Brief update.

Well the workshop construction is well underway, photos to be posted on here soon.
The website construction is progressing well.
My most recent London-Paris trip with the 'British Association for Adoption & Fostering' charity group, update will appear here very soon too. A charity very close to my heart, and a fantastic trip which was made all the more fun by the patron Nicky Campbell.
Be back real soon!

Best Beginnings - London-Paris, 12th-15th Sept

12th - 15th Sept London - Paris

Best Beginnings

Having left the last group near the Eiffel Tower, I found myself driving late into the night back to Dieppe. Excited about meeting the next group, I was wondering how the stag party consisting of young actors and the famous Premiership footballer’s brother, would find day’s 2 & 3 of their challenge. Day 1 I missed as it clashed with my previous group.

I met the group in the early hours of the following morning upon their arrival in Dieppe. Needless to say they really were not that interested in meeting their soon to be mechanic/route layer at that time of the morning!

A few hours later and a late breakfast (well for the participants anyway), and there was an array of smiling faces. Except one that is. Ashley Walcott, yes older brother to Theo (Arsenal & England). Unfortunately on day one, home side of the channel Ashley had injured his leg. As you can imagine someone who is by profession a personal trainer and quite obviously from a very fit and sporting family, Ashley was somewhat devastated by his injury. He was not to ride at all on day two, but did well by completing day three of the challenge. Having spoken to him and knowing a little of his lifestyle & background Ashley would have more than likely been the fittest of the entire group. Therefore maybe he could come on another challenge next time, something longer like the Canadian Rockies? Ashley I hope you get to read this!

The actors, Leon Ockenden and his chums, what an energetic and fun loving bunch this lot were. The challenge was part of Leon’s stag weekend. Different but absolutely great at the same time. These guys laughed their way to Paris and one of them even managed to miss the professionally placed arrows twice, and get lost, or maybe it was just part of the script? 

I have two regrets from this trip, 1) I had no charge in my camera battery so therefore I couldn't take any pics of Leon dressed in his nappy and other typical stag paraphernalia and 2) that the stag party were unable to attend the celebration meal, as they had other plans once we arrived in Paris. It would I’m certain without doubt have been a lively meal!!

I think Leon is hooked on road cycling now. By the end of the tour he was telling me how he intended taking his road bike to Ireland on a three week acting job that he was shortly departing for. I hope he did, and likewise I hope to meet him again one day, a real charmer!

Three out of four.

Be back real soon

Severn Hospices Charity Challenge, London-Paris

10th - 13th Sept London-Paris

Severn Hospices Charity

I could see right from the word go, at our pre challenge departure hotel, that this group were going to be good. They had in all honesty been the best prepared group that I’d come across this season. The leader, Paul had spent many weekends organizing training rides that many of the participants so clearly had attended. I’d heard through the grapevine that he was providing pre ride and post ride snacks & brunches at his own home etc. Maybe that was the draw?

Not sure how true it was Paul, but if so it worked a treat.

The Severn Hospice riders were very keen. On day one every single one of them proudly wore the challenge shirt, and for probably the first time the residents of Bexley, Strood & Rochester knew exactly what the group of cyclists riding through their patch, stood for.

Now as I said, this lot were good but in any group engaged in an activity that is inherently a competitive one, there will be some that are better than others. Cue, the ‘A’ Team!

Mr Continental, Simon, Barry & Alan. These guys were not only good cyclists but excellent team players, you were a credit to the charity and although fantastic in the saddle you stayed with and helped others and did plenty of team work. A point to mention, Alan & Simon are both time trial-lists with 10mile personal bests below 23mins. I wonder if the tour mechanic could have given them a run for their money!!

We had hardly any mechanical problems or medical ones either, on this challenge. Another accurate indication of the team’s preparedness. They were a good group to work with, nice people and I hope to work with them again in the future, not to mention cycling with the The ‘A’ Team.

I’m sorry that I can’t mention all of the riders on this blog, but i’m sure that if any of you are reading this, then you’ll understand.

Unfortunately this was another occasion where the working situation dictated that I would not be able to enjoy the celebration dinner with the group. That was a shame, however maybe if i had attended I may have been duped into some race or challenge by my new friends.....

Who knows?

I left this group at the end and departed straight back to Dieppe to meet the next group.

Two out of four on the bounce completed.

Au revoir. 

Back from my London - Paris travels.

Finally back from 4 London - Paris challenges, in a row. Will be updating the blog very soon.

London - Paris 3rd - 6th Sept 2010

Just back from a another London - Paris trip. As usual it was a three day cycling event, with a day either side for us staff. Unfortunately once again I didn’t get to ride and I won’t on these trips anyway. It is a shame as riding is my foremost passion, fixing bikes and working around them comes second, closely though... so no problems.

Well the event went well and the 60 participants were a great group. This was an open challenge and many different ones were being represented. The ride was successful and there were no logistical or hotel muck ups, everyone slept in the right place at the right time.

I just want to make a special mention about three of the participants; first Darren Tapper & Ben Higham who rode for 9 days from John O Groats to London to arrive for the next three days of London - Paris. They cycled well and amazingly neither of them had road bikes, one had a mountain bike and the other a hybrid. A big well done guys, your families and your chosen charity should be and I’m sure are, all very proud of you both.

Secondly and this fellow was not so fortunate. One of the more senior riders John Bush had a nasty spill less than half way through day one, somewhere on the outskirts of the Kent countryside. 

At the point of impact John was riding alone and therefore he had no one to help him. He cannot recall the accident and when he was found he was in quite a bad way. In the picture above, you can see him with Carlotta one of our tour managers. Underneath the bandages on his head are 6 stitches in his left ear. Some of his ear was ripped down to the  cartilage. He also had numerous abrasions and lacerations which were to most parts of his upper left torso & head.

Three & a half hours in Ashford Kent Accident & Emergency and a CT scan, showed there were no serious injuries. This I’m absolutely certain of, was down to wearing a cycling helmet. Personally, I feel that had John not been wearing one, the injuries would have been far more serious. John intends to keep the helmet that saved him, to use as evidence and a visual aid for his up & coming war stories... Did I tell you about the time I cracked a rib in the Velodrome.... sorry I digress!

Unfortunately John was unable to continue his charity cycle ride, although he did remain on the trip. I’m sure one day he’ll be back to finish the task that he set out to do. If you’re reading this mate, I’d love to get some miles in with you. You’re a good rider so get better soon and back in the saddle.

Well 48hrs rest & recuperation and I’m almost ready to begin the next one. Same route, same agenda. ‘Severn Hospice’ is the charity benefitting from this next one, so more on that next time. I will be remaining in France at the end of the event and joining the following one for ‘Best Beginnings’. Who knows there may even be some well known faces on that one, hint, hint!

Bye for now.