After a breakfast of more strange French food we set off around 10 with most of our stuff dry. It appears Simon picked up a knee injury yesterday so it’s slow going to start.
We're travelling through proper rural France today, literally nothing for miles. Eventually we came across a main road leading into Beavius (don't quote me on the spelling) which meant we could find a shop to try and sort Simons leg out. Something got lost in the translation of the question I think because we ended up with a bandage that stuck, and I mean really stuck directly to his skin. It was going to a: really hurt to get off and b: be really funny to watch. It was :-)
We seemed to make better progress once we left Beavis as the end was well and truly in sight. More navigation problems meant frequent stops for the Starfish Navigation System to have words with itself and less chance for us to get into a rhythm. A few punctures later and some ‘Gaylord’ sweets (really!!) we were in the final 15 miles. At this point the navigation sorted itself out and we flew through the outskirts of Paris, again ignoring most traffic laws. The last few miles were ones of both focus and fun as we caned it into the centre of Paris and into the most mental traffic we have ever seen. You have to just go for it here, so go for it we did. Within a few miles we cycled past the Opera house, the Louvre and after a couple of conversations with some Gendarmes onto the cobbled Champs-Elysees. Not the best surface for a Giche that has travelled 360+ miles!!
This road is the single most congested and aggressive traffic I have personally seen this side of India but we gradually weaved our way through to the top to the Arc De Triomphe, our finish line. We were fully intending to meet the support girls there with a video of us coming in and photos all round but a misunderstanding meant they were there, missing us narrowly avoiding death by multiple cars to the face. We rode around the Arc once and decided that we would prefer to live a little longer than try to go around again so got the girls to come and meet us.
Our journey was over, somewhat of an anti climax, but then what did we expect? A ticker tape parade?? Damn right we did!! Aahwell, a good mission completed and we could finally rest. A few days in Paris, punctuated by the end of the Tour de France would do nicely.
We would like to thank: the girls, Gem and Faye in the support car for all their help and outstanding ability to refuel us at every stop; each and every person that donated money to the Macmillan nurses we were raising money for; Thorntons cycles; Lutterworth Cycles; Torq energy products and Faceo for their help in making this adventure a reality, and a massively profitable one for our chosen charity. To date we have raised over £2000!!! Not bad for 3 losers on push bikes!!
Finally I feel it necessary to mention Sonny’s mum, Di Winston in this last blog. It was her strength and example that led us towards this undertaking in the first place, and it was the same strength and example that pushed us through the tough times and through to the end. So this goes out to her and her family…
Until next year….
….Watch this space.
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