RichardJKeyte Posted May 14, 2015 Report Share Posted May 14, 2015 Hi all! Myself and Oliver (and a fair few others) are attempting to cycle from London to Paris in 24 hours! As we are riding in Saracen Colours we thought it would be nice to share the trip as best we can with you all on here! Enjoy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sean Barker Posted May 14, 2015 Report Share Posted May 14, 2015 I managed to get the Saracen top to Oliver by handing it to him as his train passed through Bournville station They looked the part as I watched the train pull away. Good luck guys and keep us updated Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardJKeyte Posted May 14, 2015 Author Report Share Posted May 14, 2015 Thank you so much Sean for that MI5 style transfer of the jersey. It's greatly appreciated!We have arrived in London, now to eat and prepare Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs DAVIES Posted May 14, 2015 Report Share Posted May 14, 2015 Good Luck!Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardJKeyte Posted May 14, 2015 Author Report Share Posted May 14, 2015 Thank you! We are settled in, treated like kings at my cousins. Even had some time to take some photos of the kit before tomorrow! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sean Barker Posted May 15, 2015 Report Share Posted May 15, 2015 When is the start time and starting point? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardJKeyte Posted May 15, 2015 Author Report Share Posted May 15, 2015 Starting at Trafalgar Square at around 4. We have just stopped off at the velodrome before we get ready. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sean Barker Posted May 15, 2015 Report Share Posted May 15, 2015 Here's a live webcam of Trafalgar Square Clicky I'll keep an eye out for you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hannah Posted May 16, 2015 Report Share Posted May 16, 2015 You boys must be feeling it now! Hope all is well! :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sean Barker Posted May 16, 2015 Report Share Posted May 16, 2015 All being well they should have finished now. Here's hoping they made it, in what would be a fantastic achievement Let us know how it went when you get a chance guys Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardJKeyte Posted May 19, 2015 Author Report Share Posted May 19, 2015 Hi everyone. Sorry for the late update and lack of news after we left. So, London to Paris! Well it turned out to be a very different experience than I thought it would be. The team met up and then headed towards the start point of Trafalgar Square, we aimed for a start time of about 4/4:30. Which myself and Oliver thought was a bit late, but we were mere tag alongs to an organised ride by other people. We arrived and with all photos taken were ready to go, but were delayed. One member wanted to wait for his girlfriend to 'see him off' and after a bit of moaning and waiting the rest of the group including us decided to head off. We started out eventually at 4:45ish and within 5 miles someone's chain broke, he panicked and thought it was game over, but Oliver fixed it within seconds and during that time found out that little prep had been made by that particular chap. Which gave me and Oliver some concern. We struggled through the traffic, and also with a route which wasn't planned for speed, it was planned for directness, theoretically this route was 'quicker' but traffic etc proved otherwise. The route we used for London to Brighton was ever so slightly longer, but gave a better speed average which would of been preferred. Poor group riding even after strong requests from us made things worse, the guy with the map at the back?!? Later on one chap fell off, a nasty collision resulting in a facial injury but he carried on, again after assistance by Oliver. So delayed with time, and with a new route created by us we pressed on. Me and Oliver set a high pace and led the group with Oliver quietly singing 'Saracens to the rescue'. We finally made progress, however we then split from the group. A disagreement with our route over another one left the others deciding to take a left, not carrying on straight (even though the roads met further on) which then left me and Oliver alone. Hell with it we said. We knocked up the pace and blasted some miles out and (we found out later) got further south than anyone else. I checked the times, remaining distance and worked out we needed to average 26mph to get there in time .... Now that's only just out of our scope :P We called the van. Fearing being left in England, and not even getting to attempt the other side we got the van and headed to newhaven. Extremely disappointed. As we arrived with a bit of time to spare the others were way behind. We found out they got taxis to get them to the port but were unsure of an ETA. The ferry was leaving in 10 minutes, already agreeing to wait an extra 5 for us. With one minute (literally) to spare they arrived. We had bags and passports out and ready from the van We made it on the ferry. The late start time, poor route planning and general lack of prep by other members of the group failed us all. You could tell the difference between me and Oliver and the others when riding. On the French side things started a little better, the van had decided to help with route guidance better, which for the rest of the trip was first class. We punched out 40 miles before stopping for breakfast using nice roads and an attempt of better group riding. When we stopped I made a personal choice to retire from the group for a while. A mixture of being frozen to the bone, extremely tired and still stressed from the day before. A few others also took this choice. Apart from Oliver which typically had no knowledge of this thing called 'cold' and also couldn't comprehend the idea of being tired. Fair play to him. The group continued. Oliver leading and the van assisting with guidance. Another mechanical which I came to the rescue too. I re joined the pack, a mixture of regret that I withdrew, but also better for the sleep. Myself and Oliver then lead the group in most sections closer and closer to Paris. A few moans about group riding from other members made the team attempt to work together better which was welcome news. As we arrived once again planning took us a rather different route, lots if traffic lights, big main roads and even some tunnels .... Which was rather scary. We entered Paris, headed down towards The Arc de Triomphe! Wow! That wakes you up. Mental road rules and cobbles was just mad. But kinda fun. A few more roads, beautiful streets and cobbles. The group a bit scattered but then we met up, just before crossing the river to hit the final straight together. Done! We had arrived. A total time of 22:50 Start to finish. However, myself and Oliver are well aware that the mishaps on this side of the channel and also personally my failure to continue (knowing the challenge was dead) makes this a hollow victory. As no member cycled every mile. However. The ride was an experience, it taught me a lot and I think it showed Oliver a lot too. It also showed us that it could be done. The average speed on the French side wasn't really pushing it. So with a tighter group and better route planning (which we managed last year in France to a t!) would enable a truly successful ride and challenge. It was enjoyable, a few stressful moments but it's all part of the experience. We are planning to do it again, to be able to say we actually did it. (Me more than Oliver) Next year hopefully with a smaller and stronger group of riders and More organisation!!! Feel free to join us. Personally I would like to say sorry if we, or I in particular have let anyone down. I do regret taking the section out the ride. But with moral so low, the cold and falling asleep on my new bike, at the time it was the right choice. I will complete this challenge next year. All I can say is that the Saracen club experience and knowledge showed itself during this run. The others looked to us for advice, structure and literally looked as us as we blasted up a few hills !! And wearing the club colours made me very proud that the band they see which brought the experience and assistance was the Saracen RC! So much so one guy, Andrew Dickinson, wants to join us for a club run. He's a competent rider taking part In lot of events and distance riding, and was one of the strongest riders (after Oliver!) Thank you for your support and interest. And for reading. See you Sunday hopefully. Bring a van just incase it's a bit nippy! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sean Barker Posted May 19, 2015 Report Share Posted May 19, 2015 You let no one down Richard. Well done guys on coping so well with what sounds like shambolic organisation and doing the club proud. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisP Posted May 19, 2015 Report Share Posted May 19, 2015 Well done to both of you nice to see club colours in Paris. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnC Posted May 20, 2015 Report Share Posted May 20, 2015 Well done to you and Oliver for making such a good effort in what sounded like a challenging 24 hours. Sorry it didn't turn out the way you would have liked, but the ride definitely sounded an experience. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rovi Posted May 26, 2015 Report Share Posted May 26, 2015 Well done lads Good to know you gained some experience riding with us. Wonderfull to see the colours in Paris Good luck for next time. Excellent report. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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