Thanks once again for your fantastic support, wIthout you I wouldn't have made it..
As you know, I cycled this event for hannahkatieking.com and Meningitis Research.
Here's how it went...
Day 1: 86 miles - London to Coquelles (8 miles SW of Calais)In the morning, team cycling jerseys were handed out and we tucked into an early cooked breakfast, a 7.30am briefing and photos on Blackheath common. Then we were off!!
Short refreshment and lunch stops rolled past and 55 undulating miles slip by (give or take a couple of wrong turns!) 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.
Time to watch the footie, a round of chips and we made our way to the ferry terminal for the 7.00pm departure. Chicken and yet more 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! Guidance notes indicated we climbed 2,250ft today - it felt like much more (See the picture attached)! 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. 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
Day 3: 79 miles - Arras to Compiegne
A great day! 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). Not even the big climb at Mareuil-la-Motte, 15 miles from Compiègne, could dampen spirits.
Day 4: 63 miles - Compiègne to Paris
Spirits were high and a steady start meant the group stayed together through the village of Senlis and soon after we were rewarded by the stunning backdrop of The Château de Chantilly. Downhill sections had regularly topped 30mph and my peak recorded speed was 38mph.
Lunch was at 34 miles, but the subsequent 10 miles including 2 tough climbs, dispersed the group. 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. 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''
and the fighting talk went on until after 3.30am!!
Thank-you for your support, together we have raised over £3000 for Meningitis Research and the whole teams contribution to the various charities looks like topping £20,000.
All the best
David
