Story
I am undertaking a cycle ride of nearly 800 miles from my home in Chorleywood, Hertfordshire to Portiragnes in the south of France via the French town of Dardilly near Lyon on 18th May 2015
Why do it?
Because I wanted a challenge now that I have left full time employment and one that would coincide with the 60th anniversary of my time on this planet. I wanted the challenge to be difficult but also interesting and enjoyable. Most importantly, I wanted it to benefit a deserving charity, one that Kathy and I have supported over a number of years i.e. DR HADWEN TRUST (DHT).
Why France?
Well we are lucky enough to share a small holiday home in Portiragnes Plage on the Mediterranean cost in the French region of Languedoc Roussillon, so that seemed a natural destination with the weather hopefully warming up as I travel further south. Also Dardilly is twinned with Chorleywood.
Why DR HADWEN TRUST (DHT)?
DHT plays a leading role in funding and promoting non-animal research to make major and practical contributions to advance medical science without harming animals. For more than 40 years, the DHT has funded over 150 research projects in some of the most advanced and successful human-relevant techniques in medical research including cancer, Alzheimers disease, asthma, kidney, heart and liver disease.
Background
The germ of an idea for undertaking this ride came to me on a short holiday in Portiragnes France in April 2014. Probably as a result of a few glasses of wine, I thought that by cycling from Chorleywood to our house in Portiragnes would be a great way of seeing more of France in combination with taking on the physical challenge of a long bike ride to coincide with my 60th birthday in June 2015.
Why do it?
Because I wanted a challenge now that I have left full time employment and one that would coincide with the 60th anniversary of my time on this planet. I wanted the challenge to be difficult but also interesting and enjoyable. Most importantly, I wanted it to benefit a deserving charity, one that Kathy and I have supported over a number of years i.e. DR HADWEN TRUST (DHT).
Why France?
Well we are lucky enough to share a small holiday home in Portiragnes Plage on the Mediterranean cost in the French region of Languedoc Roussillon, so that seemed a natural destination with the weather hopefully warming up as I travel further south. Also Dardilly is twinned with Chorleywood.
Why DR HADWEN TRUST (DHT)?
DHT plays a leading role in funding and promoting non-animal research to make major and practical contributions to advance medical science without harming animals. For more than 40 years, the DHT has funded over 150 research projects in some of the most advanced and successful human-relevant techniques in medical research including cancer, Alzheimers disease, asthma, kidney, heart and liver disease.
Background
The germ of an idea for undertaking this ride came to me on a short holiday in Portiragnes France in April 2014. Probably as a result of a few glasses of wine, I thought that by cycling from Chorleywood to our house in Portiragnes would be a great way of seeing more of France in combination with taking on the physical challenge of a long bike ride to coincide with my 60th birthday in June 2015.
Some Details
Having come up with the idea for this ride back in April 2014, 2014 was about planning.
I now have my provisional route (see photos) mapped out which takes me from Chorleywood to Portsmouth via Reading. Then courtesy of Brittany Ferries (who have kindly supported me with the ferry crossing), I go south east from Caen to Dardilly. Dardilly is a town near Lyon that is twinned with Chorleywood and is where I plan to stay with a local family and hopefully a welcome respite from camping. After that its south along the Rhone and then south west to Portiragnes (near Beziers). The stages are dictated by the location of camp sites en-route which will constitute the location of our overnight stays. This also constitutes a first, since the last time we camped was during my teenage years. You may have noticed my use of the plural form of pronouns. Kathy my wife has volunteered, if that's the right term, to support me by driving each day to the next camp-site where we will meet. Many of you will know that Kathy is a keen painter and has promised to record some of the journey with some paintings.
In terms of training, I managed to do a fair amount of cycling around the Chilterns and surrounding countryside last year and have been battling with the elements since Christmas. I plan to step up this up over the next few months & I'll keep you posted with my updates.
Richard
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