Some Piccies from the last day

DONE IT

So, here I am, sat at home in the UK, after an incredibly emotional couple of days. Saturday started well and we flew the first 28 or so miles through to lunch, past a water stop en route. Lunch was taken by a river and a coupl eof scamps thought it would be funny to go for a swim - oooooh the chaffing I thought! After lunch it was to be a 'leisurely ride' into Pairs, leisurely if the Parisien drivers weren't all nutters...at least three or four times our group of five was nearly hit by people over taking or coming in from a side street. Still, we made it through all Paris had to offer to the park where we all met up at about 3pm. The over-riding feeling was one of real achievement and the emotion really took me. I sat on a grass bank, spent, and wept, really wept. The pain of the last few days and the scale of what I had achieved was sinking in, and at that moment I felt my Dad would be so proud and I couldn't stop the tears...

After a few mins of quiet relection someone snapped me out of it by suggesting we had an ice-cream (!) and from the park we waited for a couple of stragglers to arrive (one had a pedal fall off!!) and we went en masse to the Eiffel Tower. It was am amaing feeling to head to the Arc de Triomphe roundabout, and head down the Champs Elysees, traffic blocked, horns tooting, people cheering. What a terrific feeling, my melancholy refelctive mood had been replaced by one of great elation. We rode past the Eiffel Tower and there I saw Jen, Pat, Lizzie, Richard, Lynn, and of course, B; she saw me and waved excitedly - the look on her face made the whole trip worth while (more tears!)....a short trip on and we arrived at the base of the Eiffel Tower, where a chilled bottle of Veuve Cliquot awaited...! Never has a glass of champagne tasted so good. A few photos later and the short ride to the hotel to begin the celebrations...since then we've been up the Eiffel Tower (or Big Pylon as B refers to it) and headed home on Eurostar....

I have to say without a few people the last few days would have been impossible. Sunil, my biking buddy, waiting for me when I was slow and paced me when I had energy in my legs. He is a great bloke and his patience was a God-send. Martin, my room-mate was a top bloke, considered, thoughtful and wanted to go to sleep early...fantastic - just what I wanted in a room-mate. The food was great (I have put on 3 pounds - must be muscle :) ) and the organisation was nearly faultless by Discover Adventure. Finally without the support of my family, Jen in particular, nagging me to go out training I would never of done this and to them I am truely grateful.

What next? I am thinking trek, and I quite fancy Everest base camp or Kilimanjiro....never say never!

Day 3

Today was meant to be the easy day. MEANT TO. EASY. It wasn't. The first 23 miles were all up hill, apart from a few downhill bits that meant you then had to go back up hill. We climbed around 2,000 feet which was more than enough for me to be frank! The wind then decided to pick up and at times we were cycling directly into the wind, UP HILL. Nice. Lunch was at 43 miles, and the final water stop at around 60, with just under 10 miles, pretty much all downhill into Beauvais. We had a fatality on the trip today - a farmer's dog ran into the road chasing a cyclist and got hit by a car...not a pretty sight!

Pictures won't upload for now so will put them up tomorrow....

2 days in, sore bum but doing ok!

So here we are in Abbeville, some 157 miles from London as the fat boy cycles....weird to think we left London less that 36 hours ago......[wavey lines].......

After arriving at the Clarendon hotel, a lofty 794 out of 1,150 hotels in London on Tripadvisor, I was not to be disappointed, tiny ariless rooms, service with a grimace and a shower that barely trickled. My room mate was to be Sunil (more of him later) who seemed a nice guy if an inveterant snorer...I got two hours sleep, he was up at 4am...

After breakfast and last minute checks on the bike we made it across the road to Blackheath green (?) where we had a bit of a briefing, dropped our kit off and started out on our (sort of) epic journey.

Just before leaving the hotel


Waiting for it all to start


Within a mile we had a beast of a hill and this set the tone for the day - hills, hills and more hills...the weather though was great - no wind and glorious sunshine for long distances. The day was punctuated with a couple of water stops, lunch and a couple of toilet breaks (unscheduled). For the whole day we were against the clock as our ferry was due to go at 5.50...however I managed to get to Dover for 3.57, about 40th of the group of 130 - quite pleased with that! A lot of the day I was cycling on my own but every now and then someone would come past and stop for a chat - it really is amazing how many different reasons people are doing this ride for, we have loads of people from Christians Against Poverty (they're all really *nice*), and other charities, Ataxia, Loros etc etc....the nicest thing is that everyone looks out for each other and has a nice word to say if passing or at a stop.

We finally made it into Calais after 40 mins or so delay and were then taken, in convoy, to our hotel, except it wasn't our hotel - they got the wrong one. Another 3 miles and we finally got to our hotel, my new room was Martin, another GP (Sunil is one too) from Scotland.

A good night's sleep was had by all, and we headed off at 7.45ish on our second day - the first 23 miles (to first water break were really tough (and I mean really tough), but once we got there it was relatively easy - long flat buit with the wind behind us 'til lunch followed by a few nasty hills but nothing major. I cycled all day with Sunil and it makes a huge difference having someone egg you on and pace you.

These pictures are (in order) - the hill profiles for each day, Martin having a well earned rest, Sunil at lunch, day 2, beautiful water wheel and me....ruining another picture!







Routes and hill profiles - just to keep my bro happy :)

Docs Report

Not a kidney infection as far as they can tell.....should be good to go! Fingers crossed!

A glimmer of hope

Just spoke to the organisers, they have said that if needs be they will take me to Dover on the back of the truck if I need an extra day to recover which is good news in that I can then to that leg at my leisure another time...still feeling a little better and am waiting for the docs to call me back with news on how serious the infection is.

In the balance.....

....I am starting to think that the antibiotics are kicking in, I feel a little better and don't feel like I need the loo every 5 mins...! Hopefully this isn't a false dawn and I will be ok to start at 7am prompt tomorrow. The way I look at it that's 2 more pills and a load of cranberries.....!

Not feeling any better.....

.....hoping the antibiotics are going to kick in overnight as I feel lousy at the moment. Have drunk enough Cranberry juice to turn red and enough water to last a lifetime...fingers crossed.

Cambridge United have very kindly run a story on my bike trip - which is exceptionally exciting...and I have even had some sponsorship already - thanks to Tom in the Habbin!

Right - well you could say the next 24 hours are crucial, fingers well and truly crossed that this time tomorrow night I will be holed up in a shit hotel in South London - you won't hear me say that often!

Unbelievable

So, 2 days before ths big off I get diagnosed with a UTI, nightmare. Feeling like I need to pee every 2 mins and feeling knackered etc...not good. Am on strong dose of antibiotics, hoping they will sort me out in 24 hours. I have not been ill for months - why now?

Last training trip...

...Well here we go then I guess. Went out and did around 28 miles (missed 2 off satnav again - d'oh)....cycled to Grafham, met J, B & D, had a picnic, went round Grafham water with B (just over 8 miles - she fell asleep after 3!) and then cycled back...for some reason my left knee is killing me tonight though and I have taken Ibuprofen and iced it...fingers crossed it'll be ok in the morning.

Can I do 3 of those in a day - I think I can if the hills aren't too severe. Working it out it's got to take a max of around 3 hours per 30 miles (including stops) and an hour for lunch = 10 hours (day one) - this means leaving at 6.30am and getting to Dover for 4.30 (ferry at 5.30 apparently). It is my biggest fear in the whole trip - not making the ferry...

Wish me luck!

Last practice ride tomorrow...

...think I will be heading up to Grafham water, do a lap and come back - about 26 miles. Want to do it in under 2 hours which would be a good run out. Jen is out with the girls tonight and I am sat at home so I won't be hungover tomorrow. I will get B up and giv eher a lie in and head out mid-morning I think. I can buy the bits I need (some deep heat and other cycle bits) from Grafham cycling at the same time. In other news my leg warmers arrived and my Mum posted my lightweight jacket which I left in Cornwall.

Not long to go now - I can't believe there will be anyone who's done as little training as me - or is as unfit as me....the fact the trip starts 9/9/9 worries me a little.....!!!

Cornwall - Hills, hills and more hills (apart from the Camel Trail)

OK, now let's get this straight. Cornwall has hills - and then some...I decided to cycle to Newquay (about 30 miles) but didn't expect the massive hills in and out of Redruth, Perranporth and the final climb into Newquay - all absolute killers...



I switched the GPS off with about 6 miles to go by accident so it looks like I stopped short of Newquay - I didn't! One of the beautiful things about t'internet is you get to communicate with people you'd never normally meet so I 'met' a guy via Twitter called Sean Maher who is cycling from Cornwall to Capetown!!! Check out his website here. We decided we would do the Camel Trail together and we did so today - a fairly brisk pace - details in picture below. The pic of both of us is in Padstow where we met up with Jen, B and Ken and had a decent lunch before setting off. Sean is trying to raise as much money as he can for various charities and is a thoroughly nice chap - I am going to help him out a little and hopefully some of my contacts could be of use to him.

Cornish Hills......

.....so we have arrived in Cornwall, at my parents, just outside of Helston. I went out today and cycled (downhill) to one of my favourite places in the world - Porthleven. The biggest problem with Portleven is that the hill on the way back up is a 300ft+ climb in around 1.5 miles - this might not sound alot but have a look at the profile here - you can see my heart rate reached around 180...!



Some piccies from portleven harbour...

Struggling afterwards?

I thought I would try to cycle to Cambridge - 23 miles and then do a bit of shopping. I did the cycling bit in about an hour and a half, although on the graph/map attached you will see that I forgot to put my timer on for a 2 mile or so section!! It looks like I caught a ride with something/one and just missed a few miles... I really got in the groove and although it was really hot found it easy enough...however...this morning I have woken up with big cramps so I clarly have not had enough salts...forgot to take my rego drink which I will clearly need to take to Lon/Par with me. Not long now - 2 weeks and 2 days and I am feeling a little nervous. Pretty sure I can do day one but not too sure if I will be able to get going on days 2/3/4!!

I also cycled with my iPod for the first time and it was a revelation, definitely need to use that on the trip!

Time not on the bike and drinking beer means....

....a bloody hard run out. So 10 days where I couldn't get by ever expanding arse back onto my bike and I really struggled tonight and only did 8 miles. In the weight news I am up to 13 st 5 lbs (ouch - a gain of 2 lbs!) as last week I had two massive nights out and I have been sort of addicted to cashew nuts. Well the diet started again today and I have avoided all snacks and had pasta for dinner, meaning my run tomorrow should go well as I have stored up on a load of carbs. The plan is to be 15-20 miles tomorrow (possibly in 2 stints) and see if I can maintain a decent pace. Only 3 1/2 weeks to go now and am starting to feel a little apprehensive. Got to chase some sponsorship later in the week...

The difference between the two weeks....

Last week - I did 64 miles, this week 0, nightmare really but will need to do a decent ride on Sunday - also then got to arrnage to ride to Ely so I can meet up with the good folks of the Ely Bowls Club who are sponsoring me - less than 4 weeks to go now, starting to get exceptionally nervous!

Updates

Was going to go out but it is seriously pissing it down and nearly dark - I don't have my reflective jacket yet...

The guys doing our windows - Admiral have sponsored me 50 quid which is a nice touch - they are good guys - see their website here

Also - all my lovely energy bars and gels arrived - again, how exciting. These things are bloody great - one every 10 miles or so is my rule and that seems to work quite well...see piccy!

Rather Excited

I have to say I am rather excited. Dave Gorman (he of all the TV shows/panel shows and beard) has sponsored me 20 quid! I wrote to him telling him how his not giving me the details of his publisher meant I went on to start up R3 and he sponsored me - what a jolly nice chap. I suggest we all go and see him on his tour (link)

My knees hurt...

...thought I would head out and do a proper ride so I got on my bike and did 33 miles (and then to and from the station, another 6 miles that evening). It was quite hard work - the first 10 miles or so all seemed to be uphill but then, the next ten were much better, mostly downhill/flat. A couple of small climbs and dips and then home. The route took me towards Abbotsley, through Eynesbury Hardwicke, Tetworth, Everton, Sandy, Cardington, Great Barford, Wyboston....

I have to say climbing the stairs was the hardest part of the day and my knees today, a day on, are really hurting. Lots of ibuprofen methinks on the journey. The 33 miles itself wasn't too bad and I completed it in 2 1/2 hours, this included a couple of stops, one for a phone call, the other at traffic lights (for ages......). Some of the climbs were hard work though and I suspect this is going to be my downfall on the trip itself.

Richard and Lynn have booked to come to France and Jen wants me to book her too...Pat I think is coming too so there will be a few to greet me on the Champs Elysees on 13th Sept!

Back with a bang (whimper...)

So back from Vegas nearly half a stone heavier - that's what chips with everything does to you. Whilst over there I trialled the awesome Expresso bike as per below but aprt from that did bugger all exercising...so yesterday I thought it was high time to head out for a 15 miler - my furthest yet and the bare minimum from hereonin. The trip itself could be broken down into three stages really - the first five miles, nearly all hup hill were hard work but then I seemed to get into a good downhill rhythm for the next 5, meaning an average over that part of about 18 mph...I then found the last few miles quite tough (alot more uphill) but still managed a creditable 1 hr and 2 mins for 15.3 miles...couldn't find my heart monitor thogh which was annoying and have got to change the settings slightly on my shoes, but it felt ok and now need to make sure I do this every other day for the next five weeks....

Cycling in Las Vegas

Well, kind of...did 8 miles UPHILL on an exercise bike which had a computer screen and handlebars you had to move...check this out

AWESOME!

15 years today

So, 15 years ago today. 4pm. I can remember it like it was yesterday. I was working at Argos. Ken appeared at the bottom of the stairs and said Dad had died. Go to his house, and he was at rest. Even now, 15 years on, there isn't a day I don't think about him, what fun we could have had together. He didn't see Pat or I graduate, see Jen and I get married, see the successful careers Pat, Jen and I have forged for ourselves. Of course he never saw his grand-daughter, and he would have doted on her - although I still don't think I would have got him near a nappy.

Now here I stand with a beautiful and smart two year old daughter, and a nine year old marriage to a fantastic woman, I am blissfully happy. Time is a great healer - what doesn't knock you down does make you stronger. I have strived every day to make my Dad proud, and although I don't believe in all that guff, I'd like to believe somewhere he's looking down on us all, a proud proud man.

9-13 September will be tough, but I will get there, and yet again I hope you will be proud of me - I still miss you Dad and hopefully I am doing my bit in your memory.

Same loop as last week....

Was going to do 23 miles yesterday bu tthe weather closed in (haven't bought my waterproofs yet) and Jen locked herself out of the house so it was just the 9 miles in the end...

Basically roughly the same loop as last week but a bit slower - the wind was a killer, at some points I was averaged about 9 mph which is just not fast enough...

Local journalism at it's best.....

Piece in the Hunts Post - interestingly enough I appear to have founded Ely bowls club with my grand-dad, and my Dad is back from the dead to do the bike ride...

Kit bought...

OK so have bought the kit and have started training in earnest. Last night I worked out a 9.5 mile loop which I then went and did in around 45 mins - I have attached the GPS of the route and also the speed Vs heart rate graph - heart rate of 180ish a couple of times - bit too high really!

The plan is to do 10 miles Mon/Wed/Fri and 30-40 at weekends so I have now got 2 10 mile routes and will add more - need to get some longer loops sorted.

More fame....

http://www.huntspost.co.uk/content/hunts/news/story.aspx?brand=HPTOnline&category=News&tBrand=HertsCambsOnline&tCategory=newslatestHPT&itemid=WEED13%20Jul%202009%2011%3A59%3A27%3A210

Article in Hunts Post and possibly going to be in the Ely Standard too......

Kit buying/Training Starts

OK, so I am off to buy the kit on Saturday and then the training starts on Monday. I am about 4 weeks late starting my training so I had better really go for it this time.

On the weight front I am down to around 13 st 6 lbs which is obviously good - I reckon I could do with shedding another stone yet though. Sponsorship is up to £1,840 and has slowed a little. Am going to have a push over the next week or two...

Training....

Argggghhhh

It's wet and I have been on a 4 day stag do in Magalluf...not exactly looking forward to training this week - manana manana.....

More press coverage

Have done my piece for the Ely Standard and Hunts Post and it should be in this week...

2 quick trips

OK so it's now Sunday but yesterday I, completely by accident, stumbled upon a new route - around 7 miles, and I did it twice. I am going to call it my 'sprint loop'. Once with B on the back (37 mins), once on my own (30 mins, 45 secs), averaging over 14 mph. Have managed to get my Satnav working properly thanks to this site so I am getting routemaps and training info. My goal is certainly to be doing the sprint loop in under half an hour. I am on the lookout for longer runs (20-25 miles) in and around the area and have got a way of doing a map on Googlemaps and then converting it to the satnav - it's not perfect but it sort of works...

Have had the agenda for the trip we're doing and one of the most startling thing is that we're doing 95 miles in 9 hours (including breaks) - if we think you;re going to have around an hour and a half's break in total that is 95 miles in 7.5 hours (no shit!) which is an average of 12.67 mph which for me is quite a pace...

@Glinner to RT me!

Graham Linehan, the writer of Father Ted and the IT Crowd is going to send out a Tweet to all his followers (22,870 of them) mentioning my cycle ride! How exciting.

Training - or, lack thereof...

OK, so the brighter ones of you might remember this is the week I should have started my training proper, but work has gone more than a little crazy and I am away Weds/Thurs/Fri (work and pleasure!) so I haven't even bought all the kit yet. I am hoping to do this Saturday with a view to going out on the bike Sunday - fingers crossed...just too damn busy at the mo...

EIBA

Cheque arrived from EIBA - thank you! £100 better off, now up to £1,640 raised...

10 Miles before Breakfast

OK, so it was a late breakfast (10am) but I decided to take B out on the back of the bike and do a 10.24 mile ride effectively 2 stone heavier (B on the seat). I did it in 46mins 44 secs, burning 605 calories at an average speed of 13.14mph. It felt pretty good - can I do 30 of these in 4 days? That is the question, but I feel at the moment I should be able to. I think, over time I can get my average speed up to around 14/15mph and my cadence up to a consistent 60 (it was 59 on this run).

Piccies of us going out...







The 10 mile loop (as it is now known)

Rosey's Wedding today....

....so I thought I would head out on a 10 mile loop with B on the back first. Might take some piccies and do a map of the route - this may become by staple training ride...

In other news, up to £1,640 raised now - still should get to £2,000 or more easily enough. Also had interview with Ely Standard and Hunts Post for more publicity - and I still have no idea who 'Fruitie' is!

Bike goes through a few changes

See the bike in all it's glory (and mascot - 6 month old Dexter)!






Am getting conflicting advice at the moment as to whether I can do this thing on a mountain bike masquerading as a racing bike. Some people say yes, others say I need a racer. Well I have decided to try to convert my bike to be more 'road'worthy so have changed the tyres (below) and added 'bull-horns' (above)



A big thanks to Darren at County Cycles in St Neots - top bloke, did it speedily, efficiently and fairly priced - thanks:

32 St. Marys St, Eynesbury, St. Neots, PE19 2TA
Tel:01480 476529

Fame at Last!

From the local paper - starting to get some coverage...

EIBA Sponsor Me

Had news whilst I was away that the EIBA want to sponsor me in memory of my Dad, fantastic news and it is really appreciated. When he died in 1994 he was President of the EIBA and their HQ is named after him:
***************************************************************************************
From: Peter Thompson
Sent: 12 June 2009 09:20
To: Daniel Cornwell
Subject: EIBA Ltd



Morning Daniel,



I have pleasure in confirming that the EIBA Ltd would be delighted to donate £100 to your charity bike ride in September.



Would you be able to supply information on where we could send you a company cheque and who it is to be made payable to.



I look forward to hearing from you in due course.



Best regards



Peter



Peter Thompson

Chief Operating Executive

English Indoor Bowling Association Ltd

Itinery

This is the itinery:

INTRODUCTION

Cycling from London to Paris is one of the great cycle experiences in Europe. Passing through picturesque Kent countryside, we cross the Channel and continue through the small villages and medieval market towns of Northern France, passing the famous battlefields of the Somme and Agincourt. With long days in the saddle and some strenuous hill-climbs, the sight of the Eiffel Tower, our finishing point, will evoke a real sense of achievement.

Our last day in Paris allows us to explore the streets of Paris and soak up the romantic atmosphere of this majestic town!
____________________________

ITINERARY

Day 1: London – Calais
An early start from Greenwich allows us to avoid the morning traffic as we pass through the outskirts of London onto quieter roads. It is not long before we are among the fields and villages of rural Kent, passing orchards and traditional oast houses where hops are stored. We continue our journey along the North Downs Way and along small country roads to Dover and the coast. Taking the ferry to Calais we have dinner on board and stay overnight in our Calais hotel. (Lunch included, riders buy their own dinner on the ferry).
Cycle approx. 153km (95 miles)

Day 2: Calais – Abbeville
After a hearty breakfast we head south from Calais, passing through beautiful rural landscapes and quiet back roads. Cycling inland from the coast, we avoid busy Boulogne and pass east through ancient Desvres, renowned for its pottery. Following quiet winding roads we reach the valleys of the Canche River, and cross the river to Hesdin, a pretty town near the site of the historic battle of Agincourt. Continuing south, our final 30km brings us to the River Somme and the town of Abbeville. Abbeville suffered badly in a German air raid in World War 2, but its beautiful Flemish-style architecture is still in evidence and its Gothic church has been largely restored to its former glory. Overnight in hotel. (Breakfast, lunch & dinner included).
Cycle approx 120km (75 miles.)

Day 3: Abbeville – Beauvais
Leaving Abbeville behind us we follow the River Somme east out of the town in the direction of Amiens. These lands are renowned for the terrible battles of the First World War and are scattered with cemeteries and other poignant reminders of the thousands of man who died here. Our route soon turns south and we follow shady beech-tree-lined avenues so typically French, into meandering valleys and traditional farming hamlets. The cycling is mostly flat and through agricultural lands. Our day ends at Beauvais, a town renowned for its large gothic cathedral. Overnight in hotel. (Breakfast, lunch & dinner included).
Cycle approx 110km (70 miles.)

Day 4: Beauvais – Paris
Our final day’s cycling takes us over the river Théram and south of Beauvais towards the great capital city. Following small country roads we head towards the small town of Meru and continue south through beautiful countryside. Cycling is the national sport of France and while the Tour de France attracts supporters in its thousands, it is normal for the locals to stop and cheer us on as we pass through their towns and villages. As we reach the suburbs of Paris we look out for the distinctive landmarks of the Eiffel Tower and the Sacré Coeur standing out on the skyline. Reaching the suburb on St. Denis we reach the River Seine, and follow its northern esplanade in the shadow of the Bois du Boulogne until we reach the Pont d’Iena and finish beneath the lofty arches of the Eiffel Tower. Overnight in hotel. Celebration meal. (Breakfast, lunch & dinner included).
Cycle approx 95km (60 miles.)

Day 5: Paris - London
After breakfast you are free for the rest of the day to explore the city, going up the Eiffel Tower or visiting renowned attractions such as the Arc de Triomphe and Notre-Dame cathedral. You are responsible for getting yourself to the Gare du Nord on time for our evening Eurostar train back to St Pancras. (Breakfast included; riders buy their own lunch & dinner).
____________________________

So - what to do?

In precisely 12 weeks and 2 days I will be attempting to cycle from London to Paris in 4 (yes that's 4) days. Given that the largest ride I have ever done in one go is about 12 miles you could say I might have bitten off more than I can chew. Then factor in that I am a fat bugger, always have been, and I have never been particularly fit. I am also 34, and have a full time job, and a two year old!

Weight-wise a few months back myself and my wife, Jen, went on a bit of a diet and I am down from 15st 10lbs to (after a week's holiday, and chips on 4/5 occasions!!!) 13st 12lbs. Ideally - for the bike ride - I want to be down to around 12st. I haven't been that light since I was born.

So - What to do?
Still got to get the bike serviced and have road tyres etc put on (this week)
Buy some cycling gear (drinking bottles, lycra galore! (this week)
Work out some 10-15 mile routes (this week)
Start training (next week)
Lose weight (ongoing - 2 pounds a week it looks like (ish))
Raise more money (ongoing) - Donate HERE