L2P - Cornwall to Calais

10 Sept 2015 - Cornwall to London

So with bag packed, bike serviced and ...

... sandwiches for the coach collected from Sainsbury's in Penzance (given to us for free by the supermarket) ...

... I headed up to the Cornwall Air Ambulance HQ at Newquay. Our kind friend, Ian, took me in his van as Darren was away working in sunny Aberdeen.

Before we piled on the coach bound for the big smoke, there was time for us to collect our t-shirts and have a team photo with one of the helicopters. We were just missing two of the team who were already in London.

There was lots of nervous excitement as we loaded our bikes into a hired van and found ourselves seats on the coach. We left Air Ambulance HQ at 16:00 and after a brief stop at Gordano services near Bristol, we finally arrived at the Travelodge in Southwark at 22:00. 

We were all pretty shattered from our long coach journey but were pleased to see the sights of London beautifully lit up. Our bikes had arrived ahead of us and were being stored at the hotel. We claimed our bikes and had an interesting time taking them up to our rooms, by trying to squeeze them into the very small lift or, as I did, by carrying them up the stairs. Thankfully I was only on the third floor and my bike is quite light, so it wasn't too bad.

I was sharing a room with Kirsten and we had a lovely big hotel room so had plenty of room for us, our bags and both bikes. It did feel a bit weird having our bikes in our hotel room with us! We turned in about 23:00 hoping to get a good night's sleep to stand us in good stead for the long day ahead of us.

11 Sept 2015 - London to Calais - 90 miles

Our alarm went off at 05:00 and we had an hour to get ready and eat some breakfast before meeting the 360 Expeditions team (Team Leader Jo, support crew Marni and Helen, and guides Ian, Steve and Guy) at the entrance to the hotel.

We were all really excited that our time to start the challenge had finally come! We loaded our bags onto the support van and prepared to set off. This was our first experience of riding as a complete group.

We had about a mile to cycle to the base of the London Eye, which was our official starting point. There was time for a few photos before we set off about 06.30 to work our way through the horrible London traffic.

Me in the pink top and 'Pass Wide' tabbard

Trying to stay together as one complete group while riding in London with traffic lights every few hundred yards was virtually impossible. We got as far as Dartford tube station before there were requests for a wee stop. Probably down to nerves I expect!! The very kind turnstile guards at the tube station let us nip through to use the loo and then we prepared to set off again. Just before we set off, guide Ian said "We'll stay together until we split into groups." Excellent!

All the cycling tops I wore for the challenge were bright pink, so you'll be able to spot me in my photos! Even my waterproof coat is bright pink.

I don't think any of us would say that cycling through London was enjoyable. There was so much traffic and drivers were quite aggressive and inconsiderate. Pedaling across the Kent countryside however was much more enjoyable, especially in glorious sunshine.

We stopped for water and a snack in Gravesend and then stopped in Detling, near Maidstone, for lunch, with an excellent spread prepared for us by Marni, Helen and Geoff's wife, Julie, who had come along on the trip to be support crew.

I really struggled riding today. I discussed the problems I was having (saddle soreness) with guide Ian and he suggested that raising my seat would help. I've never been so uncomfortable for so long. It wasn't good.

I was relieved to see the final water stop on the outskirts of Dover but not so happy to hear that we still had a couple of big hills yet to climb. Being in that much discomfort was bad enough but trying to cycle up hill made it even worse.

 Waiting in the lane before cycling down the ramp onto the ferry

As predicted, I was SO grateful to see signs for Dover and the ferry port. We had made it!! We met the support van about 16:30 and cycled what felt like about 3 miles through the ferry port to find the lane we had to wait in before boarding the ferry.

Whilst on the ferry we all grabbed some food and took the opportunity to relax after our long (and painful for me) ride. 

As we pedaled out of the ferry onto French soil this rather battered sign greeted us! 

We arrived at the Ibis hotel in Calais and checked into our rooms. We were tired but happy to have completed our first (and longest) day. While I was back in my hotel room Ian set to work raising my bike seat and lowering my handlebars in an attempt to make my riding position more comfortable.

I can't say this day was the hardest thing I've ever done but it was certainly the most uncomfortable. If all my road bike training had been like today, I would have considered pulling out of this challenge.

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