Day 4 - Croissy sur Celle - Paris

After the 120 miles of yesterday, today’s 65miles seems like nothing. The run in is finally here!

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.

Day 3 - Calais to Croisse sur Celle

Wednesday Blog,

So after the accidents, trials and tribulations of Day 2, we embarked on the ominous 103-mile ride into Amiens, or so we thought! It turns out that £400 worth of bicycle sat nav can’t actually buy you a fricking clue when it comes to navigating through France! Also, getting used to riding on the ‘wrong’ side of the road was a massive ballache and caused some initial confusion (mainly for me), so, after a few minor detours, plenty of phone calls to the support car, we were faced with a total of 122 miles. Now that last sentence doesn’t really do justice to the way the three of us manned it up during the longest of days on the ride. Andy was having some issues with his knee, but continued to tough it out with the LL Cool J style cycling technique.

Day 3 was fairly uneventful until the latter stages. By Amiens we were wishing that Steve and Sonny had booked us into a nearer hotel, but unfortunately that wasn’t to be the case! Torrential rain hit us with about 40 miles to go and the weather conditions nearly became too unsafe to ride in. Along with this, the French really know how to build some hills. Every town appears to be in a valley with a long descent in, but an even bigger climb out. It turns out that 4 mile long hills aren’t the greatest fun in the world at 8pm while it’s pouring it down.

We made a quick stop for refuelling and a change into waterproof gear and then we were off again! By this time the weather was bordering on dangerous, with the dark clouds setting in overhead. We soon became delirious due to a mixture of pain, tiredness, and all around fatigue, so holding your breath while going up a hill competitions ensued (note they are not a good idea). We were now at the point where we were laughing about how ridiculous the situation was. We could not believe how wet we were, and were praying for the next break in the cloud….and we still had to climb hill after hill after fricking hill!

With about 15 miles to go Andy’s knee problem became contagious and I developed a similar injury, but in the back of beyond in the depths of France you can’t nip to the local Boots and pick up a knee brace, so it was a case of sticking the ipod on loud and just ploughing on. We wanted to get some photos of us in the rain, so we could try and convey to people just how bad the conditions were. In keeping with the day’s events, this was more difficult than we first thought. It turns out that 3 blokes shouting and waving for the car to slow down doesn’t work, so Craig ‘Cavendished’ it up and chased the girls down. Eventually, we got our photo opportunity and we continued on to the hotel.

After a delirious comment of “stupid French can’t even make a proper storm” the rumblings of thunder and cracks of lightning started! We got into the hotel at some ridiculously late time (I forget exactly). The hotel was worth the extra few miles. Rooms were good, town was peaceful, there was no one playing drum n bass all night long, so a good night’s sleep was in sight at last. We did get fed first with an excellent home cooked French meal, and although it was 4 courses, I wish it had been 8!

I have to say this was a day when you had to think about the reason why we were even contemplating this ride in the first place. In the space of three weeks before the ride 3 people that either 1 or all of us knew had lost their battles with cancer. For me personally and I’m sure the other guys were the same, I had these people at the forefront of my mind when things got tough. Thinking about the pain these people had to go through makes a bit of thigh pain and a steep hill pale into insignificance.

So, we hit the hay to get some good rest before we rode into Paris and with 2 of us still in the big cog competition it was all to play for. Paris here we come!!!!!!!!!!

Simon

Day 2 - London to Calais

Tuesday blog:

Day 2 – London to Calais

We left the YMCA in Ealing early without breakfast because they didn’t serve until 730 and we wanted to beat some of the London traffic. The plan was to get some photos by some of the big tourist places on the way through for our sponsors to use so we rode over to Marble Arch, Buckingham palace and Westminster Abbey. Cycling in the rain in London is pretty hectic and you have to stay pretty alert but its wicked fun. I don’t think we actually obeyed 1 traffic light!!

When we got to our last tourist spot, Big Ben we asked a friendly Japanese tourist to take our photo only to be asked if they could have one with us!! They obviously thought we were someone of note, not just 3 losers on bikes!

Look!!

Today is where we discovered that the cycle sat nav we were relying on (from here known as the ‘Starfish Navigation System’) was a massive pile of gash and that we’d have to resort to old fashioned maps to sort us out and get us where we needed to.

So from London, we headed out to Dartford. It has to be said that our capital is in no way as flat as you might expect. There are some big frikkin hills to deal with along the way!!
These hills enraged a problem I’ve had with a knee and started to make the journey a bit miserable. I adopted an LL Cool J stylee limping pedal stroke which helped but tired my left leg quickly as I was using it almost exclusively. I called the girls in the support car and sent them to Boots to find me a support. The middle section of today got tough.

Due to the traffic in London the girls took a long time to catch us up. We eventually got to the A2 which would take us to Dover and can only be described as a 4 lane mental busy motorway. The scariest 30 mins of cycling ever. Quick stop at a services for pasta and rice crispy squares and we went on. The road eventually calmed itself down and we started making some good progress through a load of towns which I can’t remember. Knee still screaming, me still gangsta pedalling. If you ever pass through Northfleet (or something like that) do it in a car. I swear that place is an actual mountain. Massive, massive hill to get out. Good times

The girls eventually caught us up in Faversham and furnished me with an awesome knee support. I was really hoping it helped because we knew we had some long climbs ahead and a 100+ mile day tomorrow. Thankfully it helped. With the extra aid of painkillers I could use my right leg again. Sweeeeet.
Shortly before this we had our 1st accident. Hardly an accident, more of Simon ending up on the floor because neither me or him looked ahead when we pulled out of a car park. Its an image that has kept me smiling throughout, and is actually making me LOL as I write this. Simon on the floor, completely horizontal, fully clipped into his pedals, in a perfect riding position, just on the floor. Haaaaardy blooody haaar he will say. I care not, it has made me laugh my way up some hills.

After another good 20 mile stint we knew the end was in sight. I had a look at the gradient map we had and saw a big climb on the way into Dover. By big, I mean 4 ½ miles!!! It funny how having the finish line in sight can seemingly cure all the aches and pains associated with such a big ride. I felt really good and forgot about my knee and arse issues the whole way up. We had nearly ridden to the coast!! The sight of the Sea was a massive relief, not only because the end of the day was in sight but because the end of the hill was! The descent into Dover was one of the best moments of cycling ever. Fast, winding roads leading ultimately to us getting off our bikes!!

We put the bikes on the car, crossed the channel into France and found our hotel. By this time we could only get pizza and chips for dinner. Not the healthiest choice again but whatever, it tasted good.

Me and Simon stayed up until 1am planning the route for the following day because we knew we couldn't rely on the Starfish Navigation System. Just what we needed with the biggest day of cycling any of us have ever done next!!

So that was day 2. What a ballache!!!


Bring on Paris!!

Day 1 in the Big Brother House

Day 1 – 86.7 miles, 15.7 avg speed, friking ages to get there!

It’s a little after 6 o’clock in the morning and after a restless night, a good breakfast and a bit of last minute packing Simon arrives and we’re about ready to go. Problem number 1 We realise that Simon’s back wheel has gone down – oh well, no problem we’ll stick the Garmin(cycle sat nav) on Sonny’s bike and take that for the time being (Please note – at no time at all did I believe or have ever believed that a Garmin will repair a flat tire as Faye may suggest). Problem 2 haven’t had time to sort out the Garmin so not really sure of where we are going. Unfortunately, we do not have time to spend sorting this out because we’re meeting the very kind person from Faceo who sponsored us £500 so the girls will have to do it!!

So, despite a few initial problems, I have my tights on, we’ve had our pictures taken and we’re ready to go.

We started pretty well and we’re in high spirits until 12 miles when Andy hit a pot hole and punctured his tube. It’s at this point we realise that Simon “hasn’t had time” to put the puncture repair kit on his bike. Fortunately, I have one, a bit old I concede, but since Faye hasn’t collected the car yet we have to try and fix it rather than wait. One thing I am missing is sandpaper – Andy has a plan though not to fear! While Andy was “sanding” his inner tube on a rough piece of pavement I found the sandpaper in his saddle bag! So puncture fixed and off we go.

20 miles and we stop to buy some drink etc in Towcester and speak to Gemma who tells us they’re still having problems sorting out the Garmin. Ok, well we’ll push on and see you in Milton Keynes.

Milton Keynes approaches after some uneventful cycling but the girls haven’t done all the things that we left them to do (thanks again girls) so we went off to Dunstable – missed them here too so off to St Albans.

Had a nice unhealthy lunch, set up the Garmin and set off for the last 20 miles. It was at this point that we realised the Garmin isn’t as accurate as we’d hoped, but it gets worse!

Hitting London finally we end up on the North Circular where car drivers follow the ethos that beeping makes cyclists go faster. At least Garmin told us we had arrived – we had not.

A quick phone call and a 45 minute wait and we’re still stood in the same place trying to find out where this fricking hotel is. Eventually we decide to continue but Andy has a puncture and this one we can’t fix so we opt for the pavement – very slowly! That is until a very unhelpful, short, fat, stupid, pain in my ass woman decides to stand up from the bus stop and lean against it to block our way and tell Andy “I’m not moving. You’ll have to go around me.” When we pointed out we had a puncture and we’re travelling extremely slowly she started moaning. At this point I am ashamed/proud to say I released a torrent of abuse in her direction till she was shocked in to silence momentarily until she released her own as we cycled over at a break neck speed.

So we’re staying in the YMCA, we might get stabbed, Simon is power napping (this has been edited for the benefit of Faye’s parents) and we’re all out having a few beers. Possibly not the brightest idea but seems like a good plan right now, although my third pint of Carling tastes pretty good.

Tomorrow, we cycle to France although I’m not entirely sure if that’s Jack or not?

Daily Gradients

This chart shows the hills that we will have to climb each day. The terrible news is Day 3, that's right the 100+mile day, has an overall gain :( Time for some manning it up I guess.

R.I.P. Di Winston - 06/11/1955 - 15/07/2009

It is with a massive amount of sadness that I have to inform you of Di Winstons passing. Sonny's mum, the reason we are doing this ride, passed away on Wednesday 15th July after a long battle with cancer. She was an inspiration to us and I'm sure will be the face in our minds when this challenge gets tough.

It does mean that regrettably, Sonny cannot take part. We have looked at all other possibilities to enable him to come but unfortunately we 3 must go without him. Gutted...

Sonny had this to say on the matter:

"Kick that ride's ASS!!!"

So for Sonny, and for Di we will do it, and do it with a smile on our face knowing how much money we have rasied for an organisation that helped Di through her ilness.


We leave on Monday 20th July. We will be blogging the whole way so keep checking back and please, if you know of anyone who can spare a few pounds, send them to www.justgiving.com/rugbytoparis


R.I.P. Mrs Winston

Andy, Simon and Craig

Routes

Routes have now been planned! ... turns out day three is over 100 miles :-)

Day One : Rugby to London - 79.36 Miles Click for map

Day Two : London to Dover - 82.94 Miles Click for map

Day Three : Calais to Amiens (ish!) - 102.52 Miles Click for map

Day Four : Amiens to Paris - 71.13 Miles Click for map