Well that's that.

The ride was fine, great in fact, and it has inspired me to ride more.Thanks again to all those who sponsored me, latterly Angela, Rob the Beast and Maf. You can see the final video on the left. Thanks again.

1.08.2008
Thanks to all those who have donated money. We have reached £2K.

Now I guess I need to cycle the 300 miles to claim it. Final day before the ride. Am feeling good, save for a bit of toothache and that would be be bad news if it gets any worse. Anyone know a good French desntist between here and Paris?

 

29.06.2008
Final training Run - this time it's serious and a last appeal to would be sponsors
My final training run was an attempt to get quicker. I am comfortable with the distances involved but it is still taking ages. A couple of proper cyclists Paul and Tim, joined me on my final London to Brighton training run to see if they could get me to move my lardy a*$e any quicker. Find out if they managed it...by clicking on the video on the left or at the you tube site: http://www.youtube.com/simonsmith1967

Thanks to all those who have sponsored me. As you can see I am only just short of my target. If you haven't sponsored me please do.  As a reminder, I am paying for the costs of the trip myself, so all your donations will go to Kidney research.

26.06.2008

Itinerary published

Day 1: London – Calais

An early start from Greenwich allows us to avoid the morning traffic as we pass through the outskirts of London onto quieter roads. It is not long before we are among the fields and villages of rural Kent, passing orchards and traditional oast houses where hops are stored. We continue our journey along the North Downs Way and along small country roads to Dover and the coast. Taking the ferry to Calais we have dinner on board and stay overnight in our Calais hotel. (Lunch included, riders buy their own dinner on the ferry).
Cycle approximately 153km (95 miles)

Day 2: Calais – Abbeville

After a hearty breakfast we head south from Calais, passing through beautiful rural landscapes and quiet back roads. Cycling inland from the coast, we avoid busy Boulogne and pass east through ancient Desvres, renowned for its pottery. Following quiet winding roads we reach the valleys of the Canche River, and cross the river to Hesdin, a pretty town near the site of the historic battle of Agincourt. Continuing south, our final 30km brings us to the River Somme and the town of Abbeville. Abbeville suffered badly in a German air raid in World War 2, but its beautiful Flemish-style architecture is still in evidence and its Gothic church has been largely restored to its former glory. Overnight in hotel. (Breakfast, lunch & dinner included).
Cycle approximately 120km (75 miles)

Day 3: Abbeville – Beauvais

Leaving Abbeville behind us we follow the River Somme east out of the town in the direction of Amiens. These lands are renowned for the terrible battles of the First World War and are scattered with cemeteries and other poignant reminders of the thousands of man who died here. Our route soon turns south and we follow shady beech-tree-lined avenues so typically French, into meandering valleys and traditional farming hamlets. The cycling is mostly flat and through agricultural lands. Our day ends at Beauvais, a town renowned for its large gothic cathedral. Overnight in hotel. (Breakfast, lunch & dinner included).
Cycle approximately 110km (70 miles)

Day 4: Beauvais – Paris

Our final day's cycling takes us over the river Théram and south of Beauvais towards the great capital city. Following small country roads we head towards the small town of Meru and continue south through beautiful countryside. Cycling is the national sport of France and while the Tour de France attracts supporters in its thousands, it is normal for the locals to stop and cheer us on as we pass through their towns and villages. As we reach the suburbs of Paris we look out for the distinctive landmarks of the Eiffel Tower and the Sacré Coeur standing out on the skyline. Reaching the suburb on St. Denis we reach the River Seine, and follow its northern esplanade in the shadow of the Bois du Boulogne until we reach the Pont d'Iena and finish beneath the lofty arches of the Eiffel Tower. Overnight in hotel. Celebration meal. (Breakfast, lunch & dinner included).
Cycle approximately 95km (60 miles)

Day 5: Paris - London

After breakfast you are free for the rest of the day to explore the city, going up the Eiffel Tower or visiting renowned attractions such as the Arc de Triomphe and Notre-Dame cathedral. You are responsible for getting yourself to the Gare du Nord on time for our evening Eurostar train back to St Pancras. (Breakfast included; riders buy their own lunch & dinner).

23.06.2008
More Cheques and cash
Thanks to Peter Barker, Rob Nicholls, My mum's neighbour Rosalea, and Eugene Perera for your cash and cheque contributions to the Kidney fund. A combined total of £80 means I am almost at my target.

10.06.2008
It's raining men.
Two weeks to go. Stinking cold since the last big ride.See the video here by clicking on the left, or you can see it on the youtube channel. Whatever, if you haven't sponsored me, do it please.

25.05.08
Accommodation sorted - Thanks
Accommodation is sorted. Many thanks to all those who offered their own or their friend's beds. Much appreciated, and thanks to Mike and Sally for putting me up on the 1st July.

19.04.2008
Time for another training ride. Same route, same time, same s*%t, only worse....Technical failures, that thus far have escaped me, came on strong. Thanks again for the extra sponsorship, again if you haven't why not...it'll take less time than it takes to watch this video blog...

You can watch by clicking on the left, but if you are playing catch up go here: http://uk.youtube.com/user/Simonsmith1967

13.04.2008
Thanks to those who have given me cheques...
Anne Barber, My Mum, Sandy, David Jarvis and John Riches - total £135

you will forever be old skool

10.04.2008
Training Begins with a London to Brighton
With less then 7 weeks to go until the BIG RIDE, I figured I ought to do some training.

I set off from BBC White City after work and headed South to Brighton, distance of some 60 miles. To see how I got on you can click on the video link on the left hand side of my  page here.

Or alternatively you can watch it here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CSa6iYe6Ovg

Thanks very very much to all of you who have sponsored me, now too many to mention personally. I have decided to pay for the trip costs myself, so every penny donated goes directly to Kidney research. Together you have donated nearly £1500 so you should be feeling very chuffed.  Four days after the training ride I, on the other hand, am still unable to feel my chuff.

If you haven't sponsored me yet, do a quick straw poll of your nearest and dearest, if there isn't someone within their kith and kin who hasn't had a kidney problem of some form or another I'll let you off...but I'll bet there is...

Sorry to be a pain in the a*£e...but I am only just beginning to understand the meaning of the term.

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Stop Press 26.03.08

Due to Work commitments I am gonna be doing the trip not in September but in July. That's right, July 2nd -6th. Which means I need to raise at least 1/2 the money end of April. Please Sponsor me now.

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Thank you for visiting my fundraising page. Please dig deep and sponsor me  because I am going to pull on my old smelly red cycling shorts (thanks for the reminder below Steve) and cycle to Paris in July.

I am raising money for Kidney research. An organisation that does research about , er, kidneys. Anyway, Kidney problems are nasty. A couple of stones have given me acute but thankfully short term agony, whilst those with more chronic problems will endure months or years hooked up to a dialysis machine. Not nice.

For those of you in need of a biology lesson:

Your kidneys are bean-shaped organs, each about the size of your fist. They are located near the middle of your back, just below the rib cage. The kidneys are sophisticated reprocessing machines. Every day, your kidneys process about 200 quarts of blood to sift out about 2 quarts of waste products and extra water. The waste and extra water become urine, which flows to your bladder through tubes called ureters. Your bladder stores urine until you pee.

Your body uses food for energy and self-repair. After your body has taken what it needs from the food, waste is sent to the blood. If your kidneys did not remove these wastes, the wastes would build up in the blood and damage your body.

Kidneys, like I say, not big, not clever and not very sexy. But where would we be without them? So I am going to cycle 80 miles a day for 4 consecutive days in celebration of the humble, bedeviled, kidney.

Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor me: Kidney Research UK will receive your money faster and, if you are a UK taxpayer, an extra 28% in tax will be added to your gift at no cost to you.

So please sponsor me now!

Many thanks for your support.