London to Paris Cycle Ride
The London to Paris Cycle ride is a great experience and amazing challenge. You will cover over 500km on your 5 day trip, however, a challenge like this is not just about speed and distance, it's about group effort, friendship and incredible dedication which will result in an experience of a life time!
The first 2010 cycle ride has already filled up so book your place soon to avoid disappointment! The next London to Paris cycle rides takes place between 14th - 18th July 2010, minimum sponsorship is £1300 with a deposit of £99.
In June 2008 Mark Gidney cycled from London to Paris. Not only was this a great way to raise valuable funds for Africa Now, it was also a fantastic achievement. Below are some of his experiences.
New Years Resolution
I signed up for the London to Paris cycle ride one cold winter's night imagining a sunny journey through Northern France. A few days later a detailed pack arrived with ideas for sponsorship and a training schedule for every level of fitness. Having cycled a few miles to work each day for a few years I decided I was 'moderately fit' and could build up the miles in about 10-12 weeks.
Raising Sponsorship Money
Asking colleagues raked in a healthy amount to get me started. My favourite money making idea was a treasure hunt. Teams paid ten £10 per car and had to solve clues for different locations. At each location there was a letter and all the letters together formed a word. Teams could gain extra points for collecting certain items and many returned in fancy dress. Donated prizes of cinema tickets and meals at the local pub gave the event a competitive edge.
Training
I started training in March and gradually built up the miles in all weathers. Fortunately cycling in the rain has never bothered me, and was good preparation for a few mornings in France! Cycling on my own was difficult at times but my first 60 mile ride felt like a real achievement. My lowest point in training was on a ride where I had not eaten enough. You cannot underestimate the importance of plenty of energy food before, during and after a long ride.
An experience I'll never forget 
I arrived in London and watched the arrivals turn out in their mixed assortment of Lycra and casual sports attire. There was even a girl wearing a skirt and sandals with a shopping bag loosely swinging from her handlebars. I thought to myself, there's no way you can cycle 300 miles to Paris like that!
There was a sniff of a breeze and the sun was shining, and as we cycled further into the countryside it already felt like a holiday. Each day was about 75 miles long and split into a water stop in the morning, hot lunch somewhere scenic followed by another water stop before the final push.
The roads in Northern France are beautiful, there's no potholes or broken glass, it's just smooth all the way to Paris! Each day was truly memorable; Dieppe-Lisieux-Vernon-Paris. The most enjoyable part was chatting with other people and enjoying the scenery; lying on the sun drenched grass at lunch. Memorable moments were crossing the Seine over a bridge near Port de Brotonne and drinking champagne under the Eiffel Tower!
Would I recommend this? You bet, this was a brilliant achievable experience. Do you know what else I saw under the Eiffel Tower; a shopping bag loosely swinging from handlebars!
For more information e-mail Laura or call 01865 403265.