goody
Veteran
- Location
- Carshalton
Well Carshalton but it's close enough. I fancied going to see a bike race so at 9pm Friday left home for Dover to catch the 04:30 ferry to Calais. I was finding my way using a Garmin Dakota and a route created on BikeRoutetoaster , it didn't take long to realise I should have checked the route carefully, a failrly lightweight road bike with panniers and 23 tyres isn't really suited to bridleways. At some point near Brasted it directed me onto a road that didn't exist, it was dark I had a ferry to catch and was a little bit peed off (mainly at myself for not checking the route thoroughly). I found the A25 and knew that at some point I should find the A20 then Maidstone, Ashford, Folkestone, Dover. I was using my smartphone to help navigate as the screen is bigger than the Garmin and much easier to plan a route on (it was dark I'm mid forties and didn't have my glasses). Approaching Maidstone and having just climbed a hill rolling down the other side I took a drink when with one hand on the bars hit a pothole at speed knocking my hand off the bars, I suppose heading towards the verge at 20+ is exciting in a way and the landing wasn't as painful as I thought it was going to be. Rim and bars straightened, puncture repaired and I was on my way. I was using one of those Magicshine type lights from ebay but on the lowest setting as I wasn't sure how long the battery would last, it was the first time I'd used it and it's a great light for the money (under £20). I wasn't sure if I would make the Ferry so pressed on a bit. I think I was enjoying the ride but the crash and being unsure of making the ferry was making me a bit anxious. In the end I arrived early enough to be put on the 03:30 ferry. There were a few cyclists on there wearing London-Paris charity ride jersey's. Tried to get some rest and managed to doze for about 30 minutes. They made Cycles dis-embark last, I was the only one, not sure where the charity riders went. Once off the ferry had another go at straightening the rim, it wasn't perfect but good enough only really noticed the damage when braking. The ride down to Paris started off flatish then got really hilly, it was only 3 days ago but it seems bit of a blur already lots of seemingly empty villages, hills and baking sunshine. Got to the Arc de Triomphe at 10pm (french time). The place was being readied for tomorrows race lots of lorries, people, traffic and noise. I hadn't booked anywhere to stay and after a MacD's and some people watching decided to ride out of town to find somewhere quiet to put up the tent. Found a nice piece of grass next to a fairly busy road near Herblay I was so tired the noise of the traffic didn't bother me I slept till about 9am the following morning.
Sunday race day! Cycled back into Paris had a wander round the Arc de Triomphe again, lots of people setting out their chairs alongside the barriers. When I'd had a look around rode out to the race start at Versailles. There was a real party atmosphere going on there saw Cav and a few others on stage, watched the caravan go past giving out lots of freebies, the bottles of water were the only one I was interested in. After the start rode back into Paris watched some of the race on the huge screen, the only sight I got of the riders was the top of their helmets as they whizzed round the Arc. If you want a good view of the riders either get there really early and set up behind a barrier, climb a tree or lampost, bring a stepladder or stay at home and watch it on tv! Sunday night rode out to the same place as the night before woke up Monday morning started off for Dieppe at 10:30 (I was booked on the 05:30 ferry the next morning the 18:00 on the Monday was fully booked. At about 2o'c I realised I could make the 18:00 ferry if I pressed on and there's always the chance they can squeeze another one on. The last 30 miles were on the Avenue Verte which was quite nice without any traffic, that part is nice smooth tarmac (not sure about the rest of it). They did allow me on the 18:00 ferry which got me into Newhaven for about 10pm the chinese Magicshine had enough juice to see me home at about 2ish. About 450 miles in just over three days.
If you interested this is what I took
Carrera Vanquish, Schwalbe Durano plus tyres (no punctures except the crash)
Chinese Magicshine type light from ebay (under £20), two rear lights, cheap one and a cherry bomb.
Garmin Dakota using free OSM maps from here http://garmin.openstreetmap.nl/
Bikeroutetoaster.com to create the routes (check them carefully as they do throw in the odd bridleway etc).
One pannier, small tent, wash kit, spare baggy shorts and normal t-shirt.
Things I found, France is hilly, French drivers give you more room, Cyclists don't stop at red lights in Paris, water can be expensive or free when it's free load up as much as you can.
Sunday race day! Cycled back into Paris had a wander round the Arc de Triomphe again, lots of people setting out their chairs alongside the barriers. When I'd had a look around rode out to the race start at Versailles. There was a real party atmosphere going on there saw Cav and a few others on stage, watched the caravan go past giving out lots of freebies, the bottles of water were the only one I was interested in. After the start rode back into Paris watched some of the race on the huge screen, the only sight I got of the riders was the top of their helmets as they whizzed round the Arc. If you want a good view of the riders either get there really early and set up behind a barrier, climb a tree or lampost, bring a stepladder or stay at home and watch it on tv! Sunday night rode out to the same place as the night before woke up Monday morning started off for Dieppe at 10:30 (I was booked on the 05:30 ferry the next morning the 18:00 on the Monday was fully booked. At about 2o'c I realised I could make the 18:00 ferry if I pressed on and there's always the chance they can squeeze another one on. The last 30 miles were on the Avenue Verte which was quite nice without any traffic, that part is nice smooth tarmac (not sure about the rest of it). They did allow me on the 18:00 ferry which got me into Newhaven for about 10pm the chinese Magicshine had enough juice to see me home at about 2ish. About 450 miles in just over three days.
If you interested this is what I took
Carrera Vanquish, Schwalbe Durano plus tyres (no punctures except the crash)
Chinese Magicshine type light from ebay (under £20), two rear lights, cheap one and a cherry bomb.
Garmin Dakota using free OSM maps from here http://garmin.openstreetmap.nl/
Bikeroutetoaster.com to create the routes (check them carefully as they do throw in the odd bridleway etc).
One pannier, small tent, wash kit, spare baggy shorts and normal t-shirt.
Things I found, France is hilly, French drivers give you more room, Cyclists don't stop at red lights in Paris, water can be expensive or free when it's free load up as much as you can.
