Fundraising @ Canterbury Cathedral » London to Paris – 2011

Arrived!

admin — Sun, 31 Jul 2011 14:00:09 +0000

West Front of Notre Dame crammed with fan club. Applause, hugs. Widespread happiness and delight. Everyone made it. Blazing sun. The last bananas. Monsieur Hulot. Edith Piaf. Maurice Chevalier. Just great. Thanks for all your support. Thanks to those who provisioned us with fruit cakes. Delicious. Thanks to all who have sponsored, and to those who haven’t got round to it here is your last chance. Everyone wants to know what is next. Mt Olympos to the Olympics is the big one next July. But there has to be something in between. Keep your ears open if you want to join us.

Picnic by the Seine

admin — Sun, 31 Jul 2011 11:30:01 +0000

Patisserie and baguettes. The support team of Patsy, Ann, Pauline and Jon have been marvelous and everyone has bought them bottles of champagne each. Lots of sadness that all this is about to end. The route so far today has taken us down the River Oise to join the Seine through woods along rough tracks. For the last ten miles we’ve followed the path round a huge bend of the Seine along with Sunday morning joggers, cyclists and people ambling along in the sun.

The last day

admin — Sun, 31 Jul 2011 07:30:21 +0000

What a great group of people. Everyone looking after each other, encouraging along the way. 30 miles into Paris for the final photo shoot at the West Front of Notre Dame. Many of the riders would have quailed at the thought of 30 miles a few months ago, but lots said yesterday’s 60 miles of French undulations was comparatively easy. The Green Route between London and Paris is growing in popularity and we’ve met several small groups of riders doing it at various speeds. We’ve also noted how encouraging many French drivers are to cyclists. There’s been none of that aggression you sometimes or too often get on English roads. Perhaps there is no French equivalent to Clarkson.

Recovering in the bar

admin — Sat, 30 Jul 2011 18:30:20 +0000

Everyone is recovering in the bar. Pauline has booked us into a restaurant for a final night’s celebratory meal. So far we have cycled 184 miles and climbed 8371 feet. The machine says we have used 10,000 kcals too (although I think most of those have been replaced with fruitcake). We’ve done it on a whole variety of bikes: from Jerome’s ancient Raleigh with missing spokes and a split in the frame to hand built models straight from the makers. Richard and Amicia have been cycling on two very nice Invicta bikes from Downlands in Canterbury. My ancient Dawes Galaxy has survived the journey nicely. It’s been all over the UK and Europe in its 25 years. Some have had their enthusiasm for cycling ignited and are now planning further trips, or buying new bikes. The bikes that have made the journey are every bit as assorted as the cyclists themselves.

35 miles and 4 punctures later

admin — Sat, 30 Jul 2011 13:30:59 +0000

35 miles done. Beautiful sunny weather. But 4 punctures on one wheel slowed some down. Bodies holding up well.

Gournay

admin — Sat, 30 Jul 2011 10:15:23 +0000

Sitting outside cafe drinking black coffee. We’ve completed the first fifteen miles in breezy sunshine. The road goes ever on and on over hill after hill. A bit of struggling but everyone fine so far. The countryside is wonderfully French … Continue reading →

Photos

admin — Thu, 28 Jul 2011 11:30:16 +0000

Eridge

admin — Thu, 28 Jul 2011 11:15:41 +0000

18 wonderful miles along old railway lines. Flat gritty surface. Joggers, dog walkers all joining us. Smiles from everyone as we go along. Lots of birdsong but only the occasional magpie or pigeon in view. One small wren scattering into … Continue reading →

Breakfast

admin — Thu, 28 Jul 2011 08:15:47 +0000

Full English with black pudding and hash browns. Oh the joys of burning calories through exercise. Lovely route today along old railway lines. Alicia’s ankle and Hannah’s knee to be tested again – with strapping. Ray has been to check … Continue reading →

Time for tea

admin — Wed, 27 Jul 2011 17:15:58 +0000