"Start of bike-blog
Today I decided that I would start a bike blog."Objective of the blog:
"I'm on a mission to get fit and ultimately do the London to Paris cycle ride."
I then went on to write:
"I'm not good at sticking to these sort of things, and I don't believe in telling everyone, everything about my day/life............so thought I'd just do a cycling one. It should be a good motivator to keep going with the cycling.
I need a challenge!!! I often do challenges (London to Southend bike ride 2003/Gorilla fun run 2009) and I'm feeling the need to do another one. I want to do London to Paris, and was really looking at doing it in Sept 2011, however VB (Vincent my husband) has persuaded me to put it off till next year, to give me time to train."
Well, I HAVE CYCLED FROM LONDON TO PARIS!!!!!
I cycled a total of 264 miles from Wembley Stadium to the Arc de Triomphe/Eiffel Tower in Paris. We set off Thursday 14th June 2012 and arrived Saturday 16th June 2012. Where do I start with telling you about the ride itself? I'll go through it on a daily basis:
Wednesday 13th June - 5:45pm we set off from home to go to my cousins house in London. We got about 10miles down the road and I realised I'd forgotten my helmet (after Vince had said to me "have I got everything?"), so we had to turn around and go back for it. Once we set off again we got to London no problems. Rachel and Graham were great hosts, cooking us some food for supper (plenty of carbs!), letting us watch the end of the football and generally catching up. We weren't late going to bed as needed to be up at 4am!!! No surprise Rachel said to help ourselves as they wouldn't be getting up at 'stupid' o'clock.
Thursday 14th June - 4am.......the alarm went off however I'd already woken up earlier in the night thinking I had to get up. I got all kitted up as needed to register at 5:30am to set off at 6:30am. We left Rachel's approx 4:45am and head out on the road to Wembley. It's a great time to travel around London if you want to avoid the traffic.
We arrived at Wembley Plaza hotel around 5:25am and Steve from Help the Hospices was outside the hotel. It was good to be able to finally put a face to the name/voice. We unload my bike and luggage from the car and I then said goodbye to Vince..........till Sunday.
Steve then took me in to the registering room and my first thought was "oh pooh".....or something like that.....as all the bikes were in this room and 90% of them looked like proper road bikes (fast bikes). Steve then gave me my shirt (temporarily) and then introduced me to Martin who was the Team Leader (Global Adventure Challenges). Martin then gave me the map book and explained I needed to learn it :-0
He said there would be signs but you need to have a rough idea where you're going. There was 90ish pages in this book! He introduced me to Alex (mechanic) and showed me their mob numbers should I get lost or need mechanical assistance. He then left me to get sorted. Meanwhile other people were coming in (who'd already registered the night before). Andy from the Football League came and introduced himself and gave me a letter from the Football League, free pen and a badge.
At 6:15am we had a final briefing before we set off for Wembley Way. We went for a photo shoot at the bottom of Wembley Way wearing our official jerseys.
.....and away we went!
The first part of the journey was very much city/suburbs riding. It seemed to take ages getting out of London. We were following these signs:
They were at every junction and just after the junction (to ensure on the right route), there must have been thousands of them. Big thanks and well done to the 2 guys who put them out (23hour shifts @ approx 10mph)!!!
I made sure I didn't push myself to try and keep up with the people in front (thank goodness!) so I cycled at my own pace and alongside a variety of people. Steve (Organiser from Help the Hospices), John (Blackpool) and Graham (Sheff Wed/Rotherham) were a few I chatted to on the way.
Graham and I rode along together for quite a bit and eventually we came to a scenic bit and suddenly spotted the first water stop. BONUS!!!!
I was surprised at what there was available: big boxes full of bananas, oranges and 'chewy' bars!!! Plus water and juice. I had my own stash of bananas in my bag but didn't need them.
After the stop Graham and myself set off just in front of the Blackpool crew, and Christophe from Oxford.
First diversion happened not long after when we headed down a hill, missing a yellow flag. We, 6-8 of us, got to the bottom of the hill and realised there wasn't a flag. Some looked at the map and thought we should try left, and see if there was another flag that way. There wasn't! The maps came out again, we knew we'd miss a flag, but wasn't sure where. I phoned Martin (team leader) and he worked out where we were and said we needed to go back UP the hill and do a left. ggggrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr
We got back on track and started to split up a little and ride at our own pace. Then, there it was, the first major hill! It was pretty bad, and some got off and decided to walk up it, but I was deterimined not to get off on the first hill. I made it!!!! "What goes up, has to come down" (that saying soon got reversed!) and it did, there was a nice down hill after it. Lunch was not too far away either. Arriving at the lunch stop again I was amazed at the quality and choice of food.
There was pasta, potatoes, ham, chicken, cheese, salad, bananas/oranges/chewy bars. There was tea/coffee/juice/water. Just what we needed!!!
Jess did an excellent job with the catering, most of the food was cooked in a van/under the marquess etc.....
The view was pretty stunning as we were on top of a hill.
Then the worse came......the 3rd part of the day. It was a KILLER!!! Beacon Hill!!! If any of you know it you'll understand. If you don't then I'll try to explain. It was a never ending UPHILL. Every bend we went round, still going uphill, there was another uphill! Someone later said that it is a catergory 4 hill (if you understand the way they categorise in cycling). I managed to get up it, only stopping a couple of times for a 30 second breather. Then came the down! Through a wooded area, which is where my bike (being a hybrid) had it's advantages. I couldn't let rip down them too much as I wasn't sure of the route, or what was round the corners. But it was fun coming down them. My brakes are not thanking me now though.
We came to the next stop which was at a village hall. A proper toilet facility. Being a female (only 2 of us) made it more difficult, all the blokes just pulled over and went in the bushes. So was grateful to see a proper toilet. There was more bananas/oranges/CHewy Bars!
At this point one of the riders had to get a lift as his knee had given in (he cycled the next 2 days).
I set off from the water stop with Steve, Andy (from the Football League), Graham, George and Andy (Shef Wed). They were brilliant! Especially going up the hills. Steve and Andy (F/L) were a real encouragment. Steve giving me a high 5's at the top of a big hill.
Graham, Andy (F/L) and myself must have missed another flag, but saw on a sign 'Portsmouth' so went that way, and managed to catch up with the others.
We then hit Portsmouth, or should I say Portsmouth hit us. The weather had been really good up until now. Cloudy but nice. It was now WINDY! but, we made it!!!! The hotel was in front of us after cycling approx 90miles. We all gave each other a high 5! Day 1's cycling was complete.
We put our bikes in the van to be stored overnight and got checked in to the hotel. I got a room to myself as Leanne was with her boyfriend, and the other female had to pull out last minute (passport issues). The room was nice but the bathroom/shower room was a bit on the small size even for me!
About 45-60 mins after we arrived the final people arrived. There had been an issue we some signs going to the original hotel. Once everyone was checked in and showered we had dinner at approx 8:30pm.
We were starving, but again a very good spread. Roast potatoes, chicken and veg (or veggi lasagne) followed by cake!!!
Then came the de-breif and breifing for the next day. The most miles done by one person was 110 (going slightly wrong). Big well done to all (round of applause was given) then told we needed to leave the hotel at 5am!!!! Yes, there was a chorus of groans! We needed to book into the ferry at 5:30am so there was a coach to take us there (as foot passengers). We all pretty much then went straight to bed.
Day 2 - the alarm went off at 4am (again) and I woke up feeling very tired, but surprisingly my legs/bottom weren't too bad. Got myself sorted for another day in the saddle and went downstairs around 4:45am. Most the people we down there with a few more to come. Breakfast was in a pack up paper bag and consisted of a croissant, chocolate muffin, apple and bottle of water. We the got on the coach and headed for the ferry terminal.We got checked in but couldn'tboard the boat till 6:15am. We sat waiting most of us looking half asleep. Most people seemed to be walking ok. Once we got on the ferry some went straight to sleep and got some more food later, others got some more food then went to sleep. I went to sleep first for about 1 hour, then went and got a sandwich and hot chocolate. After I'd eaten that I went back to sleep again :-)
Once we docked, we walked off the ferry and were re-united with our bikes. The chorus of 'ouch and argh's' started when people started to sit on the bikes. I didn't feel too bad. However, I made a error in my preparations for the day. I did the one thing I had always told myself not to do. I put my base layer under my jersey. I then had my thin waterproof jacket on as it looked cloudy. BIG MISTAKE.....set off cycling and was over-heating instantly. Fortunately, Martin came by in the van, and I managed to flag him down so I could strip off. He said to me "be bold, start cold" I said "yeah I know now". As I got going again he said there are some more behind you. So off I go. I had quite a nice cycle along the French roads, not bothered about being on the opposite side of the road. I got to what I now know was proabably about 5-6miles from the lunch stop and was beginning to think the lunch stop can't be far. Then I had a van pull up beside me, it was Alex the mechanic, asking if I was ok. I said yes and asked him if there was anymore behind me. He said no, but that I was only 2 miles from the lunch stop and most people are still there. That made me feel a bit gutted that I was the last one. However, I soldiered on and made it to the lunch stop. There was lots of people still there eating, so I got some food and felt a lot better.
The weather was not so nice by this point, it started to absolutely chuck it down at lunch, so the waterproof jacket had to go on. We waited for it to calm down a little then I set off with the same group as yesterday. Was an interesting 2nd half to the day as it didn't stop raining.
About 1 mile from the water stop we stopped, as Andy the Shef Wed fan, was at the side of the road fixing his bike. As we pulled up we heard this 'POP'. He'd burst another tube. He'd got a puncture now had buirst his spare. Fortunately Graham had loads of spares (the right size) in his bag (more on Graham's bag to follow). I did the traditional female thing and gave Andy some wetwipes (courtesy of KFC) to clean his hands with after. He told us to carry on as it was raining and he didn't want us all getting cold. So we carried on. We then got to the water stop and informed Martin of Andy's situation, who in turn got Alex on the case. A few minutes later Andy came along and he'd fixed the front puncture, but then got one on the back. 3 puncture in 30 mins. Alex came along and had a look and decided he needed a new tyre otherwise he'd keep getting punctures. We had a drink, topped up our water bottles, ate more bananas and CHEWY bars then set off again.
After travelling some distance, in the rain we came across a village, which I thought was Bernay. There was a pub and it had Bernay in the name. So I got excited thinking we were nearly there. As we turned a corner I saw a sign saying Bernay 12km. Gutted!!!! We carried on. 2km down the road we could see someone running, and as we got closer could see they had their bike and were running with it. It was Jack, Derby fan, he'd split his back tyre and decided he'd run the rest of the way. He refused a lift in the van, or to even put his bike in the van and run. We carried on and there was a massive drawn out incline just before the hotel, not what you needed when you're soaked. When we arrived at the hotel, Steve decided to put his bike in the van and go back and offer Jack his bike. Jack beat them to the hotel!!! IRONMAN!!!
60 miles cycled today, but hampered by the weather. We then went in the restaurant next to the hotel as they were going to be showing the football "Eng v Swe". I could only managed to stay up for the first half then I went to bed. I found out the breifing for the next day 1st, breakfast from 6am to leave at 7am (A LIE-IN!!!)
Day 3 - the alarm went off at 5:15am, which was late compared to the previous 2 days. Went through to breakfast at 6am and had 2 croissants, 2 pain au choc and 2 cups of tea :-)
We were then given our 'help the hospice/arch to arc' jerseys to wear for the last day.
I must say I like them very much!!! Brilliant design/colours!!!
The 3rd day is the one everyone was dreading, the big 102 miles (ish). We had a briefing about what was going to happen when we got to Paris. There was going to be a meeting point, where we would all congregate, and then cycle to the Arc together. Martin told the fast people to keep it steady and not go too quick and told the slower ones to quicken up a bit, so that there wasn't such a big gap between groups.
We all set off, in glorious weather, and it wasn't long before the pack had split up. I managed to stay with the same sort of group again. Will, the Birmingham fan, was in front of us but he had a slightly buckled wheel which must have been hard work. But he did like their song says and he kept right on. As we got going bit further we were going along some nice straight roads, however we did pick up a head wind, which made it hard work.
As we were going up on smaller hill I suddenly heard this singing behind me. "keep right on till the end of the road", it was Will. Trying to encourage us up the hill, so I joined in the singing :-)
The first water stop was not too far after that. By this point, I'd eaten far too many CHEWY BARS!!! I couldn't eat anymore, but I did top up my water bottle (with the energy sachets I'd been using). Just after the water stop was a town (where we were originally going to be stopping) and there was a sign we nearly missed, but Will spotted it. We then did a left into a foresty bit, and that is where my first mechanical problem occurred. It was only my chain fell off thankfully. Which I just jumped off and put straight back on. Think Steve was impressed with how quick I did it. The next bit was even more head wind, but Andy (Football League) kept me going. I cycled along with Will and Andy for a while, till Andy dropped back to take some pictures. We cut through some lovely country lanes, through fields growing all kinds of wheat, herbs and other plants. We came to a little village called Bel-Air, I thought we'd taken a wrong turn and ended up in America, which was a down hill. Half way down the hill Will's back wheel finally gave in. I tried to ring Alex but didn't get an answer, so rang Martin, who then managed to get hold of Alex. Will told me to carry on as he could be waiting a while. I knew there were people behind us so thought they could keep an eye on him till Alex got there. Martin phoned me back to say Alex was on his way and that I was only about 2 miles from lunch.
On arrival at lunch the fastest people were just about to leave.....so much for slowing down!
I decided I would go off on my own from lunch as I knew the others would catch me up. Well, the hill straight after lunch was pretty intense to say the least. But with every up, there is generally a down. And there was :-)
As I was going along I had Mark overtake me, and then Christophe. Then the rest of my normal group turned up, apart from Steve. I asked what had happened to him, and got told his gears had packed up (which fortunately he managed to get sorted). I managed to stay with the group (except when going up the hills) but they generally tried to keep me in their sights. About 2 miles before the last water stop I could see a bit of commotion on the top of the hill. Mike (Oxford fan) had fallen of his bike. Fortunately Christophe was there, who speaks fluent french, and so was getting sorted. I hung around for about 1 minute, to get my breath back after the hill, but then carried on.
Finally the last water stop was upon us which meant only 25miles left!!! :-) For the first time in the whole trip I was really desperate for the loo, and there wasn't any, so I managed to find a secluded bit that I could go au natural.
Mike, Matt, Martin and Steve arrived at the water stop and Martin found some Haribo's in the van. It was like feeding time at the zoo.....we did leave some for the last group to come through.
As we left the last water stop I got this pain in my right ankle. I'd taken some ibuprofen as I had been doing the whole trip, but that didn't seem to be touching it. and every now and then it felt like a muscle/tendon was going to snap. So, I took another 2 tablets. Fortunately they did kick in a bit and made it feel a little better. We had one more main hill to attack before hitting the city centre. On the hill Andy (Football League) got a puncture, but me and Will carried on as I knew they'd catch us up. We then hit the city of Paris :-) suddenly I felt like I could ride forever. There was still a way to go, as Paris is a big city, but there was some kind of realisation that the end is near. As we cycled through the outskirts we came to a hill and as we looked ahead this was the view.
The tower was in sight. Will was following me most the way, think in case he got lost (as he had done previously). The rest of the group caught us up, but then overtook us but we carried on at our own pace.
We then arrived at the meeting point where the quickest had been waiting about 1 hour. We still had to wait for a few more but the end of the ride was in sight.
The Blackpool crew came in, and then David, who was 60, finally came in about 30 mins after me.
After a few technical problems (military memorial services) we set off to cycle to the Arc de Triomphe, cycle round it (we did 3 times) and then cycled to the Eiffel Tower for photos.
One of the many highlights has to be Sam leaning out of the van window taking photos while we are going around the Arc de Triomphe and running across the 6 lanes of traffic to jump in and out the van.
We then arrived at the Eiffel Tower and we congratulated each other, and did the photo shoots.
I HAVE CYCLED FROM LONDON TO PARIS.......I totalled 264 miles!!!!! Bike Challenge Successful!!!
