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Welcome friends, family and supporters! It is official, I am of to Paris on my push bike. This is not a desperate bid to get to the fashion capital on a budget, I have discovered there is so much more to life than Chanel and Louis Vuitton.

On 1 September 2010 I am cycling London to Paris to raise vital funds and awareness for WaterAid.

1 in 8 of the world’s population do not have access to safe water and 2.6 billion (not a typo, that is with a b) do not have access to adequate sanitation. One child every 20 seconds dies due to diarrhoea caused by unclean and poor sanitation. I hope you are shocked at these appalling statistics and dig deep to support me on my cycle to Paris for a great charity that really does make a difference.



Day Two: Calais to Arras

2 September 2010
Calais to Arras

60 miles (plus 24 in mini bus)

Another early morning at a time alien to me. My mood soon perked up when I arrived to breakfast, croissant and more croissants for me, I do love a good continental breakfast! The size of the group staying in the same hotel was quite small too so the atmosphere was chilled. I was looking forward to the cycle ahead!

Cycling out of Calais was beautiful. It was a chilly morning filled with mist, thermals were a must. Our route was along a canal and on narrow country tracks through small pretty French villages. There were more hills, yuk and my bottom was getting a little sore because my seat post had been put on backwards and had started to rub...nasty. It had been put on backwards purposefully might I add so I was nearer the handlebars (I was cycling my Dads bike which was far too big don't forget). A huge relentless hill came into view and I could see a group a people at the top making me think it was the water stop. This kept me going, albeit slowly, up the hill. I was a bit disappointed when I reached the top to find everyone was just stopping to take a breather...no water or snacks in sight. Sarah and I peddled on after a short stop ourselves and at the same time misleading the others behind us. Thankfully the water stop was just around the corner. I had chance to get my seat adjusted and fuel up...and take a picture!


It felt like I was sat on a thrown after the seat adjustment, no more chaffing! We where whizzing, the sun was  shinning and we were looking forward to the cycle ahead. Until...we stopped sharply at a "T" junction to take a right. I didn't have time to click my gears down so when I set off it was quite tuff going and I felt something in my knee just give. I have never felt pain like it! I stopped for a little while to see if I could walk if off, hoping the problem would magically solve itself. There was about 25 miles to lunch and I really wasn't looking forward to the journey ahead now. 

One word can describe the next leg of the journey....slow. I still refused to get off up the hills, that's not my style.  About 5 miles from lunch I could feel electric pains shoot through my leg. Distracted by the quite French villages and meandering roads I pushed on. I've never felt so relieved then I did when I reached the little village green where lunch was being served. By this point most people were finishing off and preparing for the penultimate stage of the day. 
After painfully getting off my bike the first thing I did was go and find the doctor. He sat me down on the grass and examined my leg. After a few tests and realising myself how much pain I was in I knew there wasn't going to be a happy ending to the day. This was confirmed when the doctor advised I sat out the rest of the days journey. I was heartbroken. After a little cry and a phone call to my Dad I realised my choice was simple, I carried on and risked not being able to walk by the end of the day, effectively ending my challenge altogether, or sit the next twenty odd miles out (and sit in the mini bus) and prey to the sky that after a rest my knee will have eased up by tomorrow.

 
The thought of not being able to cycle into Paris was too much so I decided to climb into the mini bus. By this time most of the others had set off to Arras and I wouldn't be surprised if some has already made it there already. The next 25 miles went slower than I could have imagined and I beat myself up every second of the way for having to be sat in a bus. When we arrived in Arras I became even more disappointed by the fact I didn't have time to explore the historic town, it was beautiful.  I did manage to hobble down for some dinner which wasn't very appetising but I'm glad I stuck around for dessert, profiteroles. I swiftly took a plate full to my room where I gobbled them and packed my knee with ice.



For more details of the route cycled on day two please click the link below. The data was provided by fellow cyclist Jon O'Brien. Please note the cycling times and speeds are not my own but the information will give a rough indication on the route,distance an elevation cycled by the group. 



1 comment:

  1. Unknown22 November 2010 at 08:38

    A wise decision Missy. Your knee must have been really painful. You seem to be eating a lot, if you don't mind my mentioning it..... comfort food????

    ReplyDelete

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