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CHALLENGE SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED..... I Got to Paris - Brilliant!!

I arrived back in London in the early hours of Monday 27 July having successfully cycled from London to Paris and having raised nearly £900 towards my chosen charity Chisitian Aid.

Over 130 cyclists started the ride at Bexley with everyone in the group successfully pedalling all 300 miles to Paris. I met some brilliant people from all walks of life who all wanted to make a difference.  We certainly bonded as a team and everyone was so friendly as we got to know one another over the days of the challenge.  

Each of the 4 days in the saddle presented its own challenges with some tough climbs on Day 1 through Kent on our way to Dover (68 miles) and also on Day 2 from Calais to Arras (80 miles).  On Day 3 we stepped back in history as we cycled though Bapaume, scene of the Battle of the Somme and passed many cemeteries (British, French and German) reminding us of the futility and waste of human life that happened back in the 1914 -18 war. We eventually arrived in Compeigne (80 miles) having cycled due south all day into a stiff headwind and passing through some beautiful countryside. Finally on Day 4 our adventure took us through through stunning forests and we eventually reached the outskirts of Paris (66 miles).  We regrouped outside the Louvre and caused some excitement with locals and tourists alike as we had our pictures taken. I felt like a celebrity and I'm sure some of them thought we were directly associated with the Tour de France which finished in Paris the day after our arrival!!  Finally we rode as a group up the Champs Elysees, round the Arc de Triomphe and down to our finish overlooking the Eiffel Tower.  All the cyclists felt a great sense of achievement, as the challenge had been tough at times, and there was a tremendous atmosphere as we well welcomed by many supporters who had made the trip from the UK to celebrate or success.

Finally I want to personally thank everyone who has made a charity contribution to Christian Aid through my Just Giving website.  These donations do make a real difference to the poor of the world with all of your contributions going directly to the charity.  My Just Giving web site will stay open until mid September 2009 so you can still make donations if you want to support me until them.  Hopefully I will will have far exceeded by £1100 target by then.

Thank you all once again and maybe next year it will be you doing the pedalling for a good cause and me supporting you.....

LONDON TO PARIS CHARITY CYCLE RIDE - ONLY 4 DAYS TO GO - 22 TO 25 JULY 2009

My 4 day cycle challenge starts next Wednesday 22 July from London to Paris and I have had fantastic encouragement and support from family and friends. So far I've raised over £700 for my chosen charity CHRISTIAN AID and hope to eventually get nearer to my target of £1100 which would be brilliant.....

I originally registered for this cycle event 8 weeks ago on the 22 May when I did not even own a bike and wasn't a cyclist (I MUST HAVE BEEN MAD!).  I have come a long way since and have bought a road bike and some cycling gear (SEE PICTURE) and have been training regularly 3 times a week.  My cycle fitness and confidence have both now improved substantially and I just hope I've done enough to allow me to enjoy this adventure which I'm really looking forward to. 

MY RECENT TRAINING - So far my longest training ride has been 60 miles and it taught me how steep some of the roads are going over the North Downs in Surrey. Maybe it wasn't as tough as a stage in the Tour de France but it sure felt mountainous to me!!  After 4 hours cycling I arrived back home and felt bushed and ready for a hot bath and then bed!  More recently I've been back doing laps of Richmond Park and have developed a love / hate relationship with some of the hills there.  I've been around in both directions and can't make up my mind which way in worst!!

Thank you for visiting my page and please support me if you can.

Martin

MY TRAINING UPDATE - 25 June 2009
It's now less than 4 weeks before I set off on my challenging 300 mile cycle ride from London to Paris. I've been training hard over the past month cycling upto 30 miles, 4 times a week around Richmond Park and Box Hill in Surrey.  This is helping me to prepare and get fit enough to undertake this physically testing and worthwhile adventure.

I'm aiming to raise £1100 for Christian Aid, my chosen charity, by completing the cycle ride and have already received nearly £500 in donations from my generous sponsors.

Christian Aid works with the world's poorest people, whatever their race and faith in 50 countries overseas and are committed to seeing a just world - now.  Not just in the future. The charity deserves support and your £10 will feed a family for a week and £50 could go a long way to providing drinking water for a village.

Donating through Justgiving is quick, easy and totally secure. It’s also the most efficient way to sponsor me: Christian Aid gets your money faster and, if you’re a UK taxpayer, Justgiving makes sure 25% in Gift Aid, plus a 3% supplement, are added to your donation.

Thank you for visiting my page and please support me if you can.

Martin