London to Paris 2010

Day 1 - London to Portsmouth

2010-09-10T14:46:00.000-07:00

Things got off to a rather bad start yesterday morning when no sooner than the boys where up and getting their bike ready, than I was doing my best to sabotage proceedings by slicing the end of my finger off. while I was seeking medical attention the team cycled from the hotel to the London Underwriting Centre for the official start. Everyone got away (if a little late given the complications) at 8:30am, and started the ride to Portsmouth.

The guys made good progress through London but the pace slowed down somewhat when they hit the climbs of the South Downs. The route turned out to be tougher than expected and they finally reached whiteley around 8:15pm. A quick freshen up and it was time to board the ferry for Caen. Leaving at 22:45pm, arriving at 6:45am, the early start should allow ample time to get to Rouen - 200 miles down - by the end of the day!

Route - Day 3

2010-09-07T02:34:00.000-07:00

Day 3 begins with the team leaving Rouen, progressing through rural France taking a different route to Paris from the Seine but meeting with it a various points. At mile 73 the cyclist will make their first of several crossings of the river. Entering Paris from the North West they will cycle through the Bois De Boulogne before commencing a tour of the city and finishing in front of the Eiffel Tower.

Route - Day 2

2010-08-27T02:10:00.000-07:00

Day 2 Begins at the Ouistreham ferry port. The riders will cross the Caen Canal at Pegasus Bridge, the site a a famous battle between the 6th Airborne Division and German forces, which paved the way for the troops landing on the D-Day beaches. The cyclists may well stop for some breakfast at Cafe Gondree, the first building liberated by the invasion.

After crossing the bridge the riders will head north east, along the coast until they reach Honfleur, a picturesque town at the mouth of the river Seine. The rest of the days ride will be spent following the route of the river to Rouen. Another day, and another 100+ miles completed.

Full Route

Fund Raising

2010-08-26T03:09:00.000-07:00

Thinks are going incredibly well on the fund raising front. The Virgin Giving site has just hit the £10,000 mark, and with a excellent £7,000 also pledged offline that takes our total to £17,000. Just £8,000 short of the target!

Route - Day 1

2010-08-04T08:22:00.000-07:00

Day 1 will begin nice and early at the London Underwriting Centre in the City. The team will immediately cross London Bridge and then begin to make their way through the city traffic, staying close to the river until they turn south at Wandsworth Bridge. Next through Wimbledon and Kingston then under the M25 at Ockham Common.

Nicer country lanes now, passing to the east and south of Guildford. Through Godalming, and a collection of picturesque Surrey villages.

Approaching Portsmouth the team will go through Waterlooville pass under the M27 for a lap of the Island before heading west for the 8 mile stretch to Whiteley office. By the end of the first day they will have clocked up 105 miles

Full route details