Thank you to all my Sponsors and Supporters

2009-09-06T22:41:00.000-07:00

I must thank you for your support ........ "thank you"
The generous donation made have certainly spurred me on and I promise the cause is a worthy one. When your child is diagnosed with a terrible condition all you want the doctor to conclude with is "don't worry there is a cure" and hopefully the work that cureleukaemia is undertaking is significantly contributing to bringing that statement about.
www.cureleukaemia.co.uk
To all my sponsors and supporters a big thank you
I do need to make a few special thanks ......
# Wishaw Cricket Club who collected throughout the season
# Keley Cauldafield (12) who raised £55 through a raffle
# Sean Miley who shaved his head and received £200
I would also like to thank Jon Collis and Andy Smallwood for their company on our Saturday morning rides, they have been invaluable in terms of banking miles and companionship. Bit of advice Andy ...... "keep your knee in and don't talk so much !!" and Jon I'm never going to believe you again when you tell me "its only 3 miles and its all downhill".
The Reason I'm doing this, there is not an hour that goes by that i dont miss "my mate" Richard
Thank you,
Andrew

The Event

2009-09-04T07:51:00.000-07:00

The Event

London to Paris Charity Bike Ride

9th - 13th September 2009

The London to Paris bike ride (approx 300 miles) takes you through beautiful English villages and into the stunning countryside of rural France. You'll pass historical landmarks and famous battlefields from World War I until you reach Paris, undoubtedly one of the most magical places on earth. The sense of achievement you'll experience will be one you'll cherish forever an unforgettable experience awaits you.

DAY 1:
Cycle from London through Kent and North Downs to Dover; ferry to Calais

DAY 2:
Quiet winding roads and beautiful old market towns to Abbeville

DAY 3:
Follow River Somme and mainly flat tree-lined roads to Beauvais

DAY 4:
Rural countryside and villages to outskirts of Paris; finish under Eiffel Tower