As the riders wandered down to breakfast on the final day, everyone seemed to be feeling a mixture of excitement and apprehension. The enthusiasm for riding 100 miles to Paris with the great Miguel Indurain was only slightly dampened by the aches and pains which had built up over the previous 2 days and the knowledge that this leg was comfortably the longest. Miguel was trying to make people feel better by trying to look nervous and rubbing his thighs but we weren’t buying it.
A chilly morning in Bernay. Miguel is 4th from right.
There was also a bit of a shock as we discovered that a September morning in Northern France is, as one memeber of the group put it, “effing freezing”. So the two groups set off with a few numb fingers and toes, but all agreed that riding through the morning mist with the sun slowly rising was a breathtaking experience. As we reached the morning rest stop, the day had started to warm up and, helped by a few strong coffees from the local ‘tabac’, we all started to thaw out.
Even cycling legends need a mid-morning coffee...
It’s 9pm and I’m shattered so it’s not going to be the longest or most coherent post in the world.
We set off from Kingston at around 9.30 this morning after a certain Mr Daley Thompson arrived a little behind shcedule. we’ll forgive him. Anyway, the group gathered and everyone was in high spirits particularly as the skies were blue and the sun was shining.
The Team
Our friends from Tall Stories split us into a fast and slow group (though these would later prove to be misnomers) and we left towards Surrey and the North Downs.
The inaugural Laureus London-to-Paris Bike Ride begins tomorrow with Daley Thompson getting back on the bike to lead the peloton of cyclists across southern England en route to France. On the other side of the English Channel, they will be joined by five-time winner of the Tour de France Miguel Indurain, who will lead the ride at the end of the final day as it finishes at the Arc de Triomphe on the Champs Elysees on September 26.
Funds raised from the event will be distributed to projects which tackle a range of issues such as social exclusion, gun and gang violence and conflict resolution.
Fingers crossed, there should be a video diary of the ride over the next few days…
A Laureus fundraising Karting Challenge took place last night, from 6.00 – 10.00pm, at Greenwich Docklands Karting, an indoor track with fantastic facilities. There were plenty of teams involved and a raffle with prizes to keep the teams entertained when not racing. The event was a perfect opportunity to raise money for Laureus’ good causes and to make people aware of what the Foundation is all about while also serving as a great chance to have some fun together and build some team spirit.
The winners - Ogilvy Action
All the participants arrived at 6,30pm and, after a brief safety meeting, they split into their teams. IWC brought three teams, Ogilvy Action two and Dialogue 141, Richemont, Shcreiber Ford and Laureus each had one. Read more
On Sunday, Michael Vaughan took part in the Discovery 702 Walk the Talk marathon in Johannesburg to help raise funds for the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation Trust South Africa. He was joined by fellow South African Laureus Friends and Ambassadors Deshun Deysel, Baby Jake Matlala, Lucas Radebe, John Robbie and Cynthia Tshaka who will all be walking.
Michael Vaughan with 2 of the Johannesburg Cubs
The Discovery 702 Walk the Talk has something for everyone, with 30km and 15km events for serious walkers, while those looking for a shorter walk with their families, work colleagues or even with their dogs, can enjoy the 5km and 8km walks. Read more
