Charity Cycle

Waiting to cross the channel at Calais, I met a group from Vodafone doing a ride from Dusseldorf to Newbury to raise money for youth at risk and street kids in Germany. After an invitation to join, I thought....why not! It turned out to be one of the highlights of my trip so far.

My "team", Stephen, Ed and Hadrian (from l-r), always seemed to find the more 'novel' routes to take compared to the other teams, which usually included stairs, stiles and stinging nettle. My thanks to all the cyclists from Vodafone, particularly Hadrian (for talking me into it), Michael (for doing such a great job as organiser) and my team (for the fantastic company).

Route of Remembrance

Armed with the Idiot's guide to World War I and a collection of trench maps, I cycled through some of the key battle sights on the Western Front starting at Amiens and ending at Passendale in Belgium.

The soft, green, rolling hills and woods hide the horror that happened here. Even a vivid imagination can't touch on the monstrosity that swept through this region and destroyed millions of young lives and hopes.

After one day, I was thoroughly depressed. After 2, I despaired and cried for the needless waste. By day 3 I could take no more death as I travelled through a region which is nothing short of an extended cemetery. Even after 90 years, bodies are still being recovered from where they disappeared into anonymity in the mud.

All I hope is that we have learnt.......................

.................though I am afraid we haven't.

The Pillars of Paris

Death

Sex

Protesting

Churches

Bicycle shopping

and Friends



A lot of stairs, a lot of queues............

There is something for everyone in Paris. Just be sure to wear comfortable shoes.


To Benedicte and Robin......thanks for everything

End of an era

In remembrance of my trusty steed

Rosinante (Big Bertha)

sadly stolen in Paris
12 May 2008

.... and bonjour France

This pretty much sums up the first few weeks back on the road after months of sloth and gluttony.

If I thought the Alps was going to be bad......I didn't stop to think what the Alpettes or the Central Massif would be like. In my first 2 days after crossing into France I managed a cumulative altitude gain of 3846m....and my legs were like jelly. When a road cyclist passes me by with a cheery "bonjour" I know I'm in trouble....when an entire team goes past I have definitely chosen the wrong road!

Spring in France has also thrown everything at me, from sun, rain, wind,hail and sleet....usually in some particularly nasty combination.

Making my way up through the center of the country, visiting

the old historic places along the way. There is pigeon poo in these towns that is older than Australia's oldest buildings....it still takes some getting used to!

If I thought the cycling in Italy and France has been pedestrian.....I am makng up for it with my search for unusual place names. I have been to Die (and survived), had lunch at Mars, talked bollocks in the bar at Craponne.......and still the search is on.

Arrivederci Italia

It is with some sadness I left the land of wine on tap, pizza sold by the meter and ATM's that dispense milk instead of money but spring is in the air and it is time to get on the road again.

Cycled across the top of Italy via Lago de Garda, Breschia and Cuneo before climbing up over the Alps at the Colle della Madellena.

It wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be.....more of a long, slow death with 85km of a continuous grind uphill, gaining over 1600m in 7 hours

2007 in hindsight