Find here video footage of the last day
https://vimeo.com/40353743
It shows the last 50 miles of the 678 mile odyssey through France
Enjoy - we did!!!
Thursday, 19 April 2012
Saturday, 7 April 2012
Day 8 Film Footage
Thé penultimate day's footage has been posted - pléase go to:
http://vimeo.com/39955871
and enjoy
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
http://vimeo.com/39955871
and enjoy
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Location:Lézignan-Corbières,France
The Penultimate Day
Yep, it's official we have just 50km left to do before we reach the end of the road - which is the Med at Cap d'Agde
Today was a belter - some 130km and an average of 25kmph (15mph) - we spent the first part of the day on the canal from. Toulouse and the second on the road, tanking it from the high part of the pass
As we reached Carcassonne we decided to stop and spend some time being tourists! We visited La Cite - the old castle which was used in 'Robin Hood - Prince of Thieves' it was gorgeous!
Then I decided to blatter the last 30km to Corbieres and the hotel
Brilliant day's riding and pretty fast!
See the sea tomorrow - Yippee!!
Today was a belter - some 130km and an average of 25kmph (15mph) - we spent the first part of the day on the canal from. Toulouse and the second on the road, tanking it from the high part of the pass
As we reached Carcassonne we decided to stop and spend some time being tourists! We visited La Cite - the old castle which was used in 'Robin Hood - Prince of Thieves' it was gorgeous!
Then I decided to blatter the last 30km to Corbieres and the hotel
Brilliant day's riding and pretty fast!
See the sea tomorrow - Yippee!!
Well you have to, don't you!
Cracking meal in Corbieres!!!!
Nothing was left at all on any plate whatsoever - this is what happens when you burn up some 5000 cals
Nothing was left at all on any plate whatsoever - this is what happens when you burn up some 5000 cals
Day 7 is online
Here is the Vimeo link to the day from Agen to Toulouse
Hope you like it!
http://vimeo.com/39936586
Hope you like it!
http://vimeo.com/39936586
Friday, 6 April 2012
Day 7 to Toulouse
It started with excellent weather and finished with thé mother of à thunderstorm - but we just got into thé hôtel as thé Rainier started falling - so our 100% dry record persists
Sadly though our bikes were outside last night - so it's oiling thé chians in thé morning before we set off on thé penultimate leg of thé ride.
À good day was had today as we left thé wonderful town of Agen and spent thé whole time on thé canal bank - some 118km later we found ourselves in thé middle of France's second city of Toulouse. Thérè followed à battle to get to thé SW of thé City - à ride that Gary and i know too well
Still safe and sound - it was food and sleep and à chance to catch up with some old friends - sleepppppp!
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Sadly though our bikes were outside last night - so it's oiling thé chians in thé morning before we set off on thé penultimate leg of thé ride.
À good day was had today as we left thé wonderful town of Agen and spent thé whole time on thé canal bank - some 118km later we found ourselves in thé middle of France's second city of Toulouse. Thérè followed à battle to get to thé SW of thé City - à ride that Gary and i know too well
Still safe and sound - it was food and sleep and à chance to catch up with some old friends - sleepppppp!
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On thé Canal to Agen
Here is the video of the day's ride from Castillon to Agen (on the Canal du Midi)
Http://vimeo.com/39912346
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad:
Http://vimeo.com/39912346
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad:
Thé St. Emillion vidéo
Finally got it madè and uploaded to thé web
Safely into à hôtel in Toulouse before thé thunderstorm hit
St. Emillion
http://vimeo.com/39899349
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Safely into à hôtel in Toulouse before thé thunderstorm hit
St. Emillion
http://vimeo.com/39899349
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Thursday, 5 April 2012
On the Canal
Well we have finally made it to the "Way to the Med" - after 40km dash southwards from Castillion we hit the Canal du Midi at Le Reole.
Thus we are now on the 250 miles of flat cycling alongside one of France's great canals.
Today's ride of 112km has got us nicely on the road to Toulouse and all of it without (so far) any rain of note.
Night time sees us in a wonderful restaurant in the old centre of Agen where we are eating our way through a bucket of food - which is bloody excellent!
Thus we are now on the 250 miles of flat cycling alongside one of France's great canals.
Today's ride of 112km has got us nicely on the road to Toulouse and all of it without (so far) any rain of note.
Night time sees us in a wonderful restaurant in the old centre of Agen where we are eating our way through a bucket of food - which is bloody excellent!
Wednesday, 4 April 2012
Post Via Text from Rob
Due to a lack of Wifi (or WeeFee) as the French call it, this post is being made by an impostor.
So, Rob has reported:
We are in Castillon by the river. (for those who don't know, Castillon is a small town on the Dordogne - the river in question - not too far from St Emilion). We had a 94 km ride today and managed to stay dry despite being surrounded by clouds (editor's paraphrasing privileges applied). Got a Chamber d'Hote on the hills above the town - the owner will take us in and out for a Castleout! (Your guess is as good as mine!) Bikes are well as are we. The canal at La Reole by lunch tomorrow and then hopefully Agen.
We are all having teas (no milk) and chocolat - very lucky so far with the weather but a chilly night is forecast tonight. (Comment to me 'Does that sound familiar?') For those who may have been living on a different planet in 2007 and not up to speed with the ride Rob and I did then, a detailed account can be found here (NB, the first photo in this account was taken on the bridge crossing the Dordogne at Castillon so that's karma) Food in 90 mins. (Posted at 18:07 French time)
This photo was taken in 2007 while crossing the Dordogne at Castillon so in the absence of anything from Rob and team, enjoy the view.
So, Rob has reported:
We are in Castillon by the river. (for those who don't know, Castillon is a small town on the Dordogne - the river in question - not too far from St Emilion). We had a 94 km ride today and managed to stay dry despite being surrounded by clouds (editor's paraphrasing privileges applied). Got a Chamber d'Hote on the hills above the town - the owner will take us in and out for a Castleout! (Your guess is as good as mine!) Bikes are well as are we. The canal at La Reole by lunch tomorrow and then hopefully Agen.
We are all having teas (no milk) and chocolat - very lucky so far with the weather but a chilly night is forecast tonight. (Comment to me 'Does that sound familiar?') For those who may have been living on a different planet in 2007 and not up to speed with the ride Rob and I did then, a detailed account can be found here (NB, the first photo in this account was taken on the bridge crossing the Dordogne at Castillon so that's karma) Food in 90 mins. (Posted at 18:07 French time)
This photo was taken in 2007 while crossing the Dordogne at Castillon so in the absence of anything from Rob and team, enjoy the view.
Tuesday, 3 April 2012
Day 3 Video is now Online
Please goth:
http://vimeo.com/m/39749575
Slightly out of order - hotel wifi!
http://vimeo.com/m/39749575
Slightly out of order - hotel wifi!
Day 4 Video is on the web
Here are some shots of the ride from La Rochelle to Jonsac
http://vimeo.com/m/39731282
http://vimeo.com/m/39731282
Expensive Latte!
Had a lovely stop at the cafe on the corner by the big bridge across the Charente in Saintes
Had a 3 Euro Latte - it was good!
It kicked ass and we needed it!
Had a 3 Euro Latte - it was good!
It kicked ass and we needed it!
Pretty Shots
Just some nice shots of the gang on the road to Saintes!
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- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Location:Rue des Brouillauds,Jonzac,France
First Casualty
Yep Helen forgot to declip when stopping! All OK - relief!
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Location:Rue des Brouillauds,Jonzac,France
Made It - after another 120km
Currently in a Logis Hotel called the Hotel L'Ecu in Jonsac after putting in a 120km ride through the agricultural centre of France!
We left the sea and sun in La Rochelle and slowly made our way (at 12.5mph) towards Saintes. Having said that, we didn't get on the road till 9.30am due to some of us not waking on time! We must be getting tired!
We hit the road and made our way inland in a SE direction towards the river Charente. Lunch was had by the river and a few memories came back of when Gary and I stopped here - Quick coffee stop in Saintes and then we were on our way to Pons and finally here to Jonsac.
All getting tired and a few with muscles aching but what the heck! Tomorrow could see us at Saint Emillion - just love this country!
Tonight we may have a glass of Pinneau Charentes or two!
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We left the sea and sun in La Rochelle and slowly made our way (at 12.5mph) towards Saintes. Having said that, we didn't get on the road till 9.30am due to some of us not waking on time! We must be getting tired!
We hit the road and made our way inland in a SE direction towards the river Charente. Lunch was had by the river and a few memories came back of when Gary and I stopped here - Quick coffee stop in Saintes and then we were on our way to Pons and finally here to Jonsac.
All getting tired and a few with muscles aching but what the heck! Tomorrow could see us at Saint Emillion - just love this country!
Tonight we may have a glass of Pinneau Charentes or two!
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Location:Rue Taillefer,Jonzac,France
Monday, 2 April 2012
Day 3 in La Rochelle
Well we managed it and I must admit I never thought we would make it by the 4.30pm rule. As the clock ticked over, we entered the outskirts of the town and went straight to the Port - into the Tourist place and eh voila, we had the Hotel Paris booked
Not cheap but neither is La Rochelle - still the bikes are locked up in the Quad and in the open! They worked hard today!
Big mileage once again, as the towns slipped by - principally La Roche sur Yon and Lucon - through the marshes (wind behind us Gary) and into Rochelle
Big steak dinner tonight as a reward! Tomorrow will see leave the sea behind and head for Jonsac - fingers crossed it will be warm again!
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Not cheap but neither is La Rochelle - still the bikes are locked up in the Quad and in the open! They worked hard today!
Big mileage once again, as the towns slipped by - principally La Roche sur Yon and Lucon - through the marshes (wind behind us Gary) and into Rochelle
Big steak dinner tonight as a reward! Tomorrow will see leave the sea behind and head for Jonsac - fingers crossed it will be warm again!
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Location:Rue Gargoulleau,La Rochelle,France
Sunday, 1 April 2012
Day 2 Vidéo is online
http://vimeo.com/39594417
All of thé action from our Day 2 on thé road
Now off for petit-déjeuner
See you all tonight
Rob
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All of thé action from our Day 2 on thé road
Now off for petit-déjeuner
See you all tonight
Rob
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Location:Le Petit Bois,Machecoul,France
Day 1 Vidéo is now àvailable
http://vimeo.com/39592317
Hope you like it!
Rob
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Hope you like it!
Rob
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Day 2 - twas à 130km bruiser
Thé simple aim today was to get over thé Loire and into thé Vendée. This we did and duly finished in Machecoul
Accompanied by Dave and Richard we set off at 9am after à gréât breakfast ( and cheap) and immediately found our proposed route closed due to French Rally Cross - bugger! Big détour which explain's today's mileage ensued and pût us back an hour.
Still we carried on, blown by à cracking wind and knocked up à decent average speed as we sped through town after town. Finally, we reached thé Loire and caught thé frèe ferry over at Le Pellerin. We then completed thé last 25km to thé hôtel - big day, big wind, big sun - followed by big dinner and bed.
Nan night!
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Accompanied by Dave and Richard we set off at 9am after à gréât breakfast ( and cheap) and immediately found our proposed route closed due to French Rally Cross - bugger! Big détour which explain's today's mileage ensued and pût us back an hour.
Still we carried on, blown by à cracking wind and knocked up à decent average speed as we sped through town after town. Finally, we reached thé Loire and caught thé frèe ferry over at Le Pellerin. We then completed thé last 25km to thé hôtel - big day, big wind, big sun - followed by big dinner and bed.
Nan night!
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Location:Le Petit Bois,Machecoul,France
Saturday, 31 March 2012
Sitting in Loheac
Day 1 - finished the day at Loheac as planned - 67 miles done and 12.8mph average
Met up with Dave and Richard at Talensac and did the rest of the ride together.
Only downside today was the thick fog we had to go through on the first 10 miles out of St Malo!!!
Met up with Dave and Richard at Talensac and did the rest of the ride together.
Only downside today was the thick fog we had to go through on the first 10 miles out of St Malo!!!
Friday, 30 March 2012
We are now on the boat and heading for France!
Yep fully loaded, in the cabin and the drinking has already started!
Next communique will be wifi based and from hotels!
Photo of wine and bar on board the Bretange!
Next communique will be wifi based and from hotels!
Photo of wine and bar on board the Bretange!
Through £1000 on Online Donations
The day we depart, the online donations and gift aid breaks the £1000 barrier - Oh Yes!
If you also include the pledges of money, I think we are over £1500
Brilliant - please keep donating though, folks!
Keep in touch and let's have lots of comments
Rob, Lou, Helen and Chris
If you also include the pledges of money, I think we are over £1500
Brilliant - please keep donating though, folks!
Keep in touch and let's have lots of comments
Rob, Lou, Helen and Chris
Thursday, 29 March 2012
A Light Tourer
This is how it looks......
2 Ortileb bags - 1 for bike gear 1 - 1 for night wear
I Carradice - wet bag for tools and rain gear
I Front Bar bag for maps, food, electricals
2 750 water bottles for electrolytes
That's all folks!!!!
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2 Ortileb bags - 1 for bike gear 1 - 1 for night wear
I Carradice - wet bag for tools and rain gear
I Front Bar bag for maps, food, electricals
2 750 water bottles for electrolytes
That's all folks!!!!
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Close to £1000
Had some great support from friends and students at South Downs College - almost a £1000 has been pledged on line! Absolutely marvellous - feel so honoured - this will keep us all going - big up to all!
Tuesday, 27 March 2012
and the total raised so far....
On Tuesday, 27th March 2012, Online Donations, including Gift Aid, now stand at......
£682.50 - which is absolutely brilliant!
On top of this are the mass of individual cash based donations to be collected when we get back.
Will we get to £1500?
A big thank you to all - Lou, Helen, Chris and Rob
£682.50 - which is absolutely brilliant!
On top of this are the mass of individual cash based donations to be collected when we get back.
Will we get to £1500?
A big thank you to all - Lou, Helen, Chris and Rob
Sunday, 25 March 2012
Pre France Ride - the Sunday before
Well this was to be the last ride for all of us before the boats set sail to France and the various parties head south from St Malo. And at 8.30am (read 7.30am) it was 2c - nippy! Still with Chris, Helen, Ian G, Gary, Dave and myself all we needed was Lou - yep, not everyone remembers about the clocks going forward!
Fantastic weather (20c) was how it ended with clear blue perfect skies all the way. The ride of 54 miles had 3 big climbs (Ditcham Pk School. Stoner Hill and the Mulberry - a total of some 3300ft of climbing.
Coffee stops in Petersfield and Arlseford kept us going and this ride saw both Gary and Ian make welcome returns to the Sunday cycling scene.
So this was the last ride before the 1075km 'Ride to the Sun' - thanks to all for keeping us company - now for the real thing!
The fours of us, on top of Corhampton Hill
Fantastic weather (20c) was how it ended with clear blue perfect skies all the way. The ride of 54 miles had 3 big climbs (Ditcham Pk School. Stoner Hill and the Mulberry - a total of some 3300ft of climbing.
Coffee stops in Petersfield and Arlseford kept us going and this ride saw both Gary and Ian make welcome returns to the Sunday cycling scene.
So this was the last ride before the 1075km 'Ride to the Sun' - thanks to all for keeping us company - now for the real thing!
PS - Thanks to Iasn for taking the shot - strange how it had to include a rather weird man with a beard!
Video footage of the ride can be found at Vimeo - https://vimeo.com/39147536
Wednesday, 21 March 2012
1st Blog
Sitting here and composing the first entry onto the blogsite for our trip to the Med in April 2012
Going for http://entredeuxmers.blogger.com
To put it simply, we now have less than 10 days before we go. Getting nervous!!!
Going for http://entredeuxmers.blogger.com
To put it simply, we now have less than 10 days before we go. Getting nervous!!!
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