Having made the commitment and with sponsorship rolling in (we shall let you know exactly how much Jacqui did raise for The Terrence Higgins Trust at the end of the journey) the day was about to dawn on the "Do it! - for Charity" London to Paris Cycle Ride.
Super-fit cyclist Jacqui Moore will guide us along the route. We hope you enjoy the journey.
Over to Jacqui:
On the Tuesday night, 10th May 2011 I stayed in Crystal Palace at The Lodge and found that my room was on the eigth floor. I met two fellow cyclists and we became friends over a steak and chips supper. I didn't get much sleep that night, and I don't think anyone else did either. A very loud, clunky lift clattered from floor to floor all night long. Doors slammed well into the small hours, then, the alarm went off at 5.00 a.m.! What an awful place.
Wednesday, 11th May had dawned a grey, murky morning. We ate scrambled eggs and bacon, plus Coco Pops to set us up for the first leg of the journey. The itinerary said "the challenge begins bright and early" - not kidding. Our briefing was at 6.00 a.m. and we had to have luggage and bikes labelled in time for a 6.45 a.m. departure. Our journey began and we set off from Crystal Palace taking the road between Bromley and Croydon.
On the Tuesday night, 10th May 2011 I stayed in Crystal Palace at The Lodge and found that my room was on the eigth floor. I met two fellow cyclists and we became friends over a steak and chips supper. I didn't get much sleep that night, and I don't think anyone else did either. A very loud, clunky lift clattered from floor to floor all night long. Doors slammed well into the small hours, then, the alarm went off at 5.00 a.m.! What an awful place.
Wednesday, 11th May had dawned a grey, murky morning. We ate scrambled eggs and bacon, plus Coco Pops to set us up for the first leg of the journey. The itinerary said "the challenge begins bright and early" - not kidding. Our briefing was at 6.00 a.m. and we had to have luggage and bikes labelled in time for a 6.45 a.m. departure. Our journey began and we set off from Crystal Palace taking the road between Bromley and Croydon.
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| Here we go, here we go, here we go ........ |
Very steep hill - no problem.
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| Can you spot the orange arrow? |
We rode on, following the orange arrows which guided us.
Then, we began to realise that we hadn't seen any orange arrows for a while and we knew we were lost.
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| An then the sun came out |
We were over the M25 and in the vicinity of Otford when I spotted it - the guiding orange arrow. I turned to my fellow bikers and pointed to it. Unfortunately, as I wasn't looking where I was going; I hit the kerb and 'came a cropper'. I landed heavily and painfully on my knee - not the best start to a 300 mile journey.
I had a torn ligament and developed effusion (fluid on the knee). After some patching-up I carried on to the first water and snack stop at Seal. Had a banana and struggled on through some beautiful countryside. At Bethersden, near Ashford in Kent, we had a lunch stop which was a cold buffet. I tried to continue as I wanted to keep moving, but my knee had siezed up and was incredibly painful. After such an awkward fall my left ankle and elbow, plus my right hip were hurting (and so was my pride). I was feeling absolutely deflated. Then I met Colette.
The Kent countryside is beautiful, but hilly and I had to push the bike uphill as it was far too painful to cycle.
We needed to be at Dover Docks by 4.15 p.m. at the very latest. I managed to get there at 3.40 p.m. having cycled 87 miles in 7 hours and 55 minutes. Then the flippin' ferry was late. It was cold, damp and windy and I had to stand for an hour - waiting.
The crossing took 90 minutes. I was exhausted - we did have fish and chips on board though, so it wasn't all bad.
On arrival in France I was unable to cyle to the Hotel Kyriad in Coquelles, about 5 miles south of Calais and was gutted that I had to finish the day in the mini-bus.
The Hotel was basic, but really comfy. I was longing for a hot bath and a good-night's sleep. But it just wasn't my day - the hot water ran out so my bath was, how shall I put it - tepid!
I would like to say I slept like a baby, but my body felt one-hundred, I just hope tomorrow isn't as painful as today has been. Night night.
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Thank you for reading.
What a nasty injury. She is a hero. She wants to keep this photograph to remind her and to show other's how one can still carry on despite the pain. That's what hero's do don't they? Best wishes.
ReplyDeleteSincerely Syd Spence