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The local press were waiting for us as we got off the boat yesterday afternoon. 187 riders, all wearing identical shirts, riding in convoy makes quite a sight!

We rode together the 14miles back to Hayling with horns of passing cars blaring, people coming out to cheer us and the police blocking the roads for us.

The whole ride has been excellent. I've enjoyed the physical challenge (290miles in total) and the team spirit from Team SIM (the Vodafone team of 17) and all of the riders. I've learned a lot about cycling and made some new friends, On top of that the organisation has been superb.

The real icing on the cake though is that I have broken the £1,000 target that I had set myself to raise money for the school! The web page will remain open until the end of term and then I'll send out an update with what we have raised.

Thank you all for all your support!

Ouistreham

Late start this morning as it is only 10miles to the ferry port. A thunderstorm woke me at seven o'clock and I feared the worst... However it has been a beautiful morning, sunny, warm and not too windy.

We rode back along the canal from Caen. This isn't the sort of canal we are used to at home, it is 200m wide with container ships going up it. A quick stop for coffee at the Pegasus Bridge again (where I saw a French chap riding a penny-farthing) and then on to the ferry port.

Brittany Ferries have been excellent. They fast-tracked us through onto the boat and had a reserved area with champagne waiting for us; very civilised!

Caen II

Wow! What a wonderful evening! Dinner inside Caen castle was pretty special but then we got to watch the most spectacular firework display going on over the city which must have lasted at least 30mins. I hadn't realised quite how spectacular the "Le Quotorze" celebrations would be or how great a party the Calvados Tourist Board would lay on for us!

Short ride to the ferry tomorrow. Good job given how sore various bits of me are feeling.


Home tomorrow...

Caen

What a lovely end to the day! A ride along the canal into Caen; nice and flat, no tree roots and not too much wind.


Sat at a café in the centre of Caen enjoying some completely unexpected sunshine. Only 22miles tomorrow!

Pegasus Bridge

Once we got off the main roads we rode through some lovely villages to arrive here at the Pegasus Bridge (where the spear-head for the D-Day landings started).


Six miles to go and all along a cycle path along the canal. This is what the Vodatrain looks like from my usual position at the back!

Croix de Heuland

Sat having a spot of lunch on the steps of the town hall. Well they call it a town hall but it is actually smaller than our village hall!

We set off this morning in a light drizzle which had turned into a heavy downpour by the time we came to cross the Pont de Normandie. This is a fantastic bridge but climbing for a mile in the rain is hard work.
The sun came out briefly as I got to Honfleur and I stood and watched the firemen and their band in the Bastille day parade.

Some long climbs after Honfleur means that I have spent large parts of the morning riding alone as I am faster than half of Team SIM but slower than the other half. I'm hoping the slow half will catch me up here.

[They didn't but I met up with a guy called Richard and cycled with him until I caught up with the Vodatrain again]

Le Havre

A tough but rewarding ride. The wind was so strong that even the down hills were hard work.

The reward came though when we all rendezvou'ed at a café on the sea front in Le Havre and went for a cooling swim in the sea. However as we were all wearing bib-shorts we did look like Edwardian gentlemen taking the waters!

Last major day of cycling tomorrow; I'm looking forward to a rest!

St. Sauveur d' Emalleville

The day has continued to get warmer and the cycling easier as we start the descent to Le Havre.

Some lovely countryside but the wind has yet again been against us and quite strong too. I got separated from my group on a couple of the hills. We are known collectively as the Vodatrain as we all travel in a train formation, flying past everyone else. My excuse for not keeping up is that they are all under 35!

Just had a lovely lunch finished with tarte tatin and accompanied by the traditional Normandie instrument; bagpipes. Bizzarely though he keeps playing Scotland the Brave!

Yvetot

A long climb out of Rouen this morning in light cloud. The hill seemed to go on for ever and just as I thought we had got to the top sun came out. Trouble is it wasn't the top and we spent the next several miles doing some long climbs, quick descents and then the whole thing all over again.

Yvetot is lovely, especially in the sunshine. 29miles down and another 23 to lunch.

Rouen

The rain stopped while we were enjoying a hot chocolate so we spent the rest of the afternoon drying-out.

The ride after Muids was through beautiful, rolling countryside which gradually went uphill so we were effectively climbing for about 10miles. This culminated in a big hill (not a patch on Chain Hill though but I had just cycled further than I have ever done in my life!). The pay-back was a very long descent down into Rouen with spectacular views but unfortunately nowhere to stop and take photos.

Total for the day is 136km and a total cycling time of 5hr 23min. Tired but happy, especially as we got back just before the rain started again.

Muids

Rain. 15miles of torrential rain.

Notre Dame de l'Isle

I was right, beautiful views down over the Siene along the Route des Cretes (which I think means route of the cliffs). The views came at a price though in the form of some long, steep hills.

Then passed through Giverny which I think is where Monet used to live (although I'm sure Mrs Franklin will put me right).

Lunch in a nice café here having covered 50miles so far. Only another 40 to go!

Oinville

Didn't feel too stiff this morning, which is a good job given today's 90miles.

Cloudy and warm with a head-wind which will be with us all day.

Left Versailles and headed into the countryside then into the outskirts of Paris. Crossed the Seine at Meulan and up hill for our second breakfast here where some fellow riders were displaying some rather dubious cultural sensitivity!

Its up hill now to the hills above the Seine so should get some great views. All I need to do is work out how to send the pictures I've taken!

Versailles

Arrived at the Palace of Versailles in beautiful sunshine after a nice gentle ride this afternoon.
The park around the Palace is beautiful. Manicured lawns, fountains and Parisians promenading in the afternoon sunshine.

We are going to relax here for half an hour before we go and find our hotel.

I've noticed a few more sponsorship pledges coming through during the day. With what I know about and the matched funding from Vodafone we are well over £900. Thank you all!

Out for dinner later, admiring some of the beautiful architecture...

Beynes

Stopped for lunch (at 14:45!) at the aerodrome in Beynes. The weather has been kind so far but some of the hills have been a bit tough.

We have covered 30miles so far and my legs are holding up well. I'm assured its just a gentle 15miles to the hotel this afternoon.

Scenery has been lovely, lots of quiet lanes through woodland and countryside. Let's hope it stays this way!

First stop

Stopped for flap-jack and a banana. Lunch is still an hour away!

Weather is over-cast and not too hot, which is good, and no rain yet which is even better.

In France

Beautifully smooth crossing last night and sunshine this morning. Let's hope it keeps this way.

On the coach heading for the start point. Chance for a last snooze...

On the ferry

Got to Hayling Island in the sunshine this afternoon. Interesting place; part holiday resort, part commuter town. Met up with the rest of the riders including my room-mate for the next five nights.

Finally got on to the ferry after a queue that seemed to last forever.

Bikes were loaded onto the lorry OK, I'm just hoping that we meet up with them as planned tomorrow.

Plan is to get as much sleep as possible tonight as we have an early start tomorrow.

Last day in the office

Last day in the office before setting off on the ride tonight. I'm travelling down to Hayling this afternoon, bike goes on the lorry and we get on the coach and off to the ferry.

The fundraising is going well. A big thank you to all those who have sponsored me online already. So far we have raised £530 and Vodafone will match that to the tune of another £350! It seems like the saddle sores will be worth it... I just need to complete the ride now.

Starting to pack

Last ride to work and back yesterday. Wind was against me going and coming back - how does that work? - but still a really enjoyable ride.

Cycled into Wantage to get my hair cut this morning then put the tag-a-long on my mountain bike so that William and I could cycle to The Star for lunch (Jane and Ruari drove!).

Have started to assemble all my gear and have been surprised by how much lycra I own! I'm not sure that is right for a man over 40!

There is a 12kg weight limit so I'm going to have to be careful how many last-minute things I try to cram in!

Assembly

Went in to school this morning to talk in assembly about the bike ride. I was really impressed with the questions and comments from all of the children and delighted that they were all so interested. The hall will make a massive difference to assemblies and throughout the school day, I am so glad that we are finally getting one built and that I can do my bit to help equip it!

The singing at the end of assembly was excellent; I felt honoured to be there.

Managed a quick ride to Faringdon and back this morning in a rare bit of sunshine. Looking forward to the ride to Newbury tomorrow (as long as the weather holds).

Jane and I have just been reading some of the comments that the children have posted below. Thank you for all your good wishes, I'll make sure I take all of your great advice on board!

Bike Service

Had my bike serviced at the weekend by the lovely people at AW Cycles in Cavesham who are really helpful ang knowledgeable. Went out for a spin yesterday morning (getting soaked in the process) and it rode like a dream.

Website is now updated to make it easier to navigate for people who are landing there just looking for this blog or (hopefully) my sponsorship page.

Up to school in the morning to tell the children about the ride in their assembly.