Made it to Paris a bicycllette
- Thread starter Jacqui
- Start date
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Steve H
Large Member
- Location
- Brighouse in West Yorkshire
Nice one Jacqui!
Congratulations.
Congratulations.
mcshroom
Bionic Subsonic
- Location
- Egremont, Cumbria
Well done!
Steve H
Large Member
- Location
- Brighouse in West Yorkshire
Come on then - tell us about the journey and how it was....
snorri
Legendary Member
- Location
- East coast, up a bit.
Thanks
Having not cycled since I was a kid and never having been in a gym in my life even the idea of cyling from London to Paris seemed somewhat crazy and the prospect that I might even make it almost impossible to comprehend.
Day One London to Dover 83.12 miles ( 3 in Calais) Av speed 10.4 ( not sure if the computer thing adds in the stops?) Max speed 33
We set of from Lonodn early Wednesday morning heading south from Blackheath just as the morning traffic was beginning to build up . This was a challenge for me as I had not done much riding on busy roads and hardly any roundabouts . In addition I don't drive so had to concentrate on where to position my self at junctions etc. After about 15 miles we changes from A roads to b roads and cycled through Kent . It soon became clear that Kent is not flat but it is incredibly pretty. Oasthouses ,thatched cottages and orchards weighted down with apples. I had little time to stop to admire the views as we had to be in Dover to catch a ferry. It was an organised trip so drink stops morning and afternoon weree set up as well as a lunch stop half way .
The afternoon was probably the hardest part of the ride as just after the drink stop we were presented with two very steep hills in a row. I managed to get about two thirds of the way up on both of them but pushed the last section. This was the only time I pushed and from Calais to Paris I cycled all the way on several occasions passing some very fancy bikes being pushed. I arrived at Dover towards the end of the group and we all made the ferry on time. It was dark when we arrived in Calais and one of the memorable moments was looking back at we left the ferry terminal to see a convey of bikes with their lights on . Magical. We arrived at the hotel and after a couple of glasses of wine went to bed ready for an early start the next day .
Day Two Calais to Arras. 80 miles Average speed 10 top speed 33 miles
This was probably the hardest day . I had not cycled two long distances back to back and while the hills were not as steep as the ones in Kent there were some long inclines combined with strong sunshine and a head wind for most of the day . We passed through what seemed to be deserted villiages and headed south towards Arras . It was also the most painful day as I had developed a very sore hip which the doctor thought was down to overuse but to quit was never an option so my lunch was supplemented with ibuprofen . I did not see much of Arras as arrived towards the end ofthe group but was pleased to make the half way point as this was a psychological and well as physical achievment .
Day Three Arras to Compeigne 78.8 miles Averrage speed 10.9 Max 36
This was a fantastic day . Leaving Arras in the early morning mist ( wish I had arm sox ) we headed to towards the Somme and soon began to pass some of the may World War One Grave sites that are scattered around the area . It is humbling to see these and also good to stop off and have time to refelct both on the sacrifices these young made and also on my own reasons for doing the ride. The route was far more gentle with some fabulous sweeping downhills . I finally undertood how a smooth cadence makes a difference and really felt like a cyclist . We wer rewarded with a fabulous view ofthe Somme river and the valley below and had chance to say bonjour to the locals as we continued towars the next stop. I did not see much of Compeigne as the hotel was on an out of twon indutrial centre it was also the worse dinner if the trip , some kind of white fish with a sauce the same colour as my high viz jacket .
Day four 58.9 mile . Av speed 10.4 max speed 30 ( lots of stopping and starting through the suburbs )
With the end in sight the aches and pains evaporated . By about miday we had reached the suburbs of Paris and I still cannot believe I cycled through the busy streets the the rendevous point at parc Monceau as we were riding in convey to the Eiffel tower. Navigation was sraightfoward as a crew put out dayglow orange arrows but it still involed alot of stopping and starting and dodging in and out of busy traffic . Arriving at the parc the first two words I heard were toilet and icream both of which were very welcome . Everyone then left in convey with bells rining as we made our way to the infamous Arc de Triomph roundabout which was travcersed safely but I am not entirely sure how . Then down the Champs de l'elysee to the Eiffel tower . I had a fantastic recption from my Parisienne friends who had made banners and arrived with champagne in real glasses. I was also lucky to meet a photographer who does a photo blog about Paris . He took some phots and did a short interview which you can see at parisdailyphoto.com if you are interested.
As well as a physical journey I have also ( to use a chiched phrase ) made an emotional journey as I was raising money for the Huntington's Disease Association. A genetic disease that killed my mother , uncle , grandfather , and is now affecting my brother ( I also have a 50% risk ) . I have never talked about it even with some of my closest friends so by doing the bike ride I have not only raised money but also awareness among friends and strangers .
Everyone has asked me if I will continue cycling after the ride and I think the answer is yes . Iwill never be the fastest and never win any prizes but have met some wonderful people and achieved something that when I first told people, very few of the them thought I would make it . I think I even have the confidence to come on one of the informal rides you arrange on here from time to time .
Jacqui
Having not cycled since I was a kid and never having been in a gym in my life even the idea of cyling from London to Paris seemed somewhat crazy and the prospect that I might even make it almost impossible to comprehend.
Day One London to Dover 83.12 miles ( 3 in Calais) Av speed 10.4 ( not sure if the computer thing adds in the stops?) Max speed 33
We set of from Lonodn early Wednesday morning heading south from Blackheath just as the morning traffic was beginning to build up . This was a challenge for me as I had not done much riding on busy roads and hardly any roundabouts . In addition I don't drive so had to concentrate on where to position my self at junctions etc. After about 15 miles we changes from A roads to b roads and cycled through Kent . It soon became clear that Kent is not flat but it is incredibly pretty. Oasthouses ,thatched cottages and orchards weighted down with apples. I had little time to stop to admire the views as we had to be in Dover to catch a ferry. It was an organised trip so drink stops morning and afternoon weree set up as well as a lunch stop half way .
The afternoon was probably the hardest part of the ride as just after the drink stop we were presented with two very steep hills in a row. I managed to get about two thirds of the way up on both of them but pushed the last section. This was the only time I pushed and from Calais to Paris I cycled all the way on several occasions passing some very fancy bikes being pushed. I arrived at Dover towards the end of the group and we all made the ferry on time. It was dark when we arrived in Calais and one of the memorable moments was looking back at we left the ferry terminal to see a convey of bikes with their lights on . Magical. We arrived at the hotel and after a couple of glasses of wine went to bed ready for an early start the next day .
Day Two Calais to Arras. 80 miles Average speed 10 top speed 33 miles
This was probably the hardest day . I had not cycled two long distances back to back and while the hills were not as steep as the ones in Kent there were some long inclines combined with strong sunshine and a head wind for most of the day . We passed through what seemed to be deserted villiages and headed south towards Arras . It was also the most painful day as I had developed a very sore hip which the doctor thought was down to overuse but to quit was never an option so my lunch was supplemented with ibuprofen . I did not see much of Arras as arrived towards the end ofthe group but was pleased to make the half way point as this was a psychological and well as physical achievment .
Day Three Arras to Compeigne 78.8 miles Averrage speed 10.9 Max 36
This was a fantastic day . Leaving Arras in the early morning mist ( wish I had arm sox ) we headed to towards the Somme and soon began to pass some of the may World War One Grave sites that are scattered around the area . It is humbling to see these and also good to stop off and have time to refelct both on the sacrifices these young made and also on my own reasons for doing the ride. The route was far more gentle with some fabulous sweeping downhills . I finally undertood how a smooth cadence makes a difference and really felt like a cyclist . We wer rewarded with a fabulous view ofthe Somme river and the valley below and had chance to say bonjour to the locals as we continued towars the next stop. I did not see much of Compeigne as the hotel was on an out of twon indutrial centre it was also the worse dinner if the trip , some kind of white fish with a sauce the same colour as my high viz jacket .
Day four 58.9 mile . Av speed 10.4 max speed 30 ( lots of stopping and starting through the suburbs )
With the end in sight the aches and pains evaporated . By about miday we had reached the suburbs of Paris and I still cannot believe I cycled through the busy streets the the rendevous point at parc Monceau as we were riding in convey to the Eiffel tower. Navigation was sraightfoward as a crew put out dayglow orange arrows but it still involed alot of stopping and starting and dodging in and out of busy traffic . Arriving at the parc the first two words I heard were toilet and icream both of which were very welcome . Everyone then left in convey with bells rining as we made our way to the infamous Arc de Triomph roundabout which was travcersed safely but I am not entirely sure how . Then down the Champs de l'elysee to the Eiffel tower . I had a fantastic recption from my Parisienne friends who had made banners and arrived with champagne in real glasses. I was also lucky to meet a photographer who does a photo blog about Paris . He took some phots and did a short interview which you can see at parisdailyphoto.com if you are interested.
As well as a physical journey I have also ( to use a chiched phrase ) made an emotional journey as I was raising money for the Huntington's Disease Association. A genetic disease that killed my mother , uncle , grandfather , and is now affecting my brother ( I also have a 50% risk ) . I have never talked about it even with some of my closest friends so by doing the bike ride I have not only raised money but also awareness among friends and strangers .
Everyone has asked me if I will continue cycling after the ride and I think the answer is yes . Iwill never be the fastest and never win any prizes but have met some wonderful people and achieved something that when I first told people, very few of the them thought I would make it . I think I even have the confidence to come on one of the informal rides you arrange on here from time to time .
Jacqui
Attachments
NormanD
Lunatic Asylum Escapee
- Location
- Heworth the other side of life!
Well done
PpPete
Legendary Member
- Location
- Chandler's Ford
Chapeau !
Aperitif
Meme bar
- Location
- ...I don't have much idea - really.
Yep. Well done Jacqui - next stop - a 'FNRttC'! 
KennyGray
New Member
- Location
- Carluke, South Lanarkshire.
Brilliant well done 
soulful dog
Veteran
- Location
- Glasgow
Great post Jacqui, and to think I worry about climbing the wee hills local to me on my 15-20 mile rides! Well done on completing the ride, and on raising so much money.
StuAff
Silencing his legs regularly
- Location
- Portsmouth
Congratulations- I did the Royal British Legion ride to Paris this weekend, quite a different route, but similar, very rolling terrain, so a real challenge for many, and plenty of exercise even for more seasoned riders (I did walk up one climb, before realising I still had two lower gears I could have used
).