Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page for Article 25 and Bobby Moore Fund; follow the link and you can get details of both these excellent charities http://www.article-25.org/-build-moore-.htm.
The trip happened between Friday 25 and Monday 29 September. Three legs took us to Paris. Friday was 70 miles Tower Bridge to Newhaven through some of the less salubrious bits of Sarf London. Then onwards to Godstone, Turners Hill, Ditchling and Newhaven. From Newhaven we ferried to Dieppe where we arrived at our hotel at 04:00 local. This route has some quite big hills up and down but nothing insurmountable (obviously or wouldn't have got there!)
The next day was a quiet 50 miler to Gournay-en-Bray with a splendid, (appropriate), lunch half way and a decent dinner at the hotel. This stretch was beautiful consisting of rolling smooth roads and appreciative and friendly drivers, in stark contrast, I have to say, to the UK where we were definitely considered a nuisance.
The last day started at 07:30 in fog and three degrees centigrade, we soon warmed up though and after conquering one sharp but short hill followed by a stiffish climb out of Cergy Pontoise (where we had lunch at a golf club) we arrived in Paris after about 67 miles.
Eurostar back to London completed the trip, with Marylebone Road in the rush hour the hardest riding of the weekend!
Door to tower to door was 210 cycling miles at about 16.5 mph overall.
So we have had some fun, raised some money for two very relevant charities and hopefully we can get some more.
These charities are relevant to me for two reasons. My old mate and colleague Jack Pringle was one of the founders of Article 25 and is currently a trustee (the old so and so has just jumped out of an aeroplane for Article 25 so we need to keep on the case can't let him hog all the glory). Also my parents both died from cancer which is one of the scourges of modern life. So these are both hugely relevant and will help a lot of people.
I will continue to resist the temptation to post a lycra clad photo on the assumption it isn't going to raise anything, especially money! Although if anyone fancies stumping up to prevent said photo being published...........................
Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.
I have had some tremedous support for this venture so thank you to all my sponsors. For those who have not yet got round to it there is still time!! Every little helps and will be received with enormous gratitude
Thank you for all of your help
