80 miles

As we headed out of Le Havre, following the ubiquitous orange markers the organisers used to mark the route, we passed through a tunnel littered with glass and debris. Needless to say there were numerous punctures and the day seemed to be littered with riders stopping to repair their tyres. It was at this point that we passed and then stopped to help Miss Peta Todd, the Sun’s Page 3 Girl who whose doing the ride.

The first memorial site visited was at Fontaine La Malet. The site was the battleground high above Le Havre. A Churchill Tank was suitably situated with an anti tank ditch over which was placed a replica of an assault bridge. Adjacent to this a memorial wall had been constructed, housing all the Memorial Plaques and badges which were originally present.

Onwards and I was riding fast and easy, my mucker was doing a steady Norfolk pace. Whence we came upon a group starting to form on a lane, where all riders had been stopped as the route markers had been moved and the riders were about to head off into a forest! The impromptu stop seemed to help morale for those who needed it, especially in a beautiful spot. Normandy was proving to be delightful countryside. However, my riding buddy had his first puncture, so the score was one all.

Lunch was a damp squib as the clouds which had been threatening all morning opened and the wind got up. We huddled under the mean shelter until we decided enough was enough and moved off. As we ascended away from St Valerie en Caux the roads opened up into beautiful countryside and the sun broke through. Through picturesque villages the two of us spun until, mid afternoon, we heard the call of a cup of chocolate. So turning off the designated route we used our initiative and rode into the lovely seaside village of Veules les Roses and found the delightful Hotel Douce France. Here we were able to take our time in the rose-bordered courtyard, in bright sunshine, whilst we gratefully answered the call of a marvellous cup of home made chocolat.

On to Dieppe, journeying up a large cliff face and down the other side into the well known resort. As we came to a stop on the outskirts to be directed to our hotels, we were told to turn right at the next lights. As we did so we were greeted by the sight of a mile long very steep hill climb to our particular hotel. Not a good way to finish the day! The evening meal was chicken.

57 miles

Arriving early at Ouistreham some 300 cyclists left the ferry and within ten metres the first puncture occurred. There were to be many more! A short ride bought us up at Pegasus Bridge, the D Day objective of the airborne forces led by Major John Howard. Following our first taste of the wonderful roadside catering that was laid on for us every twenty five kilometres or so we were given an illuminating and animated talk on the operation to capture the bridge by one of six Guild of Battlefield Guides who accompanied us. There was then a short ceremony where Mme Arlette Gondree, whose house, now the Pegasus Bridge Café, was the first to be liberated by allied troops, when she was four, handed a wreath to Sgt Stu Pearson, one of the Headley Court team who placed it on the memorial. One of the riders, General Richard Shirreff and Mme Gondree both spoke on the importance of the allied relationship.

We left Pegasus Bridge and knew we were in France when we soon found ourselves cycling along one of those quintessential long, straight poplar-lined roads. The team spirit was fantastic and lasted the entire ride. People were pushing each other up hills, helping each other mend punctures and sharing food and water bottles. It was also always interesting to talk to riders as we pedalled along, finding out what had motivated them to join the ride, what training they had or had not done, what stories they had.

At the lunch stop we had a surprise visit from the TV journalist Jeremy Bowen, who happened to be on a family holiday in the village we were in. Soon after lunch we found ourselves on a long downhill stretch. A puncture on the front tyre bought me to a halt near the top of this hill. Unable to get my gas cylinder to operate to blow up the new inner tube, I was delighted to find my old mate had walked back up the hill to help me out. After a session of stop/start cycling, we hit a windy path over the huge and impressive Pont de Normandie and then on through the city of Le Havre, avoiding some stiking French fishermen. We arrived at our hotel ready for a cup of tea and a bath. The reality of this challenge was brought home when a chap crashed into a culvert, breaking five ribs and needing stitches. Sadly he had to return to the UK. The evening meal was chicken.

2 miles

The journey to Portsmouth did not bode well. It poured with rain until we topped the South Downs and we feared we were in for a very wet ride. I am doing this ride with 300 others, one of whom is an old friend of mine. However, by the time we stopped and unloaded both our bikes the sun was out. We assembled at HMS Victory for a send off by the Red Arrows and the Band of the Royal Marines. We only had to cycle two miles to get to the ferry but it was a case of rush to wait, as we were held on the quayside for over an hour before being allowed to board the ferry that would takes us overnight to France.

Days ridden: 4
Miles ridden: 24.2
Average mph: 15.4

Just time to squeeze in this report before we depart for the ride tomorrow. This week has been spinning along doing short distances to keep the legs toned and at an easy pace too. The bike was thoroughly cleaned and serviced on Thursday and is now ready to be loaded into the wagon for the journey to Portsmouth tomorrow.

I am busy packing my kit and attempting to ensure I have not forgotten anything essential. Like the passport ... that reminds me. One very good item of news I have just heard is that the 300 riders on the ride have raised £1 million for Help for Heroes, which is just terrific. A great boost as we set off.

Next time I report it will be with the ride behind me, unless I get to a computer to make an interim posting. Here we go......

Days ridden: 4
Miles ridden: 167.2
Average mph: 16.3

Inevitably, no sooner had I started to wax lyrical about the weather than it gets worse. I certainly felt colder on Saturday, when I did 55 miles and on Sunday, when I did 74 miles. In fact Saturday was worse as it was spitting with rain for a good deal of the ride. I was only wearing shorts, cycling tee and shell top. My feet got wet, then cold, then unfeelable! I finished that ride at about 7.15pm and needed the hot bath to restore circulation. I had an extra layer on top on Sunday and could still feel the chill, but at least it was dry. In fact doing the 74 miles was a better ride all round. I felt good and my juice mixture and cereal bar refuelling works fine now.

I came upon a couple cycling on Sunday who are doing the London to Paris charity ride later in the summer. They are raising money for the Royal Marsden and had hoped to be doing it with a friend of theirs. Unfortunately he died from cancer recently so they are riding in his memory.

This time next week I shall be putting my now finely tuned body through its paces on the ride. I assume I am presently at the peak of fitness having religiously followed the designated training regime. This week I am out each morning doing alternate 5 and 10 mile circuits, just spinning to keep the legs ready for action. I am not taking a laptop with me so unless I can grab a computer somewhere en-route I shall have to report on the ride once I am back. I intend to write up each day so that not an ache, sprain or battlefield is missed!

Days ridden: 3
Miles ridden: 105.1
Average mph: 16.9

I have had three good training rides in wonderful weather this week. The early mornings have been marvellous, warm without being hot, still a wee nip in the air and the countryside looking superb; verdant, radiant and alive with bird song. Makes you feel very glad and grateful to be alive. This is one of the joys of cycling. Mind you, I have always thought that early morning is the best time of the day. It is made better by a clear sky and glowing sun.

The weekend saw most riding activity. I went out for 25 miles on Saturday morning and we then went sailing, finishing a satisfying seventh out of thirteen in our race, in lovely conditions. Then on Sunday it was up early to race on a sparkling sea with just the right amount of wind. We again finished seventh out of a dozen boats enjoying the perfect sailing weather. After a quick drink it was onto the bike for a 65 mile ride back home. It went better than the previous 60 mile ride I did, largely I suspect due to my new rocket-fuel drink. In addition to the grapefruit squash and pinch of natural salt in my drink, I have added some potassium (from Lo-Salt substitute) and some dextrose powder. Seems to keep me going! After about 25 miles I passed two rather professional looking riders out on their Sunday afternoon road ride, which made me feel good about my performance.

Not long to go to the ride now. I have been really bucked by the response to my last e-mailing asking for sponsorship and have now to find some £500 to reach my fundraising target of £7500. It will be marvellous to go to France with the target reached. A very large thank you to all who have so generously contributed to Help for Heroes so far!

Days ridden: 4
Miles ridden: 124.5
Average mph: 16.5

Couple of good 25 mile training rides this week and then 60 miles. We had some friends staying for the Bank Holiday weekend so I did not get to do the long ride on Sunday, but on the Monday. It was warm, sunny and with a cooling wind. The first 50 miles I felt fine, then not so good for the final ten. I was stopping every 20 miles for a small feed and 5 minute rest, so I do not think I was running out of fuel. I might have been lacking some vital-to-me ingredient though, so I shall have to experiment a little there. I have also tended now to keep my speed down and get into a touring rhythm, which accounts for my average speed coming down.

Since we have only a couple of weeks to go before we set off, I thought I should annoy my friends again with another e-mail to get those who have not yet sponsored me to do so.

‘In only three weeks time I shall be cycling around the battlefields of northern France for Help for Heroes. Being the persistent guy that I am, I felt it my duty to give those of you who have not yet got around to sponsoring me the chance to do so before the big ride!

Despite the recent announcement by the government that they will be funding Headley Court with £24 million, Help for Heroes still needs to raise £6 million for the much needed hydrotherapy pool. They have already collected a marvellous £4.5 million in six months.

My fellow Viking Julian Pollard and I will be riding our bicycles with 298 others from Caen to Dunkirk, visiting a number of battlefield sites on the way. This is a distance of 350 miles, to be covered in five days from the 26th of this month. You can find out more at http://www.helpforheroes.org.uk/bbbr.html.

I have been following a training regime which has me cycling four times a week, working up the distances I ride. I am feeling the benefits now and it becomes easier the more miles I do – honestly! If you feel so inclined, you can read my weekly training blog at http://timwilkes.blog.co.uk

Thank you again to all of you have kindly donated to Help for Heroes so far. What I would dearly like is for those of you who are hesitating before donating, to contact me and let’s see if I can go to France having reached my personal target of £7,500. Or you can donate easily at www.justgiving.com/timwilkes’

Next weekend I have two days in the saddle doing a 25 miles followed by 65 miles ride. Gearing myself up for that!

Days ridden: 4
Miles ridden: 108
Average mph: 17.0

Fifty five miles this last Sunday and I felt better than when I did the fifty mile ride last week. The weather was warm, with light wind and occasional large drops of rain. It took me just over three hours and I averaged 17.6 mph, which I was pleased with. I feel the training programme is effective and my body is not complaining – too much. We had a good couple of days sailing, coming second in our race on Saturday. Once we finished the Sunday race, I had some juice at the bar, got changed and mounted up on the bike. I left Burnham and rode around Maldon, then on to Hatfield Peveral, Therling, Great Leighs, Pleshing, High Easter, High Roding, Takely then nearly up to Thaxted before turning for home through Great Easton. It was a very pleasant ride through the burgeoning late spring Essex countryside.

On these long rides I take a water bottle of diluted Robinsons grapefruit juice with a pinch of natural salt, which I swig from every 15 minutes to keep hydrated and to replace the sodium I loose. Then every hour I get off the bike to ease the legs and feet a bit as well as to have some banana and muesli bar. This gives me some carbs and other goodies to keep me fuelled up on the ride. I have not perfected the skill of the professional riders, who apparently can pull their food out of their back pockets, peal off the wrapper and consume without missing so much as a single pedal rotation. Mmm, not me!

This time next month I shall be pedalling through northern France. I’m looking forward to it as it gets closer. I need to do some extra reading on the battlefield areas we shall be visiting. It will be that much more interesting to be able to put the places we see into an historical context. I expect that we will have some knowledgeable military historians riding with us, though not, unfortunately, Richard Holmes on his horse!

Days ridden: 4
Miles ridden: 95
Average mph: 16.3

I have to say it took me a while to get into my stride on the 50 miles ride I did on Sunday. The wedding and birthday party on Saturday did not help and I paid for it! However, I managed to do the 50 miles and felt that another 20 was within reach. 73 miles in one day is our maximum on the now re-named Halfords Help for Heroes Ride. My ride was roughly circular, to Rayne in the east, Finchingfield in the north, Takeley to the west and Howe Street to the south. Finding these routes takes time pouring over the Ordnance Survey map with map-measurer in hand.

Speaking of which, the itinerary for the ride has changed a little. We will now be finishing the French leg in Dunkirk and be taken across the Channel by HMS Bulwark, before storming the beach at Dover from landing craft, 68 years to the day since the return of the BEF from Dunkirk in Operation Dynamo. I also gather we shall be pipped across Pegusus Bridge by the Ghurkha Band on day one and that the Red Arrows will fly over us all at some stage. Sounds as if we are in for a very interesting ride.

Training this week has included some consecutive days, for the first time. More next week too. I find that it is not too bad, I am not suffering from rubbing or sores in the saddle area, just my sit bones feel a little bruised. Early mornings have remained chilly and I am still in my long tights rather than shorts, my winter gloves and waterproof cycling jacket. I have started wearing sun glasses or clear glasses on my long rides as you might be surprised at how many flying insects manage to hit you in the face! Only swallowed one so far though.

Days ridden: 4
Miles ridden: 76
Average mph: 17.1

Oh dear! I certainly spoke too soon about the weather. More snow and freezing early morning temperatures saw me dressed up in the warm kit again. It was out on the mountain bike on Monday. I was supposed to ride 15 miles for my training schedule, which I did and at a satisfying average speed too. On Wednesday it was back on the road bike for another 15 miles. Again, it was cold enough to freeze the computer on the bike; I still have not found a good way to “freeze proof” it yet. Things were warmer on Friday for a quick five miles before I tackled 40 miles on Saturday. I managed to do this in two hours and ten minutes, at an average speed of 18.5mph.

I have discovered a rather fun website that allows you to draw up a planned route, for running, cycling or driving. It is www.sanoodi.com. What it has shown me is that most of the rides I am doing to Burnham on a Saturday are actually downhill overall. No wonder my average speed is better on these rides, particularly when the prevailing wind is behind me!

Next week I am due to do a 50 mile ride on Sunday. Just as well, as on Saturday we have a family wedding in Hertfordshire, followed by a dash to Kent for a friend’s 60th birthday dinner.