Our celebration dinner...

After a chance to freshen up at our hotel, we wandered as a group to our restaurant Cafe du Commerce for our celebration dinner. See below some pics from the evening...





Awards were handed out to:
Kyle - for immense determination even though he had the worst saddle sore ever reported!
Chris M - for surviving 2 rounds of local anaesthetic in his foot, so he could pedal into Paris with the team
Nicki - for surviving a high speed tumble and getting back on her bike, both the day before her birthday!
Leo - for team work, stopping and helping to fix punctures and also geeing on the group when morale was low
Jeff and Paola - both for raising substantial amounts of money for CiC.

WE MADE IT!!!!

What an achievement... 320km in 3 days and we made it!

And a great day cycling from Gourney to Paris too. See some pictures of Team CiC!

Day 2 good

Too Good...

What a great day... Breakfast started late and then for a group warmup. Nick, decided to warm up in his own special way...



Claude, our TM gave a very thorough briefing - the word 'undulating' was used many times...


And what a beautiful day was to follow - 88km in total (a relatively short day) that was full of rolling hills, fruit stops and sunshine!


Leo looking super cool!!!!

Lunch was very good - chicken, rice and potates and was just what everybody needed! I nipped into a bike shop for a quick pit shop and left with a new seat post. No more van riding for me!


Joe sporting a hobbit pose!

Vaseline was definately the product of the day... and Tamsin has taken the nickname, Lube lady! Here is some proof. You know who you are!



See below a couple of pics en route in the afternoon...



Me and Sue with only 10 miles to go...


And a few riders coming into Gourney en Bray...











The football has begun and the wonderful people at the hotel have put on a screen for us in our dining room. A goal has been scored already and beers are flowing. I am wondering how everyone will react to their 5.30am early morning call. Tomorrow's ride is 108km into Paris and I can't wait to make it there. 2/3 of the way through the trip and I have had the most amazing time already - and made some amazing friends.

Bring on the Eiffel Tower.

AC

Day 1 survival...

Team CIC...


So, you'll see from the blog yesterday that we set off early from Bexley in the lashing rain. Even those that were in full waterproofs were soaked through to the skin.


We made the first stop of the day a little early becuase of the rain, but soon ploughed onto Leg 2. Leg 2 was very tough - hilly and with everyone being soaked it was extreme determination that got some through. The pub break was welcomed and the lovely hosts provided tea and coffee to help people warm up.

Alex did amazingly - a real struggle on leg 2 with the hills but she really pushed through and completed the hard sections with pride.

Tom coming into stop 2

So, my bike happly broke which meant a small trip in the van (I was not the only one to hitch a lift!)


Some of the team coming in for lunch at The Tickled Trout

The hills after lunch were killers, but the team really stuck together and fought through. The snack stop mid afternoon was at the top of a very steep hill (I'll be having words with Classic Tours about that one!) but the ride into Dover was well worth the wait. We rode for 8 miles along the top of the cliffs to the Ferry. And what a welcome relief to see the port and our ferry.


Happy Jo, as we arrive into Dover...


Team CiC as we board the Ferry.

After a short ferry crossing to Dover, we transferred to our coach which brough us into Dieppe. After a good night sleep, everyone is down for breakfast and ready for another day. 88km day two - and it's supposed to be a good flatish ride. Fingers crossed.

Quote of the day 'I wish my arse would stop hurting' anon!

Word of the day 'undulating...' (anyone that has been on a Classic Tours ride knows that they LOVE this word).

One of the CiC cyclists, Lauren Hill smiling as she cycles up one of the hills of the day.

Friday is the longest day, with the team facing a 116km cycle ride from London to Dover!

Our Children in Crisis Charity Representative, Anna Cooper, wet but smiling as she and the team cycle through Rochester.

GO TEAM CHILDREN IN CRISIS!