Friday, Sept 5.

London to Dover.

Distance: 123 km

Time: 5 hrs 20 mins

Speed: 23 km/ hr

Distance so far: 850 km

AHR: 

Feet climbed today: 3860 ft.

Weather: Hazy at first and overcast all day. Slight air movement from behind. Dry.

We were up at 6.15 with breakfast in the room and walked the short distance to Trinity Square where bags were being loaded onto the Support Wagon piloted by Pat.

After a short briefing on today's route in the boardroom we gathered in front of the building to receive a special blessing from the local priest who wished us Bon voyage and a safe arrival in Paris.

By 7.50, all eleven cyclists moved off in the morning traffic and crossed Tower Bridge during the first Km. The next time we pass under and arch will be the Arc de Triomphe in Paris.

For 30 km we passed through the streets of south-east London and out through Greenwich and Woolwich on cycle tracks and against the flow of the morning rush hour.

In Gravesend, a local authority figure invited us to proceed through the central pedestrianised precinct. This a circuit in Gravesend but I’m sure that our presence raised awareness of our cause and a bit of publicity from our Donban sponsored tops.

Our first stop was at Rochester (after another bit of an unintentional detour compliments of a dodgy Garmin) where coffees and energy drinks were taken on with sandwiches from the van.

There had been quite a number of long climbs today but the group always regrouped at the top backed up by the support van with flashing beacon.

Once out of the heavily built-up areas we moved along at a steady 30 km/ hr and it paid dividends to draft in behind another rider. It just made the task much easier.

Lunch at 2 pm was to be in Canterbury. For this we pulled off the busy A2 and parked up in a spot near an Old Folks Community Centre. We were invited in for coffee and cakes and Brian explained the cycle and the cause to those present at the time.

Today passed without incident, no personal injuries and only a chain coming off (mine), a loose cleat and one bike reluctant to visit the upper and lower sections of the cassette. Let’s hope the following days will also be incident free.

Back on the busy A2 and we only had another 25 km or so to our destination. All riders rode along strongly and scaled some testing hills and climbs as they presented themselves. 

The distance to Dover kept dropping on the signposts and in no time we had it down to single figures. Just a mile or so before Dover we descended rapidly along a curving hill leading onto that iconic flyover down to the ferry port. It was relatively quiet and with a dry surface we tipped 60 km/hr in spots. It was a satisfying way to finish a day’s cycle and it blanked out all those hills and climbs we’d experienced.

Just short of the terminal we reassembled, had a group photo, changed and loaded the bikes into the van for the crossing.

As with the best professional cycling outfits we were transferred on the team coach directly to the ferry and set sail at 5.25.

It’s just a one hour ferry crossing to Calais and we relaxed in a corner of the lounge reminiscing on how the day had panned out and enjoyed a few well-deserved drinks.

In Calais we overnight end in the Ibis Hotel and refreshed with a quick hot shower before a beautiful nutritious dinner in a nearby restaurant.

All watches are put forward 1 hour and an early night will prepare us for an even longer day tomorrow, cycling on the right-hand side.

Thank God for the health and for the energy.