London 2 Paris 2018

PCC's Robert & Stephanie Watson recently completed their cycle challenge for Marie Curie and recall their experience of the trip.

London to Paris – 21-23 September 2018
We arrived in London on the evening of the 20th to be greeted by Storm Bronagh which raged Thursday night with gusts up to 60 mph. Fortunately by 6.30 am on Friday morning when we met the rest of the group the worst had passed but we knew we faced 20-30 mph winds and showers for the first leg of our cycle to Newhaven on the south coast, a distance of 64 miles.
Not having done a cycle like this before we didn’t know what to expect. However we were surprised when after an initial briefing and team photograph we were simply told to follow the signs, ride at our own pace but re-group at the refreshment stops which were about every 15 miles. No organised peloton like on a PCC ride with someone shouting “change up”!
By the time we had a couple of stops the ice began to break amongst the group and everyone started to chat and relax. No relaxing on the bike though as we battled the wind all the way to Newhaven. A long day finished after the roughest sea crossing I’ve ever been on and a short ride to a hotel in Dieppe.
Day 2, Dieppe to Gournay en Bray, was easier than day 1 as it was only 50 miles through some very scenic countryside but we hadn’t escaped the wind which typically was more of a hindrance than a help. Steph and I even got a mini peloton going with changing up – once a club rider always a club rider!
We resisted the temptation of a late night as we knew the final push to Paris on Sunday was the longest stage at 70 miles and the forecast wasn’t good. An early start saw the group set off at 7 am and it seemed that Storm Bronagh had followed us all the way from England as it rained and blew almost non-stop all day. By now some of the group were flagging but all those Tuesday night spins, bun runs and sportives with PCC kept Steph and me riding strong.
By mid-afternoon we were riding through the outskirts of Paris and whilst traffic and road junctions slowed progress the excitement was building. As we were spread over the road it was arranged we would all meet up at a point 3 miles from the finish and ride to the Eiffel Tower together. And so it was that the17 riders plus two riders from the support team rode with growing elation towards the iconic tower. Then with a few hundred meters to go of course I got a puncture, the first mechanical either Steph or I had had the entire trip. As the rest of the group rode on we made our late arrival on foot. Not the triumphant arrival we had hoped for!
A glass of champagne and a group hug in front of the Eiffel Tower soon erased the disappointment of the finish as did the somewhat jovial evening spent with new friends. Whilst the cycling was good typically the highlight of the trip was the camaraderie engendered in what was an eclectic group who all had their own motivations for undertaking the challenge and their own stories to tell. From joining PCC to riding London to Paris Steph and I have learned just how sociable and enjoyable cycling is when you are with like-minded friends. And yes there was coffee and cake.

Two of our newest members are setting off a one of the classic cycling Sportives. Here is Stephanie & Robert's story:

London to Paris Charity Cycle 2018
One Saturday afternoon last March, while sitting at home feeling less than fit, I saw an article on social media promoting ABC Council’s Sofa to Saddle challenge. My husband, Robert, has been cycling for about 30 years and has taken part in various sportives during that time. I never showed any interest, but by the time he came home from the gym that day, I’d signed up to a cycling course which ended with a sportive challenge. I hadn’t read the small print, just that the event would be held on Father’s Day starting and finishing at Craigavon Lakes. Had I read the small print I might have been put off, because the sportive turned out to be a choice of 60Km or 100Km long. Both seemed daunting distances with only 10 weeks to prepare. So at Easter it was off to purchase a road bike ‘Lexa’ and the journey began………..
My Dad, Joe Mitchell, had cycled all his life and Mum tells of how he used to cycle from Lurgan to Stranmillis College every Wednesday evening to visit her! He retired in 2002, and decided to challenge himself to ‘Pedal to Paris’ raising money for the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal. He trained hard and raised the money necessary for the trip. Unfortunately he came off his bike in June 2003, and after a month in Intensive Care in Craigavon Hospital he sadly passed away and so never fulfilled his dream of cycling from London to Paris.
So what better way to remember him than attach a cream rose to ‘Lexa’ and cycle 100Km on a sunny June Father’s Day last year. It was tough, but encouraged all the way by my MAMIL (middle aged man in lycra), we made it!
Fast forward to August 2017 and another Saturday morning surfing the internet, and into my head pops a cycle to Paris idea! After some research Robert and I signed up to a London to Paris cycle in aid of Marie Curie and in memory of my Dad. After a number of fund raising events and people’s generosity we have raised over £7500 for Marie Curie. Now we’ve completed our training for the 300Km event 21st – 24th September. I joined Portadown Cycle Club “bun runners” last September, and after a bit of persuasion Robert signed up after Easter. The club has been so encouraging and has really helped our training.