Standing at the start in Greenwich Park
Thursday 4th September had finally arrived. I had to wake up far too early… even by my standards 4:15am. Went to my fathers for porridge and to load the car. We left just after 5am and picked up Nick en route. It was a surprisingly smooth journey into London despite the Tom Tom blacking out a couple of times.
We arrived in Greenwich Park at 6:30am for registration, it was already a hive of activity with cyclists unloading and checking their bikes. Registration was quick and simple, I was rider 16. We met up with other riders we knew locally. Together we formed the “Tunbridge Wells Independent Travellers” or TWIT’s for short. We gathered in the Pavilion tea rooms which was doing a roaring trade in bacon rolls and coffees. Time passed quick and we were called to General Wolfes Statue where the 250 of us gathered with our bikes for a photo shoot and a few short speeches. We were told that “this wasn’t the 12 Pedal to Paris and it wasn’t the 14th either” I’m not superstitious, but the fact that this was the 13th Pedal to Paris would come to haunt us!
Cycling through London
Then we were off. The police took us as far as the A20, so no need to stop for red lights or traffic. We travelled as one large group this far and then started to spread out as we each found our pace for the ride down to Dover. Initially I found I was up near the front within sight of the lead motorcycles. Although I wasn’t travelling overly quick I should have pace myself a little more initially as there was a long way to go.
The first break stop was in Aylesford at the Royal British Legion Village. I was pleasantly surprised by the amount of refreshments available. Hot and cold drinks, crisps, pork pies, chocolate etc etc. We didn’t stay too long though as we were keen to get to Dover amongst the first half in order to catch the first boat. The 6 Twits left together as a group on the next leg between Aylesford and Sellingfield. This was the longest leg of the day and seemed as if it was all up hill. I would look up to the crest of a hill and when I reached it I would see the next hill! I kept going at a pace I was comfortable at, though it is hard to pedal slowly so I found myself flagging a bit at this stage. Although I had lost sight of my group there was always another cyclist in sight! The route was also well sign posted.
It was now raining and quite windy. It was particularly bad when lorries went past covering you in spray. Though I perfectly timed the lunch break, arriving in Sellingfield as the heavens really opened up. Lunch was really good, Pret Rolls and Sandwiches! Plus the Tea was Yorkshire tea, the finest of all the teas! I never knew you could buy it in a 3kg bag though! At lunch I checked the map and was pleasantly surprised to see we were much closer to Dover than I imagined, only about 20 miles to go. The journey along to Folkstone wasn’t bad, it was still raining though not as heavily. After Folkstone there was Dover Hill. This is the steepest hill of the day and I was feeling pretty knackered so i pushed the bike up just this one. As did around 2/3 of the cyclists I saw.
We assembled in Dover and received our ferry passes. Although felt worn out after the day’s cycling my average speed was 14.5 mph which I was really pleased with. Also I was in time for the first ferry.
We cycled into the port of Dover, straight through passport control and customs without stopping, we even set off alarms as we cycled through one of the scanners, but were waved straight on to lane 112 where we waited, and waited, and waited.
Queuing for the ferry in Dover
Seafrance were running late and we were pushed to a later crossing. The exposed ferry port was windy and wet so we all invaded the foot passenger lounge and waited over an hour for the boat. It was a new experience to cycle onto the ferry. We boarded wirst and had to be really careful as the ramp and metal deck was so slippery. The crossing was rough but ok. From here we cycled into the centre of Calais, leaving our bikes in the local fire station and too a coack to Hotel Mercurie. A wonderful old fashioned hotel with large traditionally decorated rooms and a good 3 course dinner.
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