<p class="MsoNormal"><span>I was very nervous about this challenge even though I had completed months of training, but I can honestly say it was one of the best experiences and achievements of my life. London started with first few hours in the rain and a puncher just before our first break. We then road again for another 20 mile only for me to get a second puncher about 15mins before lunch break.. We reached Portsmouth by 6.30pm tired and wet, but in very high spirits.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span>Caught the ferry and arrived in Caen - Started out at 8.30 French time in the rain again. Cycle lanes, hills and 90 miles ahead of us. This was to me the most difficult day but was still a good day. Our guide/instructor Martin was wonderful. He taught me how to use my gears properly which helped me so much.. I couldn't thank him enough. We were about 1/2 hour from our second stop over when the heavens opened with torrential rain,, thunder lightning and hail.... but made it to the hotel in one piece.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span>Went to bed that night just thinking of Paris... the dreams&nbsp; I had were amazing... up at 6am on the bike 8am... weather was very kind to us...All groups met up 15 mins from the Arc De T....&nbsp; My stomach felt sick with excitement.. we were so close... we went around a roundabout and then there is was.. the Arc De t.... The instructors were shouting honk your horn sheen... everyone ring your bells and then we were circling the Arc de T..... Strangers were clapping and cars were honking there horns... two laps we did.... I would love to relive that moment over and over again..</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span>My thanks must go to all the staff at Tall Stories nothing was to much trouble, the food was lovely and the instructor we had Martin was fab. He couldn't do enough .... we all used to get in a circle of love and give each other a massage before the start of each cycle ride.&nbsp; My son Robert was also my tower of strength... he could have gone with his cousin in group one but he stayed with me.. I was so proud of him.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span>&nbsp;</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span>All in all a very good life experience for me and my son, one of which I hope he will pass on to his children and to other generations in years to come. It was quite funny to see so many people all geared up in their professional lycra and and clip in cycle shoes and me in my decathlon shorts and rain jacket and trainers &pound;6.00 from Asda... and we all reached the same goal.... I think I did well for someone in their 50's...</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: &amp;quot;Calibri&amp;quot;,&amp;quot;sans-serif&amp;quot;; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: &#39;Times New Roman&#39;; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;"></span></p>