thecyclingscouse

[thecyclingscouse]

Monsieur, we are here to save your capital city again. We have history of doing zis...

[thecyclingscouse]

[thecyclingscouse]

Back to work....

Bonjour mes amis. Alors Le Grand Tour est maintenant terminé!! There was one final ride on the beautiful red bike, as due to a variety of technical issues, it needed to be dropped off by a van at a service station at 10.00pm, which necessitated a further six mile ride in the dark! Another first for us both! You know what, it was a warm summer's night and we spent our final miles of the journey reflecting on a glorious five days. This was everything I had hoped it would be and a whole lot more. I feel fresh and alive as I write my final lines at 4.30am. Work beckons and life returns to its normality. However, what I took from the long days in the saddle, is that I am more than I thought I was. That is an amazing feeling. There is a ride planned to Rome in 2018. Will I enter? As the Italians would say.... Fare più recordi ......

[thecyclingscouse]

Monsieur, I ave no time for your sheety roundabout....

[thecyclingscouse]

Monsieur, you are going Zoe wrong way....

[thecyclingscouse]

[thecyclingscouse]

[thecyclingscouse]

Day four....

Somehow, the thought of cycling 65 miles today was really quite inspiring and even slightly exciting. I felt good from the start and suddenly hills became slopes to my strengthening legs. I don't remember the last time I have felt so fit and healthy. The psychology of the day should not be underestimated either. It's been a long slog through extreme heat, but with Paris on the horizon, there was a real positivity amongst the five of us. It turned out to be a glorious day. In the true spirit of celebrating the day, we stopped at several tiny bars in tiny French villages and did wonders for Anglo French relations. As I have stated previously, there is a myth that the French can cook (this became apparent again in the evening!!). There is also a myth that they are unfriendly. They are not. We were embraced. Literally and physically. Beers were bought for us, water bottles filled, photographs taken, farewell embraces given, cries of "allez allez" and a smattering of Gallic shrugs! We laughed a lot on Friday. An awful lot. Saturday was one of the funniest days and nights of my life. At one point I had tears running down my eyes and my ribs physically ached. Not because of the 480 foot climb I was ploughing through, but because of the hilarious banter between us. The miles raced by, and as we spotted the Eiffel Tower in the distance there was a knowing look of satisfaction between us all. The ride into Paris was chaotic and re-enforced my belief that it is possibly the most overrated city in the world. We did win a European Cup there in 1981 though! Allez les rouges!! The final couple of miles along the Seine, past the Notre Dame and along the Champs Elysees was incredibly poignant for me. I quietly slipped to the very back of the 35 strong group and soaked up the moment. I reflected on all that has happened and so many important things that matter to me. I played 'Time to Say Goodbye' on my iPod. At my request, this has become the song of the ride. I don't know of a more beautiful song that literally makes your hairs stand on end. Then, with 500 yards to go, at the urging of the other four, I suddenly turned into Bradley Wiggins and burst past the entire group to the finish line! I lay my bike against a tree. I took my helmet and gloves off and tears rolled. This was my moment. Alone under a tree for 30 seconds until I was embraced by four guys who have been an absolute pleasure to be with. This was my redemption moment. The late afternoon and the rest of the Parisian night was a blur of drinking, singing, some more tears and more laughter than I thought I could handle. I never thought I could do this. 12 months ago I was being fed through a tube in my stomach and was going through a physical and emotional war that I couldn't see an end to. I now have clarity. This was far more important than I realised. I said I wanted 'to make memories'. Did I achieve that? Oh yeah!!!!

[thecyclingscouse]

Day three. The day we got lost....

As Bonnie Tyler famously sang.."I was lost in France...". At 3.00pm this afternoon, so were we! The orange arrows planning our route had been switched around, probably by some enterprising young French scallies. Nothing I wouldn't have done myself! However, when it takes you 12 miles out of your way and increases your distance from 86 miles to 98 miles on a baking hot day, and also includes a two mile hill, it isn't so amusing! However, we shrugged (a Gallic shrug, obviously) and made the most of it. Things to note from today: We visited the 'Missing of the Somme' memorial. If that doesn't put perspective on life and bring a tear to your eye, you are an emotional imbecile. 72,000 young men died in a futile battle. It was extremely hot. Again. It was extremely hilly. Again. We discovered there are actually two Ibis Hotels in Compagnène. How do we know that? Because we went to the wrong one! This added another 3.5 miles to our distance. This part of Northern France has stunning scenery. The French don't know how to cook. It is a myth that they do! I won our 'Pop Quiz' on 'name that tune and artist' from Darren's iPhone whilst we were riding along. Corn flies get everywhere and they stick to sun cream!! We laughed today. A lot. An awful lot. So, a well earned sleep awaits. More import than anything, Paris awaits! Only 65 miles to go. An absolute walk in the park!! Bring it on mes amis.......

[thecyclingscouse]

[thecyclingscouse]

[thecyclingscouse]

Day two....

Oh dear God!!!!! What on earth have I let myself in for!? Another 82 miles done. We were told yesterday was the hardest day. They lied!! Northern France is full of hills. Big hills. Long hills. Tortuous hills. Northern France also appears to have (as Crowded House once said) four seasons in one day! We have had wind, thunder and lightening, torrential rain, hailstones and 35 degree temperatures!! However, what doesn't kill you makes you stronger, and although I am currently shattered and aching all over, there is a job to be done and it will be done! Things to tell you about: There are horseflies the size of horses. They bite. Ask my legs and ankles! There are snakes!! Yes. Snakes!! I am puzzled were all the people who live in the numerous villages in Northern France buy their groceries from, their petrol from and what they do!! It is like going back in time. We saw and stopped to pay our respects, a World War 1 British Cemetery. It made me emotional. Very emotional. I swallowed at least three flies. Tipping water over your head is an amazing feeling when you are cycling 82 miles in searing heat. The French like cheese. The French like ham. The Tabac I went into didn't know what water was. Even when I called it l'eau!! The red bike took it all on her stride. She is a legend. I am now showered, fed and watered and need to sleep. I need to get my mind right for tomorrow. Most of this is now a test of resolve and determination. I won't be found wanting for either....

[thecyclingscouse]

[thecyclingscouse]

[thecyclingscouse]

Day one over....

As I lie in my baking hot Calais hotel room (what is it with hotels without air conditioning??) and reflect on day one, there is one overwhelming feeling that springs to mind. That feeling is one of pain! Riding 86 miles in 30 degree temperatures and doing some serious climbs up hills, some of which had a 1:6 gradient and one which had a climb of 560 feet, was tougher than I could possibly imagine. I have never been so happy to see the absolute dump that calls itself Dover!!! What a shit hole!! So, I guess training in one of the flattest counties in the UK, didn't quite prepare me fully for what was coming my way. Some people will say it's character building. I have a saying that goes "no pain..no pain!!" I am sure you all are windshield the red bike is? Well she handled herself superbly. She enjoyed her trip across the Channel and appeared to make friends with a whole variety of other bikes. She is the prettiest by far though!! One fly in the ointment was that I fell off the red bike. There were s few cuts and scrapes, but I think my pride was hurt more as an awful lot of people saw it. They laughed. The red bike blushed! Day one over and day two starts at 7.30am French time. I need to remember that the garlic eaters drive on the right. Should I wear a stripy t-shirt and a string of onions around my neck? Pause for groans regarding racial stereotypes! I think I may sleep tonight. Wether or not I will be able to drag my arse out of bed at 6.00am remains to be seen. Am I proud of myself? Damn right I am!! Roll on day two....

[thecyclingscouse]

I can't sleep...

So, with only 8 hours until departure I can't sleep!! Is it because I am nervous? No. Is it because I am excited? No. Though I am actually a little nervous and a bit excited. The reason I can't sleep is because I am in a hotel room that is hotter than my balls will be after 8 hours in the saddle tomorrow!! To add insult to injury, I am overlooking the main road and have to have the window open so I don't suffocate!! Therefore, I have the delightful sounds of night time London blaring through my open window!! The red bike on the other hand, is in an air conditioned room at the rear of the hotel!! Well, this is it. No backing out now, it's time to dredge up all the bad memories of last year to remind myself how far I have come and why I am doing this. As I write these final few words, I am actually feeling quite emotional and also remembering my lovely mum. Who would've thought purchasing a red bike would conjure up such feelings. It's time to make some memories.....