Last week five brave supporters got on their bikes and peddled off to Paris having raised an incredible £11,714. Congratulations to all of the team for surviving! Charles, one of the team has kindly shared some of the highs and lows of the trip:
Blimey, on a very rash and hasty decision I volunteered to cycle to Paris from London for Child’s i Foundation with Karin and Steve Taylor. This was back in February when May seemed a long way away. However, as the start date loomed closer, and we had persuaded my wife Jane and a near neighbour, Julia, to come too, the panic really set in. With considerable enthusiasm but not much skill we set about our training, which went hopelessly as we were forever coming across punctures and pubs, not necessarily in that order. We did manage to persevere to a low level of readiness as the departure date loomed closer.
The team find a very useful map to follow
Last Wednesday we left where we were staying on a bitterly cold morning at 5.30am having scraped the ice off our bike seats, to arrive at Crystal Palace for our 6.00am deadline. We were signed in with 90 others and set off for Paris. The first day was 100 miles to Dover through some really hilly but beautiful countryside on a route that went round Sevenoaks, Tonbridge and Ashford. Each day there were water stops in the morning and afternoon and a break for lunch which all worked like clockwork. We arrived at Dover to board an evening ferry and arrived in our hotel in Calais after dark. That first day in total was well over 100 hilly and cold miles – but we all made it, with no major upset – I could have had some more padding though…
Charles and the open road
On the second day as we started to ride on the right hand side of the road, it got warmer and (slightly) flatter for the next three more long days. Unfortunately two of our friend’s, Karin and Steve, had to head back to the UK when they had some very sad personal news and they were sorely missed. Julia crashed near Calais but soldiered bravely on. To take the pressure off, I ended up in a pub just outside Abbeville where we stayed the second night. Five hours later myself and three Americans struggled into Abbeville, not fully sure which side of the road we were meant to be on, but with only one more crash.
The third day of Abbeville to Beauvais, another 80 miles. By this stage knees and backs really started to hurt, not helped by a huge hangover and having slept on a very uncomfortable camp bed but at least the weather continued to improve. By now we had met most of the other 90 riders, all of whom had a story to tell of why they were there, raising money for charities that meant a great deal to them. Of particular note was Stewart who had sadly lost both eyes to cancer and was riding on the back of a tandem being steered by a GP and trustee of their charity – that team was a real inspiration to us all and I will not forget how impressive they were on making and succeeding on such a journey.
On the Saturday we finally arrived in Paris at The Eiffel Tower where various friends and family were waiting to meet the riders. Unfortunately the Eurostar was delayed and flights were disrupted by the Volcanic Ash issue – it just shows, back to basics on pedal power proved the most reliable route. Overall, it was four long hard days but the three of us wouldn’t have missed it for the world. The team spirit was amazing and we have some incredible memories, a sense of achievement, some spectacular bruises and it was a delight to help raise money for Child’s i Foundation.
On to the next challenge…..?
Charles, Jane & Julia celebrate at the iconic finish line
And if you have any of your own and would like to fundraise for Child’s i Foundation, you can donate at: www.justgiving.com/childsifoundation or contact contact perle@childsifoundation.org for more information.
