timwilkes

We were taken by coach after breakfast to Blackheath. After a coffee break we then set off in small groups and wound our way through London to arrive in Whitehall Place to the applause of a gathering crowd.

At the Cenotaph the Headley Court team formed part of another wreath laying ceremony. Once the ceremony finished, the rest of the riders all followed them through the crowds and into Horse Guards, where the Chief of the General Staff, General Sir Richard Dannatt spoke to us all on the importance of Headley Court and the bravery of the members of the Armed Forces.

The 300 riders raised £1.5 million pounds for Help For Heroes, a staggering amount. For me it had been an enjoyable and stimulating cycle ride, made remarkable by the many wonderful and inspirational people I met and chatted to. I am already considering what to do next – the desert beckons!

55 miles

We set off early for our final day’s ride. We had to be in Dunkirk by 1.00pm. It was a lovely early summer morning and we saw the sun rising over the mist laden fields as we swept along the country roads. It was dry and the sun was soon the hottest it had been on the ride.

By 8.00am we felt we were in need of a chocolat stop. As we entered a likely looking town, we had to stop at traffic lights. Trying to anticipate the lights turning green, I failed to unclip my pedal and gently fell over. After much laughing we found a small tabac and sat in the sunshine with our steaming mugs, watching some of the other early riders struggle past. Then again at about 11.00am a mass of riders descended on another tabac to enjoy coffee and chocolat, by now getting the idea behind the ride!

Eventually we reached Dunkirk, where we were given lunch and then boarded landing craft from a ramp on the port. Four of these landing craft took 70 cyclists each out to HMS Bulwark, which was waiting in deeper waters. We entered the hull of the ship at the stern, which had been lowered into the sea, the water drained out and we were aboard. The Captain and the crew of the ship, a combination of the Royal Navy and the Royal Marines, welcomed us.

The memorial service on the flight deck was conducted by the ships Padre and one of the riders, Richard Burge, read an extract from his Grandfather’s diary; he had been rescued on D day. A wreath was thrown overboard in remembrance. Another moving occasion.

We were then given cakes and ale and some went on tours of the ship. The ship arrived at Dover Harbour, we were embarked again on the landing craft and then taken to ‘invade’ the shingle beach. The reception was fantastic, with locals and supporters watching as we walked off the craft, surrounded by the Royal Marines and waiting press. The Red Devils then gave a spectacular display, parachuting in formation into the sea.

All of us then came together for a celebratory supper. Unbelievably, it was chicken again. There were some excellent speeches and a most amusing auction. The items sold included Rory’s cycling shirt, a pair of Royal Marines cycling shorts and Peta (The Suns page 3 girl)s shorts and bicycle!

76 miles

With the sun doing its best to burn through the mist and the temperature up, we made our way over the River Somme and climbed up onto the plain through peaceful villages, and from now on the roads would be mostly long and straight. We made our way to the Great War memorial at Thiepval.

The gates opened specially for us all as the memorial was closed for refurbishment at the time of our visit. We all made our way up to this most commanding of memorials. Designed by Lutyens and dedicated to the missing, some 70,000 names are inscribed on the arches. The Royal Signals squadron supporting the ride with communications led an especially moving ceremony with four riders officiating. This was one of the highlights of the ride and a first visit for many riders.

Lunch was in the small village of Ransart, where we stopped at a school. The local press came out to see us in the form of an avuncular old boy who insisted on taking many formal photographs just as we wanted to get some food inside us. The legs were noticeably tired today and matters were made worse in that not only did I neglect to find a suitable afternoon chocolat stop, but I also took a wrong turning and went a mile out of the way. The only excuse I had was that I was nattering away to another rider at the time!

The hotel in Bethune we were in was not up to much and when we discovered that the evening meal was chicken, we decided we had earned a decent meal out. So we got into a taxi, had a drink in the square of Bethune and met up with some of the other riders. We charged into the nearest café and all ordered steak. Not a great success, unfortunately – do they still serve horse in France?

81 miles

The day started off bright as we left Dieppe but the rain soon appeared and with it the punctures. We were now in Picardy and on more flat areas but still some shocking hills, one being up a dual carriageway shortly after one of our Naafi breaks. The side of the road was littered with people waiting to have tyres fixed and the backup vans were doing sterling service in the pouring rain. I suffered another puncture, though fortunately I was right by the backup van at the time.

We did stop at Grandcourt, a small cemetery predominantly for Scottish and Canadian soldiers. As we stopped the sun came out and the beautifully tended graves were striking in white against the lush countryside. Apparently the site was a field hospital which had to be evacuated and moved. Therefore all of the graves are named as the soldiers were identified when they were admitted. After, we had some fairly steep gradients to climb and just before lunch there was an especially steep hill, which had most riders pushing themselves to their limits.

After lunch we carried on pedalling into a head wind and the rain. I went on to recce a chocolat stop in a roadside café, utilitarian enough to allow us to drip and perspire all over the table. Then onwards, by now entirely soaked through, though I had plastic bags over my socks to stop the wind-chill getting to my toes. I also had fun ‘draughting’ behind and then in front of the fittest of the Headley Court team, a sailor who had lost his leg below the knee. Mind you, I gave him 25 odd years! Then we arrived in Amiens. This is a large industrial town, so much so that as we entered we were greeted by the organisers and told we still had six miles before we reached our hotel. The evening meal was chicken.

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!