Mad Dash for Train

Well last day was warm but the puncture fairy had one last cruel hand to play.... Following Paul through the manic Paris traffic I then had a rear puncture.... So with about 300mtr to go I had to run in with the bike in the heat of the day.. Then we had to find the baggage place to drop the bikes off, all well signposted of course....... Grrrrrrrr eventually found it, to then see the luggage guys drive off to load the train... We stood around waiting and waiting and waiting.... Talk of some going back now and others to maybe get another train..... Then the luggage men appeared and bikes loaded up.... Mad sprint and run to checkin to only see the biggest Que. ever..z so we sort off found the end and joined in..... Sweating a lot.... Got on train and now almost in London.... Just hope the bikes are on this train......... Soon find out :-)

Jamie

Last day in Paris

Well what a ride, we had everything from very hot, very humid to very very wet (being Brits that last bit we where used to :-) ) also the last ride into Parisw some 73 miles was also plagued by the puncture fairy WE HAD 9 in total (2 for me) and Alex amazing exploding tyre OMG (pictures to follow) but the ride in through the Forrest then to finally see the Eiffel Tower was brilliant.... So as we sit here waiting to pick up the bikes before we cycle off to catch the train back home...... Another beer........

Day 3

We were expecting rain today and were not disappointed. A few miles into the ride it started to drizzle, then rain heavier, which it continued to do for the next 30 miles.  We were soon all drenched but slogged on with grim determination.

During the rain we got the first of 11 punctures.  It seems that the rain had washed dagger-like tiny fragments of Flint across the road.  Another problem with the rain was that it caused the Satmap GPS to go on the blink, repeatedly.  A very frustrating and slow day when we wanted  to make good progress.

At about 20 miles to Paris, NW of Versailles, we split into two groups.  Dom, Jon, Esther and Paul found a faster road into Paris while Andy, Jamie, Tom and Alex continued along the planned route through the Parc de St Cloud and Bois de Boulogne.

We all met up under the Eiffel Tower around 8:30, group photos and an enormous sense of achievement.
Off to our hotels for a quick shower, then we got together in a restaurant at 10:30 for a celebratory meal.
This morning is hot and sunny again in Paris and I'm wondering how much it will hurt getting out of bed.
Tom wants to see the Louvre today so a bit of sightseeing then Eurostar home.
Photos to follow.
OK, swing the legs off the bed, feet on the floor, hey, I can still walk!!!