I did it!!!

Here I am in Paris, feeling utterly elated - and too tired to lift the bike in the traditional victory salute.

It was fantastic.

High points: arriving (obviously); going through Paris - and especially round the Arc de Triomphe - dodging traffic and with Stef and the group shouting 'the lights are green, allez, allez, allez!';  a cold beer in Compiegne; stunning scenery, especially on day 3; being part of a brilliant group of people; being encouraged through by Stef on the tough bits (see below); seeing the final 8 laps of the Tour de France from a fab vantage point on the Place de la Concorde and having a better idea of what they were going through.

Low points: day 2 was tough, tough, tough - the promised undulations were hills (with places such as Hauteville and Mont de ... I couldn't help feeling the clue was in the name); getting an unfixable bike problem and having to use the back-up bike in 30 degree heat and a headwind up the 'undulations'; and yes, the ineviatable aching limbs and sore bum.

But THANK YOU! Together we have so far raised nearly £5,500 for Christian Aid (when I gather in the sponsorship on forms). WOW.

All that remains to be said is...

GO AND SIGN UP FOR NEXT YEAR - IT'S YOUR TURN NOW. YOU'LL LOVE IT!