Day 7: Sat Sept 7

Calais to Amiens.

Distance: 155 km

Time: 6 hrs 24 mins

Speed: 24.3 km/ hr

Distance so far: 1005 km.

AHR: 113 b/ min

Feet climbed today: 3679 ft.

Weather: had rained during the night. Overcast and dull all morning; warm and sunny after 2 pm but some light misty rain for the last 30 km. Wind of no significance.

In spite of the noisy street below right into the early hours most got some sleep and rested. A generous continental breakfast was available before loading bags into the van.

Derek outlined the route for today and where stops would be made. After leaving at 8 am I t took a while to exit Calais with its one-way system. After 6 km we had left the town and were out on country roads. Initially we traversed the D943 and D916 and had these road to ourselves. Even small towns were still in slumber as we passed along....at least not a sign of a sinner anywhere.

The Donban gear was worn yesterday and again tomorrow so today was a ’non-uniform day’. That gear was washed last night and is ready for the entrance into Paris.

There are 11 cyclists and 1 in the support van. Let meet them:

Brian: “Didn’t think 12 guys and 12 bikes could be so much fun.”

Shane: “My first group cycle and have loved every minute”

Pat: “For me a sedate drive through France and saw butterflies racing”.

Sean: “Truly happy and unforgettable experience while cycling for charity.”

Richard: “No hills in France?.....Don’t believe them”

Mike: “Somebody said it would be great craic...and it was.”

Derek: “What a challenge! Never be afraid to give it a try.”

Damian: “Now I know what it feels like to be ....special"

Dhru: I now realise what’s achievable when you put your mind to it.”

Dick: “Great positive dynamic from this like-minded group.”

Rick: “Three strong cycling days.

Guy: “We made such an impression on those people in Canterbury.”

Shortly after St Omer we had our first break on the car park of a shopping centre in Frevent. That was after a detour through the town where all was being set up for a town-fete. The difficulty of navigating the van through the narrow streets addled Pat and had its effect on him later in the day.

The first half of the day was through agricultural territory and sometimes along some typical French roads through a vista of trees.

Lunchtime was at St Pol sur Ternoise in a bistro and plenty was taken on to fuel the rest of the day.

Regarding hills, today was easier than yesterday. During the early part they were gradual, but longer and steeper in the latter part. On one such long climb Pat started to talk a lot about the habits and flight patterns of butterflies. Once he consumed plenty of water he reverted to his usual self!!

Later in the day more activity in fields etc appeared. Only one town showed any signs of the expected Saturday shopping-day.

At one stage flashing blue lights appeared from behind. The local gendarmerie asked us to stop but not in a cross way. They merely asked us to be more considerate towards motorists behind and to pull off periodically to let them pass.

Spirits were high in the group all day and all coped well with the distance and with the terrain; granted some stronger than others on hills especially.

About 10 km before Amiens, we veered off to the right and entered town by a quieter road. T’was a relief as truck traffic was increasing on the N25.

Our hotel, Mercure Cathedral, was easily located and smartly bikes and bags were deposited in a safe room. Across the street we had a few well-deserved French beers as we unwound. It was a pleasant evening to be sitting outside and watching the crowds moving to the Cathedral.

By 8 pm all were showered and changed and ready for dinner. We located the Belagio nearby but had a very very long wait for our orders to arrive.

Many hours rest will be needed tonight for tomorrow's final stretch. We hope to arrive on Paris in mid afternoon.

Thank God for the health and for the energy.