Saturday, June 23, 2007
Day 4 : J'arriver en Paris
Well, I made it... I'm here in Paris, standing under the Eiffel Tower in gloriously warn sunshine. There are thousands of tourists around and many of them are clapping and cheering us as we file under the great iron arches, eighty eight tired and weary cyclists.
As I wander around, stopping occasionally to pose for photographs for my fellow riders but also complete strangers who just happen to be there and want a memento for their holiday photo albums, the enormity of my efforts become apparent to me.
The last four days represent 300 miles of probably the hardest work I've ever had to do in my life. I'm not only referring to the physical strains, the pounding of the pedals to climb those steep and endless hills in the Kent Downs and the Abbeville region, but the emotional and mental strains we've all been under.
Almost without exception, every last one of my companions on the trip have been inspirational in keeping each other motivated. Especially Kevin, who after rooming together on the first night, became my riding buddy. We kept each other going, taking turns to set the pace and stopping to help each other when weary muscles protested too loudly, or the bike decided it needed some TLC...
There was a real mix of people of different ages, sexes, backgrounds, occupations and personalities. I've enjoyed getting to know most of them, hearing their stories about training and the charities they support, learning about their lives outside of cycling and being inspired to do more on the bike but also in life.
The first day in Kent was probably the hardest. I'd never done more than 50 miles in one go before, and I'd certainly never climbed hills like those before. Holloborne Hill will remain in my memories for years to come and will help be to be inspirational when faced with a seemingly insurmountable challenge. The second day from Calais to Abbeville was also tough. The hills were less steep, but much more frequent and longer. These were unexpected as I believed Northern France to be flat... Overcoming that shock and keeping the goal in mind got me to my destination.
Day Three was a revelation. The morning was hard because it was cold and wet. My energy levels were low because I'd decided to take less energy drink and more water and mentally I was at my lowest ebb. Kevin had a timely puncture, in the middle of a torrential downpour, by the side of a main, busy road. However, the respite from spinning the cranks against the undulating French countryside gave me a much needed boost as I cracked open an energy gel. A few miles later, we were at the lunch stop and after refuelling with risotto and chocolate cake, I climbed back on the bike and was like a man possessed. People wanted to know what "medication" I'd taken with my lunch and whether I'd visited the same pharmacist as the infamous cyclists Landis... I was flying. The next stage was completed with an average speed of 18.2 mph, which was remarkable. I'd found my rhythm and was 'in the zone'. The countryside was now similar to my training haunts of the Suffolk countryside. Gently undulating with plenty of flat runs, winding country lanes and gentle, short climbs. My iPod sang in my ears and hills were no match for the beat of Jamiroquai as my legs pumped in rhythm. The miles flew by and before I knew it I was at the hotel. The final day was a similar story, due to a misunderstanding Kevin though I'd left the hotel without him and so left without me as I had a sore leg massaged and fixed my broken bottle cage. I was determined to catch him again before the next water stop, about 25 miles away, mostly up hill. I set off like a hare being chased by six over-excited greyhounds coasting past fellow cyclists, climbing hills in a standing position, the bike rocking to and fro in rhythm to my music, rarely dropping below 10mph uphill and cruising down vales at 35mph. At one point I hit 38mph but resisted pushing to break the big four-zero in fear of burnout, as the hills were only gentle slopes and pedal power was still required to reach decent speeds.
I reached the end of the stage minutes behind Kevin and after we laughed at our mix-up, rested and ate bananas and cereal bars, I was back on the bike and flying again...
Someone commented that if I kept improving day after day as I had done over the last four days, that I'd be in the Tour de France next year... This felt good as, to be frank, I'd found the first day harder than I expected. I was disappointed with myself that I'd not trained hard enough. However, to be fair to myself, I could never have trained enough as we just don't have the hills in Suffolk. I'd pushed myself to my limits, and beyond, and it felt good that I'd improved day after day and that I'm now, probably, fitter and healthier than I've ever been.
I experienced a number of firsts whilst on this challenge. It's been the first time I've done more than fifty miles on one ride. The first time I've ridden large rides on consecutive days, the first time I've ridden on proper hills, the first time I've ridden in the rain and the definitely the first time I've ridden 300 miles...
The ride into Paris was 'exhilarating' and riding around the Arc de Triomphe was both exciting and terrifying. Cars were coming at us from all directions and their drivers seemed oblivious to me. I somehow managed to get myself to the front of the paleoton (big mistake) and so was trying to stop the traffic coming onto the roundabout but gave up and slammed on the brakes as they actually accelerate onto it.
When I turned right at the end of the Champs Ellysee and caught sight of the soaring, iron work tower, I knew I'd finally reached the end but my emotions were mixed. It was great to have achieved my goal, overcome physical and mental pain and to have achieved the most significant athletic challenge I've ever set myself. On the other hand, the trip was over. Part of me wanted to ride straight by the Eiffel Tower and carry on. "How far to Marseille?" I was wondering to myself..
But, I turned left across the traffic and arrived on the Place d'Eiffel, dismounted and lifted my bike toward the sunny heavens. We all hugged, shook hands and congratulated each other on our achievements. What a fantastic trip, I was extremely tired, my muscles ached and mentally I was drained.
But, call me insane if you like, I can't wait to get back on the bike. When I get back I will give it some TLC. A good clean, oil and polish and then back out into the Suffolk countryside... Problem is, a 'quick twenty mile ride' will be grossly unsatisfying now. Looks like my wife, Jo, will have to get used to me being out on the road for 3-4 hours every other day.. Another cycling widow on the register...
Here's to the next ride. My fellow riders and I are already talking about London to Amsterdam next summer, so David - get training mate. Seriously, now I know I can do something like this I seriously want to do more. Top-to-toe from Northern Italy to Sicily sounds appealing, or maybe even visiting my charity in Malawi, riding from the airport to the villages on a mountain bike...
We'll see. For now, it's time for a hot bath and maybe one or two cold beers....
Au Revoir...
Simon
x
Labels: africa, bike, challenge, charity, cycling, France, london, London to Paris, paris, ride
Sunday, April 01, 2007
Dunwich and Back to the Sound of Sweet Ant Music
Today I went out on my first 'social' ride, with a couple of mates. Jonny "ice to the eskimos" and Paul "tree surgeon" Bush... The latter is true, possibly the most aptly named tree surgeon in Britain... It was tough keeping up with these two seasoned cyclists, but I only fell behind on one occasion as I was surprised by a missed left turn and push up a hill on the A12 leaving Yoxford. I found myself in the wrong gear and wrong frame of mind and a gap formed. I caught up again on the reverse of the long climb, hitting 28.6 mph in my pursuit. We did just over 21 miles up through the gorgeous countryside around Westleton and up as far as Dunwich on the coast. Some fabulous houses, including a lovely converted barn up for sale, on the Westleton/Darsham road. Probably out of my budget, but worth a quick search on Rightmove....
Anyway, the main thing I wanted to tell you about this journey is the new attachment I have on the bike... It's called a Gomotron and I bought it off eBay from a site in Japan. I thought I'd get ripped off, but only 3 days after paying via Paypal, it arrived on my doorstep... It attaches using tie-wraps, to the left crank (the arm that the pedal is fastened to). It's a clear plastic tube with a bit in the end with some kind of patented chemical in it. You have to collect at least 30 ants from the garden and place them carefully in the tube. Once the pedals start turning, the ants go crazy and start to dart around in the tube, giving off a natural chemical unique to ants. This chemical reacts with the patented ingredients in the red plastic bit on the end of the Gomotron which causes a mini jet of air to shoot out of the end. This makes the cranks turn faster without needing increased pressure from you the cyclist.. At one point, when the ants appeared to be getting a little randy with eachother (it's ant mating season according to Wikipedia.com) they were generating so much of this chemical that I was able to navigate a reasonably steep climb (about 1:7) without pedalling at all (well not much anyway)... I can recommend Gomotron, and if you want one on your bike drop me an email and I'll send the URL for the eBay store...
Anyway, time to go. Just a quick note about my fundraising. An email sent around the office on Friday, resulted in 7 immediate donations and I'm now over the magic £1,000 mark. Thanks to those that donated, and thanks to all of you who have supported me in whatever way so far...
Happy April Fools Day....
Anyway, the main thing I wanted to tell you about this journey is the new attachment I have on the bike... It's called a Gomotron and I bought it off eBay from a site in Japan. I thought I'd get ripped off, but only 3 days after paying via Paypal, it arrived on my doorstep... It attaches using tie-wraps, to the left crank (the arm that the pedal is fastened to). It's a clear plastic tube with a bit in the end with some kind of patented chemical in it. You have to collect at least 30 ants from the garden and place them carefully in the tube. Once the pedals start turning, the ants go crazy and start to dart around in the tube, giving off a natural chemical unique to ants. This chemical reacts with the patented ingredients in the red plastic bit on the end of the Gomotron which causes a mini jet of air to shoot out of the end. This makes the cranks turn faster without needing increased pressure from you the cyclist.. At one point, when the ants appeared to be getting a little randy with eachother (it's ant mating season according to Wikipedia.com) they were generating so much of this chemical that I was able to navigate a reasonably steep climb (about 1:7) without pedalling at all (well not much anyway)... I can recommend Gomotron, and if you want one on your bike drop me an email and I'll send the URL for the eBay store...
Anyway, time to go. Just a quick note about my fundraising. An email sent around the office on Friday, resulted in 7 immediate donations and I'm now over the magic £1,000 mark. Thanks to those that donated, and thanks to all of you who have supported me in whatever way so far...
Happy April Fools Day....
Labels: ants, bike, cranks, cycling, Dunwich, eBay, Gomotron, london, love, paris, pedals, ride, Rightmove, suffolk, Westleton
Monday, February 26, 2007
Three Hundred Miles Is A Long Way
I've just achieved another milestone in my training schedule. A lull in the wet, cold, windy British weather allowed me to go out for a quick ride at lunchtime. Work is especially busy at the moment (when isn't it?) so I could only afford 45 minutes maximum. The quiet country roads I usually train on are part of a big traffic diversion of the main Saxmundham-Leiston road, so are quite busy and have been cut up by the big lorries now using them. Instead I headed South for a change and did a 11 mile circle taking in Snape (where the famous Maltings are) and Friston (where nothing really famous is, although my Suffolk Cycle Map says they have an unusual hexagon shape church).
Nearly lost the back end in a muddy puddle. It just slid and I thought I was a gonner for a split second, but the front tyre hit some dry ashphalt just in time and there was enough grip to allow me to get steady again. When I got home I was covered head to toe in muck from spray off the wheels, but it was good to get out again.
The milestone? According to the odometer I've now passed 300 miles on the new bike. Before you think, "hey that's impressive" that's actually the same distance that I'll be riding in the space of four days when I go to Paris. So it's taken me just over five months to finish the equivalent of my challenge... Luckily there's plenty of time to keep training.
Nearly lost the back end in a muddy puddle. It just slid and I thought I was a gonner for a split second, but the front tyre hit some dry ashphalt just in time and there was enough grip to allow me to get steady again. When I got home I was covered head to toe in muck from spray off the wheels, but it was good to get out again.
The milestone? According to the odometer I've now passed 300 miles on the new bike. Before you think, "hey that's impressive" that's actually the same distance that I'll be riding in the space of four days when I go to Paris. So it's taken me just over five months to finish the equivalent of my challenge... Luckily there's plenty of time to keep training.
Labels: bike, challenge, cycle, cycling, london, mud, paris, riding, suffolk
