I was definitely feeling my muscles a bit at the start of day 3. We didn't have to leave until 8.15 so had plenty of time for breakfast before setting off in somewhat chilly conditions. The first 20 or so miles before the snack stop were beautiful but full of yet more challenging climbs, and we were certainly ready for our first break. A banana and a drink was enough to fuel us up for the next stage, which had a few more 'undulations' and then some windy open fields, but also some very pretty (but practically deserted) villages.
Lunch was at a gorgeous village by a church, and soon we were off again for the last 25 miles. The afternoon was less picturesque, with a lot of riding on busier roads, and we were pleased to hit the outskirts of Beauvais at 60 miles. We were slightly less pleased 7 miles later, still cycling and not yet at our night stop, but eventually it appeared and we were set for a restful evening.
Next stop; Paris!!!!!
My incredible sister Jenny donated a kidney to a stranger a few weeks ago, and her generosity has inspired me to join her on a fundraising marathon bike ride. I haven't been on a bike for several years, but have set myself the challenge of riding from London to Paris in September 2011. Follow my blog to encourage me in my training! Please visit my fundraising page to read more about why I am doing this, and to help us to change lives. http://www.justgiving.com/WendyPowell
Friday, 16 September 2011
Thursday, 15 September 2011
Day 2 - arrived in Abbeville
Today was a slightly later start (9am), but the first 25 miles was very challenging, with some huge climbs on tired legs. However after the first water stop the terrain got easier and the main problem was dragging Jenny out of the little cafes.
Lunch stop at 50 miles was by a pretty pond but lots of mosquitos.
After that the last 20 miles didn't feel too bad, and we arrived in Abbeville with time to spare before dinner.
Wednesday, 14 September 2011
london to Calais - 97 miles!
So here I am in a motel just outside Calais with day 1 complete!
After a restless night with very little sleep we were up at 5am this morning to shovel down a big bowl of porridge before heading to Crystal Palace for 6am registration.
Nerves kicked in when we arrived to see over 100 keen cyclists gathering, but once we'd registered and dropped our luggage to the support vehicle we were keen to get started as we were very cold.
While waiting for the briefing we spotted a couple of cyclists communicating in sign language, so we introduced ourselves and they seemed very happy to have two more signers to chat to!
After a short briefing we set off just before 7, and though the first few miles through London were slow the roads were were were fairly flat. 10 miles in we hit our first huge hill, but we sailed up it no problem. After that we cycled well to the first water stop at about 30 miles, and after a short stop we had a great ride to the lunch stop at 58 miles with just a few demanding hills. We were amazed to be among the first cyclists to arrive!
A long lunch of bread cold meat salad and chatting and starting off again was tough. The last 30 miles to Dover had some horrific hills, but it felt fantastic arriving in Dover with nearly 2 hours to spare before the ferry.
The last few miles through Calais were done in a leisurely convoy; and after 97 miles we can say we have successfully cycled to France. Today, 75 miles to Abbeville.........
After a restless night with very little sleep we were up at 5am this morning to shovel down a big bowl of porridge before heading to Crystal Palace for 6am registration.
Nerves kicked in when we arrived to see over 100 keen cyclists gathering, but once we'd registered and dropped our luggage to the support vehicle we were keen to get started as we were very cold.
While waiting for the briefing we spotted a couple of cyclists communicating in sign language, so we introduced ourselves and they seemed very happy to have two more signers to chat to!
After a short briefing we set off just before 7, and though the first few miles through London were slow the roads were were were fairly flat. 10 miles in we hit our first huge hill, but we sailed up it no problem. After that we cycled well to the first water stop at about 30 miles, and after a short stop we had a great ride to the lunch stop at 58 miles with just a few demanding hills. We were amazed to be among the first cyclists to arrive!
A long lunch of bread cold meat salad and chatting and starting off again was tough. The last 30 miles to Dover had some horrific hills, but it felt fantastic arriving in Dover with nearly 2 hours to spare before the ferry.
The last few miles through Calais were done in a leisurely convoy; and after 97 miles we can say we have successfully cycled to France. Today, 75 miles to Abbeville.........
Tuesday, 13 September 2011
Finished training and ready to go!
Well this is it. We are on our way to London ready for a 6am start tomorrow.
We followed last weeks 90 miles with a trip out to the Purbeck hills the next day. We joined the lovely friendly and very fit Wessex CTC and they took us on a beautiful but very strenuous 70 miles up and down the Purbeck hills. It was a very tougjh day but a good way to finish the training.
All that was left to do was packing and eating..... Next update will be from France!
We followed last weeks 90 miles with a trip out to the Purbeck hills the next day. We joined the lovely friendly and very fit Wessex CTC and they took us on a beautiful but very strenuous 70 miles up and down the Purbeck hills. It was a very tougjh day but a good way to finish the training.
All that was left to do was packing and eating..... Next update will be from France!
Wednesday, 7 September 2011
... and another 90 miles
We had a slightly quieter week, and then headed bravely back to the New Forest for another 90 mile ride. I spent the previous 24 hours with a horrendous sore throat and then stayed up half the night coughing, so I was really not in the mood for an early morning start on the bike.
Nevertheless, the training schedule called, and off I went to meet Jenny at our 15 miles midway point.
The weather was clear for the first 30 or 40 miles, but the wind was very strong which made for very tough cycling, especially up the hills. By the time we had stopped to repair a puncture for a stranded cyclist, we were taking far longer than we had planned. However, some roaming pigs cheered us up....
A few miles more and the rain started, making us pretty wet and cold for a bit, and after climbing yet another steep hill the sign at the top seemed a bit redundant.....
But in spite of the cold, the wind, the rain, the random cows in the middle of the road, we persevered and made it to the end of the 90 mile trip. Just one more 65 mile trip to do tomorrow, and we are officially ready for the London to Paris trip.......
Nevertheless, the training schedule called, and off I went to meet Jenny at our 15 miles midway point.
The weather was clear for the first 30 or 40 miles, but the wind was very strong which made for very tough cycling, especially up the hills. By the time we had stopped to repair a puncture for a stranded cyclist, we were taking far longer than we had planned. However, some roaming pigs cheered us up....
A few miles more and the rain started, making us pretty wet and cold for a bit, and after climbing yet another steep hill the sign at the top seemed a bit redundant.....
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