<p>Hi there,</p> <p>I did it!!</p> <p>After lots of spinning classes and a&nbsp;tough 30mile bike&nbsp;ride home&nbsp;from work, through hilly Surrey a week before, I thought I was ready for my 300 mile challenge!&nbsp;Day 1, Wednesday 20th July we completed the first "gentle" 67mile leg from &nbsp;London to Calais. I was very glad when we finally drove onto that ferry at Dover.</p> <p>Day 2 was the toughest day as there were lots of mountains to climb, but the legs felt strong and although the thought of walking crossed my mind a few times, I stayed in the saddle and completed 78 miles with&nbsp;a well deserved glass of French wine.</p> <p>Half way through the ride, so 73 miles today&nbsp;(day 3) did not seem such a long ride. It did start to feel like the padding in my cycling shorts was no longer in existence and the rain did not help. But the awesome group of fellow riders kept us going and if a 76 year old lady can do it... so can I!!</p> <p>Day 4.. so excited! Lots of rain again in the morning, but blazing sunshine once we got into Paris. Dried out our wet gear at a nice local Parisian cafe and joint the group for our ride up the Champs&nbsp;Elysees and our victory lap around the Arc de Triomphe. There was a lot of shoulder slapping and holding our bikes above our heads once we hit the Eifel Tower and Christian Aid even cracked open the champagne.</p> <p>It was a great ride and met a lot of crazy and great people and managed to raise money for a great cause at the same time.</p> <p>Not quite&nbsp;raised the amount of money&nbsp;yet I targeted myself with, so if you thought "I wait and see if she can make it", then here is the proof and please help me reach my &pound;1,100 goal to beat poverty in the world!!</p> <p>Thanks a million!!!</p> <p>Sonja</p>