Day 3 - Steep to Rottingdean

We awoke this morning with rain lashing the hotel window. The tail of hurricane Katia hit the UK overnight and over breakfast I was shaking with nerves about the day ahead.

Once we got going it wasn't so bad. The rain stopped about 5 miles into the ride and the trees blocked most of the wind as we climbed the South Downs. Brian was the only one to cycle all the way to the top!

Mike handing Brian celebratory Maltesers for climbing the hill without getting off his bike!

All of us at the top of the South Downs

By midday we arrived at Littlehampton - 3 days of battling strong headwinds finally over!

Fabulous fish and chips at Fred's in Littlehampton

Littlehampton marina

Cycling along the coast was fabulous (at first), we hardly had to pedal! However the final few miles to the hotel were scary - the wind blew us uphill as we climbed the cliff and still we needed to put on brakes to stop gaining too much speed.



Mike planned a bit of an obstacle course along the coast.

Cycling on the beach!

Carrying the bikes over a concrete wall

Cycing on the boardwalk in Brighton

 Stormy seas on the south coast

Day 2 - Wallingford to Steep

The day kicked off well - we were sore from yesterday but in great spirits. The sun shone and the wind was less than expected, even if it was still against our faces. But by afternoon we were exhausted and the wind had picked up. The hedges along the road protected us, but a break in the hedge meant the winds would side swipe the bikes and we had to hold on tight!

58 miles in total today! And the last 15 miles were up and down hills. I understand why they call this village Steep! We are on the edge of the South Downs (or South Ups as Steve calls them) so it means more hills tomorrow. Argh...

Even the bikes are feeling the pain.

Brian wears a helmet for the first time!

Morning stretches

Liz attempts to kick leg out from beneath him!

Hugh and I

Mike's maps attached the handle bars. So far he's been a brilliant navigator!

I find a farm with my name on it!

Fun in the pub at the end of the day

Day 1 - Oxhill to Wallingford

We kicked off the Big Journey at 7 a.m.! Derek (our support driver) came to see us off and take a pic of us. So first we took a pic of Derek.

10 miles into our ride Liz got a flat tyre. It took 4 men 1 hour to fix it! And they used 2 inner tubes (after puncturing the first one). This gave me ample time to have a late breakfast - if there had been a soft surface I think I would have had a nap.

We started at 7 a .m in order to get to Woodstock in time to see England play in the Rugby World Cup, but by 10 a.m. (Rugby kicked off at 9:30) we were nowhere near an open pub. Luckily we soon found a pub and caught the last half hour. The best half hour it seems, because England came from behind and won!! (I found a soft surface in the pub and lay down :)

The rest of the day was a mixture of strong (but warm) winds blowing against us and occasional heavy bursts of rain. But the ride was wonderful!! Mike has chosen a varied route of road and off-road - always interesting.

We finished our 55 mile ride in the late afternoon and stopped at The Springs Golf Course and Hotel - a bit of luxury really. It was once a house owned by Ian Gillian (from the band Deep Purple) and there is a guitar shaped pool. Weird but wonderful.

We finished our day with a few friends - Baz, Lucy and Freddy - who joined us for dinner. All in all a brilliant day. And my legs don't feel too sore!

moi!

Evening on the Thames in Wallingford

Storms Forecast!

Standing in line today at M&S, Mike and I read a newspaper headline: '65 mph storms coming!'. Oh no, we start cycling in 3 days! I guess it's best not to think about it too much.

We did our last bit of training. No more cycling till we leave!

Quiz Night at the Peacock

It was a great night out at the Peacock, and the quiz raised £50 for Chernobyl's Children! Robin was brilliant as quiz master, even though his questions were madly difficult. Thank you Pam & Yvonne and all the generous players!

Planning the south coast route

On Wednesday Mike and I went to Littlehampton to figure out the south coast part of the Oxhill to Paris cycle route. It was a glorious summer day. We cycled 20 miles from Littlehampton towards Brighton with the sun on our face and the winds at our back, only to return with a strong headwind against our burnt faces .

I clipped a metal post and went flying over the handle bars landing head first into the grass (thank God it wasn't concrete). I got a bit bruised and broke a brake. Luckily a bicycle shop wasn't too far away.

Cycling Oxhill video

Holding a camera while cycling - a bit tricky but fun. I would love to have a helmet camera, but my little digital camera will do for now.

Sorry to say that Graham will not be joining us on the cycle trip, he's too popular, everybody wants a piece! I understand - we miss his 'go forth and conquer' spirit already. Great good luck with the Stratford Rowing Club Graham!!

Good news is that we have Derek confirmed as our support driver!! I am so pleased and relieved. Thank you Derek!

Cycling to Oxford

On Sunday we cycled to Oxford! We followed the route Mike planned for our first day to Paris. Great route! Very picturesque on mostly quiet roads (with a few off road moments). There were a few steep climbs which kept us warm. By 1 pm we were at the Turf pub in Oxford drinking a pint.

An off road moment

Cycling along the Oxford canal

Much needed break

Locking up at the Turf

Our train ride home Oxford to Banbury was more complicated than we expected. It turns out bikes are not so welcome on trains. The Cross Country trains only allow 3 bikes at a time (for all the passengers), and only allow you to reserve 2 places. We were 5 cyclists so it meant we had to reserve for 3 trains which come at 30 minute intervals! Crazy! 

However, Lady Fortune was on our side. The next train came (in which only 2 or 3 of us were meant to take) and the platform conductor was nowhere to be found, so all 5 of us snuck our bikes onto the train. Brilliant! 

Chernobyl's Children Charity

We are now cycling for a charity! The village has long supported Anne and Angela's Chernobyl's Children Oxfordshire and South Warwickshire charity. For years children from Chernobyl's contaminated area have had the chance to get away for 4 weeks every summer. Their risk for getting cancer is crazy - 3000% increase for thyroid cancer. For the children, a summer away when the dust and contamination is at its worst makes a big difference to their health - and happiness, for which kid doesn't appreciate a summer holiday!

We hope that anyone following our progress on this blog will generously support the kids! I'll create a donate button on the blog very soon, so if you're here now and there is no donate button - come back soon!!

Chernobyl's Children Coffee Morning in Anne's garden in August.

Stratford Route

This was hands down my favourite training route last year - 37 miles to Stratford and back. With a tea and cake stop. The tea and cake won me, still does. As an added plus, the route has few hills, none really hard. On a sunny Sunday morning the ride is a treat. Last Sunday it was sunny :)

By the Avon

It was our first long distance ride this year, even though we cut out 5 miles on a shorter route home. It was exhillerating. We're pushing ourselves once again. Liz and I both feel the training is not as hard as it was last year - our first cycle trip. I'm getting fit in spite of my bad habits. Five weeks left to go!!

On a side note: Mike and I are trialling (driving/cycling) the UK side of the route to make sure it's a good ride. So far, I've cycled a bit of Didcot and Reading - both weird and wonderful in their way.

A route through Reading.

Catch up

Mike has handed over the blog for this year's ride to me, Vanessa: his wife, fellow cyclist and enthusiastic picture taker. I hope to do him proud!

The training schedule is taking hold. We go out Sunday mornings and so far the weather has been kind.

 Sunday morning good humour.

Graham finally joined us which meant the Alpine Route! - a 20 mile collection of the highest hills in the area. He's a bit of a masochistic our Graham. The Team rides again.

Kicking off the Alpine Route

Occasional traffic jam.

Otherwise great roads.

Love ya.

Dreams

Dreams do come true! We are getting our acts together with roughly the same 'peleton' as last year.

Sunny start

Great cycling!

Outside The Peacock pub for another training day, not so sunny.

Things to do: find a route from Oxhill to Paris; book b&b's; book a ferry; get a support driver and get fit!