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@*Matt*
Cross post with the Weekend Rides thread alert.
Manically sourced all the parts for this so I could ride London to Paris with a mate this bank holiday weekend. Big shout out @Nik for getting this put together so quickly - apart from one puncture, it was mechanically spot on.
Couple of pics from the trip:
Pie and carbs to get things started;
We started from LMNH then headed down towards Brixton-Streatham following @youramericanlover 's route - so far. Go a majorly lost when my Garmin died outside the sout downs, charge fail. The light completely went so we had to hoon it around to Newhaven to make the ferry in time - just got on;
All the cabins were full, so a chair for a 2 hour kip it was - 5 hour crossing, several beers and fish and chips later - makes you look like this;
It was farking cold. The ferry was full of cyclists and luckily we followed a small group of riders onto the Avenue Verte where we settled into our own pace. Went past some gorgeous buildings and scenery;
As soon as the sun rose, we were in 30 degree heat all the way through Normandy - seriosuly beautiful weather.
It became apparent from the few hills in the South Downs that my riding buddy may have overestimated his fitness. I mentally parked the 24hr target we were heading for and just enjoyed the ride. Stopped for lunch in Gournay-du-Bray with some fellow cyclists.
We'd been on the bike from 6am until 1pm at this point, so decided to head further South East to Gisors and get a room for the night (circa. 44 miles from Paris). Nice little city so recommend that as stop over if needed.
6am start, after wine, saki and Gin the night before - luckily the route out of Gisors after one climb, we were rewarded with this;
Which was the start of the Parc Naturel regional. The route down into Pointoise was flat, and very easy rolling. We passed through several sleepy villages, the sound of a Chris King Freewheeling at speed will stay me forever!
From Pointoise it was an awful ride for the final 12 miles through indutrial estates into Paris. We got there just before 12pm - in 30 degree heat was the perfect time:
Awesome Bank Holiday. Total miles was something under 200 after we took into account all the wrong turns.
Oh and the bike completed:
