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.

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.

Day 6. Thursday Sept 4.

Wandsworth to Trinity Square.

Distance: 12 km

Time: 30 mins.

Speed: 24 km/ hr.

Distance so far: 727 km.

AVR: 105 b/ min.

Weather: Warm and sunny all day. No rain. Slight east wind but of no significance.

Today was a short day so no need for an early start. Really enjoyed that extra hour os so in bed. Breakfast was relaxing with two tasty boiled eggs.

I then had alook at my pedals that had been giving me a bit of grief over the last few days....the cleat wouldn’t engage. In spite of spending much time trying to rectify matters, I finally found the offending part which involved a spring being dislodged. The only solution was new pedals. That wouldn’t be a problem; I had procured the same within 10 mins. Where else, but on High St, Wandsworth.

It took no time to fit the pedals (and new cleats) and shortly after noon I bade farewell to Irene and Justin's place.

I was leaving on the south bank of the Thames and my destination was downstream on the other (north side) down at Tower Bridge.

This was just a 12 km spin and most of it was serviced by those blue cycling lanes. At this time of the day I had it all to myself, but at morning rush-hour I believe those same cycle lanes are manic. I had a clear passage with not a bip from a motorist (or a wrong turn).

I passed by Battersea Power Station which is being gutted and refurbished.

It was at Vauxhall Bridge that I crossed the Thames and turned right and cycled right into Parliament Square. 

I tarried here for a while (Big Ben was striking one o’clock). naturally plenty of tourists about.

Then off I go down the Embankment with London’s Eye across the water. Along here I met a S Walsh and Son truck coming the other way. I wasn’t fast enough to whip out the camera but I gave the driver a great hearty wave. He looked  amazed but I hope he reports it back to Head Office.

Shortly after 1pm I pulled up to Trinity Square and was signed onto site by Charles. I had really enjoyed the spin down through London.

A quick change (no shower) and three of us had a bite of lunch with the thousands from the financial district in nearby pub.

Trinity Square was the former headquarters of the Port of London Authority (PLA). One of the first meetings of the UN took place here. With the movement of the docks out to Tilbury from Canary Wharf this building became vacant and is now being redeveloped as a hotel and apartments.

I spent the afternoon on a guided tour of the complete complex with Charles, Richard and Matt. They explained the input of O Dwyer Steel into the construction. Some construction!

Up on top the roof is beginning to take shape and from there we had a bird’s eye view of the centre of London. just beneath us was the Tower of London and Tower Bridge. Behind us soared those new skyscrapers known as the Gherkin, the Shard, the Cheese Grater and the Walkie-talkie.

As we walked about I was flabbergasted by the immensity of the project and the task facing a Project Management team. And in the middle of it all Dundrum was proudly holding the whole structure up in position. I felt proud of it and the input of the lads, naturally.

I also met up with some of the lads going on the London to Paris cycle. Collected the special top and other paperwork. We’ll all (13) meet up at 7.15 in the morning for the off. I don’t know what the nature of that send-off will be. I’m looking forward to it and thrilled that Richard is part of the team.

Tonight I’m in a hotel right beside Tower Bridge....if I could open the window I could touch it. Just before dinner it lifted to let a tall-ship pass upstream. Nothing but tourists about at this hour.

Thank God for a lovely day.