We were up early for breakfast at 6.30. Amy left at 7 for the train back to London. At 7.30 the riders were all assembled outside the hotel for photos, then headed into the centre of Paris to begin our tour. It was a large group of nervously excited cyclists who headed out under overcast skies. Paris traffic was very light, even so the logistics of chaperoning 40 cyclists of unknown ability through the city was a challenge, especially when we seemed to strike every red light that we could on the way. We went in a large convoy to Notre Dame Cathedral for a photo shoot there with the 'Paris to Istanbul' banner.
There was a young chap there dressed in a rabbit suit, with a sign around his neck "I love her" - he is getting married this weekend and so wanted our group to witness his declaration of love!
Next stop was the Eiffel Tower for another photo shoot then on to the highlight of the day. We all did a lap of the Arc de Truimph, negotiating the traffic at what is a huge roundabout before riding down the Champs Elysee. There was a real respect formed for the Tour of France riders who race over the cobblestones at great speed! It was a very slow 20ks round the city.
Then we headed out of Paris in convoy on the N19. There were so many red light stops that the group was soon fragmented, but every so often those in front stopped for catchup.
Lunch stop was at 52 ks. By then the riders were beginning to spread out. The route was through fields of wheat and other crops, once we had cleared the city; there were no livestock to be seen. It was a busy road, but motorists were very obliging and waited patiently at lights behind cyclists, or gave us wide berth on the narrow road. We passed through a number of small towns, with many more villages to be seen in the distance. John and Jos were excellent "leaders" allowing me to draft behind them into the headwind.
At a coffee stop at a little shop at Maison Rouge tour staff caught up with us and said we were heading to a different campsite - fortunately we were right at the turnoff so unlike others did not need to double back. The intended campsite which had confirmed the Tour booking was closed until 1 July, according to the sign on the gate, so the staff had to very quickly find another site for 45 people! Therefore we continued on to the new camp at Chenoise. The last ten ks were on a smaller back road, through very scenic wheat fields. First night we are staying at a farm camp.
There are a lot of animals around, and the fascinating sound of a cuckoo in the distance! Sounds just like a cuckoo clock!
All riders are checked in and tents erected. Showered and clean we all feel human again. Dinner is a bit late due to change of venue. It is a little windy, we are just hoping the rain stays away. No doubt everyone will sleep well tonight after 100 kilometers on the bike. Our time was 5 hours 23 mins, a slow time due to the very slow trip round Paris. There is certainly a great sense of achievement that everyone has completed day one.
There was a young chap there dressed in a rabbit suit, with a sign around his neck "I love her" - he is getting married this weekend and so wanted our group to witness his declaration of love!
Next stop was the Eiffel Tower for another photo shoot then on to the highlight of the day. We all did a lap of the Arc de Truimph, negotiating the traffic at what is a huge roundabout before riding down the Champs Elysee. There was a real respect formed for the Tour of France riders who race over the cobblestones at great speed! It was a very slow 20ks round the city.
Then we headed out of Paris in convoy on the N19. There were so many red light stops that the group was soon fragmented, but every so often those in front stopped for catchup.
Lunch stop was at 52 ks. By then the riders were beginning to spread out. The route was through fields of wheat and other crops, once we had cleared the city; there were no livestock to be seen. It was a busy road, but motorists were very obliging and waited patiently at lights behind cyclists, or gave us wide berth on the narrow road. We passed through a number of small towns, with many more villages to be seen in the distance. John and Jos were excellent "leaders" allowing me to draft behind them into the headwind.
At a coffee stop at a little shop at Maison Rouge tour staff caught up with us and said we were heading to a different campsite - fortunately we were right at the turnoff so unlike others did not need to double back. The intended campsite which had confirmed the Tour booking was closed until 1 July, according to the sign on the gate, so the staff had to very quickly find another site for 45 people! Therefore we continued on to the new camp at Chenoise. The last ten ks were on a smaller back road, through very scenic wheat fields. First night we are staying at a farm camp.
There are a lot of animals around, and the fascinating sound of a cuckoo in the distance! Sounds just like a cuckoo clock!
All riders are checked in and tents erected. Showered and clean we all feel human again. Dinner is a bit late due to change of venue. It is a little windy, we are just hoping the rain stays away. No doubt everyone will sleep well tonight after 100 kilometers on the bike. Our time was 5 hours 23 mins, a slow time due to the very slow trip round Paris. There is certainly a great sense of achievement that everyone has completed day one.
1 comment:
Great to hear some reports from you!
Hope you can keep up the writing.
Hugs, Michelle
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