FINAL DAY: Compeigne to Paris

A shorter day, but still no less challenging. Apologises for those that were following my updates and waiting for my last Paris update.

A not as sunny start with another early start with the team starting from two different hotels.  Bagged the first hill and first 20 miles by 8.30am and given we were not to ride in the centre of Paris at 4.00pm we decided that we should take it easy by a quick blast to a much needed cafe just before lunch.

The final drag into northern Paris saw my right knee deciding to start hurting and the rain arrive, so it was time to grin and bear it and get my head down and get pedalling, encouraged by Bionic Brian.

I'd say we attacked north paris with the usual vigour though cautious of the traffic, whilst trying to look for those little orange arrows we'd been following (mostly) this week.

The re-group of everyone at the park just off the Arche de Triomphe meant a rare and welcome treat to a much needed diet coke, and planning of the newly formed team's plan for the Champs Elysees.

Once we'd been given our lovely yellow t -shirts we set off at the front, urging the van to go faster. I only wish I could take photos, but it was a fab feeling riding down the Champs Elysees and looking out for the blackpool tower (opps, I mean Eiffel Tower).

We finshed off as we had maintianed throughout the ride by taking it easy with a final sprint to the Eiffel tower and time to realise I'd gotten my third puncture of the ride.

Its been a great trip and when I have time I will update these pages in more detail to share with you all.  Many thanks to those who've sponsored me and I'm really pleased to have exceeded my fund raising target set last year. Between Ben and I, we've raised over £5,000 for Macmillan, pushed ourselves to get a level of training over the really crappy winter we've had and made sure every pedal stroke counted over the 300+ miles we've riden.

Next year - the alps?

Cheers

DAY 3 Update: Arras to Compeigne

Great riding day and fast 82 miles, through great countryside and through the battlefields of Le Somme. A good pack has formed at the front so we're making good pace - or maybe we are just desparate for the first beer of the day.

Even an old muscle tear in my leftcalf which won't go away and a second puncture didn't dent the day.

Roll on the sprint to Paris tomorrow.

Nick

 

DAY 2 Progress update: Calais to Arras

An interesting Day 2, great weather, lovely smooth french roads, getting into the pace and getting to know some of the other riders. I also added an extra 5 miles when I missed a turning and those orange arrows we'd supposed to follow trying to catch up with the leading 3 riders in the morning. But hey, the planned 82 miles didn't feel enough. Starting to feel the pain in my left leg and looking for the team physio (not to self to bring a physio next time).

Still hunting for the fabulous food we were supposed to get, somehow curried pasta for lunch isn't what I was expecting.

Tomorrow is another day, hopefully my legs / bum will have recovered by tomorrow's start!

Cheers

Nick

DAY 1 Progress update: London to Calais

Made it to Calais with team Lincoln & Lawrence making it to Dover first and having the joys of sitting outside a bar in the centre of Dover with matching tight cycling shorts and tops - surely that is worth sponsorship! 

Was nervous at the start of how quick the other riders were and decided that we should apply a strategy of taking it easy and not trying to be at the front. That sort of lasted all of a mile as we navigated ourselves out to the M25 as everyone settled into their normal pace.

So 85 miles in (in fact the first 85 miles I've ever done), nice top up to the tan and whilst tired not feeling too bad - though we'll see how we feel tomorrow morning!

Nick

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*** 14th June Update ***

One of the sunniest weekends this year and no bike riding - though I'm all packed and ready to go in 3 DAYS TIME!   

Many thanks to those that sponsored so far, almost at my target for Macmillan Cancer. Let's see if we can reach it whilst I'm cycling to Paris.

Best

Nick

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*** 3rd June Update ***

So it's not long now until I attempt to cycle to Paris to raise ££££ for Macmillan.... whilst I haven't updated this page much here's what's been happening: firstly lots of riding over the winter, then some cyclying in the rain, then last week I took my road bike on holiday and trained in the mornings whilst the rest of the Lincoln family stayed by the pool!

If you haven't yet, please sponsor me - its a great cause and challenge. Including the bit of me staying sober to cycle across France. Cheers Nick

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On the 17th June 2009 I am going to cycle 500K from London across to the Eiffel Tower in the centre of Paris. This trip takes me through Kent, across the channel, through northern France passing famous battlefields of the Somme and Agincourt.

The organisers describe it as long days (average of 110k daily) in the saddle and some strenuous hill climbs, so vineyard tours are out of the question!

I doing this with a friend Ben Lawrence and we are hoping to raise £2500 each for Macmillan Cancer Support. Everyone knows someone who has been affected by cancer and is likely to know someone who will be affected by cancer in the future. Macmillan provide very valuable support to cancer suffers and their families when they are at their most vulnerable. Go on to www.macmillan.org.uk for more information on how they help to ease peoples suffering.

Because of the way the trip is organised we need to raise the money in advance that goes to MacMillan and will give me great encouragement to go training over the Winter Months I would also suggest looking on the discussion forums, at http://share.macmillan.org.uk/share , to see just how unbelievably hard life can be for those dealing with cancer. Please think about how you would cope if it happened to you or your family and give as generously as you can.

Donating through Justgiving is quick, easy and totally secure. It's also the most efficient way to sponsor me: Macmillan Cancer Support gets your money faster and, if you're a UK taxpayer, Justgiving makes sure 25% in Gift Aid, plus a 3% supplement, are added to your donation.

So please sponsor me now! It is for a worthy cause and is a worthy challenge that will take some serious dedication and training over the lovely wet winter.