Russell's page
Russell Cummings is raising money for The King's Trust
Participants: Scott Brown, Chris Reichhelm, David Bennett, Simon Kerr, Simone Reid.
Story
Update - 27th June 2010
Dear Sponsors, colleagues, family & supporters
I am delighted to report that not only did I get to Paris, but all 6 of our team members had a fantastic 4-day ride, covering 300.4 miles, climbing 7,136 feet and raising in aggregate £15,795 for our charities.
I have tried to capture the adventure in the diary (see below). Meanwhile, photos will follow over the next few days. However, these will not be able to show the training, preparation and determination that enabled this 'mixed ability' group to cover the ground in such style.
Your generosity coupled with the knowledge that The Prince's Trust will now receive £2,617 kept my mind focussed during 6 months of training and one or two tough moments on the ride itself!!
Thank you all very much.
... a very tired Russ
Diary 27th June 2010
London to Paris 2010
David Bennett Distance 300.4 miles
Scott Brown Total ascent 7,136 feet
Russ Cummings Average speed 13.9 mph
Chris Reichhelm Top speed 37.8 mph
Simone Reid
Simon Kerr
Funds raised for The Prince’s Trust £2,617
Total funds raised by the team £15,795
Day 1: 86 miles - London to Coquelles (8 miles SW of Calais)
I didn't get much sleep last night - I had a warm hotel room, but it was probably the nervous mix of excitement and apprehension that kept me awake. In the morning, team cycling jerseys were handed out and we tucked into an early cooked breakfast. The arrangements were for a 7.30am briefing and photos on Blackheath common. Then we were off!!
Within a mile, 25 of the 40 starters were lost as the leading riders missed a turning (and yes I was in that 25!). There was a brilliant system of orange dots and arrows spray painted on the roads for us to follow - we just hadn't got used to them yet. We completed a 2 mile detour and then we were really underway.
By accident (and because I had a map), I found myself in the leading group which was setting the tempo. This was not where I'd planned to be - I intended to pace myself. After a few miles though, I settled into the 2nd group leaving Chris to go on ahead. Staying to help with Scott's puncture in Ebbsfleet was the excuse Simone and I used to hold back.
Short refreshment and lunch stops rolled past and 55 undulating miles slip by but then we hit the North Downs. West and South of Canterbury, there was a series of dips then vicious climbs which proved really challenging. However, by mile 70 the pain was temporarily over and we enjoyed a fast 20mph+ descent into Dover.
At 3.30pm and after 78 miles, I was around the 10th to make it to Dover - not bad! Local school kids had kept us up to date on the England score by shouting out news bulletins - so we knew Jermaine Defoe had put us 1:0 up. We quickly found a bar showing the World Cup and watched to the end to see England qualify.
I was still resisting the alcohol, so it was 4 pints of orange juice and lemonade to rehydrate. After the game and a round of chips, we made our way to the ferry terminal for the 7.00pm departure. Chicken and yet mote chips helped boost the day's carbohydrate quota. Finally we had a gentle 8 mile warm down to the hotel at dusk.
Sadly, our bags were on the subsequent ferry. All we wanted to do by this stage was shower and sleep!
Day 2: 71 miles - Coquelles to Arras
A very tough day! Whoever said Northern France was flat mustn’t have been there recently! It reminded me of riding in Cornwall - relentless hills where you can't enjoy the descents because you know the next climb was is around the next corner. Guidance notes indicated we climbed 2,250ft today - it felt like much more!
The lunch stop had a somber mood as we prepared ourselves for one of the day's biggest hills and it didn't disappoint. At each turn, we prayed we would see the apex, but time and again hope was crushed as the climb went on. The mantra was to focus on the tarmac in front and keep pushing.
The day cruelly sorted the group. Scott's determination to maintain cadence kept him there or thereabouts. However, Simone and I became convinced we had fewer gears than others as we slipped behind the leaders. Simone’s technique was to attack hills at speed. Mid afternoon saw us tackling a 5 mile stretch of continual uphill, culminating in a series of hairpin bends from the village of Houdain.
Reward finally came though, with a 15 mile gradual decline into Arras, passing an amazing ruined cathedral at 20-23 mph (I must go back one day with time to explore). Having been split up, seeing Chris, Scott and others welcoming us into a pavement cafe was great. I fished the ice out of the water jug and applied to my feet!
Today was laundry day, so bib shorts decorated the terrace.
Conversation over dinner was muted - I have a feeling I fell asleep whilst waiting for the main course ...... but others were either too polite to wake me, or maybe were asleep too!
Day 3: 79 miles - Arras to Compiegne
A truly great day!
It took about 5 miles to warm up the muscles, during which Simon chatted to locals, helpfully giving directions to ladies and extracting the life history of an 80 year old cyclist, but we were then ready to push on.
A double espresso and enormous pain au raisin in Péronne, provided a welcome change from energy bars. Rolling poppy lined fields punctuated by all too brief stops at the World War II cemeteries around the town of Cléry-sur-Somme provided an amazing backdrop to some of the best riding we'd ever experienced. The group stayed together despite the pace (16.1mph average for the day, noted at the afternoon drink stop) as we mastered drafting - using the slip stream of a rider in front, changing the lead at regular intervals.
Not even the big climb at Mareuil-la-Motte, 15 miles from Compiègne, could dampen spirits.
A quick tyre change, a cool beer (just the one!) and Simon's fruit cake restored energy levels on the hotel terrace.
After dinner entertainment was forfeited in favour of leg massages and ice gels.
Day 4: 63 miles - Compiègne to Paris
Spirits were high, but the previous day's pace combined with 30degC heat meant my legs felt empty.
David, on the other hand, was getting stronger.
The group stayed together through the village of Senlis and soon after we were rewarded by the stunning backdrop of The Château de Chantilly. I was particularly keen to get some group photographs, mainly attempting to buy a rest!
Leaving Chantilly I had a 'near spill' as my rear tyre drifted on loose gravel, but a nifty weave restored balance – but only just. I was shaken, not stirred. Downhill sections had regularly topped 30mph and my peak recorded speed during the trip was 38mph.
Lunch was at 34 miles, but the subsequent 10 miles including 2 tough climbs, dispersing the group. I slipped to the middle of the pack. The pre-arranged muster point was cruelly positioned at the top of the second hill. I have to admit, I didn't enjoy waiting an hour for the tail-enders, as my leg muscles seized up.
Then came the moment we'd all been building up too! The 17 mile run into Paris. A long fast descent, traffic, heat, excitement and perhaps a tiny competitive edge made it literally a breathtaking finish. My computer flipped over the 300 mile mark just as la Tour Eiffel came into view. Chris inevitably was the first from our team over the line. Meanwhile, the traffic lights had been in our favour and so Scott and I were in amongst the front group too. Champagne corks flew and we all hugged each other. But hidden amongst the huge sense of achievement, and catching us by surprise a little was also sadness that the ride had finished - we actually wanted to ride on!
Back at the hotel, he drinks flowed freely and we re-grouped for dinner. Inevitably, conversation strayed to "the next challenge". London to Edinburgh? Maybe Calais to Cannes? The fighting talk went on until after 3.30am!!
Original Introduction - March 2010
In September, I made a rash promise to cycle from London to Paris. "That's your problem" I hear you say! However, where you can help is to sponsor me as I'm raising money for a great charity, The Prince's Trust, which gives disadvantaged young people a second chance. They may have struggled at school, been in care, are unemployed or been in trouble with the law - but the Trust helps them into work or maybe even to start their own business. There is a loose work connection in the team, but the common bond is that we feel pretty daunted by this continental expedition. We will be covering 300 miles in four days. Yes, we know it clashes with one of the England World Cup games, but we are confident of finding a French bar with Sky Sports, where I'm sure we will find a warm welcome!!
So thank you for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page. Any contribution would be greatly appreciated, by me - but much more importantly by The Prince's Trust
Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – 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.
So please dig deep and donate now.