Today was going to be a stop start affair, to make sure that everyone rode up the Champs Elysees together. The previous night, Mark, Rob, Mike and myself were asked whether we wanted to wait back at the hotel when everyone set off. We would have to be up for breakfast at the same time and would be without our bags, so we decided to set off at the normal time. So up we got at 6:30am for breakfast and a 7:30am depart. Spirits were high amongst the group with just a short hop of 65 miles to Paris ahead. Some members of the group decided to join us at the front and experience the joy of speed on a road bike. We rolled out from the hotel and soon found ourselves on quiet track roads in the Compiegne forest. Rich and I decided to chain gang the flat long forest roads and moved along at a fair old lick as we took turns on the front. A sharp climb out of the Forest and some sweeping descents and we soon arrived at the first water stop, just 16 miles in.
Hannah and Alan had set up at the foot of the Abbey at Crepy-en-Valoise. Spirits had remained high and fellow riders who had joined us were loving the speed at which we were travelling, particularly as Mike, after taking some photos had headed a fast train to the water stop.
Energy gels and bananas consumed and bidons topped up we set about on the 22 miles to the lunch stop at Survillier. We rode past some stunning scenery including a field of giant sunflowers and up a few rolling hills. Rich and I found ourselves up front again and were on the hunt for a Tabac when we came across a Patisserie. Unclipping I went in and spied some eclairs, picking a coffee one and a can of coke. For just 2 euros the eclair was an absolute treat. Other members of the group started to roll up and we directed them towards the cake goodness. The patisserie did a cracking trade. Now quite a large group we remounted and headed south to Survillier and lunch.
Rosemary and Harvey had set up lunch in a nice shaded spot close to a local sports pavilion. Lunch was yet again a treat. After devouring some French cheese and baguette, Rosemary dished up a divine spaghetti carbonara, perfect cycle touring food. On the way to Survillier Mike and Mark had called in at a Carrefour supermarche to try and find something to create some Bradley's for us to sport. What they found was some iron on clothes patch up material. Cut to shape and with gaffer tape attached we now had ready made stick on sideburns in honour of Wiggo.
It was just a short 12 mile ride to Sarcelles and our final water stop. Ray attached to Rich and my wheels and we sped towards the outskirts of Paris. We lost Mike and Mark to the call of a McFlurry and we beat Hannah and Alan to the waterstop, luckily spotting the signs. We must have been waiting here for a good hour til everyone arrived. Martin gave us a final briefing and then as a group of 9 (safety in numbers), we headed towards Paris and the Louvre.This section really was a stop start affair. Every few 100 metres were were held up by traffic lights that just didn't allow us to flow. At one set of lights, Mike and Mark went either side of a moped in a mock up drag race. The look on the moped rider's face was a picture when Mike pulled up at the side of him at the next set of lights. Negotiating the cars, buses and vans we arrived at the arches heralding the entrance to the Louvre and the Tuileries.
The wait at the Louvre wasn't as long as expected and everyone was reunited after just a half an hour wait. Mike, Mark and I negotiated to ride up Rue de Rivoli, past Place de la Concorde and to the bottom of the Champs Elysees rather than a walk across the Tuilerie Gardens like the rest of the group. With the whole group reconvened we slowly moved up the Champs Elysees supported by front and rear vehicles. We negotiated the Arc de Triomphe with relative ease, as cars gave way for us and we turned off towards the Trocadero and the Eiffel Tower
That was it, 311 miles cycled and we had reached our goal, the Trocadero and the Eiffel Tower. Claire and Luke were there to great me and as Luke came to give me a big hug I was close to a tear or two. Champagne corks popped, it was time for the obligitory photos in front of the Eiffel Tower.
After a few sips of champagne and numerous photos taken, we clipped in and headed to the Ibis Tour Eiffel. Claire and Luke had gone ahead and Luke high fived everyone as they cycled past. Ariving at the hotel we were met by Leon and Justin who collected our bikes ready for their transport home. It was now time to get cleaned up, relax and enjoy the celebratory meal with my family and friends new and old.
Total Statistics: 311.3 miles in 19hrs16mins32secs, 12,910ft of elevation, 16.2mph average.
During the celebratory meal, I was awarded 'Rear of the Year' for the following slogan on the seat of my shorts:
