For centuries, cabin boys, who were often young children, would take to the sea to learn a trade as a way to escape from misery. Grumet Exit was the first project of the Fundación Laureus España, created in mid-2006 and chaired by Juan Antonio Samaranch Salisachs. Grumet Exit is open to students of both sexes in the third and fourth year of secondary school, most of whom are immigrants with academic problems, a tendency towards absenteeism or trouble fitting in socially who are given an extracurricular stimulus that has a favourable impact on their academic and personal lives.
Spanish Laureus Sport for Good Foundation learninng to navigate
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...
What a day! Despite the 5.15 start we left the Portsmouth Travelodge in high spirits. Although the Tall Stories support van was given the full drugs and weapons search by customs officials, we managed to get on the ferry first and secure the best seats. Incredibly the ferry even left 10 minutes early and we had a quick a fairly smooth journey across the channel. Yes, it was going to be a good day.
The first 21 mile leg to lunch flew by as we raced across a reasonably flat section of the Normandy countryside. The aches and pains of the South Downs drifted away and the world seemed wonderful place as we passed through the open fields and quaint villages in warm sunshine.
Lunch, as ever, was a treat with the Tall Stories boys providing homemade baguettes and all sorts of other goodies. Graeme, the slower* group’s guide, gave a short masterclass on drafting and working as a team, which meant that the overall pace of the day was significantly higher.
*I’ve referred to them as the slow group but I can guarantee that they’ve been travelling at a pace far higher than most people can manage – it’s just that the so-called fast group are full of annoying Ironmen and women.
After lunch, we had to deal with two reasonably difficult hills and the girls of the fast group continued to show some of the boys how it was done. It probably doesn’t help that Ken continues to use lunch and rest stops for a cheeky cigarette break but he knows the consequences. Marcus has no excuse other than eating his own bodyweight in food each evening.
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…
After the success of his cycle from Manchester to London, Daley Thompson has decided to get back on the bike to join Miguel Indurain on the Laureus London to Paris Bike Ride, 24 – 27 September.
If you are interested in joining the ride and raising money for the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation, please download our brochure.
Alternatively, register your interest by leaving a comment and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.
This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to join Miguel Indurain, a legend of the cycling world, on a three day ride through the English countryside, stunning vineyards and beautiful French villages before arriving at Paris in true Tour de France style.
