We made it - the photos above accompany the story below. Thanks to everyone.

Day 1 - got to hotel at Bexley Heath, and looked at some very impressive bikes on display.... then we saw Neil's! We removed the mud guards and front basket, and reduced the weight to half a tonne, sampled a couple of lagers. Up at 6am, some watery looking porridge, and the first of the 287 bananas of the day. We were ready! Within 30 minutes of the ride commencing - the heavens opened and it chucked it down, fortunately the icey wind soon dried us off, prior to the first stop. The A-Team - (James, Mark and I) crossed the stage line first - we then waited 10 minutes for Neil to limp across the line on his tank. A full hour later - the stragglers arrived... that about set the scene for the remainder of the trip....Day 1 involved lots of unpleasant hills, which culiminated in a monstrous 1 mile hill before lunch, during which time James and I competed for the summit, whilst Mark rested his weary legs about a third of the way up. (James is a lot younger than I am, and has cycled on average 200 miles a week since January), so I was quite pleased to beat him to the top (he may have a different recollection though!). Lunch consisted of a million calories and a ton of carbohydrate, washed down by 15 bananas. The Roger's family arrived on mass, and eventually Neil mounted the hill to say hello, just before they sent out the search party. Chris provided us enough energy bars to get to Rome, so we were well stocked, and spirits remained high. A few more hills later, and a 3 flat tyres amongst us, we arrived in Dover - well in fact - Neil arrived in Dover! James had managed to slice through his chain, leaving us firmly at the back of the field. Neil's victory on the London to Dover leg was well deserved, as to get more than 500 yards on the bike he was riding was impressive.

The weather still blessed us with rain and gails, and the ferry was an hour late departing, once in France, we cycled a further 1km at midnight, in the rain to a coach, which then took 2 hours to get us to Dieppe! Neil eventually found the room at 2.30am, and we hit the sack - somewhat tired!

 

Day 2 - we were blessed by gail winds once again! First stop - bike shop - two new tyres for me, and a good service for Neil! The wind was behind us, the roads were great, and it took 20 minutes before we were passed by the first car - cylcing in Northern France is a pleasure. Day 2 was just 55 miles, compared to the 75 of the day before, so we had a leisurely race to lunch, which was set within a lovely little village. The food was excellent, and spirits were high. After lunch we rode hard into a strong wind, but fortunately James is quite large, so Mark and I tucked in, and were dragged along nicely. By now, James had stamped his authority by riding the stage after lunch at an average of 24 miles an hour, and whilst I tried to keep up, alas my heart started to give up at 180+ beats per minute for half an hour. The final leg of the day was billed as a rest leg - well until about a mile from the end it was... Mark had managed to eek out a 500 yard lead, and I was somewhat unhappy about the prospect of having Mark win the leg, we pulled him back in, and as we approached the summit of yet another hill, I saw the hotel - like a whippet out of the traps I lifted out of the saddle, powered down hard on the peddals, pulled hard on the handlebars, and flew through the air and landed on the road surface in spectacular fashion! Rather dazed, I was rescued by my pursuers, and nursed by a local french man, who seemed to take quite a lot of pleasure in dowsing me in Iodine. The Doctor ensued, and told me I had not broken anything, other than my helment, and pride. I was fit to carry on...sort of. Three large Stella's later I felt ok. James was on the Leffe, so after 4 beers, was finding the 68 year lady cyclist somewhat attractive - we went to bed!

 

Day 3 - The bike had been mended, and a quick pedal showed that I was fine. We set of, destination Paris! A long day, but a really enjoyable one, 75 miles, relatively hilly, but lovely countryside for the first half of the day. The ride into Paris took us through leafy suburbs and parks, before entering into a busy urban environment. The French had lined the street, and it looked like the Tour has arrived a week early! Well - ok - it was very quiet as is was a Sunday, and the French were all on holiday.... but as we arrived at the Tower - there were a lot of tourists, and the pack of 60 riders looked good as we rolled through the city centre. We had made it, and were greeted by a glass of bubbly. We stayed the night at the Ibis (don't rush), and had a celebratory meal out - but James was looking a little peaky, and my body had given up - leaving Neil and Mark to paint the town red - they were in bed by 12!

 

Day 4 - we awoke to stories of James being on the lav all night! Had a relaxing walk around Paris, and good lunch, before getting on the Eurostar home - which at 180 mph is an impressive service.

 

Match facts:

The 60 or so people managed to raise over £75,000 for their respective charities.

We cycled the 200 miles in 12 hours - at an avge speed of 17.2 mph.

We climbed the equivalent of 10,000 feet during the ride.

We ate at least 150 bananas between the 4 of us.

Neil was last, Mark was the eldest, and James was the quickest.

 

Thanks for all your donations, and if you read all the way to the bottom - well done!

 

Cheers

 

Hugh