We did it!!
Setting off from Renault UK, Maple Cross at 9am last Friday seems like an eternity ago! We had a good run down to Newhaven, across the downs and through some beautiful country roads – 86 miles done!
Saturday was a different story. After two hours sleep on a very rocky crossing, we left a wet and windy Dieppe at 4.45am. The rain persisted until mid afternoon, by which time most of us had been through so many changes of clothes the choice was between damp and damp! Saturday was our day of punctures too, seven in total, the first two before the sun came up! We finished 12 hours after we started in Marines – 30 miles from Paris.
Sunday was cold! It was 4°C when we left Marines. The puncture fairy visited again, twice, as we coasted down picturesque country roads before hitting the outskirts of Paris. There was one hairy moment on a slip road where it looked like we were about to join the A14, but our journey into Paris was remarkably enjoyable. By this time we had become used to the rain! We had time for a quick photo at the Arc de Triomfe before the final mile down to the Eiffel Tower.
It was really surreal to stand under the Eiffel Tower! We couldn’t have done it without Steve H and Ben, who provided amazing support!
