London to Paris Day 4

Compiégne to Paris

Stats 

Total miles. 62

1852ft Climbing

Avg Speed 11.7

Max 30mph

Another sunny and pleasant day dawned  and although several of the group were a little worse for a heavy night we all made breakfast and headed off into another head wind. 

The scenery was very pleasant early on with tree lined roads and magnificent chateaus dotted along the route. 

The first drinks stop was very early and we seemed to be at lunch without too much effort but we knew the second half would be a slow process as we rode further into the city. 

After about 30 miles we hit suburbia and the roads became congested and full of traffic lights etc slowing our progress.  I actually quite like city riding so just got stuck in and knocked the miles off until we arrived at our holding point at one of Paris's public parks. We were held here for about an hour so that we could all go into the centre in one big group.  The weather was really warm so it was a good chance to have a sit down and an ice cream before we rode the final miles. 

Once all together we took a slow ride around the Arc. de Triumph down the Champs Élysées  and onto the finish near the Eifle Tower. Although the traffic was really bad it was a great way to finish the day. Many of the riders had friends and family to meet them and we did all the photo stuff before heading off across town again to the hotel, a torturous ride through rush hour traffic. 

The evening meal was a happy affair and because it was an end of section they threw in a bottle or two of wine which went down well. 

So Part 1 is done. Now we move onto Part 2 which takes me to Geneva. I will lose Chris my roomie whose company I have enjoyed both on and off the bike as he is off home. 

Onwards and Upwards!!

London to Paris Day 3

I

Day 3

Arras to Compiégne. 

Stats

Total miles. 82

Climbing. 2415ft

Avg 13.5 mph

Max speed 38mph

Today has been another lovely day.  Unfortunately a strongish headwind has dogged us all day and made what would have been a relatively easy day much harder. 

The morning started with a weather warning. As we left Arras we were told we were heading into a huge thunderstorm some 10 miles south of us. We all made sure we had our waterproofs with us but luckily despite coming across soaking roads we never actually got wet.  We all dumped our extra clothing at the first water stop and the rest of the day has been in short sleeve order. 

About 20 miles South of Arras we came across our first of many First World War Cemeteries. 

All of them are immaculately kept and very thought provoking. Our first water stop was at the Somme Memorial, which is truly stunning. 

From that point on we cycled along the Somme Valley through some very small villages and then across a huge agricultural area which was a bit like cycling across the Fens, very exposed. 

Late in the day we called in for a quick beer in a village Tabac followed a few km's later by a very nice strawberry tart from the local bakery. 

Tomorrow we arrive in Paris and with the weather forcasted to be sunny and 27deg it should be a fun ride in. 

Onwards and upwards !!

London to Paris Day 2

Day 2 Stats

Total miles 79

Climbing 2452ft

Ang speed 14mph

Top speed 3mph

Today has been great. The weather gods have been good to us and the sun has shone all day. 

We set off at 8am into what sadly was another headwind, as it appears to have changed direction overnight and is blowing from the South. 

The first 7 or 8 miles were along a canal so very flat with lots of wildlife on view. 

After the easy start it started to get a bit lumpy and for the next 30 miles or so until lunch we were rolling up and down across beautiful countryside. 

After a quick coffe break there were a couple of cheeky little Cat 5 climbs but although longer they weren't as steep as yesterday. 

Lunch was good with salads, pate and breads. 

After lunch I declared summer by getting the Canning skin out on display,  a rare thing indeed.  

Almost immediately after lunch we had another Cat 5 climb of about 7% for about 2 miles which I just ground my way up and then the rest of the day was fairly flat but more often than not into a stiff breeze which made it harder than it needed to be. 

We rolled into Arras for tonight's stop at about 4pm and the plan is to pop out for a quick shandy or two before dinner at 8pm. 

Tomorrow the weather could be thundery in the morning but should brighten after lunch. It a flatter day and we've got some sightseeing to do through the WW1 and 2 battlefields. 

Onwards and upwards!

London to Paris Day 1

Today's Stats :  83 miles

Approx 1772m climbing

Avg speed 14 mph

Fastest 40.7mph

After a very early rise, quick breakfast and a briefing we set off, all 76 of us in one group into the London commuter traffic. As you can imagine we were quite popular but in all honesty we soon strung out and most of the city stuff was in single file. The first 20 or so miles was very much stop and start with loads of traffic lights and roundabouts to deal with. 

Almost the second we crossed the M25 at Dartford all the cars seemed to disappear and for the rest of the day we cycled along quiet country roads through some beautiful villages and small towns. 

Drink were at 20 miles and then lunch after 40. Then the work started. 

The second half was a little testing with a succession of sharp climbs not helped by  what seemed to be a continuous head wind. 

I've teamed up with a farmer from Wolverhampton as he seems to ride at about my pace and we've taken it steady all day really as we both know this is a marathon not a sprint. 

The group is mixed and almost 50/50 male/female. I'd say I'm about in the middle in terms of speed. 

After about 7 hours we arrived in Dover at about 3pm well ahead of schedule. Because we were so early we were able to catch an earlier ferry getting us to France at least and hour and a half earlier than planned

Dinner tonight was fish and chips on the ferry, which was a little choppy but not too bad. Once off the ferry we went in a slow convoy to the hotel which were about 5 miles away checked in and then headed for the bar. 

Overall a good start to the trip, tomorrow is flatter and we go through the Somme so I'm looking forward to that. 

Onwards and Upwards!!

Geneva to Nice Day 4

Digne les Bains to Nice

Stats

Total miles 90

Avg 15.2

Climbing 3336m

Max 39mph

What a glorious way to finish the trip, probably the best days cycling I've ever experienced as it had everything I want in a ride. 

The day started a little earlier than normal as we tried to beat the heat of the day. It went pretty much straight up from the hotel for a couple of Kms and then after a slight decline we hit the first of four long climbs of the morning. Number 1 lasted about 2 miles with an average of 9%, certainly enough to warm you up. It was a beautiful climb through the forests and with switchback bends and huge scenery. 

We paused  briefly at the top to refil water bottles and then headed down the first descent of the day. Long sweeping bends and switchbacks warmed the brakes up. 

At the bottom we more or less went straight into our second climb, a slightly shorter but steeper climb of about a mile followed by another beautiful descent.

The word exilerating doesn't do it justice as we shot down a single track road with 180 deg bends and "infinity roads" that as you approach just appear to disappear into thin air. The descent lasted about 3 miles and was a bit scary at times, I certainly warmed the brakes on a number of occasions and it wasn't for the faint hearted that's for sure.  

17 miles in we stopped for water etc again and then set off heading for a coffee stop in Castellane before we tackled the last two Cols of the trip. 

The first seemed to go on forever but it was along the side of a gorge so the scenery was stunning. 

There was a brief steep descent then the climb up to the final summit of the trip which was a shorter but steeper finish to the day. 

The final climb didn't disappoint with the scenery or the difficulty as it just seemed to go forever as we climbed at various inclines for several miles and by now the heat had really been turned up and there was a warm wind gusting about.

Once at the top we had a sweeping descent into lunch. 

The afternoon was in complete contrast to the morning. Flat or downhill and super fast.  So fast in fact that I didn't take any photos until I got to Nice. 

I set off after lunch with one of the DA crew, Ian, and we found ourselves tagged onto the back of a pace line of faster guys. We screamed along a rolling but more or less constantly descending road at speeds up to 30 mph on the flat for about 10 miles then Ian and I got blown off the back on an incline.  We continued on our own and still managed to pootle along in the mid twenties. 

We then came to a massive descent along the valley side. We flashed along the side of a gorge whilst zig zagging through tunnels and sharp bends, most with massive roadside drops. It reminded me of the scene from The Italian Job when the bus gets stuck and was just fantastic fun, if a tad scary at times. After a water break we headed off to complete the last 25 miles into Nice. 

I thought this might be a gentle roll into town but how wrong I was. The faster guys took the lead and we plummeted about 2000ft in 20 miles along winding country roads and through gorges, across bridges at warp factor speeds. I had to use all my concentration to hang on at the back as we snaked along.  I know one of the guys was filming most of today so I'm hoping to get access to that.

After about 15 miles we shot through a series of granite tunnels and as we emerged we had conquered the Alps and were met with a sudden rise in temperature. It was like riding into a hair drier. We eased off gently as the traffic began to increase on the outskirts of Nice and then all of a sudden popped out at the beach and we had made it. 

I think today I got as close as I ever will to experiencing a peloton racing to a sprint finish along winding roads. It was absolutely terrifying but exilerating at the same time. I never thought I could go so fast for so long. A great finish to a great trip. 

After the obligatory photos we headed for a cafe and ice cream and waited for the rest of the group. 

Once all together we cycled as a group into the official finish line on the beach front then headed for the hotel where it was somewhat manic as everyone was packing bikes into boxes ready for flights etc and then getting ready for dinner. 

Dinner was a pleasant affair and we said our goodbyes then headed for bed. 

It's been a challenging but hugely enjoyable trip. The bike hasn't missed a beat and has finished in good order but is in need of a good clean. The weather has been fantastic and even I have a tan!

I would heartily recommend people to do it. The crew have been great, the food and hotels good and the route is exceptional. Now all I have to do it get home without Easy Jet losing or breaking my bike!!

Onwards and Homewards!!